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I have to agree totally with on this one. My son too is on a small dose

and has positive results with no diagnosis of BP or schizophrenia, BUT he does

have oppositional-defiant disorder.

Tamra

Re: Risperdal

I would just like to point out that my daughter has had an amazing

response to Risperdal, at a very tiny dose (0.25 mg.). She is much calmer,

less likely to argue and get stuck on things, and it apparently augments her

SSRI enough that it has helped her treatment resistant OCD. She is NOT

bipolar at all, has absolutely none of the symptoms. I would have to strongly

disagree with what your doctor said - I don't think a response to Risperdal

indicates either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

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  • 3 months later...
Guest guest

Our experience with Risperdal was horrendous-50 lbs. in 6 months-we had to

get off and then it took a very long time to lose it-we're not there yet.

Usually all the antidepressants cause some weight I have heard. Don't know

if this would work for others or it is because my daughter is BP too but the

mood stabilizer Trileptal took away almost all OCD symptoms with no side

effects and even some appetite suppressant qualities, I think. Ellen

mom to Eileen, 17yrs. BP, OCD/ODD tendencies- Trileptal 600mg.

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Guest guest

Hi Donna,Please be careful with risperdal-I know it helps alot of kids,but my

daughter gained over 30lbs,her period stopped and she started lactating!Pretty

scary for a 13yo-she is now on prozac and geodon-a weight neutral ,non-typical

anti-psychotic-with better results.Also straterra and neurontin.Good luck-Sue

--

On Thu, 24 Apr 2003 12:06:16

Donna Stone wrote:

>My daughter was put on Risperdal last week. I have heard that it can cause

>extreme weight gain, although it is a very helpful medication. I would like

>to know from those of you that have experiences with the Risperdal, the

>likelihood of weight gain. My daughter is hesitant about taking it because

>she fears she will gain a lot of weight. She is currently on prozac which

>she has been on since last year, and hasn't appeared to gain weight from

>that.

>

>

>

>

>

>_________________________________________________________________

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Hi Donna, I always feel I should respond to posts like yours because my child

has not had the weight-gain side effect from Risperdal, so there *are* kids out

here who don't have this side effect. She *did* have a boost in appetite for

about a week or so, but this effect petered out. It does make her sleepy so we

give the whole dose at bedtime.

Kathy R. in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

From: Donna Stone

My daughter was put on Risperdal last week. I have heard that it can cause

extreme weight gain, although it is a very helpful medication. I would like

to know from those of you that have experiences with the Risperdal, the

likelihood of weight gain. My daughter is hesitant about taking it because

she fears she will gain a lot of weight. She is currently on prozac which

she has been on since last year, and hasn't appeared to gain weight from

that.

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  • 3 months later...

My son started on the same dosage back in February and got it increased

about two months later. He takes one in the morning and one at night. He

turned seven at the end of June. This has made the bedtime ritual smoother

and he is asleep within a few minutes of getting in bed.

My son drinks a bottle (soy milk) so I got the oral type and give one dose

first thing in morning (8 am ) and between 4-5 pm nightly.

It has helped with his appetite, a year ago he was malnourished and many

wanted a G tube for him because he was still in the 40 pound range, but now

he has passed 50 in just a few months, probably about 53 pounds now and

since his appetite expanded he has lost several teeth, it had been a year

since the first tooth came out, his shoe size has jumped and he no longer is

a size 4T, in fact he is wearing size 6.

I got a Rx a year ago from our pediatrician for ensure plus, two cans a day

was mixed into his soy milk container, plus he was severely anemic and we

upped his iron from 2 to 3 times a day, no longer severely anemic either.

His hemoglobin was like a 7 and now 10+. They had a consult with a

hematologist a year ago when he was in hospital due to dehydration.

