Newly on respiradol--only side effects, no benefits yet. Is this common?

[Guest guest]

We are desperate to get our sometimes-happy child back instead of the almost

crying/screaming every waking minute one. He's been slapping, biting, pinching,

and otherwise maiming himself since October and is wearing arm splints nearly

24/7. Our pediatrician agreed with us to try Respiradol (spelling?) on Dec

27th. He said it usually works right away (like day one or two) and hopefully

some of the horrible behavior problems will decrease. He cautioned us about

side effects (drowsiness, weight gain). We gave 0.5ml for a week with no

decrease in negative behaviors and some drowsiness (mid-day naps when he's

usually not asleep). No increase in appetite. After a week, the doc

recommended we up the dose to 1 ml. He's now back in school and napping there

(he's almost 9 and in class with kids from 8-12). I don't think they're set up

for naptime.

Anyway, seems pale, somewhat shaky and no better with his behaviors. His

appetite has actually gone down to nothing when he's usually a very good eater

of nearly everything. He doesn't even want to drink. The pediatrician has

advised us to switch the dose time from morning (past 2 weeks) to evening to

hopefully limit the school/day-time naps.

Any advice?? Has anyone else had similar results?

[Guest guest]

When we tried Respidal for Aden we saw results almost immediately. We also saw

side effects start the same day. Aden started taking it in the evening and it

did help him sleep at night some, but it knocked him out during the day too. We

had to stop because of nasty side effects.

If you aren't seeing benefits soon (3-4 days) it's probably time to try

something else.

Hugs

Mom to Aden 8 DS ASD ADHD and Aren 5 ADHD

Sent from my iPod

[Guest guest]

I give you permission for hitting me for this if I am asking the obvious:Have you done a thorough medical eval?Don't let his behavior or "down syndrome " get in the way of a really good exam, even if you have to sedate him to say look in his ears or make sure there's nothin dental going on.Later tonight I'll upload a medication management sheet/article. Something to help you focus your observations with regard to meds.I didn't like the paragraph where you describe him seeming pale, etc. it's what made me ask the question.This fall I heard a doc speak at the American dietetics assoc. meeting who said, "we owe it to children with autism to go the same thorough investigation we would for any other child." he was joe along about GI issues in autism where folks assume any gut trouble will be solved by GFCF diet, so they miss other very common (but serious) problems like reflux.Riperdol does work better when given after dinner and before bed.Take care, Joanwww.DownSyndromeNutrition.comCheck out my blog: Joan.wordpress.com

We are desperate to get our sometimes-happy child back instead of the almost crying/screaming every waking minute one. He's been slapping, biting, pinching, and otherwise maiming himself since October and is wearing arm splints nearly 24/7. Our pediatrician agreed with us to try Respiradol (spelling?) on Dec 27th. He said it usually works right away (like day one or two) and hopefully some of the horrible behavior problems will decrease. He cautioned us about side effects (drowsiness, weight gain). We gave 0.5ml for a week with no decrease in negative behaviors and some drowsiness (mid-day naps when he's usually not asleep). No increase in appetite. After a week, the doc recommended we up the dose to 1 ml. He's now back in school and napping there (he's almost 9 and in class with kids from 8-12). I don't think they're set up for naptime.

Anyway, seems pale, somewhat shaky and no better with his behaviors. His appetite has actually gone down to nothing when he's usually a very good eater of nearly everything. He doesn't even want to drink. The pediatrician has advised us to switch the dose time from morning (past 2 weeks) to evening to hopefully limit the school/day-time naps.

Any advice?? Has anyone else had similar results?