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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mama Bear on December 3, 2003, at 20:25:32
I have a 6 yr old daughter that is diagnosed as having type 2 early onset childhood bipolar. We don't dispute the diagnosis as it really fits with all her symptoms. However we are a bit concerned about the medications she is on. Childhood bipolar symptoms are quite different to that of an adolescent or adult symptoms. My daughter is an ultra rapid cycler and can cycle up to 20 times per day. We started her on Lithium and Effexor about 2 months ago. She became so aggressive, and was raging out of control we had to call a crisis mobile team to come and help us calm her down. I, in desperation, picked up the telephone and called her psychiatrist and left a message of her raging for 10 minutes. He called back the next day and told us that after hearing the message he realized she needed an antipsychotic. He chose chlorpromazine. She had been on Respirdal before for what we thought was Oppositional Defiant disorder before the age of 4.We had moderate success with Respirdal with curbing the rages but did nothing to control the drastic mood swings. We weaned her off the Respirdal because it made her gain a lot of weight over 17 months and it left her with some movement problems. We did not know anything about psychiatric meds before her inital dx of ODD. Now we realize that ODD is all part of Childhood Bipolar. She is now on the three medications and I question the Effexor because she is still quite physically violent. Antidepressants can cause this in children with bipolar. However when I spoke to the psychiatrist today about it he told me she needs the effexor. Everything I have read has indicated that indeed it could be the Effexor causing her more problems. She is now experiencing stomach pain and headaches. I don't know if the stomach aches are for real or just a reason to get out of school. She has done something like this in the past. We are Canadian and it is so hard to find a good pdoc up here. We are "lucky" to have the one we have got. I am curious if anyone else has had similiar symptoms as my daughter while on these medications or if you may have a young child that has taken these meds. We really want to get to the bottom of this and get her on the right medication.
Thanks
Posted by Waterlily on December 4, 2003, at 8:04:45
In reply to 6yr old Bipolar Daughter, posted by Mama Bear on December 3, 2003, at 20:25:32
I really feel for you. It has got to be a real challenge to parent a child like that, not to mention painful to see your child suffering. My 11 year old has depression, OCD, and ADD, but she's never been violent or anything. It has been tough seeing her go through the anxiety, depression, and difficulties with school. It's so sad to see them dealing with such huge problems at such a young age.
Unfortunately, I can't help you with your question. I really hope that you find answers and that your daughter improves. Take care.
Posted by mags on December 4, 2003, at 8:26:39
In reply to 6yr old Bipolar Daughter, posted by Mama Bear on December 3, 2003, at 20:25:32
Hi Mamabear,
I also live in Canada and was just wondering what province you live in because some of the University's have great mental Health facilities attached to them or some of the large hospitals also......or have you contacted the Canadian Mental Health Assocaition directly?
Maggie
Posted by Mama Bear on December 4, 2003, at 13:28:19
In reply to Re: 6yr old Bipolar Daughter, posted by mags on December 4, 2003, at 8:26:39
Thanks Mags, We live in Ottawa, Ontario. We have the university of Ottawa joined at the hip with one of our teaching hospitals here in Ottawa. It is the Ottawa Campus General site Hospital. I have contacted the Ontario Mental Health Organization in the past but maybe it is time to do that again. We had no choice but to put her into the temporary care of Children's Aid as she was physically attacking us, getting way too aggressive and was a danger to herself and to us. We will be able to get her back anytime we want but feel we need to have at least a month break or so. This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make and it is so painful just to think about not having her here when we wake up in the morning. Despite all the terrible things bipolar has caused her to do she is still my flesh and blood and nothing will ever change that. Thanks for you support Mama Bear aka Tammy
Posted by Bill LL on December 4, 2003, at 15:26:09
In reply to 6yr old Bipolar Daughter, posted by Mama Bear on December 3, 2003, at 20:25:32
Although I have never been on Effexor, I have read a lot of people's experiences. It's a great drug. For many people it is the most effective of all of the antidepressants. I wonder if a dosage increase would help her. Not being a medical professional, this might be a dumb suggestion. But maybe she should be tried on Ritalin.
Posted by mags on December 4, 2003, at 15:38:05
In reply to Re: 6yr old Bipolar Daughter, posted by Mama Bear on December 4, 2003, at 13:28:19
Dear Tammy, I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time! I am sure putting your child with CAS was a very difficult decision for you but it will give you some much needed rest. I would call the Mental Health Org again and ask about support groups. They can be very helpful. Good luck and your family will be in my prayers.
Maggie
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on December 5, 2003, at 17:01:25
In reply to Re: 6yr old Bipolar Daughter, posted by mags on December 4, 2003, at 15:38:05
She might benefit from attending the Pfeiffer Center in Chicago.They have a lot of experience of violent children and adults as well as bipolar.They are at www.hriptc.org.
This is the end of the thread.
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