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Post by Charlie Girl on Aug 1, 2006 20:30:15 GMT -5
This link lists the mood stabilizers and a bunch of info on each one. www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htmPsychEducation.org (home) Mood Stabilizers: An Updated List and Links Last update April 2005 Introduction Table of all options -- by evidence for their effectiveness How do I choose? Which one is the best? FDA-approved -- or not? Introduction Below you will find a list of the medications currently referred to as "mood stabilizers". (If you care about which are FDA approved for this use, read the explanation of what "approval" means. Here are some thoughts on what ought to be called a "mood stabilizer"). You can click links in the first table below for details about each one, or you can walk you through how the main ones are used and how we choose between them, in the Treatment section of this website. If you'd like to see them listed by how you might choose, based on your needs, see the second table. If you'd like a comparison of all of them, try the third table. This list is updated frequently. To make sure this information matches current expert consensus, you can compare this list to the recently updated expert consensus guidelines. For a comparison view of all these medications from another psychiatrist, though in more technical lingo, see the excellent site by Dr. Peter Brigham. The "randomized trials", in the first table coming up next, mean research studies with a "control group", a group that got another medication or a placebo while a similar group got the medication in question. A "positive trial" means that the medication performed as well or better than a comparison medication or placebo; whereas a "negative trial" means placebo was as good as the medication. An "open" trial means that patients and doctors both knew what medication was being added and when, and that there was no placebo group with which to compare results. (Here's more on why randomized trials are our best evidence source, from an essay on panic treatments.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of all options -- by evidence for their effectiveness Use the links in the table to get more information on each medication. Medications listed in Italics have evidence for having both antimanic and antidepressant effects; medications listed in Bold have evidence that they can prevent recurrences. Randomized trials positive Randomized trials negative Open trials suggestive Case reports/series
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Post by misty on Aug 1, 2006 23:26:47 GMT -5
This is great, Charlie Girl! Theres alot of info here for anyone thats not sure which stabalizers to use.
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Post by momsboy on Aug 2, 2006 9:07:12 GMT -5
Thank you so much for all the important info. Having not ever been exposed to mood stabilizers, I'm nervous about perhaps adding it to my son's meds.
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Post by momsboy on Aug 7, 2006 8:47:01 GMT -5
Right now my almost eleven year old son is rolling on the floor like a two year old. He's periodically letting out a blood-curdling scream, throwing things from the kitchen floor into the living room (dog's toys), laughing uncontrollably, picking a plant clean that's sitting on the floor, etc. I just do NOT understand. Within 45 min he'll calm down some since I gave him his Focalin, but the meds are lasting less and less time. He's been on all of the stims that are available.
We have an appointment with the child psychiatrist on Wed. to discuss mood stabilizers.
{Sorry...I can't type anymore with all this going on.}
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Post by misty on Aug 7, 2006 10:44:25 GMT -5
WOW, Momsboy, that has tyo be heartbreaking to witness. I sure hope the psych finds a med that will stabalize him. He'll feel so much better once hes on the correct med & you will too!
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Post by Charlie Girl on Aug 7, 2006 11:14:32 GMT -5
Oh momsboy, I feel for you. It has to be so hard watching your son go through that. Have they considered doing more testing to make sure its ADHD that he has? It sounds like more than that to me. Hopefully the mood stabilizer will make a huge difference. to you and your son both. Please be sure and let us know what you find out Wednesday.
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Post by momsboy on Aug 7, 2006 13:16:55 GMT -5
No one has considered more tests at this point. He was tested extensively this time last year at TX Children's Hospital by a team of doctors. Dx, mood disorder, ADHD, Odd, Developmental coordination disorder. Those who have been through all those tests know that for the most part, the dx is made by what the parents and teachers say on questionnaires. My son doesn't exhibit the traditional symptoms of bp, if you ask me. I don't care what they call it, there's something wrong. This makes me soooo tired all the time. It's relentless....! I feel better knowing there are some who experience the same behaviors with their children.
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Post by misty on Aug 7, 2006 13:25:32 GMT -5
Just wondering, have you taken him to a neuropsch? I think in your shoes, I'd be thinking about it. A neuropsych can get to the bottom of it & is the best for finding out exactly what is going on.
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Post by momsboy on Aug 7, 2006 14:22:13 GMT -5
What can a neuropsych do that the others haven't done already? I just keep laying it on that he's still too young to definitely dx his problems.
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Post by Charlie Girl on Aug 7, 2006 23:06:26 GMT -5
What did the team of drs who tested him before consist of? Was there a neuro on the team?
A neuropsych is trained to recognize all neurological disorders and one who works with children is most likely to spot the subtle differences between similar disorders.
I haven't dealt with one but will try to find out how they diagnose. I believe I have heard they do a lot of testing and stuff but I want to make sure of my facts before I say anything.
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Post by Charlie Girl on Aug 7, 2006 23:22:35 GMT -5
This is a site Misty found that lists the testing a neuropaych does. She is the queen of research tonight! Thanks Misty! www.brainsource.com/nptests.htmThat is really a great site. I just went there and it has fantastic info.
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Post by misty on Aug 9, 2006 0:16:44 GMT -5
No problem, Charlie Girl! Glad you posted it, it does have a wealth of information!
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Post by momsboy on Aug 9, 2006 19:25:14 GMT -5
We went to the child psychiatrist today for meds. He prescribed Depakote E.R. and he's starting him on a low dose to see what happens. We agreed to take him off the Risperdal (too bad I just got a three months' supply!), but we're keeping him on Focalin XR. I'm nervous about yet another med, but he's so impossible to live with. We are just up to our necks with him!! Yesterday was so bad that I got in the car and left him at home. It was either that or I was going to whup up on his head! I'd HAD it, if you know what I mean! He's almost eleven, so I think it was alright, but I was at the point that I didn't care! I needed some space....and quickly! I went back home about an hour later and the rest of the day was pretty good, but he was up to the same old stuff again this morning. WHEN does this get better??
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Post by misty on Aug 10, 2006 1:09:37 GMT -5
I don't know when it gets better, momsboy, but I think its OK that you took off for a short while. That way you both had a little space & time to cool off. I would think that is better than staying around & getting more & more upset. I sure hope things start getting better for you. Let us know how the new meds are working.
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