Risperidal for a 3 1/2 year old?

[momma1219]

So, my three and a half year old son has been having major issues since before 18months. He has been on Tenex which is showing no effect it did work well for the first few weeks but he is back to his previous behaviors. It never did help with agression or impulsivity but it did slow him down and he was not doing his high pitched screaming that he normal does. 2 days ago we had a major problem with him he had a huge rampage of rage and agression he has left bruises all over my arm and he scratched bite spit and kicked. Thank goodness we made it to the car before he completely lost it. My husband has been out of town for the last several weeks which he has handled fine but it has left me to deal with him alone we also have a 4 1/2 year old daughter and I am almost 7 months pregnant. So I was alone with him and my daughter at the time of the incident. I tried for an hour to calm him down. After an hour of being attacked and trying to keep him away from my other child it was hopless I tried every method I have learned to de-escalate him. I called his doctor and they wanted me to call the police for assistance so I complied the police refused to come help. He started ripping pieces off the car and hitting us with them throwing the carseats across the back of the van. I couldnt leave becasue he wouldnt get in his seat and he knows how to unbuckle and I didnt want my other child near him or to be attacked while driving. This went on for 3 hours the doctor wanted me to take him to the ER so my mom was able to leave work she came and restrained him while I got my daughter in her car seat and drove to the ER. When we got there he acted like nothing had happened then when we got called bac k he was still acting like nothing had happened for about 15mins then the rampage started again. The nurses had to put him in a padded locked room on the psych unit.

[ObiQuiet]

Hi there, I can REALLY relate to your fear of these meds, especially at such a tender age. My son is also on risperdal (.5mg), and was put on it at age 9, he is now 14.  He would have explosive episodes at school and daycare (high stimulation environments - not typically at home).  It was really scary to see.  That must have been a lot of trauma for you to go through, I'm so sorry your son is having these challenges.  It's too bad the police wouldn't come and help.  I know that happens in our town sometimes too, but the families I'm in touch with in our support group have said they get better success when they call 911 and say it is a psychiatric emergency.

My son was initially on the typical ADHD meds - Concerta (Ritalin) then Strattera.  Really bad explosivity, then what looked like a psychotic break.  Risperdal was introduced first, then he was taken off Strattera all together and Seroquel was added.  I was terrified of the meds they prescribed, the first RX for those I handed over the counter to the pharmacist I felt like I was at the bottom of a deep dark hole, and all I could do was sob.  But after a few days, I really started seeing big improvements for him.  And it was the first time I ever heard him do imiginative play.  He's been on this combination for 5 years now, very low dosage, and things have been successful - not always smooth, but steadily improving.  Other parents in the group though have followed similar med paths, and not all have been successful like ours.  The med piece is a really hard one to nail down.

I felt better when I became more knowledgeable about the meds and its side effects - especially increase in appetite, and metabolic syndrome.  We told our son that the pill would trick him into thinking he was hungry, even when he wasn't, and that we'd have to be his stomach and tell him when he's full until he could do that himself.  It really helped to control the weight gain.  His doctor also monitors his blood a couple of times a year to ensure all his levels are where they should be.  

This is what really helped me in the end: I armed myself with knowledge (searching reputable sites, theres a lot of crap out there), creating a supportive team - good child psychiatrist, therapist, etc. and finding and trying tools to help me help him - books, DVD's, workshops, talking with other parents who are going through similar things (through our support group).  There didn't seem to be any quick fixes or easy answers, but we have gotten to a really good place now.  I wish you luck with your journey!!

[momma1219]

Rest of my post................................
He was out of control. We were at the hospital from 12pm until 6pm that is how long this went on not to mention the three hour rampage in the parking lot. So today he saw his normal therapist and his primary doctor. His doctor who I trust he is great with my son and seems to truly care has prescribed him Risperidal. He thinks he may have a mood disorder but aspergers has been said to many of the doctors he has seen think aspergers. But he has them all shocked they dont know what to do either he is only 3 1/2 and nobody wants to medicate a child so young We have been so against meds but were told that we need to realize if we cant get him under control and keep him or our other kids safe DHS or CPS will get involved and be forced to take action (she was nice about it but matter of fact). I dont know how to help him we are using every resource there is for his age. Meds make me so nervous with his age and not having a clear diagnose's. I wanted to know other peoples thoughts on this medication??? what I have read makes me nervous but I am trying to be open minded. We have do find something that can help him therapy alone is not doing it.Just so everyone knows he has been diagnosed for now as ADHD, SID or SPD, Conduct Disorder/Disruptive Behavior Disorder. I am bi-polar but was not like this as a child I have relatives with autism and tourettes.