Re: Opinions On Haloperidol/Med Options

[Guest guest]

, My son has been on Zoloft for the better part of the last 2 years and it really helps with the tics.  He is nearly tic-free and has been since 15 days into the Zoloft.  No side effects.He started Intuniv a couple months ago.  Really love what it does for his mood and just basically keeps him on a lower hum of anxiety and over-reaction.

Risperdal was ok but we had the probs w/ being tired, wetting the bed, and weight gain.Hated Abilify. Don't know anything about Haloperidol. Would prefer no meds, but we had to do something.  Life was miserable b/4 Zoloft.

HTH, E.V.On Tue, Nov 23, 2010 at 9:10 PM, cmt263 <gina9431@...> wrote:

 

We have been trying one med after another with my 8 year old son. The biggest issue we have been trying to help are his facial tics. These started 2 years ago when we tried him on Concerta. After that we tried Stratera and Clonidine to try to help the tics, but I was freaked out and that point and decided to give up on meds.

Fast forward 2 years later, and the tics are worse....so much so that he complains his neck hurts. He is more aggressive, angry, and talks about dying. I decided at this point to try meds again...which was back in August. Since then, he has been on Intuniv, Abilify, and Risperdol. Today he was switched to Haloperidol. I have noticed through each med that he is a much happier child and much easier to get along with. He is doing better with his behavior at school.....although he still has a hard time keeping quiet and not interrupting (if that is my biggest issue.....I will take it!).

The Intuniv made him tired and did not help the tics. Abilify helped the most with his behavior, but again, the tics were getting worse. Finally, the Risperdol took away the tics!!!!! However, he is falling asleep at school, having bathroom accidents (which I find out tonight are a side effect.....I just thought he was extra tired at night and not waking up), gaining weight (gained 10lbs in 2 months from 65lbs to 75lbs), and his behavior is reverting back a little.

So the doctor decides to try Haloperidol. I like the fact that it is an older drug and only cost me $4!! He said that weight gain will not be in issue nor will the incontinence. However, I do see that a side effect is sleepiness/dizziness. He started him out on .25 mg once a day, so it is a very low dose (in fact, the pharmacy had nothing lower than 2mg so I will have to cut it in 1/4....he said he had never seen a dose this low). I like the fact that it is prescribed for Tourette's, but not liking the fact that it can cause muscle spasms. I asked the doc how common this was, he said about 5%, but also said he has never seen it with anyone on this low of a dose. He said if I see his face stiffen up or his eyes looking up....I should give him a dose of Benedryl and give him a call. Ok....that freaks me out just a little! These facial tics have been freaking me out. There is also the chance of tardive dyskinesia.....which also freaks me out.

So, I am wonder if anyone has opinions on Haloperidol and/or opinions on meds in general. Would love any information from someone who has been through this before. I start feeling so guilty about giving him meds and worry so much they will affect is future health.

Thanks for listening,

[Guest guest]

Do you know what causes the tics? Is it Tourettes? There are

many medical issues and genetic disorders that involve tics.

The depression is critical to treat.

Have you joined or looked at the Tourette's organization?

What you can control is keeping the dose low and only very slowly

making any increase to watch for side effects. Like anxiety

tics can wax and wan so it is hard to know if medication is

helping.

Best wishes,

Pam

>

> We have been trying one med after another with my 8 year old son. The biggest

issue we have been trying to help are his facial tics. These started 2 years

ago when we tried him on Concerta. After that we tried Stratera and Clonidine

to try to help the tics, but I was freaked out and that point and decided to

give up on meds.

>

> Fast forward 2 years later, and the tics are worse....so much so that he

complains his neck hurts. He is more aggressive, angry, and talks about dying.

I decided at this point to try meds again...which was back in August. Since

then, he has been on Intuniv, Abilify, and Risperdol. Today he was switched to

Haloperidol. I have noticed through each med that he is a much happier child

and much easier to get along with. He is doing better with his behavior at

school.....although he still has a hard time keeping quiet and not interrupting

(if that is my biggest issue.....I will take it!).

>

> The Intuniv made him tired and did not help the tics. Abilify helped the most

with his behavior, but again, the tics were getting worse. Finally, the

Risperdol took away the tics!!!!! However, he is falling asleep at school,

having bathroom accidents (which I find out tonight are a side effect.....I just

thought he was extra tired at night and not waking up), gaining weight (gained

10lbs in 2 months from 65lbs to 75lbs), and his behavior is reverting back a

little.