He started PICA symptoms soon after the ensure plus, picking and scraping

the wall, eating and pulling tree bark, dirt and stuff. I changed him to

Nature Soy complete meal replacement, no casein, the PICA slowed down some

with the Risperdal and no casein, but he is in a feeding clinic and they

started him on yogurt and puddings. I am going to visit trader joes to get

the soy yogurt and hope that helps.

My son has autism is non verbal, adhd and sensory integration dysfunction.

My eight year old I am sure is OCD and also has autism, he has the

stuttering, eye blinking and many obsessions and rituals. I have a stack of

books I have acquired I still need to read, but just switched him from an

HMO to regular medical (CA) so he can go see a psychiatrist to get him on

meds.

My ex (kids father) is paranoid schizophrenic and was on risperdal for a

time,he had a huge weight gain, now on something else, not sure, but I did

not know that risperdal was also given to kids with OCD. I will be

interested in learning what comes of the eye tic and the OCD while on

Risperdal.

Good luck, do you have oral dose, what type of foods does your daughter

like, is she anemic, malnourished, has a G tube been mentioned for her?

Last time we were in the hospital I spoke to a few mothers whose children

had tubes and watched what it was like to get a sense of it since I was

really worried, but the GI and pediatrician agreed with me that it was an

extreme measure for my son at that point.

Bonnie Sayers

============

Risperdal

> I decided today I need to follow through with the dr's orders and I gave

her the risperdal. She has a horrible eye blinking tic right now,and with

her OCD ,she is just not doing good.

> She is 7 years old and weighs 37 pounds,Shes very underweight. Her

prescription is 0.25 mg. Is this a low dose???

>

> Jennie

>

>

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Bonnie,

Is your son tired during the day?

Lindsey was 7 June 4th. She has developmental delay,now mild hypotonia,ADHD and

has global apraxia, her corrdination and speech are poor. She's very verbal but

hard to understand alot of the time.

The genetisist said she has russell silver syndrome,but I do not think she does.

I give lindsey pediasure and nothing been mentioned about a G-tube. She doesnt

eat much. She loves cereal,ice cream,raw ruhbarb, salad, hamburger,french

fries,pizza. She wont eat poultry,seafood or meat except a hamburger.

I'll let you know if the medicine helps!

Jennie

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Hi jennie:

Nope my son is not tired during the day. He slept better when he

went to summer camp because it was a six hour day and he is only used

to 4 hours at school.

This will be the first year he will be at school full days, last year

I took him home at Kindergarten time because of his eating.

The OT from the feeding clinic has been to the school to show them

how to get him to eat. His diet is basically bottles, chips, cheeze

curls, yogurt, pudding, bacon, potato sticks, french fries.

He gets two cans a day of the soy drink.

Is the pediasure coming from an RX by the Pediatrician, how many cans

a day does she take? Since she can take casein have you considered

ensure plus. It has 355 calories a can and really helped my son gain

needed weight. It would be great to have your daughter at 40 pounds

by the time school starts.

Have you seen a dietician, how often do you see the Pediatrician?

It really helps financially to get the Rx for the drink supplement,

and in light of her weight and disabilitites it should be no problem.

Since my son gets SSI, both do, they are with a HMO, the reason I did

not switch my 7 year old to regular medical is that I called the

hospital pharmacy and asked about the Huggies Goodnites and the soy

drink. Regular medical would not cover brand name diapers, so he

stays with the HMO. I just had the diaper order increased to 5 cases

a month from 4.

I also get IHSS for my son, In home supportive services, where they

pay me to care for him and offer protective supervision.

What state are you in?

I am in Los Angeles, CA.

Bonnie

=============

> Bonnie,

>

> Is your son tired during the day?

>

> Lindsey was 7 June 4th. She has developmental delay,now mild

hypotonia,ADHD and has global apraxia, her corrdination and speech

are poor. She's very verbal but hard to understand alot of the time.

