A Question for those with Asperger's kids

Here is my delema.  I know that many had said that they were dealing with this issue in another thread.  What I would like to know, and certianly pm me if you don't wish to post, is if anyone is using meds for this problem.  I just found out that the meds they put my son on are potentially life threatening  and should not even be prescribed to children.  He is on Risperidal.

Thanks

Diana

 Wow another child with a form a autism...

 My son is on the same medication and I never heard anything negitive about it.It has done a lot of good for him so far with no side effects.If this stuff is bad after long time usage I would like to know as well.

 ((((never there))))

 Heather

 Another thing,how high is his dosage? My son is 8 and weighs around 60 pounds,he only gets 1 mg a day.

Hi Heather, check this out from Whatmeds.com

Risperidone Brand Name: Risperdal Overview Risperdal is the brand name for Risperidone, an antipsychotic agent used to treat certain types of psychotic thinking. It has been found to improve both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Why is this drug prescribed? Risperdal is used to treat: schizophrenia aggression false perceptions Tourette's syndrome behavioral problems in persons with mental retardation Warnings Risperdal?s effects on children under age 18 have not been studied and are not known. Risperdal can lower mental alertness. Patients should not drive or operate machinery until the effects of Risperdal are known. Risperdal may increase a patient?s sensitivity to sunlight. Patients should wear sunscreen and avoid exposure to sunlight. There is a slight chance that Risperdal can cause Tardative Dyskenia, a disease whose symptoms include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. Risperdal may cause Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a life threatening side effect of any antipsychotic drug which is more common in high-potency antipsychotics. Symptoms include rigidness, fever, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, abnormal blood pressure, heavy sweating, and a change in mental state, from confusion to coma. Antacids should not be taken within 2 hours of this drug. For Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Studies in animals indicate that Risperdal may cause unwanted effects on the fetus. Risperdal passes into the breast milk of animals, and it is not recommended that women taking Risperdal breastfeed. Contraindications Risperdal should not be used for people with an allergy or hypersensitivity to Risperdal or any of its ingrediants. Precautions Risperdal may be used with caution in people with the following conditions: breast cancer or a history of breast cancer Heart or blood vessel problems, including stroke or Parkinson's disease Epilepsy or other seizure disorders ? Risperdal may increase the risk of seizures kidney or liver disease ? dosage may need to be lowered asthma Parkinson's disease seizures ? Risperdal may increase the risk of seizures Adverse Reactions Risperdal may cause the following reactions: constipation coughing diarrhea drowsiness dryness of mouth headache heartburn increased dream activity increased length of sleep nausea sore throat stuffy or runny nose unusual tiredness or weakness weight gain anxiety or nervousness changes in vision including blurred vision decreased sexual desire or performance loss of balance contro mask-like face menstrual changes mood or mental changes, including aggressive behavior, agitation, difficulty in concentration, and memory problems problems in urination or increase in amount of urine restlessness or need to keep moving (severe) shuffling walk skin rash or itching stiffness or weakness of arms or legs tic-like or twitching movements trembling and shaking of fingers and hands trouble in sleeping back pain chest painseborrhea (skin condition that may include dandruff and oily skin) unusual secretion of milk darkening of skin color dry skin increased sensitivity of the skin to sun increased watering of mouth joint pain stomach pain vomiting weight loss Interactions with Drugs and Other Substances Drugs or substances that may interact with Risperdal include: Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine), Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [Elavil], amoxapine [Asendin], clomipramine [Anafranil], desipramine [Pertofrane], doxepin [Sinequan], imipramine [Tofranil], nortriptyline [Aventyl], protriptyline [Vivactil], trimipramine [Surmontil])--Risperidone may increase the side effects of these medications, especially drowsiness and low blood pressure Bromocriptine (Parlodel) or Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa), Pergolide (Permax)--Risperdal can interfere with these drugs and lower their effectiveness. Carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol), Clozapine (Clozaril) ? These drugs can reduce Risperdal?s effects Smoking ? an increased dose may be require and then this from another source, http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/risper.html Risperidone ( Risperdal ) is an antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of disorganized or psychotic thinking. Risperidone ( Risperdal ) is used to treat aggression, false perceptions, Tourette's syndrome, or behavioral problems in persons with mental retardation. THIS DRUG MAY CAUSE NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME. CLASS:  Benzisoxazole Derivative. Generic name: Risperidone. Type:  Antipsychotic. Strengths: Oral Solution: 1mg per ml. Tables: 1mg , 2mg, 3mg, 4mg. Dosages: Actual dosage must be determined by a physician. Normal dosage:  If under 18 years of age,  DO NOT USE! 18 to 60 years of age, 1mg two times daily. Over 60 years of age, 0.5mg two times daily,  increased cautiously in one week intervals. Oral: Start: 1mg 2 times daily. Increases: 1mg increase after two days and another 1mg on the third day, for a total of 3mg 2 times daily. Maximum: 6mg in 24 hours. Problems with: Liver Function:  Lower dosage. Kidney Function:  Lower dosage. Test: Before taking:  Electrocardiogram. While taking:  Blood pressure twice a week. Take With:  With or without food. Full Benefits In:  One to two weeks. Missed Dose(s):  If within one hour take,  if over an hour skip and then continue on your normal schedule.  Never Take a Double Dose! If Stop Taking:  Do not stop without consulting your physician and never abruptly. Overdose symptoms include:  Low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, or sleepiness. Warnings Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium should not be taken one hour before taking this drug and never right after. Only take this drug and Heterocyclic antidepressants with careful monitoring. Also check with your physician if you are taking central nervous system depressants like antihistamines, hay fever medicines, sedatives, narcotics, anesthetics, barbiturates, or muscle relaxants. Also check with your physician if you are taking a vasodilator  (drug that dilate blood vessels.) The habit-forming potential is none, but long term use may lead to Tardive Dyskinesia. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant  ( Only take if the mother's or baby's live is endangered. ) Do not take this drug if planning to become pregnant. Do not take if you are breast-feeding. Do not give this drug to children. Only use drug in small doses at first if over sixty and with close monitoring. Also if over sixty be careful when standing up because blood pressure may be lowered enough to impair balance. If you smoke blood levels of this drug need to be taken. Smoking drops this drugs level in the blood. Do not use if:  You had negative reactions to this drug in the past or if you have a history of NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME. Inform your Doctor if:  You had negative reactions to this drug in the past. If you have a history of asthma, breast cancer, epilepsy, heart rhythm disturbances, liver / kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, seizures, or Tardive Dyskinesia.  If you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drug.  If you plan to be under anesthesia or having any surgery in the next few months, also if you will be undergoing any medical tests. If you are on a special diet ( low-salt / low-sugar or any other.) Risperidone ( Symptoms or Effects ) Common:  Lethargy / sleepiness, low blood pressure, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, weight gain, difficulty urinating, nasal irritation / stuffiness, or stiffness. Rare:  Dizziness, racing heartbeat / palpitations, weakness, sexual problems, restlessness, skin rash, seizures, low white blood cell count, tremors, involuntary facial / tongue movements, or reduced urinary output. See physician always:  Low blood pressure, dizziness, racing heartbeat / palpitations, weakness, sexual problems, restlessness, skin rash, stiffness, seizures, low white blood cell count, tremors, reduced urinary output, difficulty urinating, involuntary facial / tongue movements, or nasal irritation / stuffiness. See physician if severe:  Blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth, Lethargy / sleepiness, or weight gain. See physician NOW:  Low white blood cell count, reduced urinary output, or skin rash. Stop taking and see physician NOW:  Seizures.   See this is what is worrying me! Diana

