Is putting a child on Risperdal for SPD common practice & does anyone have experience with this?

Is putting a child on Risperdal for SPD common practice & does anyone have experience with this?

(Oregon)

My Daughter has many tantrums throughout the day and often hits her brother, we are never sure what is going to set her off, though we have identified some triggers. Her doctor has suggested we start her on Risperdal to help her to be able to handle her emotions, I am greatly concerned about putting her on this type of medication or any medication that has the possibility of doing damage to her developing mind. (She is 5) Does anyone have a SPD child on medication? Any input is welcomed.

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Is putting a child on Risperdal for SPD common practice & does anyone have experience with this?

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Aug 07, 2008
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Read these books first
by: Anonymous

I recently read " Should I medicate my childs Brain". It was written by a Pychiatrist in SF who dislikes all the meds being shoved on society.

I'm also reading "Healing the New Childhhood Epidemics Autism,ADHD,Asthma nad Allergies. I read a case study of a child put on this Drug only for it to kill the child at 14 because of damage to the heart.

These books shed a lot of light on the subject and there may be another better alternative medication or treatment to try first.

Jul 28, 2008
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sleep-agression connection
by: Anonymous

You may want to try liquid melatonin--we get ours at the Vitamin Shoppe. This is the only thing that got our SPD kid sleeping through the night. Once he started getting good sleep, the aggression reduced by about 95 percent.

Jul 16, 2008
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meds
by: Joseph Krok

My now 6 year old son is diagnosed with SPD from an OT/SI and ADHD from his neurologist. The Neurologist wants to delay meds until he sees our son after the second month of first grade and we are fine with that,the neurologist has always put meds off until our son gets older, not sure what he has in mind as far as med of choice, but I always felt that my son needs to learn how to be in control, not the meds guiding him. My wife feels meds may be needed in the future as do I, but we are hoping with maturity and patience from all that are involved in his development will pay off better than the use of meds.

Jul 15, 2008
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Risperdal for SPD
by: Anonymous

Lindsey, thank you for the info. I am have done research on the drug and have not found much positive. Though I do understand the desperation for help. Allison like your son has a big heart but when she pops her top she is gone, and at times becomes aggressive. She has a difficult time sleeping and many nights will sit and play in her room until 4 or 5 in the morning, I have used Zrytec and Benadryl but it has stopped working, my husband and I are convinced that if we get her sleeping in line her behavior will improve. Does Guanfaeine help in this area? Thank you again for your response! Suzie

Jul 15, 2008
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Risperdal = Disaster
by: LindseyRN

My experience with Risperdal on my 7 yr old son was horrible. He, also was put on this for the same sort of things you are describing with your daughter. Of course, Landon hadn't been properly diagnosed at the time and was being treated for ADD.....he had SPD all along. Nevertheless, Risperdal made my son very agitated and aggressive. He is normally a very loving little guy with a heart the size of Texas, but let me tell you.......that all changed when he started Risperdal.

In fact, he even had a couple of episodes of brief psychotic behavior and would hit me with his fists. These episodes only lasted for about 10 seconds, but it was totally out of character for him........he would've never hit me. Also, after the episodes were over, he had no recollection of what had just happened. He would just look around gazing into space and then start playing with his hot wheels or whatever, as if it hadn't even occurred. Horrible stuff.

I would suggest you research it. My son has taken EVERY ADD drug on the market, and then some. He is presently taking guanfacine 0.5mg three times daily. It as been a blessing. He is a new child. His mood swings are far less often and severe and he is concentrating so well. It is actually a Blood Pressure med., but has been found to be very effective in kids that are troubled with inattentiveness, lack of concentration, and abrupt, inappropriate behavior. Hope this helps you some. Sorry I couldn't say anything good, though

~LindseyRN

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Jul 15, 2008
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Submitted by: LindseyRN

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My experience with Risperdal on my 7 yr old son was horrible. He, also was put on this for the same sort of things you are describing with your daughter. Of course, Landon hadn't been properly diagnosed at the time and was being treated for ADD.....he had SPD all along. Nevertheless, Risperdal made my son very agitated and aggressive. He is normally a very loving little guy with a heart the size of Texas, but let me tell you.......that all changed when he started Risperdal. In fact, he even had a couple of episodes of brief psychotic behavior and would hit me with his fists. These episodes only lasted for about 10 seconds, but it was totally out of character for him........he would've never hit me. Also, after the episodes were over, he had no recollection of what had just happened. He would just look around gazing into space and then start playing with his hot wheels or whatever, as if it hadn't even occurred. Horrible stuff. I would suggest you research it. My son has taken EVERY ADD drug on the market, and then some. He is presently taking guanfacine 0.5mg three times daily. It as been a blessing. He is a new child. His mood swings are far less often and severe and he is concentrating so well. It is actually a Blood Pressure med., but has been found to be very effective in kids that are troubled with inattentiveness, lack of concentration, and abrupt, inappropriate behavior. Hope this helps you some. Sorry I couldn't say anything good, though ~LindseyRN

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Is putting a child on Risperdal for SPD common practice & does anyone have experience with this?

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Is putting a child on Risperdal for SPD common practice & does anyone have experience with this?