Re: OCD and ADHD

[Guest guest]

Hi -

My ds (16) takes Ritalin in the morning (50 mg, I think) and 200 mg

Luvox at night. He had been on 300 mg Luvox, but it was making him too

sleepy during the day once it did its initial good on the OCD.

The Ritalin was been a godsend - even the teachers notice the

difference, and the one day he missed, he said that by the sixth period

(there are seven in the day), he was really fading.

Just our two cents...

PeggySue Gillard wrote:

>

> and Judy,

> My daughter age 11 is the same way and her psychiatrist keeps lagging

> in helping with her adhd as well, shes already on zoloft 100mg and

> seroquel 175mg a day...zoloft for ocd, seroquel for mood disorder and

> she is starting to fail in one class already and it has only been 3

> weeks into school. She was on the strattera and it doesnt help her it

> makes her extremely irritable and very grouchy lashes out and it didnt

> help with her adhd symptoms at all! so we have been asking to put her

> back on her ritalin and he just keeps putting it off!

> peg

>

>

>

> From: Stamp <jenniferstamp@ rocketmail. com>

>

> Subject: OCD and ADHD

>

> To: @ yahoogroups. com

>

> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:33 PM

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

> Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

> how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking 30

> mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at school. I

> believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not want to add

> another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are counterindicated for

> OCD. We don't know how to get his attention issues under control. Any

> ideas? Thank you.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, my 10 yr old son also has OCD , taking 20 mg. of Paxil , and is

now exhibiting syptoms of ADHD, but through my own research and

reading, I have discovered that these " ADHD " symptoms could very well

be symptoms of the OCD. The

book, " Freeing Your Child from OCD " by Dr. Tamar Chansky is a

wonderful

resource and very informative of triggers that can cause additional

symptoms to surface. I have made an appointment with my precribing

Dr. to discuss his current meds and trying therapy. I would highly

recommend this book. It has really educated me on OCD.

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking

30

mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at school.

I

believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not want to add

another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are counterindicated for

OCD. We don't know how to get his attention issues under control. Any

ideas? Thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, . I don't have experience with both, so don't really have

any info to share. . Hoping some in here might though. I know that

when they are dealing with more than one thing, it becomes more

complicated.

Anyway, I just wanted to welcome you to the group. Glad you found us.

BJ

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking 30

mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at school. I

believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not want to add

another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are counterindicated for

OCD. We don't know how to get his attention issues under control. Any

ideas? Thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Do you live near a major teaching hospital?  Since your son has several

different neurobiological issues to contend with, it may be best to at least go

for a consult to a Child Study Center which are usually connected with major

university hospitals.  NYU has a wonderful one, as does Yale and many other

such places around the country.

OCD and ADHD

Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD, Tourettes,

Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about how to treat both the

OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking 30 mg of Celexa, which may not be

enough, and is not focused at school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his

impulsivity. I do not want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention issues under

control. Any ideas? Thank you.

[Guest guest]

My DD has ADHD and OCD. ADHD med's seem to agitate so we don't treat her with

med's. Instead we send her for reflexology once per month and it works.

There are few areas of the bottom of the feet that can be stimulated to help

with a dopamine boost.

Jen

OCD and ADHD

Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD, Tourettes,

Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about how to treat both the

OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking 30 mg of Celexa, which may not be

enough, and is not focused at school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his

impulsivity. I do not want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention issues under

control. Any ideas? Thank you.

[Guest guest]

If anyone is treating their children with adhd through natural remedies please

let me know because I have been contemplating it for quite sometime and like

Jenn Said I do not want to agitate my daughter any more than I have to and with

the possiblity of making her ocd worse with the adhd medications, even just a

possibility, I refuse!  4 weeks in a childrens psychiatric ward was enough!  So

if anyone has any natural rememdies please let me know so I can discuss it with

her doctor next visit!  I have heard omega 3 helps to a certain degree......I

seem to be in the same boat as

Thank you

Peggy

Subject: Re: OCD and ADHD

To:

Date: Sunday, September 21, 2008, 12:09 PM

My DD has ADHD and OCD. ADHD med's seem to agitate so we don't

treat her with med's. Instead we send her for reflexology once per month and it

works.

There are few areas of the bottom of the feet that can be stimulated to help

with a dopamine boost.

Jen

OCD and ADHD

Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD, Tourettes,

Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about how to treat both the

OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking 30 mg of Celexa, which may not be

enough, and is not focused at school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his

impulsivity. I do not want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention issues under

control. Any ideas? Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy,

I haven't tried this yet but others in the group have recommended some of the

products from Native Remedies. You could go to their website and read about

them and see if they might be worth trying. Just a thought.

Good luck and let us know if you have any success with them.

