Posted by Sara T on March 29, 2001, at 23:10:57
In reply to Re: Paxil: My child's experience, posted by Dr. Bob on March 23, 2001, at 23:17:49
> > I hope this information is of interest to you.
>
> To me and to others, too, thanks!
>
> BobI have a 9 year old son with Asperger's Synndrome, a high functioning autism, and we have had him on Prozac, paxil, xanax and currently Zoloft. The SSRI's in particular (except the paxil) have worked well for his anxiety and OCD type behaviors. He has also used ritalin and currently Adderall for attentional problems. for a nine year old who stands 4'3" and weighs 52 lbs. he takes a pretty good dose, 150 mg Zoloft/day and 20 mg Adderall/2xday and I also give him 1/3mg of melatonin to help him settle down at night. Some folks forgo meds for their Asperger kids and ADHD too and use diet and/or vitamin regimens. Some people get results, many don't. There isn't alot of solid science backing up those approaches but if you get results and it doesn't hurt them, who can argue.
Prozac and Paxil are pretty commmonly prescribed for pediatric patients with anxiety and depression. With ADHD, mood disorders, depression and anxiety are ofter comorbid. It really isn't uncommon for kids with those diagnosis to be taking both a stimulant such as ritalin and an antidepressant. Calming the anxiety can help with attention problems too.
I myself have ADD and I take Concerta and Zoloft. The Concerta is basically ritalin in a new delivery form. It is much smoother working than the shorter acting forms. You don't experience the sharp ups and downs. And I take the Zoloft for depressiona and anxiety. The combo has worked well. I am going to give my son a trial on the Concerta because it is longer lasting than the Adderall and now that he is older he will have more homework and afterschool activities.
Meds can't do everything for a child. It takes alot of patience and consistency on the part of the parents, (maybe that's why I know so many who take antidepressants). But I wouldn't want my child to miss out on the opportunity to use is talents and experience success. If there's anything that has made it possible for my son to go from doing absolutely nothing in 1st grade to doing 3rd grade level work within a month's time (while in 1st grade) it was starting on meds. He is in 3rd grade now and is an Honor Roll Student and does 5th grade math and reads at 6th grade level. He actually has some friends, even though socializing is difficult for him, he enjoys being with his class and likes school. A far cry from when he was 6 in kindergarten and came home saying he wanted to burn himself up and was very negative toward school.
I am considering enrolling my daughter in a study that is going on for Effexor in pediatric patients. I'm not so sure about it, but my insurance (HMO) isn't taken by many private practice psychologists.
Try to find a good psychopharmacologist that deals with pediatric patients. It may take some time to get it right, but the results can be dramatic.
Hope this helps.
Sara T.
poster:Sara T
thread:58
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/141.html