DownSyn Forum

ecki · Posted: November 06 2008, 10:34 AM Post subject: Risperdal - Week 3

We're nearly through week 3 of our Risperdal "experiment". Ugh, it feels so weird to be experimenting on your kid.

After 10 days we added a .25 dose in the morning to her .25 dose before bed. Unfortunately, at the same time Kayla got sick and had fever, so that week it was hard to tell if her behaviors were due to the meds or her illness.

The good: Kayla's finally sleeping well again. She's usually sleeping by 7:30 - 8PM until I wake her up at 6:30A for school (on the weekends she'll sleep until 8AM). And she's well rested, too. She's also attempting to vocalize more. She'll try to repeat words back to you now. Her eating has finally levelled off as has her stimming. She still stims, just with not as much "enthusiasm", LOL.

The bad: She now refuses to eat at the dinner table. Attempting to put her in her booster seat results in a full scale screaming, crying, hitting meltdown. She absolutely refuses to eat. We gave in and put her food on her table in the living room. Because otherwise she just wouldn't eat. Trust me on that one!

She's also become obsessed with her room and perseverating on the CD player in there. She'll turn it on, let it play for a few seconds and then turn it off again. Over and over and over again. We finally ended up locking her out of her room because she just kept going back in there.

She's become more withdrawn, too. It seems like she wants to engage even less than before. This was the note from her play therapy session yesterday:

Kayla seemed very clingy and distracted. Was also not interested in previous engaging activities. She enjoyed piano a lot, but seemed to forget how to roll a ball.

So, we'll give it another couple of weeks and then discuss with her developmental pediatrician. I was hoping to see more improvement and engagement than this. When she was on the decongetant (pseudoephedrine) the effect on her attention and participation was immediate. We may have to go the stimulant route instead of with the Risperdal.

Has anyone done stimulants with their kids? I'm guessing that would mean Ritalin and drugs like that?

_________________
Ecki

MomMom of Kayla (Ds/Autism 4/5/04) and Laurie (PDD-NOS 7/12/01)

Our Blog - Opposite Kids
Kayla's Story http://www.ecki.com/kayla/

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pookeymom · Posted: November 08 2008, 8:52 AM Post subject:

Hi Ecki,

I hope in the next few weeks you see her come around a bit more. I'm sure you had high hopes at first and I can sense a bit of discouragement now.

I have nothing to offer but prayer.

Take Care
Stacy

_________________

Stacy, Mom to Tristin 12, Camille 8, Elijah 6, Caleb and Isaac 4

Michel · Posted: November 08 2008, 12:35 PM Post subject:

Ecki,

Don't give up. I takes time. Mikey takes both Risperdal and Focalin. Risperdal helps with his aggression and stim behaviors. Focalin is a stimulant used to treat ADD/ADHD. It was prescribed for Mikey to increase his attention span, thereby increasing his ability to engage in activities without distraction. This combination has worked great for him. I will admit that it took a while to find the right combination of meds for him.

We worked with Dr. Capone and never gave up. It just took time and observing how Mikey responded.

If I can help in any way, just let me know.

Namaste,
Michel

_________________
Mom to Beth(excelling @ 17) and Mikey(12-Ds, PDD-NOS, asthma, GERD, chronic sinusitis, sub-glottic stenosis, tracheo-laryngomalacia, and that is quite enough thank you!

ecki · Posted: November 08 2008, 1:10 PM Post subject:

Kayla never had any behavioral issues. We're just trying to get her to become more engaged so she'll learn. She is SO unmotivated. I guess that's why I'm wondering if a stimulant would work better for her.

When she was on the cold meds, she was really engaged and focused, but she was constantly stimming. So it's challenging to find the right balance. I hope we'll get there sooner rather than later.

