What would you do...

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Our Aspie is 16 now.After terrible, terrible eighth -grade -experience that ended staying at home last three months and getting Zyprexa, which almost killed him with sideffects,and then Risperidone + Tegretol(carbazepam)for agression(made him hyper to the sky,sleepless), we had such a hard time finding a school to continue high school education.Finaly we found a school for florists.People are great as they can be in situation with school and education in our country, very kind and flexible, but I feel, our son is not compleetly happy(he was great in history for example, now it is a totaly something else),but ok, we couldn t loose too much time and be isolated more than we are.We manage to finish first year actually very good and in time, and at least we parents were happy because he did something, he didn t fall out of life in complete.Summer was so,so, but ok - he went swimming, tried to make friends(didn t work but never mind, he tried)...Now, second year,I don t know, it is not like the last year.He had to take some intelligence test(we had to, for school - it was badly organized with lots of people, and realy crowded, and lasted for over two hours)but he made a terrible scene in front of everyone, yelled at me, hit me(it was more some kind of theatrical rage but nevertheless),then he was so restless that we had hard time to calm him down, persuade him to get in the car and go home.I was schocked, humiliated,sad,scared,you name it...For next twgo weeks, he was nervous,realy mean to me, breaking little things(pen...hair pin...),making mess all over the house and walking around and talking and acting Star wars/Batman/Corto Maltese...we had terrible fight last week, he even broke a mirror in his room, and then my husband said that maybe it s medications make him so agressive and nervous and hyper.Little by little(he took lowest dosage anyway) we took him off Rispolept and Tegretol, and now, for three days the house is quiet.He does talk to himself every now and then but it is not unpleasantly loud and with making nervous faces,he was angry but ok slammed his door then went out then came back and apologised.And I realy have to say he looks present.Could it realy be from medications,agression and mean behaviour?We are planning to continue like now, only what to tell to the psychiatrist (even she admitts the side effects but claims that meds bring benefit, eventualy).Please, any friendly advice would be great!
love mamamoo

YES! The meds can cause those side effects.

Luckily and by looking, I found a psychologist that specializes with children on the spectrum. She starts all doses very low and increases slowly to reduce side effects. She says for children on the spectrum the side effects can be extreme, and they can be more sensitive to medication. Also, having a really bad side effect can turn them (and I think the parents too) off to medications. She totally listens to us. My son is on an SSRI for obsessive thoughts and anxiety. At half a dose, he was doing okay, then at the full dose, he began being aggressive both at school and at home. She immediately dropped it down to half a dose, then added a second dose in the evening to make it less dramatic to his system. This seems to work really well for him.

It is important to find what works. I applaud you for being aware of the meds effects and taking a stand. She will either understand the seriousness of aggressive side effects or find another doctor. No one needs a doctor that is insensitive to the patient's and parents needs.

YES, YES, YES!! ! Meds can do this, I second and third Eureka-C.
DS was on ADHD meds as a youngster to try and increase attention and decrease hyperactivity, they made him lifeless, zombie like and then crying. stopped them as quickly as we could.
Then zoloft, to reduce anxiety... seemed to work for over a year and then made him COMPLETELY lose it. Violent, aggressive, attacking family, teachers, breaking windows, furniture... he was crying out for help with out any words to tell us what was happening. Still haven't forgiven myself for not knowing sooner it was the medication, took him almost 2 months to step down the doses until he was off it.
Now on risperidone and clonodine, it's working for him. Reduces his irritability and the clonodine helps him sleep at night and calmer in the day. We watch him very closely and if he begins to act differently, medication is the first thing we question.
If the rough patch your DS has to go through is too rough, before the medication brings it's supposed benefits.... then I would think that's not the right one for him. What is the tegretol for? Did you take him off both at the same time? Maybe it is just one of those causing the problems? Or the combination (with him) does not suit?

Definitely get a second and third opinion if necessary. We've been fortunate to be able to manage without them, but I do think that there are situations where they can help - IF - you have a doctor who LISTENS.