Posted by always_doing_laundry on June 28, 2008, at 19:21:55
In reply to Re: Teen on zoloft/concerta/abilify for ADHD/PDD » always_doing_laundry, posted by Racer on June 28, 2008, at 18:05:30
Thanks for the reply, Racer!
I think the point you make about our son knowing what is "him" and what is medication, if there is any difference, is a good one. His cousin actually returned to his meds after he left the Air Force, because he appreciated how they helped him not be late, disorganized, etc. He share that with out son, and our son wasn't impressed. He hates being on meds and says they "don't work," but also that they "make him boring."
Reason we think Concerta helps: We don't even have to know that he has forgotten to take his meds, we can tell by his racing talk; talking over and past people/not waiting for replies; looking for his shoes in the fridge instead of where shoes are; forgetting homework; impulsive "blurting out" in class ... or anywhere, often not having anything to do with anything but whatever happens to be in his head; unable to complete tasks, including simple chores.
I had heard that abilify was easier to taper/test ... that it was more of an absence of any effectiveness vs. discontinuation symptoms. On the other hand, if it's the abilify keeping the very disruptive, inappropriate, big problems at bay ... then, it could be more problematic.
If we have symptoms from the zoloft, then withdrawal might exacerbate all of said abilify-buffered problems, and they would "break through" despite still being on that drug.
Which, I guess, takes me back to my circular thoughts about this. I think I'm just really afraid that he'll flip out or that he'll be like the autistic toddler that he was. I know that the most potent meds wouldn't "cure" is PDD, so that is more fear than reality.
poster:always_doing_laundry
thread:837017
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080626/msgs/837036.html