10th May 2004
Sherry,
I have a son who is ADHD, OCD and has PANDAS, which is a form of Tourette's caused by a strep infection. He is in 7th grade. He has elevated levels of strep in his system. He experiences tics which make him uncomfortable. He stretches his head as if he is touching his shoulder but it is a tic.
I have to tell you that he was first placed on Clonidine when he was in the fifth grade. The tics started when he was about 8 years old. That was only done because the ped neurologist at the time would only give him somthing mild if it was affecting my son at school. It was. Then we moved out of state and had to find a new pediatric neurologist. We were thrilled to find out that a strep infection gone bad could be the cause. My son was given a blood test and sure enough he had double the amount of strep antibodies in his system! They give antibiotics and for some children it is a cure. But of course not with my son! So, the doctor decided to put him on Haldol, which is a psychotropic med they give to schizophrenics! No luck! We found himwith his face in the cereal bowl. So no good. See we were desperate. He had started a new school with 4 times more kids than he was used to. He was so anxious and nervous that his tics were going 240! I just could not stand to see him that way and he couldn't either. Hence the Haldol. So when we found him floating in his cereal like I said before, the doc switched him to Risperdal. Make a long story short. He became horrible. Absolutely horrible. Any doctor would have thought him bipolar. Be very careful. Doctors are loving to diagnose children with bipolar without looking at the whole child. Like what meds are they on? Are they in a crisis? ETC! So, I call the neurologist, we go in, and the doctor wants to know prescribe Paxil. Well that I researched and oh no! What I found. Suicide rates sky high with children!
No way. Put him on Paxil just to counteract the effects of Risperdal. So we (I) decide to wean him off Risperdal. Immediately a different child! Risperdal is another med given to schizophrenics. However, he could not stop swallowing which is a withdrawal effect that can be irreversible. Man did I pray and God came through. The swallowing stopped! But let me tell you people have committed suicide from that type of withdrawal effect. In the end we have decided to stay off of meds. My son would rather deal with the hyperactivity, ocd and tics his own way. I realize you are ill.
I have an autoimmune disease and fibromyalgia and most days I am shot! I do work but cannot say that will last much longer. I know think I have neuropathy as I cannot walk so much. I am in chronic and constant pain.
The choice to be on meds is up to you and your child but I have to say that these drugs are tested on mice for a supposed chemical imbalance. How do we know that these mice are ADHD or OCD or Bipolar or Schizophrenic. Sure there are clinical trials but many of them are not done properly. I was part of one. I know. Consider checking his strep levels. Many children with ADHD and OCD have high levels. When my son is getting sick I know: his tics are stronger and his behavior changes. Look into it. Do not make your pediatrician win! Tell him you want the test anyway. Cannot hurt too cover all bases. It may not make things better but you will have some answers.
God Bless YOu!
Tina :angel:
I have a son who is ADHD, OCD and has PANDAS, which is a form of Tourette's caused by a strep infection. He is in 7th grade. He has elevated levels of strep in his system. He experiences tics which make him uncomfortable. He stretches his head as if he is touching his shoulder but it is a tic.
I have to tell you that he was first placed on Clonidine when he was in the fifth grade. The tics started when he was about 8 years old. That was only done because the ped neurologist at the time would only give him somthing mild if it was affecting my son at school. It was. Then we moved out of state and had to find a new pediatric neurologist. We were thrilled to find out that a strep infection gone bad could be the cause. My son was given a blood test and sure enough he had double the amount of strep antibodies in his system! They give antibiotics and for some children it is a cure. But of course not with my son! So, the doctor decided to put him on Haldol, which is a psychotropic med they give to schizophrenics! No luck! We found himwith his face in the cereal bowl. So no good. See we were desperate. He had started a new school with 4 times more kids than he was used to. He was so anxious and nervous that his tics were going 240! I just could not stand to see him that way and he couldn't either. Hence the Haldol. So when we found him floating in his cereal like I said before, the doc switched him to Risperdal. Make a long story short. He became horrible. Absolutely horrible. Any doctor would have thought him bipolar. Be very careful. Doctors are loving to diagnose children with bipolar without looking at the whole child. Like what meds are they on? Are they in a crisis? ETC! So, I call the neurologist, we go in, and the doctor wants to know prescribe Paxil. Well that I researched and oh no! What I found. Suicide rates sky high with children!
No way. Put him on Paxil just to counteract the effects of Risperdal. So we (I) decide to wean him off Risperdal. Immediately a different child! Risperdal is another med given to schizophrenics. However, he could not stop swallowing which is a withdrawal effect that can be irreversible. Man did I pray and God came through. The swallowing stopped! But let me tell you people have committed suicide from that type of withdrawal effect. In the end we have decided to stay off of meds. My son would rather deal with the hyperactivity, ocd and tics his own way. I realize you are ill.
I have an autoimmune disease and fibromyalgia and most days I am shot! I do work but cannot say that will last much longer. I know think I have neuropathy as I cannot walk so much. I am in chronic and constant pain.
The choice to be on meds is up to you and your child but I have to say that these drugs are tested on mice for a supposed chemical imbalance. How do we know that these mice are ADHD or OCD or Bipolar or Schizophrenic. Sure there are clinical trials but many of them are not done properly. I was part of one. I know. Consider checking his strep levels. Many children with ADHD and OCD have high levels. When my son is getting sick I know: his tics are stronger and his behavior changes. Look into it. Do not make your pediatrician win! Tell him you want the test anyway. Cannot hurt too cover all bases. It may not make things better but you will have some answers.
God Bless YOu!
Tina :angel: