Geodon experience for a child

[BabyGurl3171]

Anyone have any experience or know of a minor usin Geodon?
My 9 yr old was prescribed it. Where this dr is goin I have no clue!
First she said she thought she had Bi-Polar. Then it went to ADD, (wouldn't surprise me bc her dad's entire family has it, includin him). Now when *I* say put her on something, ANYTHING, to help slow her down, help her focus and help her to sleep instead of stayin up till 2 am when I send them to bed at 8 pm on school nights she goes back to Bi-Polar. Grr!
Got her off Seroquel but now I'm questionin Geodon bc 1. I was on it for 3+ yrs and it did dick and 2. The pharmacy is refusin to fill it bc they keep sayin it's not for under the age of 18 yrs old.
So, any information/experiences would be great.
Her dose is 40 mg x's once a day for 3 days, then 40 mg x's twice a day on goin.

 

[helium-4]

Any anti-psychotic imo shouldn't be given to children. Its going to effect her growing brain in bad ways. She needs counseling, afterschool activities, etc not drugs, especially strong anti-psychotics that have negative long term effects in adults, let alone children.

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Any anti-psychotic imo shouldn't be given to children. Its going to effect her growing brain in bad ways. She needs counseling, afterschool activities, etc not drugs, especially strong anti-psychotics that have negative long term effects in adults, let alone children.

She is in counseling. We have an in home therapist come out for both girls for 4 hours.
My God! I didn't realize that was an anti-psychotic. Fuck no she ain't takin it then! Man, and I was so happy to find a child only psych. Ugh. Hard to find around here. Most treat everyone. Well, if the dr won't listen to me then we move on to the next dr.
She needs sleep aid for sure. But not too sure about the rest.

 

[Mel22]

My God! I didn't realize that was an anti-psychotic. Fuck no she ain't takin it then!

Seroquel is an antipsychotic and you were giving her 400mg and planning to increase the dosage.

Are you against antipsychotics now because of adverse effects they've had on your daughter?

I agree with SplatChrome. From what you've described in previous posts, I feel that your child's issues may be solely due to her environment, and perhaps all the things she sees/endures that a child probably shouldn't have to.

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Seroquel is an antipsychotic and you were giving her 400mg and planning to increase the dosage.

Are you against antipsychotics now because of adverse effects they've had on your daughter?

I agree with SplatChrome. From what you've described in previous posts, I feel that your child's issues may be solely due to her environment, and perhaps all the things she sees/endures that a child probably shouldn't have to.

What we don't need is your
assumptions that she's in a
bad environment.
Use that energy to put more
pressure on our bull shit legal
system that will lock up a
person sellin weed for months,
even years. But fuck, hurt a
child, rape someone...shit
you're out in days.
EDIT: She was hurt with her dad but since that is none of ur business, I cut it.

 

[helium-4]

I don't know much if at all about raising a child, especially one with special needs. I know from the fact that I've grown up with problems as child since I was a young tot, especially severe ADHD that different types of learning or role models, out lets of energy/emotion, etc would have been the best way to progress positively and learn to overcome my issues. Being on adderal wasn't the best thing for me, nor did it help much. Also, knowing how some of the mode of actions of anti-psychotics and anti-depressants they can cause more problems down the road, creating potential for lasting mental issues, lasting physical problems, etc. IMO kids are too young to be messing with their brain on a daily basis through the use of drugs.

I can't imagine how hard it must be to try and figure out the best way to help your child, and how impossible it might seem. It might help for you to get some counseling as well to help you deal with the difficulties of having a child with some mood, behavoir, or mental issues. This can help you and the child out because the way the parent interacts with the child, can change the childs resulting behavoir drastically. This is not to say you aren't a good parents or are doing things wrong, but being ADHD I know that even the best intentions if said not in the right manner FOR ME as a child, would result in me acting out. A lot of parents need to dive in to themselves so they don't wear themselves out, and keep a level head through all the trials. I wish you the best of luck.

Also, I don't think he meant you were a bad parent or implying you are making her environment bad. A bad enviorment for a child can be a good one (like me, in a middle class family) for others, but it may not meet her specific needs. It not saying shes living in a crack house with heroin addicts as parents, but that specific interactions she has like with teachers, friends, type of activities, etc may not be the most conductive for her progression. Enivoment means pretty much anything she interacts with around her, rather than her biological basis. Individuals with certain mental issues can be pushed in negative directions through what is seemingly the most minor things to others. It is important to see how she responds to different interactions, activities, etc and you can get a picture to see how she might be creating certain habits for her self.

