[tri-med] Re: ? about altering neuron firing and serotonin

Hi Penny,

Here is the totally "woman in the street" understanding of how anti 
anxiety drugs work.

Seratonin is the chemical in our brain that makes us feel good. You 
can feel good from eating chocolate too, 'cos it promotes the 
seratonin in our brain. The anti anxiety drugs are sometimes called 
SSRI's which stands for ? seratonin reuptake inhibitors. As I 
understand this it prevents the anxious brain from taking back its 
seratonin and so you remain calm. You usually begin on a small dose 
to see how you go, and work up to a larger dose. It does sound as if 
Devon is having anxiety problems with situation in which he feels 
unsure or anxious. Now I hope someone else with a more professional 
explanation will chime in now and fix up my explanation.

At 02:06 AM 20/05/2007, you wrote:
>Hi Everyone :o)
>I have questions for anyone who might be able to explain something to me.
>Devon went for his neurology clinic yesterday for follow up. To be
>honest.we're not sure how effective the Strattera is just because there's so
>much other stuff going on at the same time with behavioral issues. Devon has
>a real problem with schedule changes and transitioning. For instance when we
>take him to an appointment or a store.upon entering he gets hysterical and
>kicks, flails his arms and screams (out of control crying). He also gets
>very upset when someone comes over and when they leave even if he adores
>said person. Most of the time once he's in the exam room or once we start
>walking and keep moving he settles down.but when we have to leave he gets
>hysterical again even if it's some place he doesn't really want to be. It's
>very stressful for all of us :o( And when someone comes over.he usually will
>settle down in a few minutes and he doesn't get upset when my sister comes
>on the weekends (but he gets very upset if she doesn't). The funny thing is
>that he has very set ideas about how long each individual is allowed to
>stay. When he thinks they've been here long enough he will start to get
>whiney/crying thing mixed with laughing at the same time and he will bring
>the person their shoes and/or purse and take them to the door.
>So.anyway.when the doctor asked us if we thought the Strattera was helping
>with his hyperactivity we told him that we believe it is helping at least a
>little bit as he DOES sit down and relax with us for short periods of time,
>and even though we're not sure it's related or not.he's been more vocal
>lately. It does not knock him out or make him dopey which is a good thing as
>well. He was going to try a drug used for anxiety because when he asked us
>if Devon has a lot of anxiety.we told him about the transitioning thing and
>the schedule thing.and we think he does get overwhelmed with anxiety at
>those times. When I reminded him about Devon being on 50mg Trazodone since
>he was 7 for his disordered sleep he changed his mind about the other drug
>for anxiety and decided he wanted to keep Devon on the Strattera during the
>day and up his Trazodone dosage to 100mg. He said Devon is a big boy to
>still be on the 50mg dosage.AND it will have an effect on neurons firing in
>his brain and something about serotonin. I wanted to ask him to explain
>better for us so I could wrap my brain around what exactly that means.but
>Devon was getting very upset by that time and MY anxiety level went through
>the roof!!
>
>Sooooooo.what effect on anxiety do firing neurons and serotonin (more firing
>or less firing I'm not sure?) have??? He told us his hats off to us LOL :o)
>And he'll see us again in 4 months. In the meantime he said that there's a
>lot of options we can try if this isn't the right combination and not to
>give up :o)
>
>
>
>Well.although we DO get tired of all the stresses sometimes.we NEVER give
>up.so we'll deal with whatever we need to :o)
>
>
>
>Thanks in advance :o)
>
>
>
>Love,
>
>Penny...loving & devoted wife to Joe, the best husband in the world...mom to
>Nick (16 yrs old...lover of Fishing, Dragons, Turtles, Blue Collar Comedy
>Tour, RollerCoasters, Chocolate Icecream w/ Ovaltine sprinkles, Devon (11
>yrs...lover of Barney, Blue, Nappy ol' Bear w/dreadlocks, Elmo, & food in
>general. Full trisomy 13 w/balanced translocation 5 and 13) , and Trooper
>the Wonder Dog...our 10? year old yellow lab adopted from FL Lab Rescue
>12/13/02 :o) Please visit the webpage my wonderful friend Karen made for me
>on our trisomy listserv at:
>
>http://www.trisomyonline.org/victor.html
>
>AND...Devon's moment of glory in Exceptional Parent Magazine...
>
>http://www.eparent.com/familiarfaces/ffaces_4_01.htm
>
>AND...see our Trooper on FL Lab Rescue's website at:
>
>http://www.labradorrescue.net/success/index.html (Look for the name Trooper)
>AND :o) http://livingwithtrisomy13.org/album9.htm
>
>AND http://web.coehs.siu.edu/Grants/TRIS/
>
>"Those who matter don't judge me .... those who judge me don't matter."
>
>
>
>
>
>                   Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
>                        www.trisomyonline.org
>                   Families Helping Families On-line
>
>
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
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>15/05/2007 10:47 AM

Jocelyn, Wife to Frank, Mother to Ian, Gillian & Susan. Maker of 
quilts, singer of songs,
Nanna to Carly 19, Mathew 18, Ashleigh 17, Alex 15, and Tess 10 years 
old with T18.
also step Nanna to Carrie age 19. & Great Grandmother to Eli, Jonas & Escha.
Living in NSW, Australia 

                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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