Desperate for referrals. We can’t live like this anymore.

[Anonymous]

Just sending more support.

I also can't help because I'm with Kaiser, but when we hit rock bottom we called and called and emailed to insist on an appointment with a psychiatrist ASAP and we were able to get one within two days. But it took a lot of insisting. The diagnosis was just based on a parent and teacher checklist, and I'm still not sure we have it completely figured out, but part of the DX was anxiety. We agreed to try Prozac and it's been a game changer. It took a few weeks to work though.

She won't talk in therapy though. I have a feeling it will be a life long thing to manage, but for now we made the right choice and we're always working to figure out strategies and triggers.

[Anonymous]

OP, here is the link between strep, PANDAs and outbursts. One other thing to check as treating it correctly with antibiotics can have a very + impact. We are fortunate in that NIH has done research in this area so it is a bit more known. Checked via blood test, I believe.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas

My child had enormous outbursts at that age, the Ross Greene Explosive Child book was helpful to us, too. My child is much older, I believe there is a FB re: this method and some parents have found good support there.

Best to you and your family, OP.

[Anonymous]

[url]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocked at how many people would give their children benadryl off label. Or at all. Our allergist warned us never to use it because it crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause cognitive impairment over time.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body already makes, also induces feelings of calm and sleep (if you're tired) and doesn't have the same negative effect as benadryl.

Melatonin can interfere with sex hormones in boys and can affect puberty amongst other things. Please read about its dangers.

Different PP but our doctors really warn against high doses of melatonin for this reason. They are fine with benedryl on occasion. There are some risks with every medication but sometimes you have to do SOMETHING

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[url]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocked at how many people would give their children benadryl off label. Or at all. Our allergist warned us never to use it because it crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause cognitive impairment over time.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body already makes, also induces feelings of calm and sleep (if you're tired) and doesn't have the same negative effect as benadryl.

Melatonin can interfere with sex hormones in boys and can affect puberty amongst other things. Please read about its dangers.

Different PP but our doctors really warn against high doses of melatonin for this reason. They are fine with benedryl on occasion. There are some risks with every medication but sometimes you have to do SOMETHING

None of our doctors or psychiatrists ever mentioned man boobs from Melatonin.
Some days I'm absolutely disgusted with the mental "help" industry. You have to stay ever vigilant. It feels like they're throwing ad many landmines in your path as you're trying to avoid without them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[url]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocked at how many people would give their children benadryl off label. Or at all. Our allergist warned us never to use it because it crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause cognitive impairment over time.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body already makes, also induces feelings of calm and sleep (if you're tired) and doesn't have the same negative effect as benadryl.

Melatonin can interfere with sex hormones in boys and can affect puberty amongst other things. Please read about its dangers.

Different PP but our doctors really warn against high doses of melatonin for this reason. They are fine with benedryl on occasion. There are some risks with every medication but sometimes you have to do SOMETHING

None of our doctors or psychiatrists ever mentioned man boobs from Melatonin.
Some days I'm absolutely disgusted with the mental "help" industry. You have to stay ever vigilant. It feels like they're throwing ad many landmines in your path as you're trying to avoid without them.

Sad to say but the mental health industry has a business model and that business model revolves around making parents happy. There is no oversight, the patients can't speak up for themselves and there is no standard of care or association that dictates what methods should be followed as forest and second line treatments. They are literally winging it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocked at how many people would give their children benadryl off label. Or at all. Our allergist warned us never to use it because it crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause cognitive impairment over time.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body already makes, also induces feelings of calm and sleep (if you're tired) and doesn't have the same negative effect as benadryl.

Many many psychiatrists will have you use that as a first line of defense. Melatonin won't touch the aggression the OP is describing. If you haven't had a kid like this, you should just stop typing. You think you're helping, but you're not.

I do have a kid like that, I'm pp. You put him in his room and sit at the door (on the inside) to make sure he doesn't throw anything through the windows or hurt himself. You don't react but you do give hugs when he's ready. You do give melatonin and you don't dope your kid up with an off label use that doctors (should) know better than to recommend in 2023
Ice had bruises and bloody noses from my son. His walls still need repairing. But I never gave him a substance knowing it damages his brain. Sorry bud.

Please take this vendetta about Benadryl somewhere else. Among other things, for kids with severe seasonal (and some other) allergies it is a necessary rescue med.

Like all drugs that are anti-cholinergic, there is an association with dementia in long-term use, esp in much older people, but it is absolutely not at the level your posts are implying.

Many medications (including psych meds—by design!) cross the blood-brain barrier. That is not in itself a problem.

OP, I so hope you get some relief soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocked at how many people would give their children benadryl off label. Or at all. Our allergist warned us never to use it because it crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause cognitive impairment over time.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body already makes, also induces feelings of calm and sleep (if you're tired) and doesn't have the same negative effect as benadryl.

Many many psychiatrists will have you use that as a first line of defense. Melatonin won't touch the aggression the OP is describing. If you haven't had a kid like this, you should just stop typing. You think you're helping, but you're not.

I do have a kid like that, I'm pp. You put him in his room and sit at the door (on the inside) to make sure he doesn't throw anything through the windows or hurt himself. You don't react but you do give hugs when he's ready. You do give melatonin and you don't dope your kid up with an off label use that doctors (should) know better than to recommend in 2023
Ice had bruises and bloody noses from my son. His walls still need repairing. But I never gave him a substance knowing it damages his brain. Sorry bud.