 

[Allein]

I'm with SplatChrome on this one, I was on Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) for a bit and it was not pleasant at all, it was like having a lobotomy, in fact it is fully admitted in the UK that they used this drug to clear the mental institutions we had, it was called "care in the community" at least they stopped using Electro-convulsive therapy so much

I have kids and really feel for your situation, I also have friends with kids with problems. Its you that has to make the decision of what is best for them like you do in other areas of their lives and its easy for me to sit here and tell you what you should an should not do when I don't have to deal with the child.

But I truly believe is it were me I would not have my kids on any of that kind of medication, that includes all the stuff they prescribe over here like Ritalin etc. However I would never look badly upon a person who made the decision to medicate their kids as long as they had done their research and knew exactly what they were giving them and why.

Best wishes to you and yours

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Thanks atm & SplatChrome )
I never realized either Seroquel or Geodon were anti-psychotics. I do NOT believe she needs something like that!
And at first I thought maybe Adderal but I remember how fucked up my step-brother was on thise ADD meds. Ritalin and all that shit they use to feed him and kids deemed to have ADD.
Dr wanted to try Abilify however I have permanent leg/muscle damage from that shit so I absolutely refused that. Dr said well we're all different. Screw that, why risk it?!
I think I'd be ok with Trazodone. It'll help her sleep and, as I learned recently, it is also an AD.
Maybe I'll go research Trazodone.
EDIT: I did some readin on Trazodone and I'm kinda on the fence. Granted it sounds a lot better than the others I checked out but wikipedia says it can show up as MDMA. Now that doesn't mean it could have the sane effects if MDMA does it?
But yeah, I am thinkin Trazodone might be the safest.
That with her counselin and our family counsel time hopefully will help!
OT, but I read that studies done in the '60's and '80's show depressed people have a lower pain threshold. Hmm, I didn't wanna make a new thread but I wonder if that's why she is always sayin somethin hurts (even if it's a pinky toe, she goes on and on bout it even after I check her) and why I'm in so much pain still from my ankle and not dealin with it real well...interestin study.

 

[Coolwhip]

Your kid complains all the time to get attention. You seemed determined to medicate her. Maybe spend less time worrid about her brain and more time focused on her mind. Mild insomnia is better than a lifetime of chemical dependency

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Lol@Coolwhip thinkin they're a dr.
Slight imsomnia? Goin to bed at 8 pm and still bein awake until 2 am or later EVERY day then fallin asleep in school isn't slight insomnia. Bet your ass when my daughter is gettin upset bc she can't sleep and gettin physically run down from it that I'll get her sleep meds.
Thanks to people like you there is such a stigma on emotional diaeases.
Read the threads before you jump in with holier than thou advice <eye roll>
NOTE: Since it's evidently not clear, I am NOT askin random internet people to diagnose mu child. I don't care what you think is or isn't wrong with her. The question is/was ANYONE HAD ANY EXPERIENCE WITH STATED MEDICATION?
Maybe certain people will get it now.

 

[bpayne]

going to bed at 8 and staying awake till 2 everynight while troubling does not constitute add nor bipolar disorder. there has to be more to this story and if the problem is not being able to get to sleep.. try hot baths, reading stories, cut down on sugar after 2 pm, maybe more exercise after school, when your kid gets home have little project for them to do.. sports, help build something ect.. you will notice her get more naturally tired and her circadian rhythm should normalize, these are all much better options than starting these types of medication at this age

 

[Arsenic_X]

Any doctor that would give a 9-yr old Geodon needs to find a new profession.

 

[ldawg616]

Any anti-psychotic imo shouldn't be given to children. Its going to effect her growing brain in bad ways. She needs counseling, afterschool activities, etc not drugs, especially strong anti-psychotics that have negative long term effects in adults, let alone children.

I started taking remeron when I was around 12, from then my doctor moved me up to seroquel...is that bad?

 

[Alex000]

The use of anti-psychotics is not uncommon among children, unfortunately. Anti-psyhcotics are EXTREMELY over-rx'd to people of all ages. They are toxic, unhealthy, and unpleasant drugs with a myriad of side-effects, some being permanent. I don't know all of your daughter's symptoms other than the insomnia. I might suggest a low dose of clonidine in the evening. There is increasing support for the use of clonidine for insomnia in children as well as to aid in the treatment of "ADHD". It is a fairly safe drug, so long as the dose she is started at is low, and increased slowly if necessary. Clonidine does cause significant drop in blood pressure, so you want to make sure she can tolerate the drug by starting with a very small dose. Fainting from getting up to quickly due to low blood pressure can occur with clonidine. But, it could be a very drug for your daughter's insomnia.