Donna

Posted by: " PeggySue Gillard " peggy_loves_timothy@...

peggy_loves_timothy

Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:33 am (PDT)

If anyone is treating their children with adhd through natural remedies please

let me know because I have been contemplating it for quite sometime and like

Jenn Said I do not want to agitate my daughter any more than I have to and with

the possiblity of making her ocd worse with the adhd medications, even just a

possibility, I refuse! 4 weeks in a childrens psychiatric ward

[Guest guest]

Thank you Donna I appreciate it!

Peggy

Subject: Re: OCD and ADHD

To:

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 11:07 AM

Hi Peggy,

I haven't tried this yet but others in the group have recommended some of the

products from Native Remedies. You could go to their website and read about

them and see if they might be worth trying. Just a thought.

Good luck and let us know if you have any success with them.

Donna

Posted by: " PeggySue Gillard " peggy_loves_ timothyyahoo (DOT) com peggy_loves_

timothy

Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:33 am (PDT)

If anyone is treating their children with adhd through natural remedies please

let me know because I have been contemplating it for quite sometime and like

Jenn Said I do not want to agitate my daughter any more than I have to and with

the possiblity of making her ocd worse with the adhd medications, even just a

possibility, I refuse! 4 weeks in a childrens psychiatric ward

[Guest guest]

My son (10y/o) has OCD/ADHD/motor tics. He's currently taking a

gerneric form or Ritalin, generic Prozac, and Seroquel. Adderall

sent him bouncing off the walls! We were using Tenex to control the

tics (that seem to be brought on by the ADHD meds) but he doesn't

want to take anything for it, he said he'd rather deal with the tics

and have 1 less pill to take. We tried to take him off the Prozac,

but he started having horrible mood instability so we put him back

on. I'm not seeing any problems with the ADHD med and the OCD meds

together. We've done several different combinations and this one

seems to be the best outcome and we've been on the Ritalin/Prozac

cocktail for about 2 years now. I'd say if you think the Celexa has

brought up new problems, tell your Psych right away - there are SO

many choices out there! I really had a tough time getting myself

used to the idea that meds are a big guessing game - my hubby still

acts like there should just be one answer so find it already......

Talk to your doc, give them a chance to find what will work.

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking

30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at

school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not

want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention

issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello! I want to thank everyone for their replies, welcome messages and support.

I dont' feel so alone anymore. Today was a bad day. My son's teacher counted

seventeen reminders to my son during one lesson. We are streching our budget to

send our son to a small private school, but I feel like he can't function in ANY

formal setting. He loves to go to school, but cannot focus. I am wondering if a

public school setting with services and an IEP plan would have been a better

choice or homeschool. We live in Charlotte, NC and there are only three

psychologists trained in Exposure therapy. In addition to OT, meds, CBT, we are

adding exposure therapy - if we can get the treatment. This road feels really

long and really hard. Thanks for listening!

Subject: Re: OCD and ADHD

To:

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 4:35 PM

My son (10y/o) has OCD/ADHD/motor tics. He's currently taking a

gerneric form or Ritalin, generic Prozac, and Seroquel. Adderall

sent him bouncing off the walls! We were using Tenex to control the

tics (that seem to be brought on by the ADHD meds) but he doesn't

want to take anything for it, he said he'd rather deal with the tics

and have 1 less pill to take. We tried to take him off the Prozac,

but he started having horrible mood instability so we put him back

on. I'm not seeing any problems with the ADHD med and the OCD meds

together. We've done several different combinations and this one

seems to be the best outcome and we've been on the Ritalin/Prozac

cocktail for about 2 years now. I'd say if you think the Celexa has

brought up new problems, tell your Psych right away - there are SO

many choices out there! I really had a tough time getting myself

used to the idea that meds are a big guessing game - my hubby still

acts like there should just be one answer so find it already..... .

Talk to your doc, give them a chance to find what will work.

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking

30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at

school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not

want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention

issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi .

I'm not sure if you were the person who originally posted about your son moving

this year to Catholic school from public school.

If not then here goes. :0)

My DD had been in Catholic school from pre-k until last school season which was

fifth grade for her. Her school closed. We decided to put her into public

school and see how she made out. It's still early in the school year but right

off the mark, her guidance counselor has helped so much. The teacher's are

better trained to teach to a wide spectrum of abilities.

There are so many layers to public school that a small private school can't

manage. Public school understands the many different types of students and

their different issues/learning abilities.

That is just my opinion and comes from my own experience. In retrospect, I wish

that my DD had been in public school from the beginning and all the money that

we spent on tuition had been put into her college fund and certainly to help pay

for all her therapy, etc.

