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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Fluoxetine The Right Medicine For Depression In A 14 Year Old Boy?

My 14 yr old takes fluoxetine 30mg for depression. I have been giving him a 3 mg tab of OTC dissolve in the mouth melatonin every night for the past 2 months to help him fall asleep at night. Lately he's been frightened by some new feelings he's experiencing...like he's watching himself in a dream...unconnected to the real world. Like his life is a series of snapshots, not a continuous movie. He's also been having what I would call anxiety or panic attacks-- nausea and racing heart and feeling like he's being chased. He's never had that before. Can the combination of the two medications be causing these side effects?
Fri, 31 Mar 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello ,
I understand your concern over the symptoms and changes you are seeing in your son. First of all I would like to clear one very important thing, that never take medicines for any condition like you mentioned sleepless nights without consulting your doctor especially when it's about children, never go for OTC medicines for these conditions because without knowing the side effects, unintentionally you might be making the condition even worse. Also, melatonin is not advised when a patient is already taking medicines for depression without consulting your doctor. I would suggest you to stop giving melatonin now until you talk to your doctor about it.And do as per your doctor says.
For the anxiety, fears, and experiences your son is having, fluoxetine is one of the drugs that is used to treat depression by doctors after examining the patient with detailed history, it should work for this condition. I would suggest you not to give melatonin until you talk to your doctor. And continue taking fluoxetine the way it is advised.
These days depression, anxiety, fear about things, panic attacks are usually ignored in busy life but it's good that you are giving mental health same value as physical health. It would be great if you take your son to a psychotherapist for some counselling sessions. Talking about it helps a lot, you also can talk to your son about the issues he is having because parents are the closest friends any child has in his/her teenage.If you talk openly that might help him to talk freely about things that are creating problems.Also seeing a physiotherapist is another good option, your son will be able to learn managing these symptoms with proper guidance. Try doing meditation along with your son, looking at you he will be inspired to do it, and meditaition is one of the best ways to keep your mind calm and focused. Daily exercising pr doing yoga also brings good changes in body and mind. Most important, do the follow ups with your doctor so that he or she can treat him effectively, properly and with convenience.
If any queries feel free to contact. Hope this helps.Stay mentally and physically fit.
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Is Fluoxetine The Right Medicine For Depression In A 14 Year Old Boy?

Hello , I understand your concern over the symptoms and changes you are seeing in your son. First of all I would like to clear one very important thing, that never take medicines for any condition like you mentioned sleepless nights without consulting your doctor especially when it s about children, never go for OTC medicines for these conditions because without knowing the side effects, unintentionally you might be making the condition even worse. Also, melatonin is not advised when a patient is already taking medicines for depression without consulting your doctor. I would suggest you to stop giving melatonin now until you talk to your doctor about it.And do as per your doctor says. For the anxiety, fears, and experiences your son is having, fluoxetine is one of the drugs that is used to treat depression by doctors after examining the patient with detailed history, it should work for this condition. I would suggest you not to give melatonin until you talk to your doctor. And continue taking fluoxetine the way it is advised. These days depression, anxiety, fear about things, panic attacks are usually ignored in busy life but it s good that you are giving mental health same value as physical health. It would be great if you take your son to a psychotherapist for some counselling sessions. Talking about it helps a lot, you also can talk to your son about the issues he is having because parents are the closest friends any child has in his/her teenage.If you talk openly that might help him to talk freely about things that are creating problems.Also seeing a physiotherapist is another good option, your son will be able to learn managing these symptoms with proper guidance. Try doing meditation along with your son, looking at you he will be inspired to do it, and meditaition is one of the best ways to keep your mind calm and focused. Daily exercising pr doing yoga also brings good changes in body and mind. Most important, do the follow ups with your doctor so that he or she can treat him effectively, properly and with convenience. If any queries feel free to contact. Hope this helps.Stay mentally and physically fit.