Please take this vendetta about Benadryl somewhere else. Among other things, for kids with severe seasonal (and some other) allergies it is a necessary rescue med.

Like all drugs that are anti-cholinergic, there is an association with dementia in long-term use, esp in much older people, but it is absolutely not at the level your posts are implying.

Many medications (including psych meds—by design!) cross the blood-brain barrier. That is not in itself a problem.

OP, I so hope you get some relief soon.

Page after page of results when against using Benedryl. It is easy and convenient for you. It is not a first, second or third line of treatment for you child. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocked at how many people would give their children benadryl off label. Or at all. Our allergist warned us never to use it because it crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause cognitive impairment over time.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body already makes, also induces feelings of calm and sleep (if you're tired) and doesn't have the same negative effect as benadryl.

Many many psychiatrists will have you use that as a first line of defense. Melatonin won't touch the aggression the OP is describing. If you haven't had a kid like this, you should just stop typing. You think you're helping, but you're not.

I do have a kid like that, I'm pp. You put him in his room and sit at the door (on the inside) to make sure he doesn't throw anything through the windows or hurt himself. You don't react but you do give hugs when he's ready. You do give melatonin and you don't dope your kid up with an off label use that doctors (should) know better than to recommend in 2023
Ice had bruises and bloody noses from my son. His walls still need repairing. But I never gave him a substance knowing it damages his brain. Sorry bud.

Please take this vendetta about Benadryl somewhere else. Among other things, for kids with severe seasonal (and some other) allergies it is a necessary rescue med.

Like all drugs that are anti-cholinergic, there is an association with dementia in long-term use, esp in much older people, but it is absolutely not at the level your posts are implying.

Many medications (including psych meds—by design!) cross the blood-brain barrier. That is not in itself a problem.

OP, I so hope you get some relief soon.

Page after page of results when against using Benedryl. It is easy and convenient for you. It is not a first, second or third line of treatment for you child. Period.

Cough medicine used to contain opium and people routinely used cocain for ailments like toothaches. I'm sure they were fine. Nbd.

[Anonymous]

You may want to try Dr. Bogrov who used to be the Shepard Pratt Children's Center Medical Director. https://www.washingtoninterventionalpsychiatry.com/michael-bogrov

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the future: Just a recommendation for a pediatrician - My child was having some rages that seemed out of character. I was concerned that my child had PANS/PANDAS or some kind of neurological issue, so I found a pediatrician who was supportive and open - Dr. Gail Warner at Growth and Wellness was recommended and I like her and their office. It didn't get to that point and things have improved with my child but I do see kids with a variety of needs in the waiting room so it tells me that they would probably be good at managing care.
Another recommendation would be Potomac Pediatrics. While I personally didn't love their office (and they have an annual fee), they are super organized and have many wrap around services and also take things like what you are talking about seriously.

OP here. I have a neighbor who has her kids at Potomac pediatrics and she is happy with the practice. I will reach out there as well.

I disagree about Potomac Pediatrics. Yes, the pediatrician was able to see my DC right away--but we had to push. I finally said if DC had a fever you'd make this a sick visit, why is this behavior any different. DC was started on meds right away.

The issue was their behavioral health. The psychiatrist was very dismissive, did not take things seriously, and was extremely and inappropriately over-privileged. Totally misdiagnosed DC. We are with Chesapeake Center now for DC's psychiatric care. Much much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shocked at how many people would give their children benadryl off label. Or at all. Our allergist warned us never to use it because it crosses the blood brain barrier and can cause cognitive impairment over time.

Melatonin is a natural hormone your body already makes, also induces feelings of calm and sleep (if you're tired) and doesn't have the same negative effect as benadryl.

Many many psychiatrists will have you use that as a first line of defense. Melatonin won't touch the aggression the OP is describing. If you haven't had a kid like this, you should just stop typing. You think you're helping, but you're not.

I do have a kid like that, I'm pp. You put him in his room and sit at the door (on the inside) to make sure he doesn't throw anything through the windows or hurt himself. You don't react but you do give hugs when he's ready. You do give melatonin and you don't dope your kid up with an off label use that doctors (should) know better than to recommend in 2023
Ice had bruises and bloody noses from my son. His walls still need repairing. But I never gave him a substance knowing it damages his brain. Sorry bud.

This might work for younger children, but doing this would have been downright dangerous for me when my son was going through his behavioral/mental health crisis at 11 years old. He put holes in the walls, broke 3 doors, destroyed so many things, and was physically violent - I would have tried literally any med (on or off label) that was suggested to me, but my son was so out of control that medication in the moment wasn't an option. 4 inpatient hospitalizations over a 9month period of time, 6+months of intensive therapy (3x/week family therapy, 1x/week individual for my son, 1x/week individual for me) and he was finally on the road toward stability, and we could breathe a little each day. He wasn't fully stable for nearly a year after his final hospitalization though, and it took about 8 months after his first hospitalization to find the correct resources and finally get on a pathway to acheive stability.

A dose or 3 of Benadryl would not have caused cognitive impairment to an extent that would have worried me - his behavior was causing so much harm to everyone in the family that the risk/benefit analysis would have been in favor of doing anything possible to bring the behavior under control. As it is, my child is not willing to take medication when he is at a crisis moment, so benadryl would simply not be an option for us for that reason. Don't criticize parents that conclude differently on the risk/benefit equation than you do. They are all doing the best they can with what they have. The goal is not perfection or no harm - its mitigation of risks considering all aspects of what the family needs.