So much to say, yet I want to keep it brief. My 11 year old son was recently diagnosed with add. I was surprised, as I truly thought it was depression with severe anger outbursts. The psy. said he wants to treat the add first, because maybe the depression is a result of the add. He is gifted and breezed thru k-5. He's now in middle school and my real problems have started. He has always had trouble with homework. Just wouldn't do it, and it would be hours in the evening to get him to complete the easiest homework ever in elem. With middle school, they are much stricter and if it's late it doesn't count. Well let me tell you, I get so frustrated that I spent the previous night redirecting him trying to get compliance to the point of temper tantrums and screaming outbursts, that when he forgets to turn it in the next day I go a little haywire. His grades dropped because he just basically stopped turning stuff in. He was in sports and practice every nite and 2 games a week didn't help but it did wonders for his self esteem which he really needed.
In the last 2 weeks I've had the teacher conferences and the Dr.s appt. We just started the treatment over the 4 day weekend. ( end of grading period and MLK holiday) My husband is less receptive to the prescription aspect of mental issues. I've become very pro as long as it helps and does not hinder. I've had major bouts of depression and anxiety and treatment helps!! But still I was worried about a stimulant VyVanse med for him. My husband and I agreed that one of us should take it first just to see if it would be horrible. Since I didn't work over the 4 day weekend, I took it. And a lightbulb turned on for me. I had been diagnosed with add before, was prescribed Stratterra. I hated it and couldn't tolerate it at all. I had rapid heartbeat and palps and panting and dizziness. Thats why we were so worried for him. I've always thought that I was add/ or ocd but now that he was diagnosed I see it so clear in both of us. He's just had a few doses. He had a major meltdown the first day, and still hates to do the homework but I'm noticing little subtle changes in him. The psych. even said that "you're still going to hate homework, but this might help get you through it so you can enjoy your evening at home" Homework was taking till at least 11pm and still not done. The past 2 nights the homework was done before 9pm. What a difference. He is still staying up real late though.
My other issue is, me. I took it for 3 days and now I want my own scrip. I feel so directed. I was the type to get all these big ideas and buy the stuff needed to do a big project, then the items would sit untouched for months. I've adapted ways to get past some of the issues adults have to deal with. I only pay bills online etc. because keeping a filing system organized is to hard for me, yet I have dreams of being efficient and orderly. For those couple of days, I was able to go thru our paperwork piles for 3 years worth of taxes, organize all the kids school photos and documents, clean the garage and organize and sort about 4 baskets of laundry. Actually putting the laundry away.
Now I'm worried about trying to get my doctor to write me a scrip. Our health ins. doesn't cover Pshyc. or scrips so it will be out of pocket. Do you think I'm crazy or deranged? I feel guilty using his meds. I'm now worried about it. But I also feel like I might be a better mom and have a happier household if I was able to complete the mundane tasks that are boring and dreary but really make a house run more efficiently. Any feedback would be appreciated. Honestly, I feel guilt about all the stuff I know I'm supposed to do, yet I'm unable to do it. I make excuses or start another project to put off finishing the old one. I would just waste time all day then feel guilty when absolutely nothing got done by the end of the day. It's a viscious circle and for the first time I got a glimpse of the circle changing. I'm trying to be the same as when I took his meds but I'm on this website obsessing instead about it.
The Doc prescribed Vyvanse 30mg. for him. I'm in contact with his teachers so I'll be able to let him know next month how it was for him in class. He wasn't really disruptive in class just a daydreamer, losing things, etc.
I could go on and on but I'm goint to contain my self for now. Thanks for letting me rant.... I tried to keep it brief LOL.