So tired of the battle | ADHD Information

We went to the dr yesterday. Since her score went from about a 20 down to a 6, he said he thinks she's on the right dose. I really loved the speech he gave me. He was preaching to the choir, but I wish I had had a tape recorder so that my sister who doesn't think my daughter needs meds could hear.

The speech went something like this: ADHD is a real disorder. Some people think it's parents who don't want to deal with their kids, or think that these kids only need to be taken behind the woodshed and beat a few times. He said that ADHD is caused by an imbalance of norepinephrin (sp.?) and something else in the brain. He said that they are now even showing med students scans of brains and asking them to pick out the ADHD brain, b/c it is such a noticeable difference. He also said that on the right meds, the scans begin to look normal. Then he went on to talk about how a child does not become tolerant to the meds, but rather the body changes the way it excretes the meds. According to him, it becomes a excretory problem, not a drug tolerance problem. He also said that kids do NOT become addicted to the meds. He said that although they can be used, like Sudafed is, to make other drugs, it is not the drug itself.

Thought I would put this out there for any other parent who may have had questions about using meds. I wish I had found this dr to begin with! I think a lot of my fears would have been soothed from the get-go.

I wouldn't say an adhd'er will never become addicted--I'd say the risk factor is quite low and given the improvement in functioning--it's a reasonable risk.

After all, people have died from penicillin. Even if someone did become addicted to stimulants, they're not high risk drugs to quit, anyway unlike valium and alcohol. They're almost impossible to OD to death on--so, compared to Tylenol even--the risk is STILL lower.

And your dr is right--with SPEC scans the lack of neopinephren and possibly seretonin[?] can be *seen*, visually. And it can be seen on those scans that if you give a stimulant to someone with such a brain--the functioning improves.

There's absolutely NO scientific question any more that ADHD exists. Any credible medical profession stopped poo-poohing the validity years ago.

We're people with not enough onions in our brain soup
[QUOTE=coveredngrace]

I finally have a moment to sit down and get back to y'all!

We had our appointment with the new Dr. and it went very well. He started him on a new med, Straterra 18mg, that seems to be working. DS can even swallow a pill now! I think the dose is too low, but he wanted to start him there for 3 weeks. We survived the almost 2 weeks with no meds by the skin of our teeth.

Strattera has to ramp up and the kid can be moody while it hits optimum dose. Unless he's vomiting or really can't tolerate it--give it a whirl. For people it works on--it really works!

Unfortunatly, the anger and the self esteem issues are getting worse. He's having outbursts at school. At everyone. Even his one friend. Now the kids are calling him mean. The dr. did give us some info on bipolar that after reading, we are following up on asap. Our follow up is not supposed to be until the 23rd but I'm going to call tomorrow and see if we can be seen sooner. He has all of the symptoms. Except the sleep issues. And it runs pretty strong in my family. On both sides. Mom, Grandfather, Aunts, Uncles. Now that I've looked into it, I'm amazed I don't have it.

Strattera at low doses is weird. If you can possibly hang in there for 6 weeks, do so. Most people stop too early. I was quite aggressive at too low a dose and for an hour between doses.

What do you say to your 9yr old when he says he wants to kill himself?

Ask why he feels so bad.

What do say?! What do you do? Do I put him in a mental health hospital? Put the house in lock down?

Has he actually attempted anything? Children don't have a lot of ways to express themselves and they don't have strong problem solving skills.

How do you get rid of that cold fear in the pit of your stomach?

That's a normal response. He is still your little fella underneath it all.

I just went and crawled in bed with him and watched him sleep. I'm still crying. He looked like a different little boy. The little boy I used to know. Not at all angry or depressed. I remember him at 4 years old. All soft and cuddly with no anger or rage at everyone. Just precious.

What's the difference between then and now? How long has he been so angry?

I laid there and told him how much I loved him and no matter what, I always would. When he's sleeping, I can give him hugs and smooth his hair without him pulling away from me or yelling at me. I can pray over him and be still. It's so unfair. I feel so cheated and angry. I'm so ashamed I don't like my own child at times.

That's normal sometimes. I defy ANY parent to say they have not prayed, at one time or another, "Thank you God, for not letting me commit homicide on that brat today!"

Parenting is not fun. There are joyous moments, but it so not fun.

