To medicate....or not!!

[runikka]

We have been having a horrendous time with our little boy, severe ASD, non-verbal aged 5.5yrs. He has two siblings, youngest six months and our paediatrician has suggested we can try equasym to help our little boy calm down a bit. He has been having terrible sleep issues and is very agitated and distressed in the day, very frustrated and has recently started lashing out. The thing is he has good days where he is a placid, calm little boy and very affectionate. I just want him to have some peace now and then but am scared after googling that I will replace my jekyll and hyde little boy with a zombie. I would love to hear anyone who has tried their child on it whether it be a good or bad experience.

Many thanks

Hi Runikka

My ds2 (9, hfa/adhd) is on equasym xl (15mgs per day) - I think the decision to medicate is a very personal one - I cried when I came out of the chemist with Ds's first prescription.

However, the equasym does help to calm him down, he is achieving greater success in his school (at his level in a S& L Unit), his social interaction is better at times because he is slowed down enough to think about an appropriate response.

It is not a miracle cure, I find ds a bit quiet when he is medicated (not used to it because it's normally worn off by the time he comes home from school!) but he can interact better with his siblings and there is less stress for him and squabbling - and it's nice to have a long conversation!

Overall, I say our experience is positive and I ignore any crap from my family in law who haven't a clue about sn. The dosage is something that you will feel comfortable with so your ds won't be a zombie at all!!

My bf suggested that we had to rule it in, to rule it out and that's what we did!x

Hi we have just started on this med and it has made some difference although our primary dx is adhd.

It has not made my ds a zombie he is still the same little boy.

I started a thread about it when he started the meds couple of weeks ago, you might want to have a look at that its a bit further down.