>

> The genetisist said she has russell silver syndrome,but I do not

think she does. I give lindsey pediasure and nothing been mentioned

about a G-tube. She doesnt eat much. She loves cereal,ice cream,raw

ruhbarb, salad, hamburger,french fries,pizza. She wont eat

poultry,seafood or meat except a hamburger.

>

> I'll let you know if the medicine helps!

> Jennie

>

>

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-Also when my son was really undeweight, technically they called it

malnourished I joined two groups. I did searches on g tubes and

joined a mailing list and then the feeding group on yahoo to learn

what to do from others in the same situation.

Many of the parents said that they added carnation instant breakfast

to the kids milk to get them to gain weight.

I actually drink one of them daily myself, but it has casein so not

for my son.

I would suggest going to the ensure website and also pediasure or

drugstore and open two windows comparing the nutrients and calories

for both items and consider either adding another can of pediasure a

day or buying a six pack of the ensure plus and give it a shot.

There is nothing to lose since she can tolerate the pediasure, plus

it is cheaper. Check walgreens.com

There is a way to order the ensure plus online, but if no Rx as of

yet I would ask the Dr and then say you need two cases of 24 a month

so that comes to I believe two cans a day.

I did all the research ahead, called hospital pharmacy to make sure

it was covered and how it came packaged and then went to Dr with the

printouts of the nutrients and suggested this, she wrote the Rx with

6-12 refills and no problem.

Bonnie

============

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My son was extremely underweight and wouldn't eat hardly anything, when he

was much younger. I mixed Ovaltine with his milk...and I swear it kept him

alive for 2 years. It has alot of vitamins and minerals...and he would

drink that but reject any other kind of supplement.

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Do some comparison shopping online and see the difference between the ensure

plus and the pediasure and check the calories. I know it was a dollar or

two cheaper when I was researching.

What about a prescription? I would get that ASAP.

Bonnie

==================

Re: Re: Risperdal

> We live in Florida.

>

> She drinks 3 cans a day If I'm lucky. It is pretty expensive.

> We do not get SSI.

>

> Jennie

>

>

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That would be great if we could get a prescription. The risperadol might start

making her gain weight,hopefully.But will ask the pediatrition too for a

presciption.. We don't see the pediatrition very often. She's a pretty healthy

kid,just skinny,and lots of behavioral things. She was anemic as a baby but not

anymore.

Jennie

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Jennie:

Is the Pediatrician the one who gave the Rx for Risperdal? Is it to

be taken twice a day?

Therapists and teachers at school were all concerned a year ago about

my son and he was six and in the low 40s.

Medical professionals used the term malnourished, I would think with

your daughter's weight being under 40 that it would be a medical

issue to have her gain weight.

People wanted me to put my son in the hospital to have him eat around

the clock, others thought I was abusing him by not feeding him.

I would just do some research to cover all bases, what grade is she

in at school, when does it start>?

Can you find a chart online that shows the percentile she is in for

her height, age and weight?

When was the last time she saw the Dr and what was her weight then?

I would push to get the Rx this coming week, save you some money and

just show your parental concern. In this day and age we need to do

all to protect ourselves, and from what I have read Florida is not

the greatest state.

A nurse could write something in a file and file a complaint. The

nurse called me in earlier this year about my son.

Look into feeding clinics too.

Sorry just want to make sure you do not go through what we did and

also I am concerned at her low weight and the fact that no one has

ever mentioned a g tube.

Bonnie

==========

-- In , " Jennie Lyon " <borngmama@s...>

wrote:

> That would be great if we could get a prescription. The risperadol

might start making her gain weight,hopefully.But will ask the

pediatrition too for a presciption.. We don't see the pediatrition

very often. She's a pretty healthy kid,just skinny,and lots of

behavioral things. She was anemic as a baby but not anymore.

