Is It the Singulair?
Posted over a year ago
my son was put on this when he was almost 2 and is nearly 6 now, don't know if his behavioural issues are caused by singulair, but we are stopping it today to see, when would I notice the changes in his behaviour after stopping, within a day, weeks, months?
Kate2 - These are questions we have brought up for the FDA and Merck to answer.Some parents experience immediate results and within a few days they see the behavior subtly change ,but some children have what we call flash back behavior and we don't know if it is learned behavior or the drug,seems the FDA and Merck would want to rechallenge this drug and find out these answers!Please report this you can find the link parentsforsafety.org Good Luck
Kate
Gam91 - I can relate to your story and I believe that singulair is most definately causing the problems! It is an awful drug with horrendous side effects. You will see a change within days...with a few days we could see a huge attitude change and our loving child was back!
Bradyandolivia - thanks for the responses. It has been about a month, and I although see some changes I think we have a way to go.... but I see these changes which gives me hope. I can't really describe it, he just seems calmer, he is sleeping far more peacefully, before he would come into my bed, tossing and turning, kicking etc., that has stopped. There are still tantrums, aggressivness, inattentiveness etc., but he can calm down and get over it faster.
does the length of time on singlulair have a role on recovery time from singulair?
Gam91 - From what I have been reading...I think it does take longer the longer it has been in their system. I thank god for you that yours did not progress to a seizure like ours did. I don't know if we will ever be the same but it is so much better now that we are off it. I think it was driving my child crazy with wild thoughts and anger that he couldnt understand. I am overwelhemed at the thought of how many kids are on this and suffering being told it is ADHD or other diagnosis that are caused by singulair. I am not sure why doctors won't confront this. I called my allergist and said to put me on record that we suffered all side effects and are stoppibg it. They didn't care and have never called back. Pediatrician said to cut dosage in half and I said I would never give it to him again and to note the side effects we suffered. He seemed unconcerned.
Asti_rn - We have been off the singulair for 2 1/2 weeks now. Though we do see some changes, we are still dealing with some anger outbursts and some tantrums. Not to the degree that it was. It is getting better slowly. My son was having seizures also. He was put on Depakote for that. He hasn't had a seizure since we stopped the Sinulair until today. He had 3 today. Anyone know how long it takes for the seizures to stop? Or will he always have them?
Gam91 - Asti_rn, it has been several months and I think the anger outbursts have gotten better and better each week. We have been very patient as it seems our child is aware that he is having an outburst and has been apologizing after he has thought about it...but he understands what was going on with the singulair as I read it all to him so he would know what was going on with him and that he wasnt bad or crazy. It was the drug! So he just seems to be getting happier all the time, it is such a relief! I wish I knew about the seizures but that is such a mystery as to when they will stop, no doctor can answer that. Has your child been on singulair for a long time? I think they really don't know the lasting effects at this time as there seems to still be a denial that Singulair caused it. I know it caused. When did your seizures start? How long have you been dealing with the seizures? We seem to have an after effect of migraines but hopefully that will ease up too. Hope your child gets better.
Asti_rn - Gam91-- My son has been on the singulair for 4 yrs. The trouble really started when he was 3. We had him in for psych eval. Diagnosed with ADHD. Then the fun of all the meds began. We have had him on so many different meds to try to control his anger and his mood. It breaks my heart to think of what this poor child has been through all because of this horrible drug. We have been in play theray, psychiatry, neurology, test after test, med after med. It's no wonder nothing has really worked when all along it was the singulair causing the problem. He is 5 1/2 now. Still alot of the times it is like dealing with a 3 year old. It is as if his development was acturally stunted because of this. The play therapy is great for him and us right now. I'm hoping he can relearn all the important things he missed while on that God aweful drug. I am so glad to be getting my little boy back, even if it is a slow process. One or two issues a day is much better than all day turmoil. I just really hope and pray that this fall school will be wonderful for him. Kindergarten was not the greatest experience. That is so sad to me!!
