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Medication question if your child has ODD and ADHD
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<blockquote data-quote="firehorsewoman" data-source="post: 573449"><p>Hi, Jane.</p><p></p><p>My son was diagnosed with ODD + ADHD after his first very thorough neuropsychologist exam at three years old. At that time he was on Trileptal for epilepsy and I think that drug helped stabilize his moods somewhat but he was still had daily meltdowns, aggression and irritability all day long even on Trileptal. During one of his 24hr EEG his violent behavior towards me and the nurses was captured on video so his neurologists started him on antipsychotic Risperdal. The combo of Trileptal and Risperdal worked pretty well.</p><p></p><p>Fast forward a few years and by this time my marriage had fallen apart and I was divorced with the kids splitting time between homes. difficult child outgrows seizures so is taken off Trileptal. Did ok on Risperdal alone but still lots of meltdowns, arguing, and started being depressed and talking about suicide at the age of 5 1/2. He had another neuropsychologist evaluation and this time primary diagnosis was ADHD. The psychiatrists took him off of Risperdal due to high prolactin levels and started him on a long list of ADHD stimulants. None of them helped and some made him worse but his docs and his father wanted to continue them on the stimulants. My life really became a nightmare after that. My ex and rarely agreed about difficult child or anything else. Four long years later and another psychiatric evaluation this summer after my son was having super serious problems resulted in a change of diagnosis to Mood disorder and just this week changed officially to bipolar disorder + ADHD. He is finally on a medication combo that works for him.</p><p></p><p>Stimulants alone made my son's "ODD" worse in my opinion. His fuse was even shorter, and as they wore off he would become super hyper, and his mania would go on for hours at time. Laughing hysterically alternating with violent meltdowns. It was no fun at all. </p><p></p><p>Many here do not believe that ODD is a real diagnosis but a place holder until a true diagnosis becomes evident. But for those of us with young children diagnosed with ODD via neuropsychologist evaluations hearing that ODD is not a "real" diagnosis doesn't help us does it? It is so frustrating and I feel your pain. All I wanted was a peaceful home and I finally have that most of the time now. Well, maybe not compared to some homes but definitely compared to the last eight years. We were desperate to help our son and his behaviors not only interfered with family life but also school. So we trialed many medications in attempt to help him. But, I always contended that the ADHD medications (alone without a mood stabilizer) made him worse. I am not telling you not to try them but with every medicine you try make sure you keep a journal and good notes about what is going on with your son.</p><p></p><p>As far as therapy goes, there was a program that helped my son a little bit when he was three but the hospital we were at discontinued it. We tried in vain to find therapy for him over the years and found many obstacles and little help. That has been so unfortunate as I believe that therapy would really help my son. There just are so few therapists out there that will work with kids like ours. If you can find one most don't take insurance. If you have insurance...but that is an entirely different problem.</p><p></p><p>Hang in there. There are no easy answers.</p><p></p><p>hugs</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="firehorsewoman, post: 573449"] Hi, Jane. My son was diagnosed with ODD + ADHD after his first very thorough neuropsychologist exam at three years old. At that time he was on Trileptal for epilepsy and I think that drug helped stabilize his moods somewhat but he was still had daily meltdowns, aggression and irritability all day long even on Trileptal. During one of his 24hr EEG his violent behavior towards me and the nurses was captured on video so his neurologists started him on antipsychotic Risperdal. The combo of Trileptal and Risperdal worked pretty well. Fast forward a few years and by this time my marriage had fallen apart and I was divorced with the kids splitting time between homes. difficult child outgrows seizures so is taken off Trileptal. Did ok on Risperdal alone but still lots of meltdowns, arguing, and started being depressed and talking about suicide at the age of 5 1/2. He had another neuropsychologist evaluation and this time primary diagnosis was ADHD. The psychiatrists took him off of Risperdal due to high prolactin levels and started him on a long list of ADHD stimulants. None of them helped and some made him worse but his docs and his father wanted to continue them on the stimulants. My life really became a nightmare after that. My ex and rarely agreed about difficult child or anything else. Four long years later and another psychiatric evaluation this summer after my son was having super serious problems resulted in a change of diagnosis to Mood disorder and just this week changed officially to bipolar disorder + ADHD. He is finally on a medication combo that works for him. Stimulants alone made my son's "ODD" worse in my opinion. His fuse was even shorter, and as they wore off he would become super hyper, and his mania would go on for hours at time. Laughing hysterically alternating with violent meltdowns. It was no fun at all. Many here do not believe that ODD is a real diagnosis but a place holder until a true diagnosis becomes evident. But for those of us with young children diagnosed with ODD via neuropsychologist evaluations hearing that ODD is not a "real" diagnosis doesn't help us does it? It is so frustrating and I feel your pain. All I wanted was a peaceful home and I finally have that most of the time now. Well, maybe not compared to some homes but definitely compared to the last eight years. We were desperate to help our son and his behaviors not only interfered with family life but also school. So we trialed many medications in attempt to help him. But, I always contended that the ADHD medications (alone without a mood stabilizer) made him worse. I am not telling you not to try them but with every medicine you try make sure you keep a journal and good notes about what is going on with your son. As far as therapy goes, there was a program that helped my son a little bit when he was three but the hospital we were at discontinued it. We tried in vain to find therapy for him over the years and found many obstacles and little help. That has been so unfortunate as I believe that therapy would really help my son. There just are so few therapists out there that will work with kids like ours. If you can find one most don't take insurance. If you have insurance...but that is an entirely different problem. Hang in there. There are no easy answers. hugs [/QUOTE]
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