lithium for my ten year old son - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

sadie30 · 05-28-2004, 08:15 PM

HI everyone. AFter a two day trial period with dexedrine which did not do well for my son at all.!!! He was up until 4:30 am going through a ton of emotions from crying to getting angry and couldnt sit still. He was revved up for about 30 hours in total it was horrible.!!! It did in fact help him concentrate better throughout the day. He did his math work as if he was a genius it was amazing but the after effect was horrible.

The doctor suggested to start lithium carbonate tonight. I thought it wasnt used in children but the child psychiatrist recommends this and has kids on it that he sees. I dont know we have been through so many things , zyprexa , induced diabetes and now he is type 1 diabetic . risperdal made his heart race and legs weak. Serequel didnt do anything but make him cry all the time. Dexedrine well i just explained that . He is currently taking epival , so now lithium and haloperidol for incase he starts getting so bad i cant control him.

I just wished I could find someone that will spend time with my son and get to know what the problems are without all the meds.!!!! I am at wits end

simplychris1968 · 05-29-2004, 08:22 AM

Hello...

It sounds to me like you are looking for a doctor that specializes in pediatric bipolar disorder. You should contact your local mental health department & get a recommendation. They can guide you better. Or, you can contact your insurance company to look up doctors that may specialize in pediatric bipolar disorder. If you know how to use the internet, then it can become a valuable tool to you.

BrianKosh · 06-06-2004, 07:48 PM

The drug has not been tested with children below the age of 12... This is no time to be a lab rat, seek out more than one opinion.. that drug is relatively strong.. your son may be having reactions to numerous other meds.. or food interactions with meds ( I suppose that was a reach..but..) I have a question... is he taking anything that would normally calm an adult down, but speeds him up? Lithium is a very old drug, tried and tested.. but, THAT scares me that the doctor wants him to have that.. IF for any reason he has to take the drug, find out EVERYTHING there is to know about the med, and from multiple sources.. (yes, I have taken it... not sure what is worse, taking it or admitting I took it.. It left me.. ( i should use a better word) dead tired... (but i am an adult, so I don't exactly count) The doctor ( a different one) suggested I started it again, but at the same time, after I gave him a huge frown, he named off a bunch of others.. no, i didn't write them down, but they are out there...
Please seek a doctor that specializes in pediatric bipolar disorder... Good Luck..

sadie30 · 06-10-2004, 01:13 AM

The lithium has helped my son. It has been nearly two weeks and we are seeing a difference in my son. He isnt rapid cycling or in a manic state anymore. He is more calm than i have seen him in a very long time. He is on a low dose of 300 mg. The target range being 600 . He hasnt experienced any side effects as of yet , we are hoping the combination of epival and lithium will help him...

Ruth6:11 · 06-10-2004, 07:08 AM

Thanks for letting us know how you and your son have been doing!
I've been on 1200 mg (as an adult) of lithum for almost 20 years with no breakthrough depressions or manias.
I hope he continues to do this well! Be sure to let us know periodically? Plus you have lots of 1st hand experience with a child who is bipolar - stop back often and you may even be able to help someone out yourself!