My son started 10 months ago on .25 then worked his way up to .5, he is about 70 pounds and will be 10 next week.

Diana

neverthere, 80% of the adults I work with are taking risperidone and for the most it has been a succesful medication for controlling psychotic behaviour. How long as your son been taking them? For the first few months it is trial and error and the results can only be determined by an observer (since most adults I work with cant communicate verbally how they feel). Getting the right dosage could take a while. However according to the chart you have posted it seems a child should not be taken them. The adults I know are only on 1mg. It is worrying, I would seek more info from the person who prescribed them and check his/her credentials. It is probably ok but you never know these days.

.

PS, thing is, your son is aspergers which is on the higher functioning level of Autism. I cant understand what he is doing on Risperadol. Usually it is for those on the lower end of the spectrum, I know of no one with aspergers who takes risperadol. How strange.

What actions is your son displaying that suggests he needs risperadol? Is he having complex partial seziures or something?

My son is not on medication. He is 24, married, going to college in pre-law, and doing fine. I'm sure his form of Aspberger's is mild. His wife has it more severely, but also is not on any meds.

My son is 10 and has been on the meds for 10 months now.  He was displaying very aggressive behaviour when he couldn't handle his enviornment.  He is very bright but if he was put in a "normal" class would totally freak, screaming, yelling, hiding under furniture etc.  The actions at home were very much the same, it was like living with Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde.  The meds have helped abit but the aggression is still there and he gets so "out there" that I am scared.   He has even threatened to kill himself (the doc says there is no intent to do so, it is a way for him to get people to stop and pay attention to him) and it scares me.

