|
Q: Behavior Worsens After Bedtime Dose of Meds
My 9 yr. old son has been recently diagnosed with Bipolar. He was dxed w/ ADHD, (which his psych. still believes he suffers from), when my son was
3 yrs. old. We went thru the gamut of med. trials, (Ritalin w/ Propranolol,
then Concerta, Dexedrine and Propranolol, and finally Adderal XR and Propranolol).
He has a history of aggressive behavior at school towards peers and adults,
running out of the classroom thru the halls, threatening peers, using giddy,
silly language and appearing punch-drunk, and throwing things at people. Very
high daily dose of Adderall XR was prescribed, (80mg for a 4 ft., 56lb. boy).
He got worse. Constant calls to pick him up bec. of raging and aggression,
needing restraining. Now that Bipolar has been dxed, he's doing trials. Now
Adderal XR has been lowered to 40mg. AM, w/ 500mg Depakote AM and another 500
PM @ Bedtime, then .25mg of Resperdol @ bed. Here's my question: he seems to
get giddy, more obstinate, and incredibly punch- runk after his bedtime dose.
Is it possible that the mood stabilizers at bed are inducing a manic state that
wouldn't have occurred otherwise? Tonite I put him to bed with nothing and he
went to bed sooo nicely. What gives?! Please help.
Sincerely,
E
Dear E' --
Ask your doc' if it could be the Risperidal that is causing this and if it's
okay to try going without that (please do ask, don't do this without that step;
your son's doctor could have another purpose in mind for Risperidal that makes
it a crucial medication) to see if it's that, or perhaps the Depakote. The
Depakote would be unlikely to "induce a manic state", but could make him look
"punch drunk", if the dose is on the high side (a blood test to show the level,
when all doses have been taken as prescribed for at least 4 days before the
test, could answer the question as to how high the dose is for his
physiology). My point is that risperidone is more likely to cause "mania" than
Depakote, by a long shot; in fact the latter has not done that, in my
experience, where risperidone definitely canAubry.
Dr. Phelps
Published October, 2004
|