Re: aspergers/ADHD and meds

[Guest guest]

My son was on Tenex the same time he was on Prozac and Ritalin. The Tenex was

introduced to relieve the 'tics' and skin picking - the nice thing was I could

give it to him at bedtime and it's sleepiness side effect was useful. It cut

his tics way down, he had motor tics where he had to move his arms or legs in a

certain way, he picked any sores on his skin and made vocal noises. We had used

Clonedine before that for the same reason, but it seemed to stop working.

We've since allowed him to take some control of his life, he would rather tic

than take that 1 extra pill - so he's no longer on the Tenex. Though, we never

did see any bad effects from it.

>

> is doing really well in terms of autism/asperger issues. It turns out

that at school his biggest problem is not being able to stay on task and pay

attention for more than a few seconds - a minute at a time. Then he has to be

prompted to get on task again. His para is great and very kind and soft hearted

so it doesn't seem to annoy too much but it must be terribly frustrating to

WANT to comply and genuinely not be able to comply. The guidance counselor who

is also the district expert on asperger syndrome observed one day recently

and said he really can't pay attention. I believe some of the classroom

teachers suggested his behavior was " purposeful " but the guidance counselor said

that's absolutely not true. The fact that respectfully and promptly

responds to requests to get back on tasks is clear indication that he WANTS to

do what they ask. Poor thing. I never thought about how difficult it is for

him to pay attention. Well, we were always dealing with other issues like

aggression and trying to leave school and anxiety. He's doing well with all of

those and actually, the fact that we're worrying about attention is evidence of

how much progress we've made.

>

> Soooo, now we're talking about a new medication. is on lexapro for

Anxiety. He's only on a small dose and it works well. 's neurologist

suggested Tenex at one point to deal with 's chewing behavior but it's also

being used for ADHD. I'm thinking this might be a good one for but was

wondering if anyone here had any experience with it. If so, please tell me

about it. Has anyone used it in conjunction with an SSRI?

>

> Miriam

>

> Miriam

>

[Guest guest]

I'm glad there were no bad effects. isn't having any noticeable side

effects so far but he had a REALLY amazing day today. It was his first day of

school since starting the meds. He took his first one on Saturday. Would we

already be seeing results? I mean, it was pretty spectacular. LOL. He paid

attention in math before anyone prompted him AND he paid attention. WOO HOOO!

> >

> > is doing really well in terms of autism/asperger issues. It turns out

that at school his biggest problem is not being able to stay on task and pay

attention for more than a few seconds - a minute at a time. Then he has to be

prompted to get on task again. His para is great and very kind and soft hearted

so it doesn't seem to annoy too much but it must be terribly frustrating to

WANT to comply and genuinely not be able to comply. The guidance counselor who

is also the district expert on asperger syndrome observed one day recently

and said he really can't pay attention. I believe some of the classroom

teachers suggested his behavior was " purposeful " but the guidance counselor said

that's absolutely not true. The fact that respectfully and promptly

responds to requests to get back on tasks is clear indication that he WANTS to

do what they ask. Poor thing. I never thought about how difficult it is for

him to pay attention. Well, we were always dealing with other issues like

aggression and trying to leave school and anxiety. He's doing well with all of

those and actually, the fact that we're worrying about attention is evidence of

how much progress we've made.

> >

> > Soooo, now we're talking about a new medication. is on lexapro for

Anxiety. He's only on a small dose and it works well. 's neurologist

suggested Tenex at one point to deal with 's chewing behavior but it's also

being used for ADHD. I'm thinking this might be a good one for but was

wondering if anyone here had any experience with it. If so, please tell me

about it. Has anyone used it in conjunction with an SSRI?

> >

> > Miriam

> >

> > Miriam

> >

>

[Guest guest]

If it is a stimulant ADHD med like Ridilin, Concerta, Adderall it should take

effect pretty much immediately.

Vickie

> > >

> > > is doing really well in terms of autism/asperger issues. It turns

out that at school his biggest problem is not being able to stay on task and pay

attention for more than a few seconds - a minute at a time. Then he has to be

prompted to get on task again. His para is great and very kind and soft hearted

so it doesn't seem to annoy too much but it must be terribly frustrating to

WANT to comply and genuinely not be able to comply. The guidance counselor who

is also the district expert on asperger syndrome observed one day recently

and said he really can't pay attention. I believe some of the classroom

teachers suggested his behavior was " purposeful " but the guidance counselor said

that's absolutely not true. The fact that respectfully and promptly

responds to requests to get back on tasks is clear indication that he WANTS to

do what they ask. Poor thing. I never thought about how difficult it is for

him to pay attention. Well, we were always dealing with other issues like

aggression and trying to leave school and anxiety. He's doing well with all of

those and actually, the fact that we're worrying about attention is evidence of

how much progress we've made.

> > >

> > > Soooo, now we're talking about a new medication. is on lexapro for

Anxiety. He's only on a small dose and it works well. 's neurologist

suggested Tenex at one point to deal with 's chewing behavior but it's also

being used for ADHD. I'm thinking this might be a good one for but was

wondering if anyone here had any experience with it. If so, please tell me

about it. Has anyone used it in conjunction with an SSRI?

