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Catengland
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 10:31:04
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Hi there!
My fiancé's son has verbal tics -and was prescribed Risperidone. He took it for several months and it the tics pretty much stopped- he then stopped taking it due to side effects. (I think it was weight gain).
The physician told my fiance that if the tics started up again- he could give his son a dose of Risperadone for a day or two as needed.
This surprised me because I have worked with students taking it and there seemed to be a very distinct regimen when starting the medication such as increasing dosage etc. and it didn't appear to me that it was a medicine to use "as needed". I would think that taking it this way could be a bit dangerous to him.
Since the Dr. told my fiance it was OK to use the medication sporadically- he is not concerned. I do not live close by to speak to the Dr./consultant myself- but I wanted to ask other parents if they had ever heard of the medication being used in this manner.
I look forward to hearing from you... Thank you so much! |
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loggedin
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
3838 Posts Gratitude: 309
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Posted - 11/01/2011 : 11:51:03
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Here is information about the drug:http://www.risperdal.com/prescribing.html (this info should have come with the pills as well)
You should look at the side effects ("adverse reactions") You will find the one you mentioned already, weight gain - or appitite increase - under the heading of more common adverse reactions. Please note that appitite is also listed as a possible side effects of reducing the amount of the medication needed.
While the site lists dosages only on a daily basis, since the drug is also taken by shot periodically, it seems that the drug stays in the body for longer than one day.
So while i am neither a doctor, nor a parent with experience regarding th drug, i find your physician's advice logical:
Again, i am not a doctor, but this is how it seems it would work: (You should be able to call - not need to visit - the dotor who has already prescribed the medication and ask for clarification over the phone, even if the receptionist has to ask the doctor between patients or at the end of the day, and call you back with the answer)
1. i suggest your son plan to take the drug before bed. That way, i think it would be easier to remember "did i have tics today", rather than "did i have tics yesterday" If he did, take the pill If he didn't, don't take the pill (as needed)...or "pro re nata"
2. "Ignore" the increased appitite, or weight gain as you do this, even though you are looking to decrease that problem, since it may continue during the reduction of the dosage (taking less pills)
3. At some point, by taking the drug only when needed, you will find the lowest dose that will take away the tics. For example, once pill every three days, or one pill every five days....
Once you have found this number, continue the regimine for "a while" you can look up how long it takes for the drug to build up in the system, or you could try 2 weeks. Having found the right number for the tics, you need to continue as (remember) decreasing also causes increased appitite.
4. This is your goal: hopefully, the lowest dose that will eliminte the tics, will also be low enough to not cause weight gain
If not, -you could try increasing the number of days, hoping to avoid the weight gain, but while still having a tolerable number of tics. - consult a physician again, possibly for another pill -limit the amount of food intake of you son (i am stating it simply, though i know it is not easy)
Wishing you well
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loggedin
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
3838 Posts Gratitude: 309
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Posted - 11/01/2011 : 12:18:52
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Chelle,
I don't think it would be considered good practice for a doctor to give advice over the internet. It at least has the appearance of impropriety. He could be risking his licence, huge legal fees, possibly the shutting down of this site.
That is in addition to the possiblity of giving bad advice, since there is a limit to what information can be obtained from just one post on the internet - which is why it is a problem in the first place.
He can say to see a doctor, or go to the emergeny room, or call 911. But it's really not a job you can do on the internet, especially with a patient he has never even met. ---------------------------------------- What i did might be ill-infromed. But i know that the site is monitored regularly. Also, I write that i am not a doctor, so noone is under the impression that i am fully-educated or licensed. And all i really did was 1. cite a site 2. repeat information 3. give a lay interpretation of information that comes with the medicine, or purposely given to "the public" for their lay use 4. provide a framework for the instructions given by the doctor
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chelle25
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
7614 Posts Gratitude: 319
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Posted - 11/01/2011 : 12:33:38
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quote: Originally posted by loggedin
Chelle,
I don't think it would be considered good practice for a doctor to give advice over the internet. It at least has the appearance of impropriety. He could be risking his licence, huge legal fees, possibly the shutting down of this site.