Good luck,

Jen

Re: OCD and ADHD

To: <mailto: >

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 4:35 PM

My son (10y/o) has OCD/ADHD/motor tics. He's currently taking a

gerneric form or Ritalin, generic Prozac, and Seroquel. Adderall

sent him bouncing off the walls! We were using Tenex to control the

tics (that seem to be brought on by the ADHD meds) but he doesn't

want to take anything for it, he said he'd rather deal with the tics

and have 1 less pill to take. We tried to take him off the Prozac,

but he started having horrible mood instability so we put him back

on. I'm not seeing any problems with the ADHD med and the OCD meds

together. We've done several different combinations and this one

seems to be the best outcome and we've been on the Ritalin/Prozac

cocktail for about 2 years now. I'd say if you think the Celexa has

brought up new problems, tell your Psych right away - there are SO

many choices out there! I really had a tough time getting myself

used to the idea that meds are a big guessing game - my hubby still

acts like there should just be one answer so find it already..... .

Talk to your doc, give them a chance to find what will work.

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking

30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at

school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not

want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention

issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

---

This is EXACTLY what is happening with my 10 yr. old son. He is a

straight A student, diagnosed with OCD last spring, put on 20 mg

Paxil (before I knew about other therapies like CBT) Counselor never

mentioned other courses of therapy. I just discovered other avenues

since reading Dr. Tamar Chansky's book, " Freeing Your Child from OCD. "

Since beginning 4th grade, he is now exhibiting ADD symptoms, tested

and " labeled " ADD. I am so confused and dumbfounded on what to do.

His grades go from A's to F's, and can't pay attention in class. I

have an appointment with a new counselor next week. I would like to

take him off the Paxil and try to help him deal with the anxious

thoughts. I am glad to find a " buddy " to dicuss things with. How

old is your daughter. Like you, the " ADD " symptoms just came on

overnight.

In , xslav@... wrote:

>

> Well, we're back to that same ol' question - is it just OCD

or is

> something else going on ???

> Annie's school work this year so far (week three is

starting) is so

> bewildering. She gets A's on most things, and then D's and F's on

others -

> anything that requires paying attention in class or concentrating

on

> something a little tricky in class. Her teacher wants to speak with

her, but

> she has refused to go talk with her. I think we have managed to

talk her into

> going in early tomorrow to discuss it - as long as I don't come

along (her

> condition). It is obvious she isn't able to focus on what is

happening in

> class well. It's not so clear why.

> According to the DSM she qualifies for the ADHD diagnosis,

but I don't

> understand why we wouldn't have noticed it before, except that she

is a girl,

> not disruptive and smart enough to ace tests without studying. I am

confused

> as to whether this sudden spate of D's and F's is due to the

medication she

> is on (Luvox), to her OCD (can't pay attention because she is too

anxious) or

> whether she really does have ADHD.

> So, once again, I call out to all of you out there with kids

who have

> both OCD and ADHD. How clear was the diagnosis? Have you worked out

> acceptable medication? (Our pdoc is worried about prescribing

stimulants

> because of the possibility of her anxiety getting worse, since

anxiety is the

> main problem she has). Any advice would be helpful. It's so

frustrating -

> once we get her OCD under control everything else falls apart. She

is going

> off to school happily, without the panic attacks of the first week,

but is

> only partly there when she is there!

> It's always something, isn't it?

> in Reno

>

[Guest guest]

Marcia,

Thank you for the lovely words of encouragement and prayer. I noticed you are

from Nashville! Currently, we live in Charlotte but moved from Chattanooga and

miss it terribly. My entire family is in TN and we are trying to move back home.

Depending on job offers, we could end up on Nashville or Chattanooga. I was born

and raised in Memphis and want to return home. Thank you for the message!

>

> From: bbrogoitti <bbrogoittiyahoo (DOT) com>

> Subject: Re: OCD and ADHD

> To: @ yahoogroups. com

> Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 4:35 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> My son (10y/o) has OCD/ADHD/motor tics. He's currently

> taking a

> gerneric form or Ritalin, generic Prozac, and Seroquel.

> Adderall

> sent him bouncing off the walls! We were using Tenex to

> control the

> tics (that seem to be brought on by the ADHD meds) but he

> doesn't

> want to take anything for it, he said he'd rather deal

> with the tics

> and have 1 less pill to take. We tried to take him off the

> Prozac,

> but he started having horrible mood instability so we put

> him back

> on. I'm not seeing any problems with the ADHD med and

> the OCD meds

> together. We've done several different combinations and

> this one

> seems to be the best outcome and we've been on the

> Ritalin/Prozac

> cocktail for about 2 years now. I'd say if you think

> the Celexa has

> brought up new problems, tell your Psych right away - there

> are SO

> many choices out there! I really had a tough time getting

> myself

> used to the idea that meds are a big guessing game - my

> hubby still

> acts like there should just be one answer so find it

> already..... .

