My 7 1/2 yr. old PDD-NOS dd has been having problems with sensory and behavioral issues lately. I took her to the Center for Disabilities and the Dr. upped her Adderall XR from 10mg-15mg and added 0.5 mg of Resperidal 2 times a day.
Has anyone else ever had their kids on this combo?
My son 9 was on this combo for two years, it worked really well, we just pulled him off the risperdal in February, and he's had no aggression issue reaccurences. He lost 6 pounds when we took him off the med though. Adderall tends to make them eat a little less, the risperdal increases their appetite.
Quoting TYLERSMOM2000:
My son 9 was on this combo for two years, it worked really well, we just pulled him off the risperdal in February, and he's had no aggression issue reaccurences. He lost 6 pounds when we took him off the med though. Adderall tends to make them eat a little less, the
Quote:
risperdal increases their appetite.
yes this is so true, my daughter gained 15 pounds with risperdal, so now that she is off of it she isnt gaining as much weight, so if your child gets hungry try for a healthy snack
That's not what I wanted to hear. Good that you both told me thought.
My dd started out in February being overweight (97th percentile for weight and height). She started the adderall XR and is now within a healthy weight (52nd percentile for her weight and height) and able to find clothes to fit her. If she gains the weight back then we're going right back to other sensory issues she had before with clothes not fitting her right.
AHHHH! Is there any way we can win with all these disorders? I mean we find something that'll help one issue and it brings out the worst in another.
I'm so frustrated I could seriously cry!
My son is 10 no weight issues. He has been on Resperdal for about a year for aggression. Dr just added Adderall XR 10 mg a week ago. I'm not sure this is going ot help so far no difference.
Teacher say he is not focused. I think it's just he doesn't look when she is talking! IMO
I'm with you about finding something that will help everything!!
Jcdmom
My 8 year old daughter was on this combination - we didn't like it. We saw no difference with the Risperidal, and the Adderall just made her retreat more into her own little world - she slowly stopped talking much.
But everyone child is different, just because it didn't work for us, doesn't mean it won't for you.
Autumn does awesome on the Adderall. She's been on it since February and we have seen a wonderful change in her focus and fidgeting. She has been doing so much better in school and at home.
The Dr. added the resperidal to help with some sensory issues and behaviors she's recently developed and I wasn't sure how the 2 meds would react together and what side effects anyone else has seen with thier child on this combo.
I don't like the idea of her gaining weight as weight has been a past issue with her and a big health issue in mine and her bio. father's family lines. Nothing fit her right and she would have meltdowns trying to find clothes since everything was snug or too big or too long when we had to go up another size. We can't go back to that again!
No, My son has only been on Risperdal. They do have him on Remeron for sleep at night plus it calms him down. They suggested the Adderall but I would rather my son be hyper than a zombie. I have ADHD and have been taking Adderall for over 20 years and there are some side effects and ticks that come a long with it. I would ask them to increase the Risperdal. My son has been a miracle since on the Risperdal. He started out at a small dose and now up to 2mg's twice a day. My son is 10 so they will have to increase as he grows. Hope this helps.
Quoting autumnsmommy02:
That's not what I wanted to hear. Good that you both told me thought.
My dd started out in February being overweight (97th percentile for weight and height). She started the adderall XR and is now within a healthy weight (52nd percentile for her weight and height) and able to find clothes to fit her. If she gains the weight back then we're going right back to other sensory issues she had before with clothes not fitting her right.
AHHHH! Is there any way we can win with all these disorders? I mean we find something that'll help one issue and it brings out the worst in another.
I'm so frustrated I could seriously cry!
I'm so sorry for your frustration. Have you brought up your concerns with the doctor about her weight? There could be a different medication in the same drug family as those that might not have that side effect. The other things I would suggest are watching her diet and making sure she gets exercise. My son is on the GFCF diet along with his medication- he's on Abilify- and that has helped a lot with his weight and keeping him regular. We avoid red dyes, excessive sugar, etc. He drinks water like it's going out of style. We also go for a 45-60 minute walk as often as we can. In the summer we go every day but in the winter it can be hard to do that. I find that the little bit of exercise in the walking helps him think clearer and has kept my weight down too- a nice side effect. ;) Medications do have side effects and often it slows down the metabolism/ thyroid. Genes can do that too. and there have been some interersting findings in regards to the PH factor in blood. Essentially though, weight management boils down to calories in and calories out. It sucks to have to be rigid about everything but well, I think most of us are used to that in other areas too. Hugs!
I have to say I feel so sad and shocked to find that so many parents are agreeing with doctors to medicate their kids for sensory issues...like I did....I thought that that school of thought had died out when we realized our kids need O.T. , special diets, and other therapies like sensory integration and ABA discrete trial, play therapy and auditory integration training...behavioral and/or mobile therapists need to lead the caretakers (everybody who has contact w/the child) as far as training them to train the child, to teach their neighbors and families how to approach and nurture their child(ren). I am anti-medication, because of the dangers, of which weight gain is a huge problem yet is probably the least of the problematic side-effects. My son gained 50 lbs in 2 wks from Risperdal and another 50 within a few more weeks. He stayed on it years, and he quit learning....he started vomiting and then we found out it destroyed 2/3 of his stomach, burned and eroded most of his esophagus....THESE SIDE AFFECTS WERE THE REASONS FOR THE BEHAVIORS. He was in horrific pain for years, not being able to speak, and my not having a clue....then he started vomiting blood and putting his head through the school walls. The "experts" (school, behavioral, medical) figured he's just plain crazy, at 7 yrs old, so the doctor starts the long trail of changing meds....Those in the classification of Risperdal ALL HAVE THE SAME SIDE AFFECTS. AND ON TOP OF ALL THIS, HE SUFFERRED HAIR LOSS FROM THE MEDS and at 14 is now bald! and 100 lbs overweight! And still has the behaviors they thought they were stopping with Risperdal. So I hope this challenges you to change your thinking. I hope you learn from my mistake. Adderal is another thing altogether...there's actually a medical reason as to why it helps with ADD symptoms.
We just took my 3 year old son back to his Developmental pediatrician, because we are having such an issue with aggression and outburts. He can not control it, and no amount of discipline helps...he just continues to do it. So we have decided to try meds as I do not know any other alternative right now...I am at my wits end. The other night he got a hold of his sisters face over a movie. Now underneath her eye looks like she was attacked by a cat or something! So the doc is trying him out on half of a .25 tablet once a day. This morning was his first dose. Has anyone else had such a young one take Risperidal? I am not too concerned about the weight gain. He has been in the 10th percentile since he was born, and when he is hungry, he dose really well with fruit and other healthy snacks. I just would like some other parents opinions...it is scary for me as I do not want to see him on meds...but being here all day by myself wih him...don't really know what else to do for him, and me! Thanks!!!!!
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- autumnsmommy02
on Nov. 24, 2009 at 11:04 AM