![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gr8red on February 16, 2004, at 14:02:29
I have a 12 year old son that has been dx with depression with bouts of paranoia. He was just put on Effexor and Seroquel.Everyone that I talk to is surprised that they gave both drugs to someone his age.Any info would b greatly appreciated, as far as age/side effects/effectiveness.
Posted by justjustine on February 17, 2004, at 1:23:33
In reply to Effexor Seroquel for 12y/o with depression, posted by gr8red on February 16, 2004, at 14:02:29
do your son and yourself a favor and research venlafaxine withdrawal. it's not as simple or easy as doctors and drug companies want you to believe.
sorry, i don't believe these medications are appropriate for children. just my opinion.
> I have a 12 year old son that has been dx with depression with bouts of paranoia. He was just put on Effexor and Seroquel.Everyone that I talk to is surprised that they gave both drugs to someone his age.Any info would b greatly appreciated, as far as age/side effects/effectiveness.
Posted by gr8red on February 17, 2004, at 9:47:06
In reply to Re: Effexor Seroquel for 12y/o with depression, posted by justjustine on February 17, 2004, at 1:23:33
He has been severly depressed, and paranoid.I just want him to be better, and this is all I know to do.Are these drugs something that I can ween him off of when he starts feeling better, or will he be depressed for life and have to take them forever? Sorry if these questions sound wierd, but I have never dealt with this before, and just want my son safe and happy.
Posted by Camille Dumont on February 17, 2004, at 11:24:32
In reply to Re: Effexor Seroquel for 12y/o with depression, posted by gr8red on February 17, 2004, at 9:47:06
Well ... first off ... I don't know about the states but here in Canada, they keep issuing warnings about how prescribing antidepressant to children can make them, or make them more suicidal. However, it seems to happen only in the begining so if your son has been taking them for a few months and is ok, then you shouldn't worry too much about it ... although DO go look at the website of the makes of Effexor ... If I'm not mistaken it has NOT been extensively tested (if at all) on ppl younger than 18 years.
As for the permanence of the medication need, I guess it depends on the diagnosis. If its simply depression (and non-recurring), he should eventually be able to stop taking them. If its something like BP, then it might be more of a permanent thing.
One thing though, Effexor is known for being trully hellish when it comes to weaning off it. I mean it can be a life saver for some people but do be prepared for many months of withdrawal symptoms and a need to decrease the dose VERY VERY SLOWLY.
As for Seroquel, I can't say I've had any experience stopping it from a large dose but, at least for me, going from 50 to 0 in one day was a breeze ... the only thing was slight insomnia but aside from that, nothing.
Effexor is definately the hardest of the two to get rid of.
Posted by djsarah on February 19, 2004, at 20:26:25
In reply to Re: Effexor Seroquel for 12y/o with depression, posted by gr8red on February 17, 2004, at 9:47:06
I encourage you to find out everything you can about the medications that your son is on, as well as about his illness and what other ways there are to fight it (i.e., other than and in addition to medication).
According to the Effexor site, Effexor is not approved for children under the age of 18. Please be very careful! There have been recent studies about antidepressant use in minors linking certain drugs to increased tendencies to self-harm and suicide. I myself was put on Paxil at 16 and I can tell you that these studies explained a few things to me about how I felt at that time (I'm now 19 and am preparing to quit Effexor). Make sure the doctor who is prescribing your son's medication really, really knows what he's doing! (Family doctors don't cut it, as far as I'm concerned, there's too much at stake.)
I know that it's very difficult to know how to deal with depression, especially at such a young age. I'd encourage you to find out as much as you can about how exercise, nutrition, etc, affects depression and start some good habits for your son in that regard. Meanwhile proceed with caution with the meds. They do help, just be really careful.
As for how long it lasts or how long he'll have to be on medication, I think it differs for everyone. Don't worry too much about it for now, because only time will tell.
I gotta jet, but please update about how things are going and what you learn about these meds, I'm very interested because of my own experiences.
Best wishes
-sarah
Posted by gr8red on February 20, 2004, at 10:03:23
In reply to Re: Effexor Seroquel for 12y/o with depression, posted by djsarah on February 19, 2004, at 20:26:25
I have to have faith that the psychiatrist who prescribed this knows what he is doing, but I am also going to be asking alot of questions when he starts seeing his regular Dr.This is our 1st experience with anything like this, so I didn't question their recommendations...I guess I should have...Thanks for everyone's information.I just want my son to be happy and healthy.
Posted by HappyGirl on February 20, 2004, at 14:49:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Seroquel for 12y/o with depression, posted by gr8red on February 20, 2004, at 10:03:23
Hi:
I totally understand your concern and worry as to medications on which your son was put.
In my knowledge, there is NO specific-rx for children, ... in other words, there is same medications-rx for both adults and children, ... including young age, under 18.
Not long ago,in 'Time' I read that even 8 years' old taking Anti-psyco-med. Zyprexa that is a bit more potent than your son's, Seroquel.
Concerning GP, he/she may be able to prescribe for simpler form of depression that requires just one med. regimen, but if there are any complexities involved, GP might NOT be a right doctor for you to seek professional help, because mental illness needs more expertise along with experience.
H.G.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.