Paxil prescribed for a ten year old.

THE DR. PUT MY TEN YEAR OLD ON PAXIL STATING HIS HEADACHES ARE CAUSED BY A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE USE OF THIS DRUG FOR THIS CHILD. HE IS ALSO TO HAVE A MRI. AM I BEING OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS MEDICATION FOR THIS BOY? I AM A RETIRED NURSE, AND HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS BEING USED FOR THIS IN ONE SO YOUNG. THE DOCTOR SAID THERE IS A CHEMICAL  IMBALANCE CAUSING THE HEADACHES, NOT DEPRESSION. I NEED SOMEONE TO TELL ME ANYTHING CONCERNING THIS. THANK YOU

[mammo]

I would seek a second opinion on this!  Not until they have ruled out all other causes should they even be looking at a "chemical imbalance" as the cause or medicating him for anything.  If no other reason is found, then it may be anxiety related but I would be very, very cautious about medication at his age. Better to address anxiety at this age with therapy, not meds.  Have you had his eyes checked?  I personally would not allow my child to be put on this medication and you are correct in questioning this.  Is this a child psychiatrist doing this? I would definitely get a second opinion here. Don't go any further with this doctor!  I wish you all the best and take care.

[4Maddie44]

How did the doctor come to this conclusion?  You are right to be worried.  Did he do lots of tests, and question your son to the nature of his headaches?  I would have thought he would have sent him to a peadiatrician first, don't you?  Which doctor was this?  Your own local doctor?
How did he come to the conslusion that this was a chemical imbalance?  I would get another doctor to look at your son, before I gave him the medicine.