Anti-depressants for me or calming drugs for him?

[frazzledmummy]

Having real problems dealing with ds behaviour, I have a lot to deal with at the moment,other children and a strained marriage. My hv has advised anti-depressants, dh feels that the issues with ds need to be addressed and maybe some 'calming drugs' need to be prescribed. The anti-depressants would not deal with the real issues. I have always been against taking any medication unless strictly necessary - I don't even keep paracetamol in the house. Please don't suggest respite as this is totally not an option. Ideally I would like advice from people using either type of meds as I need to know what the effects will be.

I have taken antideps on and off for the past 8 years and I would say that they can be a great springboard to coping again. I have taken them when my health begins to effect the way I function (I get awful insomnia, can't enjoy anything, lose weight, anxiety) as slowly they can dull these symptoms to help you 'get on'. I have been on a variety of different ones over the years , some better than others (depends on the individual) and have currently stopped taking the last lot as I feel much better and they were making me sick in the morning . I've been having homeopathy through this and feel tippiteetop. I tried the homeopathy when I was initially ill however and I was to poorly then for remedies to really sort me out. I needed drugs !!! - or a more powerful boost of something to let me sleep at night and make me stronger for my boy.

I can't really advice on meds for your son, but know that a break from caring from my ds 24/7 was very important in getting me back on track. Be kind to yourself if you can. You're a very important person

Thanks sg - I always imagined antideps made a person like zombie - now i know otherwise. I have tried homeopathy before for various things - perhaps both ds and 1 could go down that route.

I don;t want to get into the whole process of starting drugs, them not suiting me, then having to try another, meanwhile the situation is not easing. St John's Wort is probably the better option for me but what about ds? Surely he can't be happy with his mood swings, violent behaviour and constant throwing himself into things? It is a good job he cannot feel pain or he would be in a right pickle.

Yes, the process of trying things and them not suiting you is difficult, but as you have no history of taking medication, it should be easier for a GP to find a drug that suits. I hope I don't sound like I'm really pro antideps here?! If you decide you need them, interrogate what they prescribe and make sure that they have made the right choice for you.Fio I was on Seroxat too and it made me feel terrible, but Prozac was fantastic and enabled me to overcome the most nasty dose of postnatal depression virtually overnight! Frazzledmum if the St john's Wort isn't giving you the help you need, don't right meds off. Am pleased you're considering the Homeopathy again too.

Sorry I can't recommend more for your ds, but am reading a brilliant book at the moment that I'm sure could help lots of MNers.It's ASD/PDD specific tho,so amnot sure if appropriate for your ds? It's called 'building bridges through sensory integration', it's an OT text, very practical and user-friendly. Could you order a copy from the library???May have some strategies to use with your ds as there are lots of activities in there to use across the day.Maybe you could get your dh to read it if he feels ds's probs need to be addressed?!
Take care

springgreens - ds had asd traits and adhd. I have started the St john's Wort today, have an appointment with my Homeopath booked for us both early next week and am going to the library to look for your book later - many thanks for the advice. I will give the sjw a go and if it doesnt work i will see the doc. Light at the end of the tunnel!