We even had to have the police attend the house last year due to his threats, the therapist said that if he did it again we had to call the police, and when they were here my son tried to hit the ambulance driver and the cop had to threaten him with being put in handcuffs before he would go peacefully to the hospital.

I am scared about all the things they say the meds can do.  I don't want to visit my son in prison cause of his outbursts but I don't want to visit him in the hospital while he is on a respirator either.

Diana

Diana, when was your son diagnosed as having Aspergers syndrome? It sounds more like the signs of classical Autism, though I could be wrong. Since he has communicated his feelings of suicide (which is most likely not going to happen) I assume he can articulate his feelings and has no trouble with speech?

Aspergers usually enjoy the company of other people but their social skills are flawed in that they speak obsessively about a subject that would bore most other people. Consequently they become very alone regardless of their desire for company, their social skills usually cause other people to withdraw. It would be nothing for a person with aspergers to tell the person in front of them that they have crooked teeth or cross eyes, they dont have the social skills to know they are crossing a border.

 On the other hand, classical autism is a "withiness", there is usually no desire to be in the company of other people and they are usually quite oblivious to other peoples lives but are very wrapped up in their own world. Going on the little information you have provided, it would seem your son could have sensory issues. He may be screaming and yelling and hiding under furniture because the thought of a crowd of other children scares him or causes him high anxiety.

For instance, a lot of children with autism hear things louder than we do and noise begins to grate at their ears, they may not hear what we do, it could be that the words of other children are not coherent but instead make a rushing sound or something similar to how we interpret the sound of fingernails screeching across a blackboard. This begins to alarm a child with autism, but due to the autism the child does not know how to explain this so instead throws himself about aggresively knowing he will be removed from the classroom if he does it. His only way of communicating a problem maybe to throw himself around, this works.

I'm just giving examples to show you how they interpret the world differently to us, none of the above may apply to your son but something similar to them may apply. Only through observation can one really get into the mind of autism and see what the real problemn is. It may be that the tutor raises his/her voice occasionally, the child will become anxious at the suddeness. I see the same thing happen with adults when a dog barks, or a duck quacks, or a roll of thunder. The anticipation of the suddeness of the sound causes high anxiety and often an aggresive response. However when you have pinpointed the problem, life will become much easier and the behaviour changes for the better. It could be something as simple as flurescent lighting thats triggering the responses.

There is a reason for everything, its just that a lot of children/adults with autism cant tell you that reason because they dont know how to articulate it other than to get aggresive.

Hi Brummie,

yes there was original concern that it was autism but was diagnosed just 10 months ago wiht Asperger's by a psychiatrist who deals almost exclusivly in this area.He is great in smaller groups of kids and wonderful with adults. He is on the higher end of Aspergers closer to the Autism end, though he communicates well and when the noise level is not a problem can do ok in a class with kids too, now that he has learned coping mechanisms it has made life much easier, he even attends summer day camp for a month in a special camp for kids with problems/mental/social disabilities(not exactly sure how to word that one) and does quite well.

Diana

Hey its good to hear that the psychiatrist specialises in this area, I guess if he feels it right for your son to be on the medication then theres little danger. Not many of these psychologists around in England, though I seem to live in an area that has a lot of people with Autism, a lot of parents are still not informed or helped to understand what their child is dealing with. It makes the struggle harder for both the parent and the child.

Good to hear he has learned coping mechanisms, its half the battle.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/39247/1.ashx

Brummie

 

 

Neverthere -

My son will be 7 in a few days and has Asperger's.  He is on 10 mg Ritalin 2x/day.  We have seen a tremendous improvement. 

I have a cousin who is very heavily involved in all aspects of autism - she is the Director of a private company that provides in-class aides to the public school system for children on the autistic spectrum in the SF Bay Area.  Her son is highly functioning autistic, and she has dedicated her life to the treatment, causes, laws governing treatment, and advocacy for autistic spectrum disorders.  When I told her that Ian, (my son) was on Ritalin, she sent me the e-mail quoted below.  I have NOT had a chance to check this information out, but I am posting it so you can check it out yourself.  Let me know what you think.  Feel free to pm me if you would like. 

Regards,

D

"I want to respond again to your question about meds and let you know you should call the autism research institute by bernard rimland m.d., they are in san diego, you can probably find them online. They do whats called the "dan" protocal that trains doctors all over the country in the ONLY effective meds for children with autism and aspergers.

Their data shows that ritalin in studies made childrens symptoms worse. Just an fyi, they aer the leaders and far more skilled then pediatricians and they have data behind their work specific to this population.

They show what meds are effective and their studies and data on those meds are used to train other physicians."