[Abdulina]

My 13yo just went to the neurologist again today for her checkup. She is dx w/ FAS/Dev. delays/ ADD/ OCD. We are trying to get the OCD under control before everyone else in this house goes insane! This is a fantastic neurologist who sees all our kids. Today she said we would try low dose Prozac for two weeks, see where we are and then add the Concerta to the mix. We've held off medicating her for years. We have to do it now for her well-being. Tried everything else. A little nervous on the Prozac but Neuro Doc reassured me. And our family has to deal w/ some hefty-duty antipsychotic drugs w/ some of the other kids. So we are VERY cautious and read up on stuff before even giving it to the kids. Just wondering if anyone else out there has had experience w/ this particuliar medication and what the side effects were if any. She is being monitored every 4 weeks when starting this medication. Let me know if any o fyou have had experience w/ this. Thanks in advance.

Take care,

[LilyMoon]

There is a lot of information about prozac available. I would suggest doing some heavy duty reading and research before putting a child on any drug. Prozac: Panacea or Pandora is a very enlightening read.

[august1964houston]

Please don't keep putting your child on Medications. I put my son on ADD medication in 2nd grade after fighting the school two years and now he is more or less addicted to the medication to go to school and even then his progress is failing. He never took it when he wasn't in school. I would do an intesive Therapy intervention of some sort. Lets all stop putting our kids on Medications to "deal" with them. Just an ADD parents opinion.
Thanks.........

[lippylulu]

Prozac is a very effective medication for OCD. It desn't help with the other diagnoses you mention (FAS, ADD) so if those re the main culprit then you might not see results. Don't be scared by what you read in the media online. There is more rumor and innuendo out there about potential problems than facts to support the hysteria. Read the REAL medical articles on the use of SSRI medications with teens and you will feel much more reassured. There are tens of thousands more people helped by Prozac (teens incldued) than the few cases where there were problems. My 12 year old niece is on Prozac and it has done wonders, and I have seen it used successfully in my private practice (I'm a psychologist) many times. 2 weeks at a low dose may not be enough time to see results, but you will know if there will be any adverse reations at that point. Best of luck to you.

[Abdulina]

August1964Houston. Thanks for your input but we are in a FAR different situation than an "ADD" sort of thing. It is by far NOT the same. I deal w/ things on a daily basis that most would not dare phathom or understand. We don't just put our kids on medications to "deal" with them. That is not it. It is a very difficult decision to make and I don't want people thinking we take this lightly. I'll give you an example and maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from on this topic. Some of the issues we deal with are: FAS/ ADHD/ OCD/ Anxiety/ RAD/ PTSD( unofficially diagnosed)/ Devel. delays/ anger management issues/ MMR/ missing limbs/ etc. I won't go through the entire list just the major ones. A few of our children have multiple issues. And no, these diagnosis are not pulled out of a hat by some random doctor. There is a lot more to diagnosing FAS and that's why most parents of FAS children are fustrated due to what you have to go through in order to get a diagnosis. And yes, sometimes therapy helps but w/ kids w/ issues such as ours, therapy doesn't even touch the tip of the iceburg. We did not put our son on ADHD meds right away. By the way, it is not good to put your kids on ADHD meds before the age of 5. You have to distinguish first what is just typical kid behavior and what is not. ADHD though is only a small component of the FAS diagnosis. FAS children can NOT self-regulate themselves. That's a fact. Not from my mouth but from countless doctors and specialists, etc.

Okay, our son was first diagnosed as ADHD. Yet, teachers and us always thought there was something more to it. There was. Later, the FAS diagnosis was to follow. Well, we wanted to "try" to do the no med thing. Worst mistake we ever, ever made in our lives and the life of our son. Huge. Our 11yo son this past year was a mess. So much so that we were even looking at treatment facilities that may be able to manage him. It was that bad. Rages out of control. And rages are much different than tantrums folks. The first time you see a child rage, your heart goes completely numb and you don't know what to do. I have not only been beaten, bruised, punched, kicked, glasses destroyed, etc. by my own kids but countless other verbal things said to me. This behavior was not limited to just one child btw. Anyways, my son was doing horrific in school, trouble all the time, wandering off, etc. (and he WAS in a self-contained classroom for behavioral children). We were at wits end on what on earth to do to help this child that was hurting himself (suicidal and depressed) and others in the family. A nightmare no one should have to go through. Then, we found his neurologist that we consider a life saver. Our son was then put on medication-- Risperdal and Focalin. He has done such a turn around in school that he is being put in a regular classroom next year! Getting all kinds of awards next week. Winning art contests. Having friends for the first time in his life. Kind to everyone. Gets along w/ all sibs now. Essentially, loves his life now. He used to walk hunched over and now, even his body language has changed. Getting on the honor roll at school, etc. It is a far cry from the constant rages months ago. We no longer have to worry about him hurting someone. We have hope and he has hope. He no longer is suicidal at the tender age of 11. We have all this b/c of the medications he is receiving. Is it better to give him medications? ABsolutely!!! Otherwise, I guarantee you he would be in an RTC right now w/ no family. And that would have broken everyone I'm sure.