No, it's not. Bill Cosby lied.

Parenthood is responsibility and wondering all the time if you're doing the right thing and always being scared of making mistakes you can't undo.

Here's the good part. You have hit a rough patch. It may be medication, it could be a million things. But, you WILL try to get it fixed. And it's likely that when you figure out what's going on medically, then you can change your responses to fit.

My life is running short on Hallmark moments. It's more like a bad B movie of the week.

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Now the good news. There is only one Hannibal Lecter and the odds are against it being your kid.

Whatever is going on for the little fella--he's still in there somewhere.

I know it's a rough patch but a few months of figuring it out, and adapting to it won't make him into a whack job. In the grand scheme of 20 years--a few months getting you both sorted out, isn't such a huge time chunk.

You're not enjoying the little guy and if there's anything you can think of that you can do together that will be fun to do--I suggest you go do it ASAP. [flying kites is a personal fav]

You also sound like you need to get some time away for yourself. Being wound tight isn't going to help when you're dealing with this situation. Do something nice for yourself. You deserve it.

Please do not feel guilty about really not liking your kid sometimes. Many of us have been there. I even said, in a fit of rage, that I was sorry Ds had been born. I felt awful, of course, but in the heat of the moment and the stress and the highly critical in laws pushing me to the breaking point--it was true. Now, of course, I am ashamed and angry at myself--but I try to move on and realize I am doing the right things as a parent, but that we all have bad days. It is not true most days, but we all have days when we wish it wasn't US having to go through this with our kids--KWIM?

Most of my ed books talk about a grieving process when our children are diagnosed with any problem or illness or issue that is negative. I think this holds true for ADHD too. I know I grieved that DS wasn't "normal" (hah, whatever that is!), but I dared not say anything out loud to that effect because most folks wouldn't understand what I meant.

dee
I think it's normal to "grieve" any sort of illness, as a person or for a child.

We just don't talk about it until it hits us in the head.

The positive part is that it forces us to face the truth. Everyone is not cut out to "be the president" and all people are not "created equal" except [hopefully] in the eyes of the law.

Later, we can let go of stupid dreams and look at what we really CAN do. Anthony Robbins made millions by lying. Some places lie to ADHD parents and tell them there are miracle cures. This wastes time and energy and causes hopelessness.

If you're feeling hopeless, wait until the kid is in bed and watch Lee Evans live in Cardiff. [google the video]

That is ADHD in action. Only a brain that goes that fast, could be that creative. Yet, he's the kindest sort of comedy I've seen in years. Nobody gets hurt. Even when he pokes at his wife, you can tell he loves her wholeheartedly [they've been married since he was 16, over 20 years]

Now you know. Instead of dreaming a dream for your kid then having your heart broken--you get to see what he's really all about. The dreams of "normalcy" aren't real anyway.

And you just never know what whackazoid dreams he'll cook up on his own.

[QUOTE=leokat]

Sometimes I feel like you guys are describing my life. Lately things have been getting so much worse. My dd is more emotional, more defiant, and as I mentioned on another post, has now lied to her teacher. This is from a child who cries if she thinks she has hurt someone else. She has fibbed before (what child hasn't?) but has never out and out lied before.

Let's start with the obvious. Everyone lies. Anyone who says they never do, is lying. Kids gotta check it out. Every kid will try to steal something at least once. Every kid will hit another kid, more than once. Every kid will shove a fuzzy toy down the toilet necessitating the cost of an overtime plumber.

If they don't screw up--how do they know what right and wrong is? They don't come out of the hospital with a computer chip in their heads with moral directives software

Before you go bananas--let's look at this. Why did she lie? To get out of trouble? To not hurt someone's feelings? For self-protection?

I told kids this. "If you lie to ME when you're in trouble, I can't help you because I don't know what I'm dealing with. The consequences will be less if I know the true facts, first."

If she's the kind of kid who is soft-hearted, you've already done a big piece of the work!

Give yourself some credit for common sense. You know when you've had enough. Some day you'll realize how important that really is.

I am thankful at these times that I live with my parents, b/c there's usually someone there when I need to get away for a little while.

That's helpful too. I'm glad they're there for you both.

