He might be Asperger's - No one can tell us for sure yet!!!

[eilenej1]

My son is in a 5-day intensive outpatient psych program right now.  He's been there 2 days.  His psychologist said ADHD with possible bi-polar.  She didn't dx him bi-polar, but noted that he could be.  We also talked about possible Asperger's.  We went to a psychiatrist and she also noted that he could be bi-polar, but couldn't say without extensive evaluation.  She recommended we enroll in this program.

Yesterday was day #2.  His psychiatrist from the program prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac - basically).  I was shocked because I was expecting a mood stabilizer for bi-polar.  So I asked that the doctor call so we could talk.  The doctor is not leaning towards bi-polar, but rather towards asperger's.  He says he gets good results with fluoxetine in Asperger's and autistic patients.  Says that much of the time, the mood swings come under control, they're generally happier and more social, and hyperactivity greatly diminishes.

Luke is painfully shy with new people unless me or a familiar person is there to help him.  When he's shy, he has diminished eye contact and talks so quietly that you can't hear him.  He displays many asperger's / autistic characteristics.  His only repetitive behavior is rocking though, so we weren't really sure he fit that category.  His psychologist also thought that might be the problem, but the lack of repetitive behaviors made her lean towards severe ADHD instead.

He also shows many bi-polar characteristics, but without the internal voices or deliberate aggression.  He also lacks the night terrors.  He has bad dreams sometimes, but pretty infrequently.  The biggest characteristic is the causes of his tantrums and length.  They're more similar to bi-polar rages than to ADHD tantrums.

So, we are very nervously trying the fluoxetine.  He's on the minimum dose, of course, so we hope that all of the dietary changes and supplementation will allow the minimum dose to work well.

Wish us luck please!

[mcqueenmom]

Oct. 31, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Good luck and thats great your getting him the help he needs!!!!!!!!

[NYsoccermom]

Nov. 1, 2009 at 5:45 PM

My son has bipolar and has never heard voices or had night terrors (internal voices is scitzofrenia). Good luck and I hope they figure out what is wrong with your son.

[blcsmommie]

Nov. 4, 2009 at 6:32 PM

Good luck I know it is tough to go through just remember your not alone.  I agree with the Dr. on not starting with a mood stabilizer. Coming from a person who has lived with Bi-Polar disorder for 12 years that would be my last resort ,as all on the market suck with side effect and what they do to your body. What ever the Dr. says do not let them put him on Lithium it is one of the worst out there and it has some massively nasty side effect one of which is severe suicidal thoughts. I have tried it a couple times and each time the side effects were worse.

[Jessie104]

Aug. 20, 2010 at 10:40 AM

I wish u luck, I had a brother with Bi-Polar and I have a nephew with asperger's he flaps but he doesn't understand pain, what u are going through now is the hardest once the Dr's know whats wrong then it will be easier on u and your child.