Lamictal as mood stabilizer for child?

[Anonymous]

My son has ADHD and anxiety and already takes Vyvanse, Cymbalta, Deplin and Intuniv. Psychiatrist is now suggesting adding Lamictal, but would ease off one or 2 of the other meds if it works. Reading about these meds is enough to scare any parent out of giving them to their kids. Does anyone give Lamictal to their kid? If so, what were the results? I know about the potential rash and he'd stop taking it if one developed, but other than that, any side effects? The reason for her suggestion of this med is my son's obsessive nature and tendency to panic about things that are minor to most people. For example, if he is playing on my phone or computer and sees that there is 30% battery life remaining, he will panic until he can plug it in, thinking it will die while he is in the middle of a game. (his addiction to video games is a whole other story!)

He also gets very "stuck" on certain things when playing with friends, like the rules of a game-- if he thinks someone isn't following the rules 100%, he will argue with that kid and not be able to let it go. I see other kids pulling away from him as this obviously makes games less fun for the other kids. It is sad to watch. Yet, he is certainly not a "rule follower." He will go on and on to his friends about how to play a game and all of HIS rules to a point that, by the time he's done, they have already found a new game to play without him. He doesn't take losing very well and will argue and argue about how he's not "out" when he clearly is.

He spends more time obsessing about these things than he does actually PLAYING the game and just relaxing and having fun. I'm constantly telling him to "chill out" and stop thinking so much about all the rules of the game and to just have fun with his friends. These are not serious competitions after all, but just regular old backyard games kids play.
I am constantly feeling like I need to hover over him to make sure he is playing nicely with his friends, or to correct him when he's not. It is not a good feeling and I'd like to be able to do what most of my other mom friends do when our kids are playing together, which is to just let my kid play and enjoy chatting with MY friends without worrying and hovering in case he says or does something inappropriate.

Anyway, I started this post with a question about Lamictal and would still love to get some feedback on that, but would also love to hear from anyone with advice on any of the other things I mentioned.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

That is a seriously heavy duty med for a child whose behavior you describe sounds difficult but not incapacitating. I would consult a different child psychiatrist to go over all those medications.

[Anonymous]

Do you see a child psychiatrist? I als recommend consulting with another one for a second opinion.

[Anonymous]

Also, do you have any concerns that his anxiety stems from ASD?

[Anonymous]

My son takes it for epilepsy. I've not noticed his anxiety abating. I don't think it's a sure bet at all. As far as "heavy duty" all those meds are heavy duty - not sure it's any more so than the others.

[Anonymous]

OP,

We medicate for ADHD too, but I'd get a second opinion from a different psychiatrist. One who specializes in kids.

If you're not doing this already, I would look into behavioral therapy or therapy for OCD. Ivymount's social skills group Unstuck and On Target is also good for the inflexibility/moving past minor issues. I don't think all the things you're describing can be medicated away. We've seen tremendous improvement with behavioral interventions. GL

[Anonymous]

I took Lamictal for years and it never helped with anxiety. I agree with the second opinion recommendations and would strongly recommend cognitive behavioral therapy for him. Also, maybe just let him make mistakes with friends and deal with the consequences? You describe a lot of hovering, which doesn't seem totally necessary based on the behaviors. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Just as an FYI, OP, as an I took deplin for a while with my ADHD meds b/c it's supposed to help with their effectiveness. I felt nothing but slightly seasick, so if you don't observe benefits and your son doesn't report any, you could bring up dropping it with your psychiatrist.

If a different opinion results in different meds, remember to find out how best to taper off so not to have negative side effects. I also wonder if some of the medications may be not be working in concert with each other. Not that they're contraindicated but depending on timing and dosage, you may be having rebound effects which may effect behavior.

[mamakr]

OP here. The psychiatrist sees both adults and children and came highly recommended. However, I'd have no problem trying someone else and would love suggestions if anyone has any! I live in Montgomery County, MD.
He had neuropsychological testing done a couple years ago and the doc who did it said he displays some symptoms of ASD but not enough, in her opinion, for a diagnosis. Regardless, even WITH an ASD diagnosis, I don't know what could or would be done differently as far as meds go.
Also, he does see a therapist. I think she's great however, the problem is that my son also has processing issues. Once he leaves the therapist's office, I don't know how much info he has retained, which causes me to wonder if therapy can even work for him. I really don't know that he is taking her suggestions and using them in the real world.

[Anonymous]

My son used to have a lot of those problems (saying other people were unfair, fixating on it, yet cheating himself).

Didn't use any meds. Social Thinking was good for him (Rock Brain character etc). Also WE played board games with him so the stakes were lower.

Our kid also has ADHD and some signs of ASD but not enough for a diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

mamakr wrote:OP here. The psychiatrist sees both adults and children and came highly recommended. However, I'd have no problem trying someone else and would love suggestions if anyone has any! I live in Montgomery County, MD.
He had neuropsychological testing done a couple years ago and the doc who did it said he displays some symptoms of ASD but not enough, in her opinion, for a diagnosis. Regardless, even WITH an ASD diagnosis, I don't know what could or would be done differently as far as meds go.
Also, he does see a therapist. I think she's great however, the problem is that my son also has processing issues. Once he leaves the therapist's office, I don't know how much info he has retained, which causes me to wonder if therapy can even work for him. I really don't know that he is taking her suggestions and using them in the real world.

well, If the rigidity you are describing is an ASD feature, it would not be treated with lamictal.

[Anonymous]

We use lamictal as a mood stabilizer with our FASD affected DC-- who was extremely argumentative, oppositionally defiant, and would have meltdowns far more typical of a toddler than the 12 yr old DC was-- to the point of semi-violent reactions. It has been a godsend medication for addressing those issues.

[Anonymous]

Oh wow. That describes my son- extremely argumentative, defiant, and tantrums typical of a 2-yr-old. And very rigid and inflexible. Any side effects of the Lamictal with your child?

[mamakr]

Didn't use any meds. Social Thinking was good for him (Rock Brain character etc).

Never heard of Rock Brain. Is that a video for the child to watch? I just ordered the parent version of "Unstuck and On Target." Is it similar to that? I'll try anything!

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't have any experience with Lamictal, though it's been mentioned by our psychiatrist for my son who sounds similar to your child. I have a question for you - how does Deplin help your son? I'm asking out of curiosity for my own child. Good luck with your medication decision. I hope you find something effective.