I was wondering what types of medication children with autism (PDD, etc) are taking. My son is doing well this year (he has transitioned into regular 4th grade). He is 10 years old and has been taking Risperdal since he was 3. Yes, I see progress, but the Risperdal (I've cut down his dose) helps when he has what I call "brain hiccups" (he will repeat the same thing over and over again, talk super fast, etc). However, the side effects (not to mention the cost of the drug & the Neurologist who prescribes it, labs, etc) are really horrible. He has suffered (and continues to) from all the side effects listed-he has grown huge mammary glands, his appetite is out of control (I caught him eating a stick of butter, yuck) he has suffered heat strokes, heat blisters, profuse sweating (and we live in Florida). I am really scared. The doctor insists there is nothing else. My son is now extremely embarrassed over his weight gain, not to mention I'm gonna have to win the lottery to afford plastic surgery to remove the female breasts he now has (he can fit into a "B" cup now! I know this sounds ridiculous but we are on a State Health Program & I am constantly told I should "get on my knees and be grateful". Would anyone be willing to share their experiences with Risperdal or other meds?
Dylsmom wrote this reply on Feb 19, 2008 3:59 am
Hi SuziMom:I am supposed to start my son on risperdal tomorrow, he is four. We tried methylphenidate before risperdal and my son became very aggressive. I would suggest seeing another neurologist or a psychiatrist to help your son. There are alot of meds out there. I have heard of abilify but we have not tried it. Maybe you could "google" autism meds and do some research. My son also takes fluoxetine and that has really helped him. He started to make eye contact since starting that anti-depressant. Good luck and don't take NO for an answer. Find someone who will work to solve this problem. I will be thinking of you!
RSPCLBOY wrote this reply on Feb 20, 2008 9:01 pm
Hey Suziemom. My son Andrew is 13 and has been on Celexa(anti-depressant) for several years now and is doing very well with that. It really does help with his anxiety and tantrums. He is also on Risperdal .05mg, but only as needed. He might get it a couple of times a week in the evening to help calm him down and to rest better. He has always had a pretty healthy appetite, however very picky so it is hard to tell if it is the Risperdal causing that. Do you have Medicaid for your son? If you do, they should cover the cost for your meds, it's worth checking into. We also have to set food and drinks out of his reach or hide it so he is unable to eat 24/7. Hope some of this is helpful for you.God Bless :)
michaelb wrote this reply on Feb 20, 2008 11:09 pm
My son is on Tenex, which is a blood pressure medication. He does not have high blood pressure,rather it just calms him down. It has been a wonderful drug for him and us! ;-)
cjkellie wrote this reply on Feb 20, 2008 11:24 pm
My son is 16 and has been on risperdal for many years. He also suffered with the side effects. His doctor and I slowly decreased risperdal while adding abilify. Abilify has been a much better medication for him. We were however unable to get him all the way off of risperdal. He now is on 1 mg in the morning - he used to be on 7 mg per day. He is also on two mood stablizers.
Angela wrote this reply on Feb 21, 2008 7:03 pm
Abilify... much better than Risperdal. Not as many side effects. I am suprised with the weight gain that your doc has not taken him off - set up for developing diabetes. As far as the "get on your knees and be grateful" I think I would find a new doc. That comment sends my blood pressure soaring. Just because you're on state medical does not mean you are less of a person and that your medical needs are any different or to be valued any less. HOpe it all works out for your son (and you).Take Care,Angela
none wrote this reply on Feb 21, 2008 11:36 pm
Hi! My son is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, PDD-NOS, and ADHD. He is 9 1/2 yrs. old. I love his psychiatrist. He's been seeing him for about 6 yrs. now. For quite a while now he has been on Abilify (for anxiety), Clonidine (to help him sleep), Buspar (for anxiety), and Gabitril (I think maybe for anxiety or something). This is the combination he has been on for some time. The doc just added Lexapro about a month ago bec my son was sooooo whiney and having tantrums. He's doing great with the Lexapro added. Hope this helps some. Feel free to contact me.StrestnBlest
4kids wrote this reply on Feb 23, 2008 3:10 am
My son was on risperdal for quite a while and had the same horrible side effects, I would rather him be on no meds than back on risperdal. He was trying to eat frozen chicken one day.Say no to risperdal.