We have a dr's appt. tomorrow, and I'm going to talk to him about the issues I'm seeing. A lot of people on here seem to think that Vyvanse causes more problems than it helps. Maybe that's what's wrong. I just know that when we started it, things seemed wonderful. Now things seem to be going straight downhill.

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Then it's not the medication for you child. You know it. I hope changing it helps.

Good luck and keep us posted!

There are days when I'm ready to throw in the towel, wave the white flag, and say, that's it, I'm done. I love her to death, but sometimes I could just strangle her. I find myseld having to wak away, b/c I get sooo angry with her that I know if I were to touch her I would seriously hurt her. I am thankful at these times that I live with my parents, b/c there's usually someone there when I need to get away for a little while.

grace, your post made me cry...

And listen, sweetie.. I don't like Will most of the time, but I always love him.. It's hard to admit it sometimes, but it's true.

Will had a perfect week, well I should say it was NORMAL, just seems perfect..and then last night, bam... We are right back into the little jerk he usually is. No clue what triggered it or what triggered the good week.

I wish I could help you, but please know.. You are NOT alone..

School is out here from today until Jan 6th.. I was so looking forward to it a few days ago, and now.........

I finally have a moment to sit down and get back to y'all!

What do you say to your 9yr old when he says he wants to kill himself? What do say?! What do you do? Do I put him in a mental health hospital? Put the house in lock down? How do you get rid of that cold fear in the pit of your stomach? I just went and crawled in bed with him and watched him sleep. I'm still crying. He looked like a different little boy. The little boy I used to know. Not at all angry or depressed. I remember him at 4 years old. All soft and cuddly with no anger or rage at everyone. Just precious. I laid there and told him how much I loved him and no matter what, I always would. When he's sleeping, I can give him hugs and smooth his hair without him pulling away from me or yelling at me. I can pray over him and be still. It's so unfair. I feel so cheated and angry. I'm so ashamed I don't like my own child at times.

Parenting is not fun. There are joyous moments, but it so not fun. My life is running short on Hallmark moments. It's more like a bad B movie of the week.

If you give ADHD meds to anyone with bipolar, it exasperates the bipolar. Bipolar needs to be treated first, then you treat the adhd.'

My son wanted to kill himself when he took strattera. he was 7. Depression is one of the side effects. We stopped the med and he has never said or thought those thoughts since.

Keep an eye out for that!!

coveredngrace- I don't have any advice- because it sounds like you are already doing everything right- basicaly continuing to search for the doctor or specialist who is out there who can help your son. Please keep up the good work and know that you are a great mom doing a great job under the most difficult circumstances. Your post (directly above) is sweet and heartbreaking and I will say a prayer for you and your son tonight.

Today I feel like a raw nerve. I have made it through this day with only one crying episode locked in the bathroom. Today, I have no more to give.

We started out just a little rocky. DS has a check list to get himself ready. He gets up at 5:30 with his Daddy so he is ready by the time I get up with the other two boys. I work at the boys school so we all leave together. He only made his little brother cry once before we left the house and they bickered back and forth all the way to school. I sent them to class and then went straight to the guidance counslers office to see what she could do about the girl bullying DS. This little girl called him Emo yesterday. Which he of course didn't know what that meant, me neither for that matter, and immediatly wanted to google it. Yeah, he's that smart. (I googled it when he wasn't looking.) The counsler said she would talk to the girl but obviously didn't because today the girl told him what it meant. Emotional, goth, someone who cuts themselves. She called him a cutter. Just what I need. Now he wants to know what a cutter is and why. I did speak to his teachers and she has been moved away from him in all classes. I'm going back to the counselor tomorrow and make sure she sits this girl down in her office. I'd hate to have to stake out the parking lot for her Momma. Someone hold my earrings, I'm going in!!!

We did find and made an appointment with a pediatric behavioral specialist today. And to answer the question about switching meds, we tried that. We are limited to what we can take because DS cannot swallow a pill. We tried Folclin (sp) but that was awfull. We thought about the patch, but didn't hear to many great reviews. Our pediatrcian is a joke, so I'm pinning my hope on the specialist.

