Should I be worried? Tantrums! | ADHD Information
I wouldnt panic yet with all the things going on. It's almost like we all have to hold our breath until Christmas is over . My daughters teacher sent a note last Friday panicking that she did really bad ona reading assesment test and they had been working on it and she knew she knew it and that my daughter just didnt even try. I asked my daughter and she said I really did try. I chose not to panic (VERY unlike me) and they redid it today and she was fine and got it. My point, try to stick it out....if you can......Two incidents that occured this weekend. Ryan is on vyvanse 30 mg for a month. So far, so good. Doing excellent in school, got a progress report with only 2 *N*, which is unheard of! Bringing home little notes saying "Awesome day" etc and doing all his homework at after school care! Sleeping well, and eating fine.Im pretty happy so far with this new medicine.
Now the weekend. At Ryan's after schoo program the children are allowed to bring their game boy and 1 game on *toy day*. Ryan knows he is not allowed to *lend* or let anyone else play his gameboy(MY RULE, not after school care). Well he let a boy play it and while the boy was playing it, Ryan started playing leggos. The boy then handed it to another boy who then handed it to Ryan. Ryan just put it on the table. When i went to pick him up at 6, he freaked out as he realized the game was *GONE*. Now these games dont *Fall out *of the Nintendo DS> They are in there tight! I mean he FREAKED, crying, yelling panicmode. It is his favorite game and a brand new one. Everyone was looking for it, me, counslers, Ryan, even the janitors. WE finally got the story out of him so I said *maybe (lets say his name is Johnny) has it* WEll Ryan sees the world as only good so he couldnt comprehend why Johnny would take it. Johnny is 5th grade, Ryan is 4th. I finally had to literally DRAG him out crying with all the people saying* dont worry Ryan, we will look for it and save it for you*. Took him a good half hour to calm down.
Fast foward to Saturday. he got invited to sleep over a friends house. Brought him there at about 1 oclock. At 8 I get a phone call, *ryan threw up, I think maybe you should come get him* The mom said he ate pizza and about an hour later threw up. he didnt have a fever but she was worried he was getting sick. I COULD HEAR HIM SCREAMING in the back * I dont wanna go home, im not sick*. I tried to talk to him on the phone to no avail. I went to get him and was so embarrassed! He just cried, screamed, yelled he wasnt sick, why did he have to go home, he was being good, etc etc. AGAIN dragged him out , I was so upset I had to pull the car over I Was crying so hard. Started screaming it was the worst day of his life, etc. Finally after a 1/2 hour he calmed down and was so contraite(same as the other day), even called and apolgized to his friend and friends mom.
Ok so my point to this long post. Ryan use to have very age in appropriate tantrums just like this about 2 years ago but has pretty much out grown them. He can calm himself pretty well. Steill doesnt like disappointment or not getting his own way but doesnt carry on half this bad. Im not sure if it was the combination of things going on at home,, not feeling well(although he never really got sick, think the pizza just didnt agree with him) Christmas hecticness plus we are moving! Or if its the vyvanse. By the time both these incidents happened, he was pretty much coming off the med.
What do you think? Am i worrying for nothing?
OH and JOHNNY DID HAVE HIS GAME!!!!
Told RYan he accidently borrowed it. and Ryan BUYS THAT! He is so naive sometimes...He sees the world as a much better place then it is sometimes. He is suppose to get it back today. If he doesnt, I will be talking to Johnnys mother!
Thanks for listening and sorry this is so long!
The stress of the holidays, plus moving, can be a real problem. I think you hit the nail on the head there. Wait and see if these tantrums continue into January.
You know, IMHO I understand that many parents need to put their kids into after school programs, but I often wonder if spending that much time away from home is the best thing, especially for kids with AD/HD. I know I'm lucky to have a "stay at home" wife who picks my boy up at 2:30. I think Jacob would have more problems if he had to stay at school until 6pm each day. It's just something to think about.Dad in Akron39434.8899305556
[QUOTE=Dad in Akron]Jacob had tantrums too...some while playing with other boys. So, my wife and I felt as though the stimulant type drug he was on was causing unusual anxiety, so the doctor switched him to type of drug which works better in our case. Jacob also has counseling sessions to help deal with stress and anger. But Christmastime is not the time to question medication, IF that's an issue for your son.
The stress of the holidays, plus moving, can be a real problem. I think you hit the nail on the head there. Wait and see if these tantrums continue into January.
