My son.
Hi, my name is Tricia and my 13 year old son has been on Lexapro for
awhile now. He also takes a few more medications for mental disorders
that he suffers from. I know that these medications help him but I am
concerned about the long term effect that lexapro and these other meds
might have on my son. He goes through mood swings and I can’t say that
this has anything to do with the meds but he can go from extremely high
to suicidal low in a blink of an eye. He see’s a psychiatrist and I am
some what satisfied, I just wish I knew more. I find myself reading
anything I can get my hands on about the meds and conditions he has
been given. I would appreciate any info anyone could give. Thank you.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Trisha,
I’ve have experienced family members who have the same symptoms for many years
now. Unfortunately I haven’t seen one pill that they know ahead of time will
work best, its all try and if not suceed try something else. I dont’ think
there is a long term issue with any adverse effects that they will have even
though I have seen much written about it. I had same worries before I started
on an AD a few months ago but not really now any more worries. My wife has gone
to many different combinations of these meds and I have not seen any problems
with the changes. Anyway, I think for your son its probably a case of just
finding the right medicine that will make him manage things well.
Mark
tampa_tricia
awhile now. He also takes a few more medications for mental disorders
that he suffers from. I know that these medications help him but I am
concerned about the long term effect that lexapro and these other meds
might have on my son. He goes through mood swings and I can’t say that
this has anything to do with the meds but he can go from extremely high
to suicidal low in a blink of an eye. He see’s a psychiatrist and I am
some what satisfied, I just wish I knew more. I find myself reading
anything I can get my hands on about the meds and conditions he has
been given. I would appreciate any info anyone could give. Thank you.
June 15th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Hi Tricia,
Teenagers, especially 13 year olds, have a lot going on in their
bodies and brains, even without the extra strain of mental or
emotional difficulties. You are wise to ask questions, to be a
dedicated student and an absolute expert in your son’s behaviors,
triggers, med interactions, as well as in all the everyday things 13
year olds go through at school. Having survived 2 of my own through
that age who are now 16 and 17, I can tell you without a doubt that
this age is very emotional. I wondered many days if my daughter would
make it to 14, and with my son when he was 13, I considered reform
school! The tide seems to turn to reasonableness at around 15. My
kids had and still have various friends who have experienced multiple
meds, some with fairly serious problems and home situations. I have
talked to some of their moms, and I can tell you that we ALL wonder
if our kids’ doctors are doing the right thing, prescribing the right
meds. Sometimes, the kids get better just by getting older, as my
kids did. (I got better as they got older too! that also helps them)
but sometimes a kid is misdiagnosed - is later found to be bi-polar
or something. As the doctor tries meds for this or that, it could
possibly make some things worse. Don’t be afraid to keep asking
questions with the doc, with other moms, and most importantly, with
your son. You sound like a really good mom, your son is blessed.
Dana