> Talk to your doc, give them a chance to find what will

> work.

>

>

> >

> > Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year

> son w/OCD,

> Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My

> question is about

> how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son

> is taking

> 30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not

> focused at

> school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I

> do not

> want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

> counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his

> attention

> issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the reply. My son does take fish oil, but I am beginning to wonder

if he needs to be tested for food allergies.

Jennier

Subject: Re: OCD and ADHD

To:

Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 1:40 AM

Hi , so he's more impulsive since the Celexa? Well, my

thought if you don't want to try ADHD meds yet (I know, med for OCD

bother ADHD and ADHD med bothers the OCD...), perhaps some fish

oil?? I do know some parents have found that to help with their kids

but they weren't dealing with OCD too.

Do you think it's the ADHD that distracts him, keeps him off task?

Wondering about what his sensory issues are, those might also be

affecting him in classroom.

I can't believe Charlotte has such a small number of specialists.

But then again, this IS North Carolina (I live in Eden).

>

> Hello! I want to thank everyone for their replies, welcome messages

and support. I dont' feel so alone anymore. Today was a bad day. My

son's teacher counted seventeen reminders to my son during one

lesson. We are streching our budget to send our son to a small

private school, but I feel like he can't function in ANY formal

setting. He loves to go to school, but cannot focus. I am wondering

if a public school setting with services and an IEP plan would have

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

good to hear from another TN family.  We live in Somerville, just east of

Memphis.  I am currently searching out treatment options, dietary options, etc.

for my 10 yr old son diagnosed with OCD last spring and NOW showing strong

symptoms of ADD since school started.  I feel we are back to square one with

treatments.  Would love to hear back from youl

Sherri in TN

>

> From: bbrogoitti <bbrogoitti@ yahoo. com>

> Subject: Re: OCD and ADHD

> To: @ yahoogroups. com

> Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 4:35 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> My son (10y/o) has OCD/ADHD/motor tics. He's currently

> taking a

> gerneric form or Ritalin, generic Prozac, and Seroquel.

> Adderall

> sent him bouncing off the walls! We were using Tenex to

> control the

> tics (that seem to be brought on by the ADHD meds) but he

> doesn't

> want to take anything for it, he said he'd rather deal

> with the tics

> and have 1 less pill to take. We tried to take him off the

> Prozac,

> but he started having horrible mood instability so we put

> him back

> on. I'm not seeing any problems with the ADHD med and

> the OCD meds

> together. We've done several different combinations and

> this one

> seems to be the best outcome and we've been on the

> Ritalin/Prozac

> cocktail for about 2 years now. I'd say if you think

> the Celexa has

> brought up new problems, tell your Psych right away - there

> are SO

> many choices out there! I really had a tough time getting

> myself

> used to the idea that meds are a big guessing game - my

> hubby still

> acts like there should just be one answer so find it

> already..... .

> Talk to your doc, give them a chance to find what will

> work.

>

>

> >

> > Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year

> son w/OCD,

> Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My

> question is about

> how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son

> is taking

> 30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not

> focused at

> school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I

> do not

> want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

> counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his

> attention

> issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

My now 11 year old daughter was diagnosed with ADHD back when she was 5 years

old.  Looking back I know that she was exhibiting signs of OCD but I didn't know

much about it then and figured it was just a personality " thing " ..  She has been

on Concerta (meds for ADHD) since then up until the time she went into the

hospital about 3 weeks ago.  They said that the anxiety that is associated with

OCD can mimick ADHD and they wanted to take her off those meds and treat her

just for OCD to see what happened.  At first, she was " off the wall " but after a

few days she seemed to calm down but had to always be moving her feet, hands,

anything " because it makes her brain feel better to move " .  They initially had

her on Prozac, so I wasn't convinced that it wasn't ADHD but then they

switched her meds to a less activating medication called Celexa.  She is doing

so much better, much calmer and the " thoughts " are far and few between!!  Thank

goodness!

Well, I hope this helped a little.  Hang in there, keep questioning and

researching and the answers will come.

 

Take Care,

- Rhode Island 

>

> Well, we're back to that same ol' question - is it just OCD

or is

> something else going on ???

> Annie's school work this year so far (week three is

starting) is so

> bewildering. She gets A's on most things, and then D's and F's on

others -

> anything that requires paying attention in class or concentrating

on

> something a little tricky in class. Her teacher wants to speak with

her, but

> she has refused to go talk with her. I think we have managed to

talk her into

> going in early tomorrow to discuss it - as long as I don't come

along (her

> condition). It is obvious she isn't able to focus on what is

happening in

> class well. It's not so clear why.