> > >

> > > Miriam

> > >

> > > Miriam

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

It isn't a stimulant. It was initially a blood pressure medication but it was

found to be effective for people who can't take traditional adhd medications.

's neurologist suggested this one because she didn't want him to develop

tics that can happen to kids with asperger syndrome who are also on stimulant

meds.

>

> If it is a stimulant ADHD med like Ridilin, Concerta, Adderall it should take

effect pretty much immediately.

>

> Vickie

>

> --- In , " mimasdprofile "

[Guest guest]

Miriam,

Our sons could be twins. The doctor suggested Tenex. I was not really up for

trying another medication, but we did. I am so glad we did too. No side

effects. He started on a very low does and gradually increased to 1mg twice a

day. This is still a low does. But it has helped his attention and the

impulsiveness and he is happier being a much better student. I also use Omega's

3/6/9. I ran out and did not ge tto the store for a week, I noticed a

difference when the fish oi's were not given too.

I love what the doctor said to me. Try him with it...yopu can always stop.

Good luck

Bobbie in NJ

[Guest guest]

Since the Tenex/Guanfacine is typically a blood pressure med, you should see

pretty quick results! That's wonderful that had such an awesome day!!!

Maybe ask him if he noticed something different that made the day so

good.....I've heard with some kids just the hum from the school lights is enough

to drive them batty, or the heating system....could be there happened to be an

environmental change for him in addition to the meds (you never know) and he

might even tell you the he just plain 'felt' better.

Fingers crossed!!!!!

> >

> > My son was on Tenex the same time he was on Prozac and Ritalin. The Tenex

was introduced to relieve the 'tics' and skin picking - the nice thing was I

could give it to him at bedtime and it's sleepiness side effect was useful. It

cut his tics way down, he had motor tics where he had to move his arms or legs

in a certain way, he picked any sores on his skin and made vocal noises. We had

used Clonedine before that for the same reason, but it seemed to stop working.

> > We've since allowed him to take some control of his life, he would rather

tic than take that 1 extra pill - so he's no longer on the Tenex. Though, we

never did see any bad effects from it.

> >

[Guest guest]

I am seeing some amazing things. is more attentive to people. At the

chiropractor's office today he said, " Rayleigh, what ya wanna do when we get

home? " He's talking about being nicer to his sister and I think the impulse

control is helping him do that. He adores his sister but up to now had a hard

time resisting doing things that made her screech. was already on his way

to this but just this tiny dose of Tenex seems to have made it easier for him.

His OT also talked to him last night about being nice to his sister but that

stayed in his head and he's able to actually follow through. I think I might

call the doc and ask if we can hold off on raising the dose since the effects

have happened are great at this dose. But once his body gets used to the

medication he might need more.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has been through this. I waited a very long

time before trying another medication but 7th grade is so much harder than 6th

was!

>

> Miriam,

>

> Our sons could be twins. The doctor suggested Tenex. I was not really up for

trying another medication, but we did. I am so glad we did too. No side

effects. He started on a very low does and gradually increased to 1mg twice a

day. This is still a low does. But it has helped his attention and the

impulsiveness and he is happier being a much better student. I also use Omega's

3/6/9. I ran out and did not ge tto the store for a week, I noticed a

difference when the fish oi's were not given too.

>

> I love what the doctor said to me. Try him with it...yopu can always stop.

>

> Good luck

> Bobbie in NJ

>

[Guest guest]

Miriam,

My son is is 6th, and yesterday at the school meeting they told me that 7th was

going to be more challenging.

What my sons doctor said about the Tenex dosage..if it's working and you notice

an improvement, don't up or change the dosage. I assume it's different than

ADHD meds wher you may want to push it.

Glad to hear your results!

Bobbie in NJ

>

> is doing really well in terms of autism/asperger issues. It turns out

that at school his biggest problem is not being able to stay on task and pay

attention for more than a few seconds - a minute at a time. Then he has to be

prompted to get on task again. His para is great and very kind and soft hearted

so it doesn't seem to annoy too much but it must be terribly frustrating to

WANT to comply and genuinely not be able to comply. The guidance counselor who

is also the district expert on asperger syndrome observed one day recently

and said he really can't pay attention. I believe some of the classroom

teachers suggested his behavior was " purposeful " but the guidance counselor said

that's absolutely not true. The fact that respectfully and promptly

responds to requests to get back on tasks is clear indication that he WANTS to

do what they ask. Poor thing. I never thought about how difficult it is for

him to pay attention. Well, we were always dealing with other issues like

aggression and trying to leave school and anxiety. He's doing well with all of

those and actually, the fact that we're worrying about attention is evidence of

how much progress we've made.

>

> Soooo, now we're talking about a new medication. is on lexapro for

Anxiety. He's only on a small dose and it works well. 's neurologist

suggested Tenex at one point to deal with 's chewing behavior but it's also

being used for ADHD. I'm thinking this might be a good one for but was

wondering if anyone here had any experience with it. If so, please tell me

about it. Has anyone used it in conjunction with an SSRI?

>

> Miriam

>

> Miriam

>