Gam91 - I had to reply when I read your response. you sound like you are doing all the right things and just thank god you caught it all now! your child has a lot of time to recover and catch up. I am glad for my son to have the summer to recover and get back to a healthy life before school begins again. I have a neighbor who had a child your sons age on the singulair and she reports that he is getting better all the time. Had an awful kindergarten experience too...teachers were not tolerant or understanding of him. She is putting him in a smaller school to 'catch up'. I think the kids are just stuck in that tantrum way of thinking for so long that they don't know how to quit it...but it will come.. i know it will!
Spac143 - I came across this thread and I now understand what an evil drug Singulair is. My son was on it for only 6 days and he started showing changes.Though the attitude change wasn't much he has trouble sleeping. He would kick toss and turn and we had to keep pressing his legs to make him feel better. he said his legs hurt him and that it itched and sometimes it was pins and needles sensation. we have stopped it for 3 days now. Though we see that his sleep has improved he keeps scratching his legs and has tics when he is sleeping. How long does it take for the drug to totally get out of the system??? I am afraid it may have caused some irreversible nerve damage?
I'm so sorry your loved ones are going thru this as well:(
Ap7 - How is your son doing? I hope he is better. My son stopped taking Singulair after 5 years. The side effects developed gradually but then there was a sudden change this past spring where the side effects became very acute. We noticed an immediate change in his mood when we stopped but the anxiety increased greatly right after stopping and it took almost 6 weeks before his sleep improved. He also was having tics during his sleep and continued to have hallucinations prior to falling asleep. That has stopped now. It has been 9 and 1/2 weeks now since he's stopped taking it and the anxiety has finally gone away although it creeps up once in a while. We noticed a big difference after 6 weeks. Hang in there.
Gam91 - I think that with 6days of taking singulair, it should be out of your sons system quick. Everyone is different. Thank god you caught it when you did. Sounds like he was very sensitive to it like my son was. My son is now suffering from Migraines and they were terrible in the beginning but have gotten better over time. We were on Singurlair for months and I think it took at least that long to get it out of his system. Good luck and keep us updated
Spac143 - TQ Gam91 and Ap7. After a full week he started improving and the tics stopped on the 10th day. It was really scary. we still have a follow up appointment on august 2nd with a neurologist to rule out permanent damage. Keeping my fingers crossed:)
Gam91 - Spac143..what wonderful news!! I think you will be fine. We had follow up visits too and both went well. Not sure if you read my story but my son had a seizure from singulair...so our recovery will be a long one as we have to wait & see...I pray evryday that nasty med hasn't permanently affected him either. We are taking it a day at a time but watch him like a hawk..he is just so much happier. Unfortunately we lost a good yr at school due to the side effects. Hope this yr is easier on him. Keep us updated. I pray for your child and all kids affected by it
Rob21974 - Our 2 year old son was put on Singular a week ago. Noticed mood swings starting 2 days ago. Today he woke up from his nap freaking out for no reason. It took him 30 minutes to calm down. Scared the crap out of us since we have never seen such aggression from him before. Our only concern is what we should give him instead of Singulair?
Lag - I am coming across these replies and I am so upset. I have been debating taking my 3 year old daughter off Singulair because her mood swings are uncontrollable. I didn't know whether it was developmental or not and it breaks my heart to see her like this. It is as if she can't control herself! If Singulair is the root of the problem I will not only report this, I will make sure I share this with as many people as I can. I am taking her off Singulair today!
Gam91 - Rob21974- did you get him off the Singulair?? hope all is better. After we went off the singulair, I refuse to put any other drugs in my kids body!
Tropicalflower - Hi, I am so grateful I found this site. My 16 months old son is been on singular for 2 months now. He had 2 severe 'asthma' episodes and was prescribed singular to be taken for 7 months. He has changed a lot. He is verry Irritable, screams at night and he seems he is very unhappy. I am having a very hard time with him and is breaking my heart. I thought he was going th the terrible 2s and he is also bitting his twin sister.
He used to be an angel, always smiling, laid back, and so so funny. Now it's a nightmare when it comes to dinner time, bath time, playing with his sister, etc...BUT he was so sick!! I don't want to see him again back in hospital connected to all those tubes and afraid he can't breath.- I've just moved to china and I'd like to look into alternative medicine for asthma-like problems. I want my sweet- super funny boy back- THANKS for sharing all your stories!-
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