QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
Hi, I was surfing the web and found this site. I have a question that no one can seem to answer - not even my sons pediatric neurologist or his pediatric doctor. He is 8 years old and has Tourette Syndrome. We have tried various meds such as clonidine and tenex, with awful effects. Then in August of this year we started ORAP 1mg each morning. Before the ORAP we were using Essential Balance Jr. by Omega (that is a flax oil), borgan oil, pumpkin seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and sesame seed oil combination. We stopped the oils when we started the ORAP because we were afraid of side-effects. I would like to start back with the oils because it was really a help with his allergies and strep throat. He has a very low immune system and this was really a help. Do you know or have any information on the usage of supplements with the ORAP? Before you say contact the manufactures - I did - and they say it is up to the doctors and us - not them.
Thanks.
ANSWER:
There shouldn't be a problem, but you must coordinate this with his physician. Omega-3
fatty acids can indeed help, particularly if childhood onset bipolar disorder is present.
Orap is an antipsychotic medication, and many children - and adults - take omega-3 fatty
acids with their antipsychotics. He will of course need to be monitored by his physicians.
Flax seed oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. I doubt if pumpkin seed,
sunflower seed or sesame seed oils would be a problem, but I don't know about borgan
oil. I couldn't find any Medline references about it.
In his book "The Bipolar Child," Dr. Papolos recommends omega-3 fatty acids for
children with childhood onset bipolar disorder.