I'm learning not to repeat myself with him so much. It's a bad pattern that I'm afraid we've fallen into. The guilt I have from this is immense. Have I caused this? I feel like I have. I've nagged the poor little guy into the ground. No wonder he doesn't feel like he can't do anything right. How do I fix this? I feel like I've crushed his little spirit. We are learning that we need supper tight structure. I just wish we were good at it. I've got three boys, what in the world is structure and does it have anything to do with leggos? I've handled this all wrong. I'm the first one to admit I don't know how to parent this child. I say it to myself on a daily basis. "I don't know what the hell I'm doing." BUT I am a firm believer in God. He created me and he knows me. He obivously thinks I DO know how to parent this child or else he wouldn't have given him to me. Now, I have to trust that he will guide me in doing so. Easier said than done.

Thank you for all the replies. They are sooo helpfull. There are no support groups in my area so I'm thankful to have found y'all. I'm heading to bed to rest up for the battle tomorrow. Thank God it's Friday AND Thanksgiving holiday.

coverdngrace, you handled that with grace!

I too have had moments of wanting to stalk the kids, I actually have so that I can give them my evil face. They see it and get it. I even approached a girl and told her to stay away from my children!! nasty girl she still is!!

The girl you are dealing with is a 4th grader talking about cutting, does she or someone she knows cut, I think the school psychologist needs to check in on her!! she is way to young to know about that, unless she is or someone she knows it! She sounds like she needs some serious help!

Rest up, tomorrow is always another day for us all, but we never know what it might bring. And we are all learning as we go along with how to raise our children. One day at a time. I think we get better at figuring them out, like their strengths, weaknesses, etc as they get older. I think mine helps me.

You have handled NOTHING wrong, why think that. The girl is gone from him in class, though do have them watch her at lunch/recess, etc - something is wrong with her!! And you are going to do more to take care of and advocate for your son - you are a great mom, SUPER MOM even!!

Keep up the great job!! And keep us posted!! And we too love legos, still do - yea for Legos!!!

BETHANN39772.9799537037Hey there Metis- good to hear from you. My son has had a complete lack of anything but anxiety which he has enough of his own. I too am pissed off. they talked it up big but I feel I have lost my son completly from this drug, I certainly not put him on Adderral. We didn't have much with the Focalin either. He just doesn't tolerate meds well. I just want to say I understand all the bu0*(*Y*& you have to go through dealing with the system. I am overwhelmed at home,school, too much.Spamula:

I don't tolerate medication well either, so I really feel for the kid. He11, even the asthma puffer "ventolin" doesn't work. Then ya get looked at like yer just being a noncompliant patient.
[or in your case, non-compliant parent of the patient]

Then there's the limitations on drug plans. Don't even get me started on THAT roaring idiocy....

It can be incredibly frustrating.

It's like being Wiley Coyote. A medication or therapy is held up to us and with great hope we chase that roadrunner right off the cliff and splatter in the canyon below.

And we do it over, and over and over again. Hoping to make it better.

Then everyone wonders why we're so angry at the 'system' and why we roll our eyes in disgust at the next 'perfect solution' and we're so overwhelmed we don't know what to do with ourselves, never mind the kid.

Some people do very well with certain medical/therapy routines. Others don't. Even if we all have ADHD, we aren't a bunch of perfectly matched cheerios that can be poured out of a box...

Thank you, Ommas. That's alot of useful insight. We have incorporated more family time into our routine recently. Not only does it boost up the oldest son, it also includes our middle son who is starting to show signs of feeling left out.

Unfortunatly, we had a incident today with the child next door. The parents are very good friends of ours and see/hear (yes, I admit it, I'm a yeller. "Get out of that tree, get off the car, GET YOUR BROTHER OUT OF THAT HEAD LOCK NOW!") everything we are going through. They are very nice people and our kids play together all the time. They've noticed the change in my DS too, and have been very helpfull in giving him attention. They show a genuie interest in him. Their little boy is also ADD but not hyper. Just can't pay attention.

Anyway - DS stole a 2 dollar bill from the boy's room. I'm mortified. He knows he made a mistake and it's wrong but he is sooo afraid of admiting it to the boy and saying he is sorry. My heart breaks for him. I can't cover this up for him. It's wrong. It's against the law and if I make this go away, what will I have to make go away in the future? He would expect for me to cover up all his bad choices. He has to face the music and hopefully learn from his mistake. I just hope the little boy will forgive him and still be his friend. He doesn't have but two good friends and he's one of them. And DS realized that. He's in his bed right now crying that he's going to lose his friend and everyone hates him. I want to shake him and say, "Duh! You don't steal from your friends! You don't steal period. What do you expect?"