That is in addition to the possiblity of giving bad advice, since there is a limit to what information can be obtained from just one post on the internet - which is why it is a problem in the first place.
He can say to see a doctor, or go to the emergeny room, or call 911. But it's really not a job you can do on the internet, especially with a patient he has never even met. ---------------------------------------- What i did might be ill-infromed. But i know that the site is monitored regularly. Also, I write that i am not a doctor, so noone is under the impression that i am fully-educated or licensed. And all i really did was 1. cite a site 2. repeat information 3. give a lay interpretation of information that comes with the medicine, or purposely given to "the public" for their lay use 4. provide a framework for the instructions given by the doctor
yes I didn't think about that. About Dr. Long not being able to give advice over the internet Loggedin. Thanks |
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Catengland
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 13:02:09
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quote: Originally posted by loggedin
Chelle,
I don't think it would be considered good practice for a doctor to give advice over the internet. It at least has the appearance of impropriety. He could be risking his licence, huge legal fees, possibly the shutting down of this site.
That is in addition to the possiblity of giving bad advice, since there is a limit to what information can be obtained from just one post on the internet - which is why it is a problem in the first place.
He can say to see a doctor, or go to the emergeny room, or call 911. But it's really not a job you can do on the internet, especially with a patient he has never even met. ---------------------------------------- What i did might be ill-infromed. But i know that the site is monitored regularly. Also, I write that i am not a doctor, so noone is under the impression that i am fully-educated or licensed. And all i really did was 1. cite a site 2. repeat information 3. give a lay interpretation of information that comes with the medicine, or purposely given to "the public" for their lay use 4. provide a framework for the instructions given by the doctor
This seems like a reply to another post- |
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chelle25
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
7614 Posts Gratitude: 319
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Posted - 11/01/2011 : 14:03:16
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Sorry about that catengland. We here at Mt had a post about trying to make sure that all new members posts get answered. The site is quite large and a lot of times peoples posts go unanswered.
I posted in the social section "socializing with all members" That you had posted and needed help. This way members can acknowledge that you posted somewhere and others who may be able to help. When I posted it I had mentioned maybe Dr. Long could advise but I forgot it would bring legal actions against. Sorry that we hijacked your thread we should have had our conversation in the original post. Sorry if it all seems confusing. Not intended to be just trying to help. |
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Catengland
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2011 : 16:44:14
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No problem! Just threw me off for a second! I appreciate any help you can send my way!
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Juniper 5
Super Member (250+ posts)
875 Posts Gratitude: 11
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Posted - 11/01/2011 : 19:35:06
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I've never heard of that drug being taken "as needed" but I am by no means an expert, nor a doctor. |
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chelle25
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
7614 Posts Gratitude: 319
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Posted - 11/02/2011 : 05:48:19
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I'm wondering if you could call the Pharmaceutical company that makes the drug and ask them. I know that doctors are using antiphychotics off label for lot's of different things these days. Things that they were not tested for. And the dosing is most likely off label as well. |
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Catengland
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2011 : 15:24:29
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Wonderful idea Chelle- I guess going straight to the top is the way to do it and protect him from any problems that could occur. I appreciate all the help and advice I have been given!
quote: Originally posted by chelle25
I'm wondering if you could call the Pharmaceutical company that makes the drug and ask them. I know that doctors are using antiphychotics off label for lot's of different things these days. Things that they were not tested for. And the dosing is most likely off label as well.
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chelle25
Incredible Member (2000+ posts)
7614 Posts Gratitude: 319
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Posted - 11/03/2011 : 11:42:27
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Please let us know how it worked out and if you were able to find out the information you were looking for. |
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Catengland
Starting Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2011 : 10:26:11
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I have heard from a few other people on boards that I posted on that the medication can be given prn for agitation and psychotic episodes. I am going to look into it further, but I feel a bit better about knowing that it has been prescribed like that for other children. Thanks for all of your advice! |
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warbird
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
100629 Posts |
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warbird
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
100629 Posts |
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warbird
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
100629 Posts |
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warbird
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)
100629 Posts |
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