>

> Jennie

>

>

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Hi bonnie-never can tell what lists people show up on. My son

stsarted on Resperdal 4 years ago & gsined 16 1/2 pouinds in the first 3

weeks. we then added in ritalin (which had done nothing to help him in

school-but had killed his appitite) well he stopped gaining, but

couldn't loose it. went from Extra slims to husky's in 3 weeks. This

spring the ritalin stopped working & he stsrted eating non-stop

again---He allso takes Prozac by the way. So we gave up the ritalin &

asdded adderall weight came off fast-he has grown 3 " since may & looks

much better. I think it is working, but we need to up the

prozac-hormones, growth-I hate these teen years. Joy

>

>

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

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Yes, It is a low dose-That is where we stsrted-X2 a day Niow do

..50 X2 a day. Weight gain stsrted with in a few days. josh would come

home in the afternoon & stand in the kitchen eating 1 thing after the

other non-stop. good Luck-Joy

>

>

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Thanks Bonnie,

The psychiatrist put her on Risperdal, we see him every 2 months. Her last

appointment she was 36 pounds.And I think she's 45 1/2 inches. She is less then

the 3rd percentile for her weight and 10 for her height. She has fallen

downwards in both areas.

I have always worried about her weight but her pediatrition hasnt made a big

deal about it.

Lindsey is supose to take one pill in the evenings.

School starts today!!! I need to get little ms priss up. She will probably be

eye blinking even more horribly this morning.and of course she has her routine

soon as she wakes up.she has to check all our doors and lights.

How long before the risperdsol usually works?

Jennie

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Hi Jennie, this is a low dose of Risperdal and my daughter 9 has been on it for

a few years now. It was added to her SSRI when she began a vicious blinking tic

that really bothered her. This tic was much reduced within a couple-three days

of starting Risperdal. She has taken .25mg as sort of a maintenance dose,

raised anywhere up to 1mg when tics have been severe.

That is one nice thing about this med, unlike the SSRIs which take several weeks

to show full effect, you know within a few days if Risperdal will be helpful for

ticcing.

Take care,

Kathy R. in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

From: Jennie Lyon

I decided today I need to follow through with the dr's orders and I gave her

the risperdal. She has a horrible eye blinking tic right now,and with her OCD

,she is just not doing good.

She is 7 years old and weighs 37 pounds,Shes very underweight. Her

prescription is 0.25 mg. Is this a low dose???

Jennie

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  • 4 years later...

Thanks for that. I truly needed it! I feel so alone and I truly appreciate these forums of parents who understand! Much peace and blessings to you and ALLpkuenstler@... wrote: , bless your heart. We all understand. You will survive and be stronger for it. We have all been there. Pat K**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)

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, First let me encourage you that things do get better, believe it or not. My daughter Zoe has shaken baby syndrome, autism spectem disorder, fetal alcohal effects and adhd of combined type.....just got the last 3 last week...so not sure what all of it means. My daughter from before age 2 became very aggressive and just as you describe your child. Finally at age 2 they did put her on respirdol and it does help. It does take time to work. The body and the brain have to adjust to the new meds. Give it time. My daughter has been on numurous meds always included respirdol. A few times they took her off of it only to have seen what she is really like on it, it helps her. Keep looking for help, never give up. contact all of your agencies in your area to see about respite care. That is a God send. Also find friends and family that are willing to take child even just a couple of hours a week. That will help also. We are all here for you, keep your chin up. bettyRJ wrote: Hello, I am new to group and rarely post. My 5 year old Son dx with ASD at 2 1/2. Started out to be a very calm and loving little boy. He is still very very loving... but his behaviors at home have gone to the EXTREME. He spends ALL of the time -- from time he gets home from school to bedtime... trying to get into the cabinets, oven, freezer, frig... etc. I have actually