JJLL wrote this reply on Feb 23, 2008 8:30 am
Have you considered looking into the success that many are having with natural suppliments for children with autism? If you have never looked into it--there are really great things happening right now for our children. I hope you consider looking into it. If so there are many parents that will provide directions on the 5 Ws. Good luck and God Bless.
olds442 wrote this reply on Feb 26, 2008 12:05 am
my oldest son not my son chris that is on my web page is getting Adderall xr 20mng once a day.Its for his ADD/PDD. I see an improvement when he is on it. When he isn't he is very nasty and can become violent.For you maybe a special diet may work instead. or even like some one mention herbal remides.The child at school she when through a yeast cleansing because she had to many different kinds of yeastand after that she seem to be much better as far a speech and overall. just hang in there maybe you can try something slowly or ask the doctor if there is some other way to help your son
jbarger1977 wrote this reply on Feb 26, 2008 1:05 am
My son has been on Risperdal for 5 years he has had some side effects but we have tried several differnt meds
slhh130 wrote this reply on Feb 28, 2008 1:09 am
My son is four and we have tried abilify and seroquel of the anti-psychotics. They stopped his head banging but neither one was good for him so I took him off. He was on Prozac too but didn't like it. We are starting Zoloft and so far we like that. Meds are such a gamble. You never know what you will get. I saw a poster who mentioned Tenex. My friend's son did a 180 on it and is doing wonderful.Sheri
Irishpunkbd wrote this reply on Feb 29, 2008 4:43 pm
There is a medication called Invega. It's similar to Risperal, but you may find that its side effects are less extreme.
rio wrote this reply on Mar 21, 2008 6:42 pm
Hi there, Rio here..My son has taken risperdal for many years..He has gained allot of weight..As a matter of fact, we have put locks on our fridge. It's hard to monitor their food intake, but we are very fortunate the Nikoli asks us for something to eat (mainly because everything is out of his reach). I have heard of a study for a drug called abilify that's supposed to be comparable to risperdal Unfortunately, the drug company requires that you remove your child from meds for about a month prior to starting the survey and with Nikoli, that won't work. I try to take Nikoli out and do something that requires some walking etc but you can't drag kiddos around because WE want them to walk. I know its tuff. My son used to be soo skinny that he had to wear suspenders til he was 8 years old - then the risperdal started..He has such an odd shape I can't get any pants for him unless they have elastic.. That's find, until you're 15..I'll keep u in my thoughts..Try the fridge locks ..
jbmair wrote this reply on Mar 23, 2008 8:58 pm
My son is eleven, and has started meds for the first time in his life. We're tring until something helps. He was dx with post traumatic stress disorder after being hit by an adult at school. We are now using Paxil which seems to be helping. I'm afraid of Risperdal, because of the side affects. What did you put him on it for originally and did it really help?
brnnsoul wrote this reply on Mar 25, 2008 6:18 pm
my son is 12, currently taking, prozac 20mg. a day for anxiety, strattera for ADD at 100mg. Clonidine to sleep. Keppra for seizure. we tried risperdal, seroquel, concerta, adderall reg, and adderal xr. and a few others i can't remember at the moment. all with BAD side effects. good luck to you!
HendrixMom wrote this reply on Oct 25, 2009 6:12 pm
Have you tried Biomedical intervention at all? There are tons of natural remedies for all conditions. My choice was to never ever give my son any synthetic drugs for his behaviours, and I am thankful for that since the natural supplements we are doing are helping him tremendously. I would say to give it a try, there is nothing you can lose as there is no awful side effects and a lot to win.