> According to the DSM she qualifies for the ADHD diagnosis,

but I don't

> understand why we wouldn't have noticed it before, except that she

is a girl,

> not disruptive and smart enough to ace tests without studying. I am

confused

> as to whether this sudden spate of D's and F's is due to the

medication she

> is on (Luvox), to her OCD (can't pay attention because she is too

anxious) or

> whether she really does have ADHD.

> So, once again, I call out to all of you out there with kids

who have

> both OCD and ADHD. How clear was the diagnosis? Have you worked out

> acceptable medication? (Our pdoc is worried about prescribing

stimulants

> because of the possibility of her anxiety getting worse, since

anxiety is the

> main problem she has). Any advice would be helpful. It's so

frustrating -

> once we get her OCD under control everything else falls apart. She

is going

> off to school happily, without the panic attacks of the first week,

but is

> only partly there when she is there!

> It's always something, isn't it?

> in Reno

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for the email about schools. I am planning to tour a public school

next week. It's not our zoned school, but we could request a transfer. My son

did attend our zoned school for two years and it was a disaster. However, not

all public schools are alike. The school I plan to tour has a very impressive

support services staff and amazing principal. I just don't believe his small

school can handle his needs.

From: bbrogoitti <bbrogoittiyahoo (DOT) com<mailto:bbrogoittiyahoo (DOT) com>>

Subject: Re: OCD and ADHD

To: @ yahoogroups. com<mailto:@ yahoogroups. com>

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 4:35 PM

My son (10y/o) has OCD/ADHD/motor tics. He's currently taking a

gerneric form or Ritalin, generic Prozac, and Seroquel. Adderall

sent him bouncing off the walls! We were using Tenex to control the

tics (that seem to be brought on by the ADHD meds) but he doesn't

want to take anything for it, he said he'd rather deal with the tics

and have 1 less pill to take. We tried to take him off the Prozac,

but he started having horrible mood instability so we put him back

on. I'm not seeing any problems with the ADHD med and the OCD meds

together. We've done several different combinations and this one

seems to be the best outcome and we've been on the Ritalin/Prozac

cocktail for about 2 years now. I'd say if you think the Celexa has

brought up new problems, tell your Psych right away - there are SO

many choices out there! I really had a tough time getting myself

used to the idea that meds are a big guessing game - my hubby still

acts like there should just be one answer so find it already..... .

Talk to your doc, give them a chance to find what will work.

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking

30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at

school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not

want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention

issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This seems to be happening to more and more of our kids. I have two like this!

It starts off with OCD , than ADHD is added, and for mine they than added

bipolar and gave meds for all the diangosis's. The meds never seem to work for

any length of time, or they have problems with the meds.

Can't win! I'm really begininng to think the meds cause alot of the problems!

My son was a quiet , shy loving little boy, until put on Prozac, than he turned

into a loud, wild extrovert.

I'm always searching for answers!

Hugs

judy

 

>

> Well, we're back to that same ol' question - is it just OCD

or is

> something else going on ???

> Annie's school work this year so far (week three is

starting) is so

> bewildering. She gets A's on most things, and then D's and F's on

others -

> anything that requires paying attention in class or concentrating

on

> something a little tricky in class. Her teacher wants to speak with

her, but

> she has refused to go talk with her. I think we have managed to

talk her into

> going in early tomorrow to discuss it - as long as I don't come

along (her

> condition). It is obvious she isn't able to focus on what is

happening in

> class well. It's not so clear why.

> According to the DSM she qualifies for the ADHD diagnosis,

but I don't

> understand why we wouldn't have noticed it before, except that she

is a girl,

> not disruptive and smart enough to ace tests without studying. I am

confused

> as to whether this sudden spate of D's and F's is due to the

medication she

> is on (Luvox), to her OCD (can't pay attention because she is too

anxious) or

> whether she really does have ADHD.

> So, once again, I call out to all of you out there with kids

who have

> both OCD and ADHD. How clear was the diagnosis? Have you worked out

> acceptable medication? (Our pdoc is worried about prescribing

stimulants

> because of the possibility of her anxiety getting worse, since

anxiety is the

> main problem she has). Any advice would be helpful. It's so

frustrating -

> once we get her OCD under control everything else falls apart. She

is going

> off to school happily, without the panic attacks of the first week,

but is

> only partly there when she is there!

> It's always something, isn't it?

> in Reno

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, . It can feel long and hard. . .And in fact is. But,

when you reach a point where things start to improve, it is all worth

it. It's an exhausting journey though. Not only mentally, but

physically. When our son was really bad, the stress was immense. I

didn't sleep well, had no appetite, and had to hone my " acting

skills " , to keep him motivated and trying. Every day I would tell him

it was going to get better, even when there were times I wasn't so

sure myself. It's important to try to steal a little bit of time for

yourself, if you can.

