Posted by bluegreydawn on May 21, 2001, at 2:32:27
In reply to Re: Dr. Bob-- Paxil: My child's experience, posted by Diane J. on March 23, 2001, at 13:12:46
> > > Any info, or input is extremely appreciated.
> >
> > I'd be interested, too. I don't have any experience myself with children that young...
> >
> > Bob
>
> Dear Dr. Bob,
>
> My daughter Kendra Is ten years old. She has taken Paxil since she was five and a half years old, although we think she has reached the point where she doesn't need the medication and we are beginning to taper it off.
>HI- I'm wondering how the tapering off is going?
My son was recently prescribed paxil for anxiety at school, but after reading on the web about the "withdrawal syndrome" I am not sure about him using it. (Some people are actually sueing the drug company for failing to provide information about withdrawal) I wonder if I would be just setting him up for a miserable experience?
I am also concerned because everything I read about Paxil states that there have been NO studies done with children(This was also on the 'official web site'). One site even specifically said that it should not be administered to people under 18. Psycho-Babble is the only site where I have seen it stated (more than once) that it is frequently prescribed and safe for children.
I've read that some of the potential side effects are asthenia, weight gain, and loss of ejaculation or libido. I also read that in toxicity studies done on mice, giving them 8 times the normal dose resulted in atrophy and tumors in the genital tracts.
What does this mean for an 11 year-old, overweight boy? I am quite certain that he is about to experience the change of life called puberty. Not that I am really concerned about his libido at this point, but I am concerned about his hormonal balance at such a important milestone of developement.
Is there a safer subsitute for Paxil?
My son has been diagnosed with ADD, and OC tendencies. He also has a behavior broblem that looks like defiance to authority figures at school, but the behavior arises when he is really afraid (of looking bad and/or not being in control of his situation) and he either runs away or lashes out. At all other times he is a soft-spoken piece of cake, and everybody loves him, but he is very shy. Since I have been home-schooling him his behavior problems have practically dissappeared. I am amazed at the academic progress he has made. But he has to go back to school because I'm a single parent and I can't "do it all". That is why we're seeing the psych doctor, because he has to go back to public school.
We tried Ritalin so far. It helps academics slightly, but seems to increase stress.
I am really worried about using Paxil even though it has been approved for use in Social Anxiety Disorder in adults.
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poster:bluegreydawn
thread:58
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/187.html