7 year old suddenly obsessive disorder?

[vanfitz]

My 7 year old was diagnosed with pneumonia and given antibiotics as well as cough medicine with codeine last Thursday. On Friday she suddenly started exhibiting the odd behavior of telling us she was having bad thoughts and could not get them out of her head. She is still ( today is Monday) obsessing about thoughts coming into her head that she cant get out. I tell her to just throw them away but she is very stressed out about it and crying a lot. She feels the need to tell me everything that enters her head right now in order to purge the bad thoughts and make herself feel better.

I had to take her out of school today becuase she was irrational and crying uncontrollably. We took her to the ped today and they said they think is from the cough medicine they gave her on Thursday for the pneumonia  which had codeine in it. I have not given her the cough medicine for 2 days. I did some research online and found that Codeine actually is prescribed to reduce anxiety so that does not seem to jive.. Im so worried. Our once very happy silly little girl is a complete mess and it  is breaking our hearts to see her like this. What do we do? Do I wait a few more days for the medicine to get completely out of her system to see if it stops? Do I take her to a psychiatrist? Am I overacting? Is this normal. We have a 10 year old and she never did this. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[stacy197832]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Im truly happy everything is back to normal. It is truly amazing and i agree on how our own doctors and pharmacists can keep us in the dark about the things we give our children. I am soooo happy for you, give her a huge hug and tell her complete strangers from everywhere are very proud of her and she took it like a champ:)

[RockRose]

Great that it worked out,  vanfitz.  It's interesting the side effects you can find on the web (that may be rare,  truthfully) but that pharmacists and doctors will deny.  Thank God for the internet,  we all know so much more.

Glad she's back to herself.

[vanfitz]

Just to update this thread. My daughter is back to her little happy self.  It is a complete 180 degree difference and I have my little girl back. I am  convinced that it was the codeine. I talked  to a child psychologist when she was just starting to come out of it  on the after noon of 3-29 and she mentioned to me that my DD may have some tendencies that were intensified by the medication. I will always research any medication prescribed to her now and try to avoid anything that may not be absolutely necessary.

I am so grateful, so relieved and I appreciate the response I received on this forum. I hope this can help someone else.

[stacy197832]

Im really sorry that the situation hasnt gotten any better.  I want to say this though, i know as parents we always want to believe in our doctors and believe that they know and will do what is best for our children but always remember it is your child and your decision. The doctors doesn't have the choice you do. So if you feel she needs to be seen by someone else, request it don't ask for it. Keep us posted, and the both of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[vanfitz]

She was a little better frm 12-2 today but it seems to be starting again. I talked to a pharmacist and he said that Codeine will not do that (even though we both read that it does) I called the Ped and they do not want to refer her just yet and want me to wait a few more days. Its killing me to see her like this but , on the upside, she does seem a little better. Still looking to hear from any other parents that may have experienced this with their own children. I guess I just need some reassurance at this point. And no, she did not make it to school again.

[vanfitz]

Well shes just as bad this morning. Its been 3 days since shes been off for 3 days. I dont think shes going to make it 20 minutes at school.

[vanfitz]

Thank you. I have hopes now that its the Codeine. I hope that is all it is and will never ever give her anything like this again. She has been off it 2 days but maybe its still in her system. Thanks for the reply.

[stacy197832]

Codeine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to codeine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

•slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, shallow breathing;

•feeling like you might pass out;

•confusion, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

•feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;

•seizure (convulsions); or

•problems with urination.

Less serious codeine side effects include:

•feeling dizzy or drowsy;

•nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,;

•constipation;

•sweating; or

•mild itching or rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

http://www.drugs.com/codeine.html


Go to this website..maybe it will help. My childrens doctor seems to think codeine is the "IN" thing so to speak. I never ever give my kids codeine for anything, nor do i take it. I am a simple user for pain, we depend on ibuprofen or maybe naproxen.