 

[BabyGurl3171]

bpayne, I didn't say that was ADD or Bi-Polar. I said that part was plain n simple insomnia.
Damn dr has us thinkin ADD and Bi-Polar. But I called today, before readin this thread, and requested 25 mgs of Trazodone an hour before bed. It's not a perfect world, but that's a bit safer both IME and IMO.
We, fiance and I, already do those things with her. Baths 30-60 mins before bed, no sugar bc fiance and I are diabetic so we buy sugar free candy, sugar free drinks and when they get a treat - sugar free, caffeine free rootbeer.
We have family activities to work on before our in home therapist comes weekly. And her energy wears you out just watchin her for 15 mins lol so she gets tons of excercise. Always walkin our min-pin (dog) and ridin her bike, etc.
Alex, damn I wished I had read bout the clonidine before callin! Her therapist will be here tmrw so maybe I can get a change in. My teenanger is on clonidine for ADHD and some side symptoms of her autism and it works really well. She takes either .01 or 0.1 mg. Can't remember atm.
Well, here's hopin the best! The call has been made and once her in home gets here tmrw I'll see if I can't request another change lol. Hey, it's my baby. Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke
Thanks guys!

 

[Mel22]

What we don't need is your
assumptions that she's in a
bad environment.
Use that energy to put more
pressure on our bull shit legal
system that will lock up a
person sellin weed for months,
even years. But fuck, hurt a
child, rape someone...shit
you're out in days.
EDIT: She was hurt with her dad but since that is none of ur business, I cut it.

I'm not assuming anything, I was simply going by what you have outlined in great detail in all of your previous posts. Maybe have a read back over them yourself, and you'll see where I'm coming from.

Anyway, I suggest that you get your child into a good counselor/psychologist for weekly, ongoing sessions. Also, keep her active during the day after school - perhaps have her join a local sports club? The activity should help her sleeping issues, and it will also be beneficial for her in other ways. There are a hell of a lot of options to regulate sleeping patterns in a child of this age before resorting to antipsychotic meds.

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Mel22, for the love of God! Do you not read replies or do you just think you'll repeat previous threads with a holier than thou attitude?
Seriously? I'm already doin tons of shit with her (includin havin an in home therapist come out) & requested a change in meds.
Imagine that. Had you read the thread you woulda seen that.

 

[Mel22]

Mel22, for the love of God! Do you not read replies or do you just think you'll repeat previous threads with a holier than thou attitude?
Seriously? I'm already doin tons of shit with her (includin havin an in home therapist come out) & requested a change in meds.
Imagine that. Had you read the thread you woulda seen that.

Calm down - I have read what you're saying. You are taking my suggestion as a personal attack, and going on the defense.

I have seen that you have requested to change her meds. If you read back over my post, I am suggesting that you explore options other than medication to regulate your child's sleep cycles and activity levels. She's only nine after all! I know that you have organised to have a therapist come to your home, and that's fantastic. I wasn't sure if this was a once off, a monthly appointment etc. so I suggested that you have your child see a therapist/counselor/psychologist weekly to try and get things sorted - we are agreeing on this one, so I don't see the argument?

I also remember that you said the other day that your children were going to stay with your mother for a while whilst you sorted out your drug and other issues a bit more? I think this would be a great idea for both of you - I can't imagine how stressful it would be going through what you do, and trying to get clean off such a habit at the same time. I genuinely do feel for you.

Basically, what I'm saying is this: I think there are other things you can work on to improve your child's sleeping patterns, overall behaviour and quality of life as opposed to constantly putting her on medications - that's what I was getting at when I mentioned the environmental factors. I know you're having a really rough time, and have been for a long time - I really am sorry for that, and I feel for you..really. You're making steps to improve yourself, and that's great - I genuinely hope you do so, and that you do well. What I do think though, is that perhaps there is a more stable environment that your children can be in while you get clean or cut down your habit (if that's what you're still trying to do)? In a stable, happy and healthy environment, I imagine that a lot of your daughter's issues would improve, without her having to take strong drugs at such a young age.

Please do not take what I'm saying as an attack or view it as though I am passing judgement - I'm not. I am merely trying to help and offer some suggestions. Feel free to disregard what I've said, it's your life and your child at the end of the day.

All the best, and good luck

 

[RobotRipping]

i had insomnia pretty bad as a kid and still do. what about trying something like melatonin, it's quite safe and relatively cheap, worth a shot imo.

 

[BabyGurl3171]

Thanks Mel. My mom...didn't work out. Turns out she needs to be in a looney bin, not psych ward, looney bin lol.
She scared the SHIT outta my kids with crazy talk. Mind you one is nine and the other is 14 but mentally 8. Anyway my mom told my girls I was lookin to sell them (wtf?!), America could be nuked any day, my fiance was gonna cut us all up, I was goin to send them to my abusive ex....crazy shit.
The counselor said no more goin to nana's. I asked her about all that and she said the kids were liars. Dear God!
So yeah, that option is out. My mom has lost her mind since my brother was killed. On meds she's fine but she won't take 'em.
Sorry ramblin and OT lol