You know, IMHO I understand that many parents need to put their kids into after school programs, but I often wonder if spending that much time away from home is the best thing, especially for kids with AD/HD. I know I'm lucky to have a "stay at home" wife who picks my boy up at 2:30. I think Jacob would have more problems if he had to stay at school until 6pm each day. It's just something to think about.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the advice. I do think the stimulants cause Ryan some anixiety and I am keeping an eye on that. We have tried Provigil and that worked for about a year but the stimulant helps the most with his focus and impulsiveness. I do know there is much going on in our lives now so will wait till after our move/holiday before I worry too much. He had a great day in school yesterday and we even went to his after school programs Christmas party and while the meds were wearing off and he was a bit fidgety, he had a good time.
As for the after school issue. I am a single mom. I have one son in college (actually over seas at this time studying abroad in China) and if we didnt have our afterschool program I dont know what I would do. I know its a long day for Ryan but he has been in this program since Kindergarten and knows and loves all the people there. They have a structured program of homework time, playtime, board games, reading, movies and creative play. Ryan thrives on the structure and being with his friends. He often gets *mad* at me if I pick him up earlier than 6! I have no guilt in leaving him there. He is safe, happy and productive.The issue with the game boy tape was a one time occurence. Actually we found out yesterday this older boy took advantage of another younger boy and got this child to trade him his Game boy for an action figure! This boy is being reprimanded and I am pretty sure they will keep a keen eye on him in the future and if it happens again, he will be asked to leave the program.
You know, I agree that children are dropped off and left with 'daycare' people and I also agree family time is very important. However, I side with you...if you've provided your child with SAFE and fun care for your child while you're at WORK earning a paycheck, he's been blessed. There are many children out there who are just dropped off with whoever and not knowing when they're going 'home'. I worked for DFS in the adoption side of it, and let me tell you...it's sad. So don't give yourself guilt for providing him with good, safe, afterschool care. We have a big enough 'guilt pill' to swallow, usually, so don't add any to it!
I hope it all gets straightened out for you. And your son will eventually learn how to 'cope', surely he won't be throwing fits like this when he's 16! If he is, his peers will teach him to clear that up real quick-like!!
ilovemyboys39435.3767824074
How else do you want your child to see the world? You don't want him thinking that everyone is out to get them. I understand you don't want him to be so naive but I have to tell you that my son is the same way. I feel good about his innocence. Don't worry, life will teach them to be careful. for now, embrace that he can see the world as God could see it. Whenever you introduce 'toys' such as these gameboys and ps2 games and whatever else, it seems to bring in trouble. Conflict for any ADHDer seems very dramatic. You named off several things taking place and then Diane mentioned Christmas, top it off with hardly any outside play. These kids are all going crazy! There's too much going on and it's all inside. Seems to me, he has several things that could be contributing to the tantrums. But I have to be honest, I couldn't find my camcorder battery charger and I threw a hissy fit! that drives me nuts and I was already a little stressed due to the upcoming holiday and all that that implies! We all have our moments!
This too shall pass...
[QUOTE=spamula]These meltdows were probably caused by rebound which is the meds wearing off. They tend to be more anxious and uspet easier at that time. I agree wait till after the holidays and try to keep him out of situations where you have to pick him up right when the meds are wearing off is you can. Give him a little time to adjust. Excersice can help with rebound. Then after the holidays check with your doc. Is he a child psychiatrist at least and not a ped? This is important.Good Luck to you![/QUOTE]
Im thinking a combination of all the factors. I think it was def some rebound becuase the last time i saw this kind of meltdown, was when he was on Adderrall xr about 2 yrs ago. On the PRovigil there was no rebound but then it didnt work as well or for as long. After about 1.5 years, it was really not working much at all. He was so distraught, crying, yelling, angry, not willing to listen, just irrational. All the earmarks of rebound. But since i havent seen it since he started the vyvanse I thought maybe a combo of all the things going on in his life. I have seen some moodiness since we started vyvanse but no true meltdowns.
He does see a phychiastrist for his ADHD not a ped.
Thanks for the support and comments.
The Vyvanse might just not be the right dose or he needs to get use to it, I would talk with the psychiatrist. I have not tried everything but know that sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right to say the least! Good LuckThese meltdows were probably caused by rebound which is the meds wearing off. They tend to be more anxious and uspet easier at that time. I agree wait till after the holidays and try to keep him out of situations where you have to pick him up right when the meds are wearing off is you can. Give him a little time to adjust. Excersice can help with rebound. Then after the holidays check with your doc. Is he a child psychiatrist at least and not a ped? This is important.Good Luck to you!