Posted by Sara T on May 26, 2000, at 21:23:51
In reply to effexor,ritilan and children, posted by cjb on May 26, 2000, at 10:32:34
> I need to know if there are any parents out there who have been trying different medications for their children. I have an 8 year old who is now on ritilan (ADHD)and the doctor wants to add effexor to this. I am unsure. I have a 10 year old that was put on Paxil about 3 months ago for depression and I already have him off of it because of the side effects-and because of all that I had read about it. None of these meds indicate research in children which makes it so scarry to just do it however, the anger and outbursts that have been going on for so many years has been so exhausting for me I sometimes feel like I am the one with a problem and should be taking some kind of med.
> I am reaching out to parents with children and their failures or success with their children on medication.
> cjbYes, I am the parent of an 8 year boy old diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (a mild autistic spectrum disorder), ADHD, and LD and yes, we have been through several meds. We started on Prozac, then prozac with ritalin, then the prozac pooped out, then paxil with no results, then xanax, a distaster, and now he is on Zoloft and Adderall. He has been stable for quite awhile now.
It is scarey to medicate your child because NONE of these things have been tested for pediatric use. However, I know what you mean when you say that the anger outbursts wear you out. And as concerned as I am about the long term (and short term) effects of these drugs, I don't think we could live with him if he weren't using them. I think he is a happier and certainly more functional child because of the meds.
I don't know much about Effexor's use with children but I do know that it is the drug of choice for many dr's who deal with ADHD and that it is often used with adderall or ritalin. It has some side effects that you should be aware of, like raising blood pressure, and it is hard to withdraw from. Look on this site, or Dr. Koop pharmacy site and you will get a fuller description of Effexor. READ carefully and ask lots of questions.
Finally, I do know there is a message and chat forum on Compuserve on ADD, and there are other ADD listserves where parents are discussing the kinds of information you're looking for.
Good luck in this difficult decision.
Sara T.
poster:Sara T
thread:34720
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/34798.html