Neuropsychology Central

[Kathy]

I have a 14 year old adopted daughter. She was a foster child of mine at two and I adopted her at three. Since her adoption, she has been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, Reactive Attachment Disorder/Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder, and has been hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital twice - the first time at age seven. She is currently on seven medication, three of which are neuroleptics. The others are related to her conditions (ritalin for the ADHD, tenex to sedate her, etc.) I want to take her off all of the medications for two reasons: (1) to see if she still is still as unstable as she was when she started the meds, and (2) to see if her conditions are improved by NOT being on the meds. I have read it is dangerous to stop these medications but have also read they are dangerous themselves. Some advise or information would be appreciated.

[lash]

I'd very very strongly recommend discussing this with the prescribing physician. If you're worried they'll just say "don't do it," ask why not. You're right, that it can be dangerous to stop at least some of those drugs, and I'd especially agree given the number of medications involved. Another factor is the amount of time she's been taking the medications. Plus, if she's been taking them for a long time, that probably decreases the dangerousness of taking them. The degree of risk can really only be assessed by the physician; even if you're advised against stopping them, at the very least, he/she can tell you what the risk is. Good luck.
_________________
Lee Ashendorf, Ph.D.
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA
Co-Webmaster, Neuropsychology Central

[rschwa]

I have add, gad, aspergers, and depression and I've been on many medications...im not a doctor but my advise is look at it as a case study rather than taking 7 different meds that interact with eachother.