slipped up and not closed the freezer part of frig ( i have to tape it-- only things that works) and he gets inside and closes door. Anyway, saw Child Psy on last week. My son absolutely showed him his BEST :)-- non stop runnning around room, throwing everything in site, lights on and off, trying to break toys.. etc.. He prescribed Risperdal M Tablet .5 MG and I started him on Sat.. didnt see ANY change -- possibly as Dr. said may or may not work for him, may or may not take awhile to take affect.. etc.. will see him end of week.. I am about to drop---- I am mentally and physically exhausted. terribly unhappy and not sure what to do next. Divorced from his father, who used to see him daily even after divorce but now I have to force him to come take him and my other child who is 4 and exhibiting behaviors I am not sure of... I just dont knw what to do AT ALL!!! anymore!!! Thanks

for reading Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

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Hi , I am brand new to this group but I wanted to tell you that my heart goes out to you. I have been there too. My son took risperdal for aggression and it did help in his case. Take care,

Risperdal

Hello,

I am new to group and rarely post. My 5 year old Son dx with ASD at 2 1/2. Started out to be a very calm and loving little boy. He is still very very loving... but his behaviors at home have gone to the EXTREME. He spends ALL of the time -- from time he gets home from school to bedtime... trying to get into the cabinets, oven, freezer, frig... etc. I have actually slipped up and not closed the freezer part of frig ( i have to tape it-- only things that works) and he gets inside and closes door.

Anyway, saw Child Psy on last week. My son absolutely showed him his BEST :)-- non stop runnning around room, throwing everything in site, lights on and off, trying to break toys.. etc..

He prescribed Risperdal M Tablet .5 MG and I started him on Sat.. didnt see ANY change -- possibly as Dr. said may or may not work for him, may or may not take awhile to take affect.. etc.. will see him end of week.. I am about to drop---- I am mentally and physically exhausted. terribly unhappy and not sure what to do next. Divorced from his father, who used to see him daily even after divorce but now I have to force him to come take him and my other child who is 4 and exhibiting behaviors I am not sure of... I just dont knw what to do AT ALL!!! anymore!!!

Thanks for reading

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Hi,

I am new (couple of months) and rarely post also, but

I wanted to respond. My daughter went from a calm,

happy baby to an absolute wild child by age 3. She

has Autism, Epilepsy, Scoliosis and recently

discovered ADHD. We had to take curtains down from

windows, pictures off of walls, lamps off of tables,

etc., etc. She would climb the curtains, swing off

the refridgerator door (standing on the door shelf and

shoving off the cabinet). She would " stair step " the

cabinet drawers and climb onto the counters and jump -

you name it - she did it. This went on non-stop for

hours and then she would drop and sleep for a while.

This would be the time I would feel like a terrible

mom because I got down on my knees and thanked God for

the break.

She is 15 now, and although we still have some VERY

rough patches due to hormonal changes, things have

greatly improved. We have used Risperdal for a long

time - it did take a little while to help, but it has

turned out to be the only drug that really has an

effect on her. She FINALLY got some of her language

back - it's not eloquent, but it IS functional. It

DOES get better - hang in there and know there are

lots of us out there with you. The other drug that

has REALLY helped was Stratterra - a new addition with

the ADHD diagnosis. That seems to have improved her

focus and calmed her down even more.

I agree - look for available help whereever you can

get it - call every agency and stay on them until you

get services or an application process started.

We are all here for you. - Sorry I don't post a lot.

Patty in Indiana

Risperdal

> Hello,

>

> I am new to group and rarely post. My 5 year old Son

dx with ASD at 2 1/2.

> Started out to be a very calm and loving little boy.

He is still very

> very loving... but his behaviors at home have gone

to the EXTREME. He

> spends ALL of the time -- from time he gets home

from school to

> bedtime... trying to get into the cabinets, oven,

freezer, frig... etc. I

> have actually slipped up and not closed the freezer

part of frig ( i have

> to tape it-- only things that works) and he gets

inside and closes door.

>

> Anyway, saw Child Psy on last week. My son

absolutely showed him his BEST

> :)-- non stop runnning around room, throwing

everything in site, lights

> on and off, trying to break toys.. etc..