Our other son is just 5. However, he is diagnosed FAS/ADHD/RAD/devel. delays/ MMR/ possible PTSD, etc. He was out of control beyond belief. Chasing the dogs w/ coat hangers. Killing lizzards w/ glee. Laughing when people got hurt. Had no empathy or conscience. Essentially, he was on the path to becoming a sociopath. I'm dead serious. We were terrified. I did regression therapy and attachment therapy w/ him. He was also put on Risperdal and Tenex. The changes have been none less than miraculous. He is a happy, healthy, well attached 5yo boy now. EVeryone is amazed. Took lots of work and not just a drug to get to this point. Do the medications help...yes. He no longer rages.

All I'm saying is there is more to the story than just medicating our kids for the heck of it. These are hard, long thought out decisions w/ alot of experts involved. We research and do more reserach. But in the end, we have to do what is best for the kids and I feel for a fact, if some of them were not on medication, they would be institutionalized or in jail. Just stating facts. Our kids have brain damage. That's what FAS is essentially, frontal lobe brain damage from the alcohol. Well, if someone has seizures, aren't they treated w/ medications most the time? Same w/ FAS. Most of us do have to medicate our children at some point in time. Usually, it is for their own safety. Was it hard all these years w/ out some of my kids on medication...yes. But I did that for their well being. We don't medicate just for ADD.

Sorry for the speech but I don't want people to think this is some go to the dr., get meds type of decision. I just really wanted some opinions on the whole Prozac deal b/c it is one that I haven't dealt w/. Thanks in advance. I know medicating a child is a tough decision and I respect those who don't and can handle it.

Take care,

[mikeintexas]

Stephanie - you know your kiddos the best. If you feel okay with the meds and you trust your doctor, then you should feel good about giving it a try. Allow it to be just that... a try... and keep close tabs on things in the event something odd develops. -Mike

[bonsaroonie]

I rarely share intimate info about my extended family, but I do have some indirect experience with OCD and anxiety. I think there's much misinformation out there about OCD, anxiety, and mental illness in general. That's what motivated me to respond. (I have to add that I do not have experience with meds and ADD or the myriad of other issues your children are dealing with.)

I have seen the positive effects of Prozac (and its predecessors) on my sister. She was diagnosed with anxiety and OCD at age 10. (My mom's bi-polar, so my parents knew what signs to be looking for.) She's now 32, has her Masters degree, is married and just had a baby 2 months ago (by the way, her anxiety and OCD were so bad that, at her doctor's recommendation, she stayed on a low dose of meds during her pregnancy). She's living a normal, fulfilling life. She's been on medications for most of these 22 years.

Medications have been a saving grace for my sister. I'm so glad that my parents were open-minded about treating her. (FYI - my sister is a biokid and didn't suffer from ADD or most of the other issues that your children are suffering from.)

The reality is that SOME kids do great on meds. Of course everyone's entitled to their opinion, but I think it is unfair for folks to make blanket statements about "not medicating kids" under any circumstance.

I wanted to add that you may have to try several meds before you find the right one for your children. (You probably already knew that, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.) Depakote, for instance, knocked my sister out - she would sleep for 18 hours a day.

Most importantly, I wanted to offer my support in your decision.

[Jim_in_PA]

Stephanie, it sounds like you have a doc that likes to monitor drugs closely and that is a good thing...he/she seems cautious enough to start slow, watch for effects/effectiveness and take next steps based on previous results. Since everyone is completely individual in their reaction to a given drug, that's a good practice. If I were presented with similar advice, I'd follow it after very carefully and completely researching the particular drug, particularly to be able to recognize problems (and good things) as it's in use by the child. That's important because you are the doctor's eyes and ears for most of the day and night...

[RainyInGA]

Stephanie,
Just reading your post, about what you go through with the kids is exhausting! Bless you for taking on these challanges in parenting. I have gone through this with several foster children. Until you have seen a child turn his rage on you, or helped a child live with & overcome serious RAD behavior, you will never know how deeply these kids are hurt and the special measures needed to help them.
Sounds like you have a great doc on your side, and all you need is for someone to tell you IT"S OK. I admire you and your determination to help heal your kids. I for one am in your corner pulling for you each step of the way. Feel free to Pm me anytime.
Rain

[SingleMama2B]

Stephanie..... I don't know about Prozac, but if you truly (which it sounds like you do) trust your doctor, and keep a good watch on your son. I too am sorry that you have soooo much to deal with. You are a wonderful mother, and you know what is best for your children!! I know that the medication that my DD is taking for her FAS/ADHD has helped her to focus and stay on task with school. She is on the mildest dose, and has had NO side-effects, same exact energy level without med., full appetite, sleeps good, etc. It truly depends on the child, doctor, and PARENT(s)!!!!

Please let us know how you (and your son) are doing!!!

[angelkisses0102]

Stephanie~

Trust the doctor, who sound like a heavensent angel...Prozac helps many( although not me...but we found another drug which did.) You are doing what is right and best for your family...of that I have no doubt.

Thank you for always taking the time and teaching us all something...through you posts, you help so many. So THANKS!

All the best to you and update when you can!