This is such a unique and detailed experience that parents seem to always be searching to find, when researching drugs for their children. Namely, what other parents and their child have been through. It took a lot to write this I would think, a lot of good observation and record keeping.

I hope other parents will add onto this post, and establish a rich pool of information you just can't come by at many other places, personal experiences, good and bad. That seems to be what your post wants too.

It makes you wonder why a drug can work, and then in days or years suddenly become ineffective, and then what? As you list, so many variables like time of day, foods, other medications, their own bodies unique mixture of hormones and chemicals, where do you start?

I hope your child continues to do well. So much to worry about with drugs and possible effects but I think good observation can minimize the harm, if any. When there is nothing else left, I'm glad there is a way to help a child live and play, and learn. Good for the family too.

Merely Me

5/18/11 5:01pm

Thanks Paul.

 

Yeah I sure hope so too.  He started this combo back in January and it is now May and he is doing so well.  I am so grateful.

 

This conversation is so interesting because of the recent "comment"...chastising me for not being pro-medication enough.  I dunno.  I just feel fortunate that the doctor selected a good combination...it is possible to go for years trying to find the the most effective medications and dosage.  I have to say...it has been life changing for my son.  I do worry, though, about the long term side effects and he will be closely monitored by the doctor and by us.

 

Thanks so much for your comment and all the things you do for the sites.  You are fabulous!

Although my 13 year old has not been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD- he has fought with anxiety /depression over the years which most recently sent him into a spell of school phobia. He had already been on a dose of 20 mg/day of Celexa but he had suddenly worsened. Due to the changes-initially his doctor put him on a nightly dose .25 of Risperidol and incresased his celexa dosage in the morning to 30 mg. This started to help but after about two weeks she shuffled meds decreasing his Celexa dose back to his 20 mg/day level and replacing the Risperidol with Wellbutrin. He started with 75 mg in the morning...after 2 weeks upped it to 150 mg- this seemed to really help- and he was back to school etc. no problem. He has still been having some milder anxiety and depression and she had wanted to move him up to 300 mg of Wellbutrin XL (extended release) which he started today. So with the Wellbutrin in the morning and the Celexa dose after school....we will see how it goes. I was a bit nervous increasing today- seems like alot of meds and worried about the information provided with the Wellbutrin regarding seizures, but I tust his doc. Regarding ADD and ADHD- his doctor is still keeping her eye out for more symptoms of ADD but is not yet convinced he has it. He has also been growing like a weed and is 5'10" - so hormones are active for sure.

Merely Me, Health Guide

5/18/11 4:46pm

Hi Melissa

 

One of the medications my son's neurologist spoke of maybe trying was Wellbutrin.  I have heard good things about it but as always there are the side effects to think about. 

 

We have some information on the depression site about Wellbutrin you may want to check out. 

 

I am very eager to hear how this combination works out.  Please do write back or even write a sharepost about your experience.  Right now...the combination of Risperdal and Celexa is working so well for my son.  I feel fortunate that we hit upon this medication combo so early in all this. 

 

Thanks so much for your comment.