>

> He prescribed Risperdal M Tablet .5 MG and I started

him on Sat.. didnt see

> ANY change -- possibly as Dr. said may or may not

work for him, may or

> may not take awhile to take affect.. etc.. will see

him end of week.. I

> am about to drop---- I am mentally and physically

exhausted. terribly

> unhappy and not sure what to do next. Divorced from

his father, who used

> to see him daily even after divorce but now I have

to force him to come

> take him and my other child who is 4 and exhibiting

behaviors I am not

> sure of... I just dont knw what to do AT ALL!!!

anymore!!!

>

> Thanks for reading

>

>

> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.

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,

God Bless you, I know how exhausting raising a unique son can be. A suggestion is that you check with an occupational therapist to see what you can do to calm him down. There are so many things available today that were not available when my son was small, "he is now 12". Sometimes pushing or pulling things like a wagon with some heavy objects in it can help. Also, weighted vest, weighted lap pads, or a weighted blanket may help. I work as a parapro and "sometimes" the above mentioned things help. My son was also on Risperdol and is now on Abilify. The drug treatments are a whole other nightmare. Good luck to you and hang in there. Take advantage of the loving moments and always look for the good behaviors and small miracles that happen everyday.

Jane

-------------- Original message --------------

Hello,

I am new to group and rarely post. My 5 year old Son dx with ASD at 2 1/2. Started out to be a very calm and loving little boy. He is still very very loving... but his behaviors at home have gone to the EXTREME. He spends ALL of the time -- from time he gets home from school to bedtime... trying to get into the cabinets, oven, freezer, frig... etc. I have actually slipped up and not closed the freezer part of frig ( i have to tape it-- only things that works) and he gets inside and closes door.

Anyway, saw Child Psy on last week. My son absolutely showed him his BEST :)-- non stop runnning around room, throwing everything in site, lights on and off, trying to break toys.. etc..

He prescribed Risperdal M Tablet .5 MG and I started him on Sat.. didnt see ANY change -- possibly as Dr. said may or may not work for him, may or may not take awhile to take affect.. etc.. will see him end of week.. I am about to drop---- I am mentally and physically exhausted. terribly unhappy and not sure what to do next. Divorced from his father, who used to see him daily even after divorce but now I have to force him to come take him and my other child who is 4 and exhibiting behaviors I am not sure of... I just dont knw what to do AT ALL!!! anymore!!!

Thanks for reading

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

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>

> ,

>

> God Bless you, I know how exhausting raising a unique son can be. A

suggestion is that you check with an occupational therapist to see what

you can do to calm him down. There are so many things available today

that were not available when my son was small, " he is now 12 " . Sometimes

pushing or pulling things like a wagon with some heavy objects in it can

help. Also, weighted vest, weighted lap pads, or a weighted blanket may

help. I work as a parapro and " sometimes " the above mentioned things

help. My son was also on Risperdol and is now on Abilify. The drug

treatments are a whole other nightmare. Good luck to you and hang in

there. Take advantage of the loving moments and always look for the good

behaviors and small miracles that happen everyday.

>

> Jane

>

> -------------- Original message --------------

> From: RJ rahimab_98@...

> Hello,

>

> I am new to group and rarely post. My 5 year old Son dx with ASD at 2

1/2. Started out to be a very calm and loving little boy. He is still

very very loving... but his behaviors at home have gone to the EXTREME.

He spends ALL of the time -- from time he gets home from school to

bedtime... trying to get into the cabinets, oven, freezer, frig... etc.

I have actually slipped up and not closed the freezer part of frig ( i

have to tape it-- only things that works) and he gets inside and closes

door.

>

> Anyway, saw Child Psy on last week. My son absolutely showed him his

BEST :)-- non stop runnning around room, throwing everything in site,

lights on and off, trying to break toys.. etc..