The bad days and times are bad, but what helped me was to tell myself

that tomorrow would be better, and allow myself to hope and believe

that would be true. I kept hoping, while getting through the rough

stuff, one day/hour/minute at a time.

Our experience with schools, was that private school was not a lot

different than public school, just more expensive. We ended up

homeschooling, and it was a HUGE blessing for us.

I think once you start the exposure therapy, you should start seeing

gradual improvement.

Hang in there. (((Hugs)))

BJ

> >

> > Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

> Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

> how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking

> 30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at

> school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not

> want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

> counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention

> issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I think that you are definitely moving in the right direction.

Have a wonderful day

Jen~MA

Re: OCD and ADHD

To: @ yahoogroups. com<mailto:@ yahoogroups.

com>

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 4:35 PM

My son (10y/o) has OCD/ADHD/motor tics. He's currently taking a

gerneric form or Ritalin, generic Prozac, and Seroquel. Adderall

sent him bouncing off the walls! We were using Tenex to control the

tics (that seem to be brought on by the ADHD meds) but he doesn't

want to take anything for it, he said he'd rather deal with the tics

and have 1 less pill to take. We tried to take him off the Prozac,

but he started having horrible mood instability so we put him back

on. I'm not seeing any problems with the ADHD med and the OCD meds

together. We've done several different combinations and this one

seems to be the best outcome and we've been on the Ritalin/Prozac

cocktail for about 2 years now. I'd say if you think the Celexa has

brought up new problems, tell your Psych right away - there are SO

many choices out there! I really had a tough time getting myself

used to the idea that meds are a big guessing game - my hubby still

acts like there should just be one answer so find it already..... .

Talk to your doc, give them a chance to find what will work.

>

> Hello. I am new to the group and the mom of an 8 year son w/OCD,

Tourettes, Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. My question is about

how to treat both the OCD and the ADHD. Currently, my son is taking

30 mg of Celexa, which may not be enough, and is not focused at

school. I believe the Celexa execerbated his impulsivity. I do not

want to add another med to his body AND all ADHD drugs are

counterindicated for OCD. We don't know how to get his attention

issues under control. Any ideas? Thank you.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It sounds like he needs to see an OCD specialist who treats children.  My

daughter just started with one two weeks ago and she has given me such insight

that I hadn't had before, and she has just begun the exposure and response

prevention and CBT.  Please do not take him off the Paxil cold turkey.  It

will cause nasty withdrawal symptoms.  You need to do it slowly with the help

of your psychiatrist.  Truthfully, for my daughter, her OCD was too severe for

CBT to be effective until we found an OCD med that could lower her level of

fears and OCD worries.  Now we can start to work on them with this therapist.

Re: OCD and ADHD

---

This is EXACTLY what is happening with my 10 yr. old son. He is a

straight A student, diagnosed with OCD last spring, put on 20 mg

Paxil (before I knew about other therapies like CBT) Counselor never

mentioned other courses of therapy. I just discovered other avenues

since reading Dr. Tamar Chansky's book, " Freeing Your Child from OCD. "

Since beginning 4th grade, he is now exhibiting ADD symptoms, tested

and " labeled " ADD. I am so confused and dumbfounded on what to do.

His grades go from A's to F's, and can't pay attention in class. I

have=2

0an appointment with a new counselor next week. I would like to

take him off the Paxil and try to help him deal with the anxious

thoughts. I am glad to find a " buddy " to dicuss things with. How

old is your daughter. Like you, the " ADD " symptoms just came on

overnight.

In , xslav@... wrote:

>

> Well, we're back to that same ol' question - is it just OCD

or is

> something else going on ???

> Annie's school work this year so far (week three is

starting) is so

> bewildering. She gets A's on most things, and then D's and F's on

others -

> anything that requires paying attention in class or concentrating

on

> something a little tricky in class. Her teacher wants to speak with

her, but

> she has refused to go talk with her. I think we have managed to

talk her into

> going in early tomorrow to discuss it - as long as I don't come

along (her

> condition). It is obvious she isn't able to focus on what is

happening in

> class well. It's not so clear why.

> According to the DSM she qualifies for the ADHD diagnosis,

but I don't

> understand why we wouldn't have noticed it before, except that she

is a girl,

> not disruptive and smart enough to ace tests without studying. I am

confused

> as to whether this sudden spate of D's and F's is due to the

medication she

> is on (Luvox), to her OCD (can't pay attention because she is too

anxious) or

> whether she really does have ADHD.

