It has been 18 days since my 9 year old daughter has taken Singulair. Our daughter had been taking Singulair for approximately 2 years. It was in the last year that we started to notice some behavior changes and mood swings that were so often unprovoked. We were somewhat concerned and thought like so many other parents that it was a phase. Then in December 2007 she came home from school with a tummy ache and had several episodes of vomiting. She seemed better the following day, but we took her to the pediatrician to be sure that this was a virus. The stomach pains continued, and then anxiety attacks began. Over the next month she began to wake up each day with stomach aches and we began more visits to doctors and more testing. She had abdominal X-rays, CT scan, mekel scan, GI consult and endoscopy. All were ok except she did have some small amounts of acid in her stomach. She was treated with Prevacid with really no significant changes. As weeks passed she missed more and more school, she just could not make it through the day. She had intense separation anxiety, and developed OCD about being sick again and vomiting, fears that she may stop breathing; fear of dying and the list goes on. She was refusing to ride the bus to school, and was having more and more panic attacks that would last for hours. We finally took her to a psychiatrist after we had done every test we could possibly do and all were normal. She woke up with the fear and anxiety, and fell asleep each night the same way. The doctor said she had "OCD" which she believes was triggered by the fear from vomiting. "This was the first time she had vomited since she was an infant.” She was treated with Lexapro, and Klonopin. The symptoms worsened over the next few days even with the new medications. After many calls to the doctor we were finally advised to have her admitted to a children’s psychiatric hospital for closer evaluation where higher doses of medications could be administered. She was there for 4 horrible days with slight improvements. Over the next few weeks the medication did begin to help some and she was able to make it through school each day as long as she was able to call me a few times a day for re-assurance. I thank God each day for her wonderful teacher and staff that have helped us through this. They all have known her for 3 years and knew this was just not her character at all and she was truly struggling. She was always known as "Smiley" to everyone because she always wears a grin. We began therapy with a psychologist as well and she has good and bad days. Then we heard the news about Singulair and I began to trace back other issues she had with focusing in 2nd grade and how things just seemed to progress from there. It all happened so gradually that I would never have put two & two together. She is showing improvements every day with personality, mood, attitude, fears, and the "OCD". She told me today that this was the best day ever!! I have made all the Doctor's involved aware of this information and the progress she has made in the last 2 1/2 weeks. Her doctor did cut her meds in half this week as well. Thanks to everyone that has posted their nightmares as well, and we will pray for you and for full recovery for all those that have suffered.
Reply
about 1 year ago
on
Apr 16, 2008
by
flindy,
#7291
this is exactly my sons story to,we have also been off singulair now for 19 days and the improvement cannot be denied,the difference is he was on it a year longer than your daughter,so i ended up home schooling this last year,and stopped all antidepressants,because they wernt working,can you believe that,i insisted they stop all meds except SINGULAIR,because i never made the connection
Thank you for sharing your story. My 8 year old has been off Singulair for 17 days now (after taking it for two years). The results have been amazing. Before singulair my daughter was a happy, well adjusted little girl. After taking singulair she became a different child, experiencing most of the side-effects listed by other parents...stomach pain, poor appetite, anxiety, depression and leg pain. Now, after 17 days without the singulair,I feel like I have my daughter back. Two days before finding this web site, my pediatrician recommended that we take my daughter to a psychiatrist. Finding this site was an answer to my prayers. I am so grateful for those that have shared their stories. I was one step away from taking the most difficult road your familly had to take. I wish you the very best of luck. If you haven't already, please report your experience to the FDA. I hope our voices can make a difference! There is hope!