[Tudu]

This makes 3. Patches has been getting quite out of hand lately and running into traffic, raging for 7 hours over classwork, jumping off our deck, and running away. You know the normal stuff, LOL. Her psychiatrist asked we try her on it too b/c we have seen such fantastic results in our other 2. Patches is ready to try anything, she hates feeling out of control and is trying so hard in therapy she actually asked for help with this. It's better than a hospital stay for trying to hurt herself again. I hate that my kids are needing so much medicine to be in control and when do they get to come off it? Is this a life long thing or do we eventually wean them off this stuff? Probably should have asked the doctor but I knew I had you all, better than her any day. (I know you all are not doctors, I just want your experience, please)

[lucyjoy]

One of my kids will need that med for life, the other no longer needs it. It really depends on what is going on in their brains as to how long meds are required. Hope your daughter has good results with the meds.

[Jensboys]

I couldnt live without it (ok couldnt live with my son without it )

Glad you are getting some help Tudu!

[lifeinashoe]

My son was put on Risperdal at age 5. (can anyone beat that? just curious) He's now seven. We could not live without it. He has microcephaly, partial empty sella, deaf in one ear, cataracts and gloucoma, likely FAS.
I think he will be on it forever, as the geneticist says meds will hopefully give us a couple years at home, but to start thinking of an alternative living arrangement in case its needed as he hits puberty. So my little guy will never "grow out of it" until he gets to heaven. Mean while, thank God for Risperdal. We are no longer prisoners in our own home and everybody sleeps at night.
Rachel , solo mom to 6, soon to be 7

[aspenhall]

Think of meds as like diabetes....yeah you could modify your diet and external stuff, but it only does so much...

I have ADD as an adult and I can cope with it by certain lifestyle adjustment tricks I've learned over the years, but sometimes meds are needed during especially stressful times....

I would say being aware of herself means it's likely she can cope as an adult, but really, why make it harder than it has to be?

If she needed glasses (for life) to focus her eyes it wouldn't even be a concern.

[Lorraine123]

Be sure to have routine blood work done while on this med. My daughter had increases in prolactin which can cause premature lactation.