>

> He prescribed Risperdal M Tablet .5 MG and I started him on Sat..

didnt see ANY change -- possibly as Dr. said may or may not work for

him, may or may not take awhile to take affect.. etc.. will see him end

of week.. I am about to drop---- I am mentally and physically exhausted.

terribly unhappy and not sure what to do next. Divorced from his father,

who used to see him daily even after divorce but now I have to force him

to come take him and my other child who is 4 and exhibiting behaviors I

am not sure of... I just dont knw what to do AT ALL!!! anymore!!!

>

> Thanks for reading

>

>

>

> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

Hey -

my son is 4 yr old autistic too- he has been on Risperdal too- it took

about 2 wks for us to see a change in his aggressive behaviors- it

slowed him down a bit- but it increased his appetite!! He has gained

weight to the extreme- he is 4 and wears size 8 pants !- He is on a

combo of meds and together it helps- I know it is hard I have 4

children- and it is hard with his behavior at times- but with Risperdol

and prozac and Ritalin- it has gotten alittle better-b but I hate the

thought of all these meds- if we forget a day- we notice the change

immediately-and we remeber why he takes them.- I wish you the best- you

will have really bad days full of doubt= but then you will have a day

that all you see from your son is hope!

>

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This sounds just like what I went through with my son at that age. He is now 9 yo. Originally diagnosed with ASD moderate to severe (due to communication and social deficits) and very ADHD at 3 1/2 yo. I did everything possible with diet, behavior therapy, etc. but finally tried meds and it really helped. He has been on Adderral XR for 5 years -occasionally increasing dose to 30 mg. I know where you're at - going crazy with him climbing on and into everything, jumping off tall bookcases 30 times a day, not caring how many times you tell him to stop, making every effort to get out a door or window (and succeeding), unable to stop moving long enough to have a complete thought. It's rough, it's draining, but you can find others who are in a similar situation and 'trade time'. You just have to try and find them. This site is testimony to the fact that there are a lot of us out there and awareness and help is available more than ever before.

Sounds like his continual sensory-seeking behavior is not being satisfied. Have you seen an occupational therapist yet? Sensory issues are commonly within their realm now. Mine used to find every small place to get into for the deep pressure contact that calmed him. He would lay behind you on the couch for the pressure and squeeze into small spaces beside the fridge or furniture. He liked to get in his Dad's armoire in a cubby space and close the door as a dark, quiet shutdown place. I also at that time got two beanbags and would sandwich him and lay on them until he wanted me off. Try to find a safe place for your son to routinely go when he needs to 'chill out'. That's all he might be looking for is dark, quiet, pressure to calm him and bring his senses into focus. I even made a hammock/sling that encompassed and swung my son in his room. He loved it and wore it out for three years. Sorry everyone for the long post, but this is the kind of stuff I went through, too. Please, , just don't give up on him. Today, after all the work, med, therapy, and school -Drae is 9 now and doing far better than at 4. They usually improve with age, as we all do.

The Quiet Warriors Among Us,

Shauna

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  • 5 weeks later...

Risperdal works for us. Without it life was impossible. I was never happy with my son taking meds and took him off of them twice, the first time for six months, the second time for a year. It just made life literally impossible and he was so tormented that going back on meds was the only option. It isn't a magic wand but it stops Sonny being as aggressive as he could be and stabilises his mood in general - as he can quite quickly go from one extreme to the other. We are able to do many motre things on Risperdal than without it. Without it, most days we could not even go out of the front door. I always think that, most importantly, it has given HIM a better quality of life as well as me. Sertraline (an SSRi - I think its called something else in US) was introduced last year and this has improved things a bit more, in the way that it has reduced his OCD and we can now have a 'conversation' (of sorts) without him becoming upset. He tells me much more and speaks to me about his day when I ask - something he would never have done before.

Best Wishes,

xx

Re: Risperdal

Risperdal was better than Abilify for Karac, but there was a 30 lb. weight gain in two weeks time. It also made him eat compulsively. It did seem to work well in the beginning. Pat K**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

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