6 year old on antidepressants

[Kathyjo924]

Can I get my 6 year old on antidepressants she was diagnosed with IC 2 weeks ago . Will this help her cope with the pain?

Thanks Kathy

[ICNDonna]

My suggestion would be to try the IC diet first. You might ask your doctor for some pain medications for her until you find out if the diet will help.

I honestly don't know about putting a child on antidepressants.

Donna

[Lex]

That is so horrible for the poor kid. I get down and low enough semi-understanding what is wrong with me. No one, especially a little kid should have to go through this. :mad:

I don't think anti-depressants at such a young age would be good. I was on a few as a teen for depression, and most of them had some pretty nasty side effects. It's also kind of scary to mess with the chemistry of her hormones and emotions so young.

Definitely try and get some effective pain relief and try keeping track of her diet....I'm just starting to keep an IC diet journal and going by trial and error. It might also help to teach her to meditate, or at least sit and relax herself. I know she's young and full of energy but it's worth a try. Whenever I flared and went into a panic, rage or freak-out mode, it got worse and worse. I've learned to sit and relax and drink lots of water and it helps (sometimes minimally but sometimes a lot).

[this_sucks]

I am on anti-depressant now and i am 16 years old. There are side effects, urine retention, sensitivity to bright light, tiredness, dizziness. For people who are using the antidepressants for the side effects, they give low doses like 10 and 25mg. I am on 25 and my friend who is 16 too is on 10 for her IBS. I can tell you it does not make any depressed feelings I am having go away! I seem even more moodier on it! But, It has really helped me out with the frequency problems. I am not sure how a 6 year old would react to it. I would defiently talk to your and her doctor. and also like some of the people said before, try to diet.
Katie*

[Imustpee]

I gained 9 pounds in 1 month on Nortriptilyne...needless to say I have stopped it, and now I have 30 pounds to lose instead of 20...I have been walking anywhere from 1 - 3 miles a day with my puppy....so far so good...

[Hope]

Kathy,

It must be so awful for you to see your baby in pain. I suggest that you find a psychologist or psychiatric social worker who works with children and behavioral medicine and pain control. She or he could help your child and you manage the pain without meds. I would at the same time consult with a medical specialist in pain control for children. She or he could, in consultation with the urologist, make recommendations for medication. The thing I would respectfully caution you against is having the general practioner/primary care physician prescribe a psychiatric medication. I believe that kind of decision should be made in conjunction with a medical practioner who has specialized experience with children and psychiatric medication. This recommendation is based on my professional experience working in mental health.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

[theclownster]

HI Kathy! I'm sorry to hear that your 6 year old has IC. It can be devastating for an adult and I can only imagine what it would be like for a child.

I agree with Hope. A good psychiatrist could be consulted to find out which anti-depressants could be used and would be safe for a 6 year old. I would talk with your doctor and in the end make the decision that will be best for your daughter. Low dose anti-depressants can help with the pain as well as other medications. It is a young age, but there are some meds that would be safe for your 6 year old.

I too have experience in mental health and also with children. I would be open and honest with your daughter - explain in simple terms what is going on - keep it age appropriate - and include her in the decision. Give her choices and explain the possible side effects - again keeping it in age appropriate and simple language. You want her to be informed, but you don't want to say anything that will scare her. Don't get too detailed and answer whatever questions you can for her in simple terms. We as adults tend to give lengthy explanations which children can not understand- so try to stay away from that, as children just need the simple version. Follow her lead and if you aren't telling her enough, she'll ask you questions. If you don't know the answer, your pediatrician should be able to help answer her questions. If you both decide to go ahead with it, let her know the types of things you would need her to tell you about in regards to possible side effects. For example, you could say "sometimes medication can make you feel different, will you tell mommy or daddy (or another adult) if anything feels different while you are on this medication?" Check in with her regularly and monitor if it's helping her or not. If it does not seem to be making a difference you might want to reconsider her taking it (or any other med) and discuss treatment options with a specialist.

I hope this helps you in your search. I can't imagine what it would be like to have IC at 6. May you find excellent treatment options that provide her with relief soon!

Sending Big Hugs~
Jennifer