>

> So the doctor decides to try Haloperidol. I like the fact that it is an older

drug and only cost me $4!! He said that weight gain will not be in issue nor

will the incontinence. However, I do see that a side effect is

sleepiness/dizziness. He started him out on .25 mg once a day, so it is a very

low dose (in fact, the pharmacy had nothing lower than 2mg so I will have to cut

it in 1/4....he said he had never seen a dose this low). I like the fact that

it is prescribed for Tourette's, but not liking the fact that it can cause

muscle spasms. I asked the doc how common this was, he said about 5%, but also

said he has never seen it with anyone on this low of a dose. He said if I see

his face stiffen up or his eyes looking up....I should give him a dose of

Benedryl and give him a call. Ok....that freaks me out just a little! These

facial tics have been freaking me out. There is also the chance of tardive

dyskinesia.....which also freaks me out.

>

> So, I am wonder if anyone has opinions on Haloperidol and/or opinions on meds

in general. Would love any information from someone who has been through this

before. I start feeling so guilty about giving him meds and worry so much they

will affect is future health.

>

> Thanks for listening,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

That is great to know the Zoloft has helped your son's tics! I had thought

about Zoloft when we started this process back in August, but the doc didn't

feel like his main issue was anxiety. I still disagree with that and may bring

this up again at our next appointment. I have taken Zoloft myself and feel so

much better about giving him a med I have taken personally. Plus, I know there

are many less side effects with something like that.

The goal is to control the tics and add something for him behavior, but right

now I would just be happy with controlling the tics and keeping him happier. He

is just so much more positive, complains less, and has a pleasant attitude some

of the time. So different from before. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to

ask him to do something and hear him say, " sure " ! I still cringe every time I

ask him to do something waiting for a big fight!

I too would prefer no meds and are often tempted to stop. Then I remember how

he cried every night during school last year.....how he sat alone everywhere at

school because he couldn't be near anyone.....and some of the " dying "

comments.....and it helps me think I am doing the right thing!

Thanks so much for your reply!!!

>

> >

> >

> > We have been trying one med after another with my 8 year old son. The

> > biggest issue we have been trying to help are his facial tics. These started

> > 2 years ago when we tried him on Concerta. After that we tried Stratera and

> > Clonidine to try to help the tics, but I was freaked out and that point and

> > decided to give up on meds.

> >

> > Fast forward 2 years later, and the tics are worse....so much so that he

> > complains his neck hurts. He is more aggressive, angry, and talks about

> > dying. I decided at this point to try meds again...which was back in August.

> > Since then, he has been on Intuniv, Abilify, and Risperdol. Today he was

> > switched to Haloperidol. I have noticed through each med that he is a much

> > happier child and much easier to get along with. He is doing better with his

> > behavior at school.....although he still has a hard time keeping quiet and

> > not interrupting (if that is my biggest issue.....I will take it!).

> >

> > The Intuniv made him tired and did not help the tics. Abilify helped the

> > most with his behavior, but again, the tics were getting worse. Finally, the

> > Risperdol took away the tics!!!!! However, he is falling asleep at school,

> > having bathroom accidents (which I find out tonight are a side effect.....I

> > just thought he was extra tired at night and not waking up), gaining weight

> > (gained 10lbs in 2 months from 65lbs to 75lbs), and his behavior is

> > reverting back a little.

> >

> > So the doctor decides to try Haloperidol. I like the fact that it is an

> > older drug and only cost me $4!! He said that weight gain will not be in

> > issue nor will the incontinence. However, I do see that a side effect is

> > sleepiness/dizziness. He started him out on .25 mg once a day, so it is a

> > very low dose (in fact, the pharmacy had nothing lower than 2mg so I will

> > have to cut it in 1/4....he said he had never seen a dose this low). I like

> > the fact that it is prescribed for Tourette's, but not liking the fact that

> > it can cause muscle spasms. I asked the doc how common this was, he said

> > about 5%, but also said he has never seen it with anyone on this low of a

> > dose. He said if I see his face stiffen up or his eyes looking up....I

> > should give him a dose of Benedryl and give him a call. Ok....that freaks me

> > out just a little! These facial tics have been freaking me out. There is

> > also the chance of tardive dyskinesia.....which also freaks me out.

> >

> > So, I am wonder if anyone has opinions on Haloperidol and/or opinions on

> > meds in general. Would love any information from someone who has been

> > through this before. I start feeling so guilty about giving him meds and

> > worry so much they will affect is future health.

> >

> > Thanks for listening,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > We have been trying one med after another with my 8 year old son. The

biggest issue we have been trying to help are his facial tics. These started 2

years ago when we tried him on Concerta. After that we tried Stratera and

Clonidine to try to help the tics, but I was freaked out and that point and

decided to give up on meds.