> So, once again, I call out to all of you out there with kids

who have

> both OCD and ADHD. How clear was the diagnosis? Have you worked out

> acceptable medication? (Our pdoc is worried about prescribing

stimulants

> because of the possibility of her anxiety getting worse, since

anxiety is the

> main problem she has). Any advice would be helpful. It's so

frustrating -

> once we get her OCD under control everything else falls apart. She

is going

> off to school happily, without the panic attacks of the first week,

but is

> only partly there when she is there!

> It's always something, isn't it?

> in Reno

>

[Guest guest]

I do think that sometimes the meds may be causing some of the problems.  It

really is important to see a top notch dr. and question, question, question!!

 My dr. actually sent me to a consult to a more reknown dr. for OCD than he

because I was so hesitant to follow his med advice.  

Re: Re: OCD and ADHD

This seems to be happening to more and more of our kids. I have two like this!

It starts off with OCD , than ADHD is added, and for mine they than added

bipolar and gave meds for all the diangosis's. The meds never seem to work for

any length of time, or they have problems with the meds.

Can't win! I'm really begininng to think the meds cause alot of the problems!

My son was a quiet , shy loving little boy, until put on Prozac, than he turned

into a loud, wild extrovert.

I'm always searching for answers!

Hugs

judy

 

>

> Well, we're back to that same ol' question - is it just OCD

or is

> something else going on ???

> Annie's school work this year so far (week three is

starting) is so

> bewildering. She gets A's on most things, and then D's and F's on

others -

> anything that requires paying attention in class or concentrating

on

> something a little tricky in class. Her teacher wants to speak with

her, but

> she has refused to go talk with her. I think we have managed to

talk her into

> going in early tomorrow to discuss it - as long as I don't come

along (her

> condition). It is obvious she isn't able to focus on what is

happe

ning in

> class well. It's not so clear why.

> According to the DSM she qualifies for the ADHD diagnosis,

but I don't

> understand why we wouldn't have noticed it before, except that she

is a girl,

> not disruptive and smart enough to ace tests without studying. I am

confused

> as to whether this sudden spate of D's and F's is due to the

medication she

> is on (Luvox), to her OCD (can't pay attention because she is too

anxious) or

> whether she really does have ADHD.

> So, once again, I call out to all of you out there with kids

who have

> both OCD and ADHD. How clear was the diagnosis? Have you worked out

> acceptable medication? (Our pdoc is worried about prescribing

stimulants

> because of the possibility of her anxiety getting worse, since

anxiety is the

> main problem she has). Any advice would be helpful. It's so

frustrating -

> once we get her OCD under control everything else falls apart. She

is going

> off to school happily, without the panic attacks of the first week,

but is

> only partly there when she is there!

> It's always something, isn't it?

> in Reno

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Your situation is so similar to mine that I just had to write. My daughter,

now 13, was diagnosed with OCD when she was 9. After trying just CBT for

about 9 months, she starting taking Prozac. She has responded very well,

continues to take it having only increased her dose 1 time in 3 1/2 years.

However, even though her OCD is basically manageable, she continued to have

trouble absorbing material in school, and, as the volume grew, doing her

homework. We had her tested for LD, and none of the classic ones came up.

All the testing psychologist could say was that she had poor executive

functioning and focus due to the amount of anxiety and " noise " in her brain.

Her pdoc gave all of us Conner scales to fill out and she tested as

borderline ADHD, but we resisted more meds, hoping that she could cope with

her issues another way. Finally this fall (now that she's in 8th grade and

looking at high school), we decided to try Ritalin. The pdoc said if she

felt jumpy and nervous then she doesn't have ADHD, but if she responded

positively in some way, it would confirm that she has ADHD.

The transformation has been amazing. She looks at her " to do " list, decides

how to tackle things, and seems unfazed by her assignments. She told the

pdoc that she feels " a commitment to getting her work done " when she is on

the med. We still have a way to go with regard to studying for tests, but

she's in a much better place than even 2 months ago. The tantrums have

stopped as have objections about doing many things I ask of her.

I obviously can't say that your experience will be the same as ours, but I

urge you to consider treating as ADHD.

Good luck!

[Guest guest]

I am a Tennessee girl, too! We are in the Knoxville area. My d has

struggled with OCD and anxiety on and off for about 5 years. She has

always been able to manage well without medication. She is in the 6th

grade this year and after a slight medical emergency at school

(ambulance came for a student passing out in PE)we decided to try

medication for the first time. Her anxiety level had gotten to an all

time high and it was causing her to hate school. She was going into

deep depression-going to the school clinic several times each day.

