Hi all,

I know I posted something about this last year but wondered if anyone else had had experience with any medication to help SR?
My doctor has again highly recommended my son see a psychiatrist to prescribe medication. He feels that this has just gone on too long and my son needs to experience what it feels like to be more normal and this might also allow him to work through the cognitive behaviour therapy better. He thought the medication might give him the confidence to move forward especially at a time before starting secondary school. I am beginning to think he might be right despite the fact that I have been so opposed to medication in children (or as a last resort). Am I at a last resort stage? Does anyone out there have experience with medication (whether antidepressant, beta blockers or any other type). Any advice appreciated - thanks.
Linda

Linda

My son has been on beater-blockers for 3 years and to be honest i didn't think they helped, but about a month ago his dose was increased and along with cbt i have seen a huge difference in his confidence it really is amazing, so much so he is going to stay with his father tonight ( only sees him 2x a year but always comes home at night ) this will be his first night away from me for nearly 3 years. I hope this will be a good experience for him in order that he can start to move forward.

Hope everyone is enjoying half term

Sarah xx

Sarah

Hope your son managed to stay with his dad and that you used this time to chill.

Take care
Dorothy x

Dorothy - well not only did he manage to stay with his Dad ( although i had to reassure him that i would fetch him if he felt ill or panicked what evertime in the night ) he stayed last night and tonight !! he has called a few times but he seems absolutley fine and think he is building bridges with his father. This is soooooo amazing - i am so surprised but exceptionally proud this is such a break through. I feel that all the hard work has been worth it and hoping he can build on this.

Well done matey i am so so proud of you - you are amazing.

Sar xx

Sarah

Well done, what a huge acheivement.

Take care
Dorothy x

Yes, Yes and Yes.

My girl started zoloft (anxiety/anti-depressant) in the lowest dose of 25 mgs. They started her off in 1/2 pill increments. Every month working up to 50 mgs. She has OMG definately improved. I have considered it a total life saver. Shes happy again, out with her friends and participating in school. ONly 4 hrs a day but we have worked up from 2 hrs a day. Can I just say...I can breathe again.. My girl does have a psychiatrist whom she adores. She talks to her and this particular route is working perfectly. I was so hesitant however her Gastro Specialist from a Hosp. in Boston has explained her stomach was not going to heal because her nerves were raw. The Zoloft controls the raw and helps the stomach heal. (Who Knew?) Its exactly what the doctor ordered... Please give it a go, just ask the doctor to go slow if that makes you feel more comfortable. My girl had strange mood swings while her meds were being adjusted but now shes on 50 mgs and its a low but perfect dose. Those chemicals...
Please let me know how its going with you...Thanx

Thanks for the info Bonnie - it is always good to hear personal experiences with medication. I am glad it is working for you on the levels that you describe.

Has anyone ever tried Fluoxetine (Lovan) which is what the research in Melbourne is using along with CB therapy.

Linda

Hi Linda,

that is what my son took last year and it definitely made a difference.
I have put my son back on it this week and he already feeling much better. But his situation has just got worse. After a few nasty interactions with his 'best friend' I got my sons phone and have found some really nasty stuff from this boy. My son has broken down and admitted this has been going on and unbelievably, still wants to protect him. I will be contacting his school today and telling them that J will not return until this has been dealt with. The good news is I have it all on his phone. What I find unforgiveable is I contacted this boys mother in November and she was very apologetic and promised she would deal with it. This obviously hasn't happened. My sons therapist has been through all the texts and says this is bullying at its worst. She cannot believe that J has managed to go in for so long without telling us what was going on and thinks that he deserves a medal for trying to deal with it himself.
I of course blame myself for not realising sooner, I thought it was all about his mid year exams....
Sophy

Hi Simon,

It will be interesting then to see what the outcome of this research is. They may find the placebo works just as well with CB.
Linda

Sophy,

What an awful thing for your son to go through. You are doing the right thing getting the school to sort it out - best left to them rather than deal with the mother. Sometimes kids react against that and take it out further on the victim.
Don't blame yourself - you have been there for your son always. He tried to work it out himself but may not have realised the enormity of the situation he had to deal with. He knows you are there for him and that is important.
Let us know how it goes -
take care
Linda

Hi Sophy,

I think your son is a star! He did really well trying to deal with the bullying on top of his anxieties about school. You've done the right thing by letting the school deal with it. Does your son have other friends at school who would maybe spend time with him out of school, as well as rallying round him when he does manage attend. It would make him feel better to have some allies I'm sure.

My daughter was 'cyber bullied' on one of those social networking sites on the internet, by some horrid girls in her year at school, known as the 'pretty girls'. (They certainly weren't pretty on the inside). To be honest I found the language shocking and the things they said very disturbing. I took copies from the computer and gave them to the Head of Year at school. Apparently the school came down hard on the girls and although I eventually managed to get my daughter in again, it wasnt easy for her but at least she had a couple of friends to stand by her when she did.

Hopefully your son will have the support of other friends at school.

Its not an easy time, on top of everything else, but hang in there, you and your son WILL get through it.

Sue and M.

Hi everyone,

thanks for your advice, my son thought he had other friends but he was told last night by two different people that the whole year hate him. Quite hard to take when he has not been there for 3 weeks now! It sounds like lord of the flies....He says he didn't tell me as he thought this boy would turn everyone against him and guess what, it seems this has happened anyway. To make matters worse, I have been told that the school may try and brush it under the carpet and blame his anxiety. No private school likes to admit to bullying......

We are seeing the headmistress and head of pastoral care next week...in the meantime, my poor boy is so low...I've have told him he can play X Box live all week end and thats a first!! We are all going to see his wonderful therapist today who I know will make us all feel better. The hardest thing is I really felt we were over the worst with his anxiety and now this behaviour from this boy has triggered his anxiety again. It really is just such bad luck. Our therapist says he will got over it, he has before and he WILL get better....





sophyx