> >

> > Fast forward 2 years later, and the tics are worse....so much so that he

complains his neck hurts. He is more aggressive, angry, and talks about dying.

I decided at this point to try meds again...which was back in August. Since

then, he has been on Intuniv, Abilify, and Risperdol. Today he was switched to

Haloperidol. I have noticed through each med that he is a much happier child

and much easier to get along with. He is doing better with his behavior at

school.....although he still has a hard time keeping quiet and not interrupting

(if that is my biggest issue.....I will take it!).

> >

> > The Intuniv made him tired and did not help the tics. Abilify helped the

most with his behavior, but again, the tics were getting worse. Finally, the

Risperdol took away the tics!!!!! However, he is falling asleep at school,

having bathroom accidents (which I find out tonight are a side effect.....I just

thought he was extra tired at night and not waking up), gaining weight (gained

10lbs in 2 months from 65lbs to 75lbs), and his behavior is reverting back a

little.

> >

> > So the doctor decides to try Haloperidol. I like the fact that it is an

older drug and only cost me $4!! He said that weight gain will not be in issue

nor will the incontinence. However, I do see that a side effect is

sleepiness/dizziness. He started him out on .25 mg once a day, so it is a very

low dose (in fact, the pharmacy had nothing lower than 2mg so I will have to cut

it in 1/4....he said he had never seen a dose this low). I like the fact that

it is prescribed for Tourette's, but not liking the fact that it can cause

muscle spasms. I asked the doc how common this was, he said about 5%, but also

said he has never seen it with anyone on this low of a dose. He said if I see

his face stiffen up or his eyes looking up....I should give him a dose of

Benedryl and give him a call. Ok....that freaks me out just a little! These

facial tics have been freaking me out. There is also the chance of tardive

dyskinesia.....which also freaks me out.

> >

> > So, I am wonder if anyone has opinions on Haloperidol and/or opinions on

meds in general. Would love any information from someone who has been through

this before. I start feeling so guilty about giving him meds and worry so much

they will affect is future health.

> >

> > Thanks for listening,

> >

> >

> >

>

His neurologist has diagnosed him with Tourettes as he considers any tic for

more than a year Tourettes. We were told that the tics would come and go as

well as move around his face. They started with his nose, then to his eyes, and

now it is more his mouth and neck. I actually thought the Abilify was helping

the tics, but then they came back worse. I initially thought that might be the

case with the Risperdal, but so far so good. I'm not holding my breath though.

Thanks for the reply....I will definitel

[Guest guest]

,

Considering our medication experience with Victor during the last 2.5 years, I would like to say that every new medication must be carefully monitored and we also need to observe, very carefully, when decreasing / stoping a specific medication. We are always following the recomendations of the best available doctors and we must trust them. However, we had a terrible experience when we decided to look for a new "famous" doctor last year. This new doctor moved from Risperdal to Abilify without enough care. Result: Victor had a deep crisis and we had to move back to the previous doctor and go back to the same medications, but with a higher dosage.. Our dream is to stop medication one day.

All the best,

Pedro, Myllene, Thiago (17) and Victor (11, SA/HFA?)--- Em qua, 24/11/10, cmt263 <gina9431@...> escreveu:

De: cmt263 <gina9431@...>Assunto: ( ) Opinions On Haloperidol/Med OptionsPara: Data: Quarta-feira, 24 de Novembro de 2010, 2:10

We have been trying one med after another with my 8 year old son. The biggest issue we have been trying to help are his facial tics. These started 2 years ago when we tried him on Concerta. After that we tried Stratera and Clonidine to try to help the tics, but I was freaked out and that point and decided to give up on meds.Fast forward 2 years later, and the tics are worse....so much so that he complains his neck hurts. He is more aggressive, angry, and talks about dying. I decided at this point to try meds again...which was back in August. Since then, he has been on Intuniv, Abilify, and Risperdol. Today he was switched to Haloperidol. I have noticed through each med that he is a much happier child and much easier to get along with. He is doing better with his behavior at school.....although he still has a hard time keeping quiet and not interrupting (if that is my biggest issue.....I will take it!).The Intuniv made him tired and

did not help the tics. Abilify helped the most with his behavior, but again, the tics were getting worse. Finally, the Risperdol took away the tics!!!!! However, he is falling asleep at school, having bathroom accidents (which I find out tonight are a side effect.....I just thought he was extra tired at night and not waking up), gaining weight (gained 10lbs in 2 months from 65lbs to 75lbs), and his behavior is reverting back a little.So the doctor decides to try Haloperidol. I like the fact that it is an older drug and only cost me $4!! He said that weight gain will not be in issue nor will the incontinence. However, I do see that a side effect is sleepiness/dizziness. He started him out on .25 mg once a day, so it is a very low dose (in fact, the pharmacy had nothing lower than 2mg so I will have to cut it in 1/4....he said he had never seen a dose this low). I like the fact that it is prescribed for Tourette's, but not liking the fact that it

