Melatonin, Ritalin, Stratera, Risperdol(?)

[fiorelli]

we had our CAMHS meeting last week, and were asked to think about these meds ready for our next meeting at the end of January.

 

Now I know Melatonin is to aid sleep

 

And Ritalin is used to help ADHD behaviours.

 

But what about the others?

 

Does you child use any of these meds? Have they been of any use? What side effects have they had?

 

The CAMHS psychaitrist was talking about polypharmacy (using 2+ medicines together) - is your child doing this? What are your thoughts on it?

 

Are the meds any good for Children with AS and ADHD or High Arousal AS?

[loulou]

Hi Fiorelli,

 

Kai (7, ADHD,ASD) has been on Risperidone for 5 weeks now. It is an anti-psychotic but it seems to help for some people with ASD. It helps reduce his anxiety and violent outbursts.

 

Even though it's early days, i have seen a dramatic difference in him. He is happier, and much less violent. He is also having less meltdowns. I accidently ran out of the drug at the weekend, so he went 48 hours without it, and his mood went downhill.

 

He has also just been re-started on Ritalin for his ADHD. He was on it last year, but (as others have mentioned on this forum), it seemed to bring out his ASD more.

 

The paeds wanted to try him on Risperidone together with Ritalin, as he is so hyperactive and has a very poor concentration span. He's been taking the Ritalin for 4 days now, and he is noticeably calmer. I actually managed to visit 3 friends with him yesterday with no untoward incidents (this is not something i could ever have done before).

 

I think every child is so different, and therefore diffent meds will work for some and not for others. I don't want to have to medicate him at all, but i think he has a better quality of life with them.

 

Hope this is of help.

 

loulou x

 

ps he was also tried on Straterra, but the capsules were so big he couldn't swallow them.

Edited December 20, 2005 by loulou

[fiorelli]

Thank you LouLou.

 

It was the Risperidone that the doc mentioned (don't know where I got Risperdol from!)

 

It is good to know that the meds can help.

[Emum]

I think Risperdol and Risperadine are the same drug, one is the brand name and the other is the generic name.

[stressed out mum]

Hi fiorelli

 

My son was on Ritalin for a couple of years and it work well with no side effects, it helped him to concentrate and focus on his work and stay in his seat!

 

After the two years he began to get shakey and no one knew why so he came off it. Things are better now and he is beginning to control himself and think before he opens his mouth.

 

I couldn't fault it for the time it worked though. He is now on Eye- Q which was recommended by someone on this site. Too early to tell if they are working though.

[fiorelli]

Thank you Stressed Out Mum.

 

Louis is already on Fish Oils - Efalex. He has tried the Eye-Q, but couldn't get on with them.

 

We have been told by the Psychiatrist that we are allowed to get him the fish oils on prescription for him, but that he doesn't know what brand they would be. Will have to go after Christmas and see what I can do, as all these fish oils are expensive!

[Mother in Need]

My son has been on risperdal (risperidone, they are indeed one and the same) for some months now, and it has made a huge difference to his quality of life, to that of his two brothers and ofcourse to mine. I too ran out of them just after christmas, and the difference was pretty instant and obvious. Won't let that happen again!

[lynyona]

Can ask you all can your dr prescribe it,reading the posts about it i think kieran may benefit but it is only recently ive even entertained the idea of trying medication for him as his behaviour and anxiety seems to have escalated in the last 5 or 6 months.

 

 

lynn

[Elanor]

Hi

 

I suspect that most GPs would be reluctant to prescribe risperidone to a child, and that they are more likely to refer you to a specialist (paed or child psychiatrist). If you're already under the care of a specialist, then you would probably be better off contacting him/her. I can't tell you the hoops I had to go through before my son was finally prescribed, but I suppose every doctor has different requirements.

 

Elanor

[fiorelli]

Lynn,

 

We had been told for the last 2 years that Louis needs to trial ritalin by his paed, his health visitor, by the school nurse, by his GP. All have said to me that they are not able to prescribe the meds. I have had to wait - and fight - for a CAMHS appointment for Louis. This is the only place in our area, where they are willing to prescribe these meds.

[lynyona]

fiorelli

 

Thanks for that kieran (19) was seen and by camhs thats when we got his dx ,maybe worth my while getting back to them to see what they have to say .

 

lynn

[Angus]

Hi J's been on risperdal for about a year (after much soul-searching) we eventually started as his anger had become a real issue for him and others. His child psych prescribed. After 12 months and quite a lot of growth the effect wore off and his anger returned with a vengeance. Doc advised that it was due to his growth and we then upped it and are still waiting for it to take effect.

 

Our experience was certainly that it just gave J a chnace to get on at school and not just rage at everyting.

 

As for side effects it does make him eat a lot but he's coped with that and isnt oweight.

 

J's now 12, dx asd and presents tourette's.

 

Angus

[WeirdCat]

Risperdol is often prescribed in balance with ritalin because it counters the sleep and appetite problems that can be present with just ritalin on its own. It's something not to go into without a lot of research and also your child should be offered regular blood tests. My son was on ritalin briefly but it turned him into a zombie, he was given risperdol as an anti anxiety as well and we carried on with that because he was getting twice weekly migraines through stress and anxiety. However the migraines started to reappear and I wasn't prepared to take the risk of him having a higher dose. Interestingly in America the FDA has refused an application for a license to prescribe risperdol to autistic children, and likewise strattera was linked recently to increased suicide risk, however I don't know the numbers involved on that one. I think there is often a temptation to drug the child so he fits in with society, that is what i felt with my son, it would help him behave at school, although he was out of school at the time. However when the childs condition is seriously affectly whole family well being then it is a very difficult decision to make but sometimes a lifesaver

Ruth

[microsoft_admin]

we had our CAMHS meeting last week, and were asked to think about these meds ready for our next meeting at the end of January.

 

Now I know Melatonin is to aid sleep

 

And Ritalin is used to help ADHD behaviours.

 

But what about the others?

 

Does you child use any of these meds? Have they been of any use? What side effects have they had?

 

The CAMHS psychaitrist was talking about polypharmacy (using 2+ medicines together) - is your child doing this? What are your thoughts on it?

 

Are the meds any good for Children with AS and ADHD or High Arousal AS?

 

 

i been on all three they all supressed my appitite to varying drgrees (ritilen was the worst)

[Elanor]

Hi

 

Have you had a look at these threads about Risperdal/Risperidone?

 

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=4445

 

and

 

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=638

 

Elanor

[fiorelli]

Thanks all for the advice. Louis is now on Straterra (18mg for first week, 35mg thereafter), plus melatonin (when he needs it).