why oh why??? | ADHD Information
I would agree with Paul on this oneI appreciate the advice and have thought about it I guess I'm scared myself psyhs. and hospitals all for a young child I know I need to do something but after you do so much and results keep failing you, you seem to lose hope and still in the back of my mind I have to wonder did I or my pediatrician jump the gun to quickly to medicate him and now that he's on "meds" is this what he has to look forward to in life taking medication to make him "normal" how do I not know that the "meds" may have made him worse!!!! Sometimes I have to believe that so many different opinions how do you know????
DJSMOMMIE,
Your thoughts echo mine but I also remember what it was like before meds; his life, and our's were all miserable. Now, he is functioning smoothly in school, and though still visiting the principal's office, he is not there as often as in the past. We are seeing little wins worth celebrating (ie; somebody calling him for a play date, two months of no phone calls from the teacher) you get the idea. Life for you and your child cannot be a daily battle of challenges from the simple getting up and catching the bus on time to focusing on homework in the evening. It is too hard to hold your breath everyday when picking your child up awaiting the note announcing another misdeed that he had no control over but was responsible for.
If Behavior Modification Techniques, Diet and Vitamin Supplements are not effecting his behavior and things are escalating, then get expert professional help to make it better. I mean, if your son was a diabetic and he was having attacks even after you eliminated sugar from his diet, wouldn't you take him to a doctor who is an expert on diabeties?
Paul
djsmommie,Please don't take offense at this. But this level of sophistication (all the different meds and the different possible diagnoses) is NOT for a pediatrician. Regardless of the convenience of his proximity or your distrust of mental health professionals (which, to a degree, is good!), you should consult with BOTH a pediatric psychiatrist and a clinical child psychologist.
DJMOMMIE,
Was it the Pediatrician who prescribed meds/treatment for one of his 3 extreme cases or was it the child psychologist? I'm unclear. If it's the Ped then again I strongly encourage you to somehow get a referral to a child psychologist. They are more in tune with ADHD especially in extreme cases. They have access and knowledge to 'off-label' meds (meds that were initially engineered for one thing but have been found effective to deal with ADHD especially in extreme cases). I know this from first hand experience since our son was in the exact same situation.....The Ped through up his hands not knowing what to do and finally referred us to a Pharmacological Psychatrist. This kind of Psyc has no coach in his office and treats with meds only. Our first visit was no more than 30 minutes and with the meds he prescribed (Risperdal) results were immediate. We do have to do monthly followup visits since Risperdal could have side effects (permanent facial tics). It was a tough decision, but we are using such low dosage and the behavior improvements were so remarkable that we do not regret our decision. I hope that helps.
Paul
ok so I call my son's ped. today and now we are playing the game of lets go back to the 25mg of Strattera from the 18mg we dropped him down to and leave the Concerta alone at 36mg --- I have to pickup the samples tonight I flat out told him I cant afford this after just getting the 18mg filled and then I am to call him in 5 days -- I am so frustrated with this and his ped does see that he told me today that he wishes he could wave a magic wand and make it go away but that is not how it works and that my son is oh boy one of the extreme cases he has and he has about 3 he said..........No he has not seen a Psyh. I dont have real good insurance and i live in a small town so trying to find someone and trying to get the time off is trying versus the pediatrician who is 5 minutes away -- he also has been described as having the ODD also -- for the most part he isnt "bad" at school yet anyway compared to home its mainly when he hasnt had his meds or is coming off of them i dont like him to have all the medication either but what the doctor's dont tell you is the reprecussions you have by taking them off of it so your in a catch 22
DJSMOMMIE,
Fortunately, I have sufficient health care to allow for a 2nd opinion, so please take my feedback for what it's worth.....
Obviously, you care much for your child and want whatever is best , but not having your child on the right meds will result in him probably getting into more problems and you having to take unscheduled time off to bail him out. That is from my own personal first hand experience. So, somehow take the time (you schedule rather than your son's behavior dictating) and make the trip to a clinic or hospital some where near your town that will help on a gratis basis. If finances are an issue, check with your state health care system for back up support. I'm sure that there must be a mental health component that you can assess given enough research.
I guess my point is, to do whatever you have to in order to stablize your child and bring peace and focus into your household. The longer you delay the more damage is caused to your child's self esteem, not to mention the escalation in your own frustration.
Paul
DJSMOMMIE,
I'm not an MD, but that seems like a lot of meds for a five year old especially since the desired results are'nt forthcoming. Is he being seen by a child psychologist or is he still under the care of a family doctor. Regardless, it's time to make an appointment with a pharmacological specialist and get his meds right.
Paul
my son who is 5 is driving me nuts --- i have been on here before he takes the 36mg of Concerta, 18mg of Stratera and the Clonedine to help with the blood pressure and sleeping -- but its like other things i have read here this morning in the am before school it is such a battle with him and after school in the evenings the same thing very mouth lately telling us no telling me and his father that hes the boss not us, stomping his feet and when i spank him he stands and screams at the top of his lungs at me -- i got his interum report from school last Friday and they put on there that he just started this week making loud noises and using his "loud voice" disrupting the class keep in mind he's been in school since 9/1/04 and they siad this just started this week -- then i was questioned about him at recess the teacher wrote that he tends to be a loner is this typical????? then i was also notified that that his work is to fast and sloppy -- i feel so guilty like why do i have to have a child like this??? i almost feel that if i would have known then what i know now i would have never had a child --- this roller coaster ride is driving me nuts i cant afford with my job to miss the time and experiment with more meds that i already feel as if they are making him worse emothionally than better -- i know it will only be a matter of time before school starts calling however its there job right to be able to deal with this behavior instead of wanting to kick them out of the school system i know im rambling on but i have so many questions, to be unanswered and how is a confused parent to cope with all this????? with out going insane 