_________________
Ecki

MomMom of Kayla (Ds/Autism 4/5/04) and Laurie (PDD-NOS 7/12/01)

Our Blog - Opposite Kids
Kayla's Story http://www.ecki.com/kayla/

Friend me on FACEBOOK (please specify Downsyn, so I know who you are!)

momofrussell · Posted: November 08 2008, 1:15 PM Post subject:

I know it can be tricky to find the right combination or right "level" of meds. I think Russell sounds like Kayla, not so much with behaviors but we needed him more engaged and in our world... Russell STILL stims on Risperdal but not as much and/or we can distract him now and he will pay attention to us. He makes more sounds at school.

You'll get there Ecki... keep observing, give it some time and keep conversing with Dr. Capone if need be.

A.

_________________
Adrienne - mom to: Regan 17, Russell 12 DS, Autism, Visually Impaired, Reece 10.

DSAGSL 2009 Buddy Walk

lespring · Posted: November 08 2008, 5:31 PM Post subject:

For Angela, the Risperdal didn't do much for the OCD or perseverative behaviors, but the guanficine helped with that more, as did Depakote.

I would have your ped talk with Dr. Capone. He's done several studies on how kids with DS do with the various meds. The stimulants are usually the last route to take. But, all kids are different, so maybe the are what Kayla needs? Hard to tell.

For Angela, Ritalin caused EXTREME perseverative behavior and anxiety.

_________________
~Leah~

My mom's blog
http://gardenofeagan.blogspot.com/

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Rob 26, Noah 25, Tyler 23, Bryon 23, Angela 16 (DS), Axel 12 (DS, adopted from Serbia 12/2012, AAI w/fusion) Asher 7 (DS adopted from Serbia 12/2011, AAI non-fusion)

Susanshea · Posted: November 10 2008, 9:52 AM Post subject:

We started Focalin with James but right after I started it I found out he needs his tonsils out so I stopped for now and will try again after surgery. I'll sure I'll wait a couple months. I hate to do meds but I hate not to if it will help. James doesn't have bad behaviors either main just in his own world. My fear is the meds will bring out bad behaviors.

_________________
Susanshea
Mother of James (12/26/03)(ASD, seizures, PVL), Twins David and Kathleen(DS) (05/11/05), Steven (04/16/08 )

KatieB · Posted: November 14 2008, 11:01 AM Post subject:

How are things going for Kayla and risperdal lately? Seen some positive changes for her? Matty didn't tolerate stimulants, ritalin was a waste of time for him.
Katie

ecki · Posted: November 14 2008, 11:58 AM Post subject:

I haven't really noticed much change in her, at least nothing major or consistent. I'll have to go over the ABA data with her ABA teacher this weekend. Her aide says she does stay more focused on task. At home, she is still perseverating on the CD player in her bedroom. And she's still doing the up from 2AM - 6AM thing once a week or so (like last night!!). I'll probably give it another month.

_________________
Ecki

MomMom of Kayla (Ds/Autism 4/5/04) and Laurie (PDD-NOS 7/12/01)

Our Blog - Opposite Kids
Kayla's Story http://www.ecki.com/kayla/

Friend me on FACEBOOK (please specify Downsyn, so I know who you are!)

lespring · Posted: November 14 2008, 12:02 PM Post subject:

The drowsiness side effect does usually wear off, and some kids don't even get it at all! Sounds like maybe Kayla didn't? Angela takes meds at night for sleeping too. Although, SOMETHING needs to be adjusted, I'm just not sure which way! She's waking up for about an hour during the night and wandering around, and then I can't get her out of bed in the morning. UGH!

_________________
~Leah~

My mom's blog
http://gardenofeagan.blogspot.com/

And don't forget to visit MINE!
http://itsmylifemom.blogspot.com/

mom to Rob 26, Noah 25, Tyler 23, Bryon 23, Angela 16 (DS), Axel 12 (DS, adopted from Serbia 12/2012, AAI w/fusion) Asher 7 (DS adopted from Serbia 12/2011, AAI non-fusion)