She was crying, but couldn't pinpoint why she was crying.She was

worried about passing out herself, which caused her to tap and count,

which got her behind in school work. I haven't seen a big change yet,

but it's only been a week since starting meds. I fear the ADD and

ADHD will be our next battle after reading other posts. She is 82

lbs. and on 10mgs of generic Paxil. She has had some headaches and

stomach pain, but nothing major. I wanted opinions on St. 's

Wort. I had decided to give her 1 capsule every 2 days just to ease

her anxiety level back in July when school was drawing near. She was

starting middle school. She was excited, but pretty anxious. I have

read that sometimes meds and herbal remedies can make things worse

instead of better. I am worried that the St. 's Wort in her

system made her react to the ambulance at school differently than she

would have reacted without it. I am thinking I should have stopped

the St. 's Wort for a few months before starting the Paxil to see

if we even needed meds. We did wait long enough between the 2 so they

didn't overlap, but I am second guessing myself on agreeing to Paxil

when I could have been making things worse by giving her the St.

's Wort! Any advice and info will be greatly appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the welcome, BJ.

No, my son is not doing ERP yet. He's only doing CBT at this time and it's

going very slowly. We have a meeting with the Special Services Depart. at

his school Oct. 28 to discuss what we can do in school. I don't really know

what the school has to offer him because this is all so new to us.

We've known for sometime that something was wrong with him, but the school

Special Services Department and his Dr. thought he was just

" unique/imaginative " and was too young to diagnose anything. Some of his

teachers wouldn't listen to us and said it's because he chooses not to do

the work. It wasn't until the end of last year, when I was up at the school

and the Doctors office crying and basically begging for help, that they had

us do the Conners' Rating Scale. That's when they finally said, " Hey, maybe

she's right! "

Preston has always been able to keep up his grades up even though he didn't

do a lot of the work. This year however something has gone terribly wrong.

He's struggling to even get C's and D's.

He started seeing a psychiatrist this summer. We've been slowing figuring

out what is going on in his mind that is so distracting. He has obsessive

thoughts that take up a lot of his time. He is always thinking about Legos

and building things in his mind. He arranges them, counts them and then it

leads to drawing diagrams on paper and building them. He read a story in

school about the Titanic last week. Since then it's all he can talk about

and do. He's read the story several times, drawn pictures, came home and

looked it up on the internet and designed a Lego diagram to build one. He

then tries to suck us in and help him build the stuff.

He also carries something with him in his hands at all times. Be it a Lego,

rock, necklace, coin or something. He always has to have something. He's a

huge hoarder and collects everything. He goes to school and picks up

buttons, rocks, broken glass, pop tops, pieces of zippers, literally

everything he sees on the ground, he has to pick up and bring home or stick

it in his desk. He won't throw papers away, wrappers and so many other

things. We have to go through the house in search of things and throw them

away. This past week, his school desk was so full of Lego drawings, junk

and school work (that he didn't or couldn't complete), that it couldn't shut

anymore. I have a stack of incomplete papers on the dinning room table that

he has to complete this weekend.

Another thing he does is picks his skin. I don't know if he gets a cut and

picks it to death or if he starts them himself. He has pick marks on his

arms, legs, chest and face. I keep worrying people will think I was abusing

him or something. I've tired putting Band-Aids on to remind him not to

pick. That usually only last a little while before he picks those off.

There are definitely other things going on with him that he's still hiding,

but those are the few that he's let us in on.

Sorry this is so long. I just feel like I'm losing my mind. Even though

I've been reading books and all, I don't know how to help him. I'm feeling

completely overwhelmed and find it hard to think of anything else. I'm so

concerned with him and his well being that I can't sleep and wake up every

morning worried about what will happen today. I literally have to fight

back tears everyday and try to be strong. Which is why I went looking for a

support group. I thought maybe talking about it with other parents may

help.

Thanks for listening,

Alana

Re: OCD and ADHD

> Welcome, Alana.

>

> Is he also doing ERP (exposure and response prevention)?

>

> Does he have anything in place, at school, to help him?

>

> Glad you found us and are here. )

>

> BJ

>

>

>

>

>> >

>> > ---

>> > This is EXACTLY what is happening with my 10 yr. old son. He is a

>> > straight A student, diagnosed with OCD last spring, put on 20 mg

>> > Paxil (before I knew about other therapies like CBT) Counselor

>> never

>> > mentioned other courses of therapy. I just discovered other avenues

>> > since reading Dr. Tamar Chansky's book, " Freeing Your Child from

>> OCD. "

>> > Since beginning 4th grade, he is now exhibiting ADD symptoms,

>> tested

>> > and " labeled " ADD. I am so confused and dumbfounded on what to do.

>> > His grades go from A's to F's, and can't pay attention in class. I

>> > have an appointment with a new counselor next week. I would like

>> to

>> > take him off the Paxil and try to help him deal with the anxious

>> > thoughts. I am glad to find a " buddy " to dicuss things with. How

>> > old is your daughter. Like you, the " ADD " symptoms just came on

>> > overnight.

>>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

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