Whole New World.....sorta
Hi. This is my first post and I am grateful to have found this website.
Little backgound: I'm a single mom of 2 wonderful kids, son 13 BP, daughter 11. Their father is also BP and after years of being medicated, he decided he no longer wanted to take them meds for his own personal reasons. With that, he became increasingly verbally abusive so with that I divorced him. Sounds easier that it actually was. Our son has always had bouts of complete temper tanturms, speaks to me and his sister with total disrespect, and at times has become very physical with his sister. It was as if he was acting like his father. Regardless of how many privilages were taken away, how many punishments were doled out, this negative behaviour never seemed to end.
He was just diagnosed with BP and Anger Issues. A week ago he and I had a fight, he threatened suicide but with specifics as to how and when. Long story short, I took him to the ER, he spoke with a social worker there for over an hour and still expressed the urge to do harm to himself. He was admitted into a Crisis Intervention Center and stayed there for 8 days. It broke my heart into a bazillion tiny ittle pieces signing the paperwork to have him admitted. But I knew that something had to be done or the chance of seeing him in a body bag was becoming more and more real.
He is now taking Seroquel in the PM, 75mgs and we are undergoing intense family (without his father who does not wish to attend) therapy sessions twice a week. I can see a positive change in his behavior, no more tantrums, the fighting with his sister and I has nearly been eliminated. He seems to be progressing and is the loving, sweet boy that I know.
However, I am terrified and heartbroken. Everytime I think about this situation, I can not help but to cry.
So I ask you this: has anyone had their children on Seroquel and what has the outcome been? What about side effects? And most important, please give me advise on how to get thru this without losing my sanity.
Thank-you very much.
Hi Helen, my daughter takes Seroquel and we have had good results with it. A little bit of weight gain, but not too bad. If down the road you feel that it's not doing everything you hoped, you might also want to ask about adding a mood stabilizer if he's responding well to the Seroquel. It's a combination that is typical for BP kids. It took us a while, and I was quite unsure about my own stability until we reached therapeutic levels of her medications. I was scared when BP was first suggested. I'd never dealt with it before. But very shortly the diagnosis became a relief because the treatment was effective and life became manageable.
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Shelle, 49 in So Cal - Celexa 20mg, Xanax 0.5mg rarely as needed
Family Response Team Volunteer, Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
rmadmom@hotmail.com
Single Working Mom to Rachel, 12 - BP w/anxiety - Lamictal 200mg am+Seroquel 50mg am/200mg early pm, Therapeutic School/7th Grade
We also have Birdie, the love bird - she bites; and Scarlett, the kitten - she does too
FROM CABF: Do not start, stop, or change medication or other treatment for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgment of a doctor who knows you or your child.
Welcome to CABF! I encourage you to browse the website for information about all aspects of BP in kids, from diagnosis to treatment to support. There is an article called "Getting Started" under the "Learn" tab at the top of this page. It is a good place to start when you are new on this journey. Here is a link to the "Expert Treatment Guidelines" and the AACAP Med Guide for informations about all of the recommended medications. My ds15 used to be on Seroquel. He fortunately did not gain much wt. on it. It can be a good med when anxiety and depressioin are a problem. However, at doses of 100mg or less, it is largely used for sleep issues. Seroquel is a funny med in that it is more sedating at lower doses than at higher doses. 75mg at night should be good for helping him sleep, but will have only a small mood stabilizing effect.
The family therapy is a good thing for everyone. Studies have generally shown that a combination of therapy and medication often works best. It is also important to have your child evaluated for any systemic illnesses, allergies, sleep or endocrine problems that could be causing the sx you are seeing. Of course having a positive family history always increases the risk of having a mood disorder.
Hospitalizing your child for the first time is always heart-breaking. You described it so well, "It broke my heart into a bazillion tiny ittle pieces signing the paperwork to have him admitted.". I remember sitting in my car in the parking lot and sobbing after my ds17's first admission at age 10. But it was for the best, and it did further his treatment.
I hope that helps you get started. Hang in there, things really will get better.
Brenda,51, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 17, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel, Allegra
E, 15 1/2, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar
B, 14 & H, 11
Married 18 years to DH, 50
FROM CABF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.