can cause muscle spasms. I asked the doc how common this was, he said about 5%, but also said he has never seen it with anyone on this low of a dose. He said if I see his face stiffen up or his eyes looking up....I should give him a dose of Benedryl and give him a call. Ok....that freaks me out just a little! These facial tics have been freaking me out. There is also the chance of tardive dyskinesia.....which also freaks me out.So, I am wonder if anyone has opinions on Haloperidol and/or opinions on meds in general. Would love any information from someone who has been through this before. I start feeling so guilty about giving him meds and worry so much they will affect is future health. Thanks for listening,

[Guest guest]

My feeling is to start slowly and get off them slowly. My smallish son had a

strong response to Zoloft (liquid), and I've heard from other sources that

spectrum kids sometimes need very low doses of meds. His response to it was

mostly positive at 10-15 ML, but at 25 (equivalent of the smallest dose pill),

things got ugly for us.

-

>

> ,

>  

> Considering our medication experience with Victor during the last 2.5 years, I

would like to say that every new medication must be carefully monitored and we

also need to observe, very carefully, when decreasing / stoping a specific

medication.  We are always following the recomendations of the best available

doctors and we must trust them.  However, we had a terrible experience when we

decided to look for a new " famous " doctor last year.  This new doctor

moved from Risperdal to Abilify without enough care.   Result:  Victor

had a deep crisis and we had to move back to the previous doctor and go back to

the same medications, but with a higher dosage..  Our dream is to stop

medication one day. 

>  

> All the best,

>  

> Pedro, Myllene, Thiago (17) and Victor (11, SA/HFA?)

>

> --- Em qua, 24/11/10, cmt263 <gina9431@...> escreveu:

>

>

> De: cmt263 <gina9431@...>

> Assunto: ( ) Opinions On Haloperidol/Med Options

> Para:

> Data: Quarta-feira, 24 de Novembro de 2010, 2:10

>

>

>  

>

>

>

> We have been trying one med after another with my 8 year old son. The biggest

issue we have been trying to help are his facial tics. These started 2 years ago

when we tried him on Concerta. After that we tried Stratera and Clonidine to try

to help the tics, but I was freaked out and that point and decided to give up on

meds.

>

> Fast forward 2 years later, and the tics are worse....so much so that he

complains his neck hurts. He is more aggressive, angry, and talks about dying. I

decided at this point to try meds again...which was back in August. Since then,

he has been on Intuniv, Abilify, and Risperdol. Today he was switched to

Haloperidol. I have noticed through each med that he is a much happier child and

much easier to get along with. He is doing better with his behavior at

school.....although he still has a hard time keeping quiet and not interrupting

(if that is my biggest issue.....I will take it!).

>

> The Intuniv made him tired and did not help the tics. Abilify helped the most

with his behavior, but again, the tics were getting worse. Finally, the

Risperdol took away the tics!!!!! However, he is falling asleep at school,

having bathroom accidents (which I find out tonight are a side effect.....I just

thought he was extra tired at night and not waking up), gaining weight (gained

10lbs in 2 months from 65lbs to 75lbs), and his behavior is reverting back a

little.

>

> So the doctor decides to try Haloperidol. I like the fact that it is an older

drug and only cost me $4!! He said that weight gain will not be in issue nor

will the incontinence. However, I do see that a side effect is

sleepiness/dizziness. He started him out on .25 mg once a day, so it is a very

low dose (in fact, the pharmacy had nothing lower than 2mg so I will have to cut

it in 1/4....he said he had never seen a dose this low). I like the fact that it

is prescribed for Tourette's, but not liking the fact that it can cause muscle

spasms. I asked the doc how common this was, he said about 5%, but also said he

has never seen it with anyone on this low of a dose. He said if I see his face

stiffen up or his eyes looking up....I should give him a dose of Benedryl and

give him a call. Ok....that freaks me out just a little! These facial tics have

been freaking me out. There is also the chance of tardive dyskinesia.....which

also freaks me out.

>

> So, I am wonder if anyone has opinions on Haloperidol and/or opinions on meds

in general. Would love any information from someone who has been through this

before. I start feeling so guilty about giving him meds and worry so much they

will affect is future health.

>

> Thanks for listening,

>

>

>