To make it worse, the family has gone out of town till Friday. DS has to wait till then to go and apologize. I plan on calling the Mom first and letting her know what happened and that I'm bringing him over to talk. I think they, the parents, will be understanding, but oohh you know how kids can be. They talk amongst themselves. I can smell the drama in the air already.

Okay, Tigger, break out the good stuff. I need to hear it.

Also, what is a good wine that goes with turkey? Or is it turkey with wine? Or maybe just wine for me, thanks.

[QUOTE=coveredngrace]

Kids are pretty resilient. If he's truly remorseful and gives it back, it will probably work out. [don't tell him that yet, though--stay neutral and say, "I don't know" because you don't and his guilt will stop it from reoccurring]

Does the other family even know he stole it yet?

If not, the surprise when he confesses to a crime they haven't noticed might be entertaining....

He doesn't have but two good friends and he's one of them. And DS realized that. He's in his bed right now crying that he's going to lose his friend and everyone hates him. I want to shake him and say, "Duh! You don't steal from your friends! You don't steal period. What do you expect?"

You could ask him, "What do you think would make this up to your friend?"

Hate to break it to the Naive Parents of America Club but just like every two-year old flushed a bumblelion down the toilet ...every older kid will lift something at least ONCE.

Well yeah, okay it's gonna be drama-of-the-week time until the next neighbourhood kid falls out of a tree or something. Or some boy gets his first kiss. Or they catch an older sibling in the back of the car playing mumbeldy peg with the latest flame.

Or a new line of Transformer lunchboxes comes out.

You know, whatever big event comes first...

Okay, Tigger, break out the good stuff. I need to hear it.

Also, what is a good wine that goes with turkey? Or is it turkey with wine? Or maybe just wine for me, thanks.

White--sparkling is light with Birds...Ask Hannibal Lecter--he's the best wine expert I ever read about...

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Yuppers, and he's doomed for a life of crime. John Dillinger has nothing on that kid, I can tell ya. That's was a real smooth job with a clean getaway.

Until he went home and confessed to his mom...

MetisRebel39778.8894791667

I havent read the whole thread but only the first post in the topic.

creative outlet.

ive noticed over time that the bi-polar/adhd kids

get bored

the easiest thing to do in this world is bug somebody

its stimulating its fun mainstream media uses it to make tv intresting

i tend to vasilate between obsession and anger.

so i have a few creative outlets inmy life - as an adult its not always practical but but when im ancy/figity and not backing down from confronations .

ive learned to go somewhere and use a creative out let

video game journal draw clean something hobby that i can loose track of time with

not

tv violent video game not anti authority music wrestling with others

thing is if his " structures " - home , school

have routine then a game time may boost.

-----

this suggestion is off the top of my head so

buyer beware

Gather the family around and have turn based games

Always at the same time every day.

since the 9 year old is the one in the crisis then . pick things that are in his intrest futher- let him pick a game at the store so you know he will have some intrested in it.

get him used to this time to get positive attenion

while using cognitive skills

later switch the games to hobbies or activities that others kids are doing.

i dont mean to say keep up with joneses on video games by no means.

use your parental discression to place a creative outlet time in his routine.

at least two

social outlet personal outlet

social outlet by practicing turn based games you can give him positve attention as a reward for appropriate behavior.

additionally

make it feel like club time and practice rules of friendliness to be in the club

ie built in time away but in reverse mode

2. personal outlet when is showing sings of boredom and impatience find things that stimulate him but he can do on his own

these are things like hobbies and personal best score

to me when i heard that he has a difference beween home and school it seemed to that it

negative attention seeking

there are a few adult adhd posters here that do it .

me included - i get mad then i do things to get attention

but i really should just go find something else to do until my feelings change.

but it happens so as i have naval gazed and watched for nuances where i work ive seen it play out many many times

boredom equals negaivity

creativity inspires positve attention both social and positve self-talk.

emotional developement

10 -12 kids like clubs

creating them and being in them.

micky mouse club

litle rascals

heman woman haters

soap box speech

in this emotional developement come a social ill in the untied states.

young teens with emotional developement issues that are lagging behind age and age of devlopement.

gangs at this age can seem like he most powerful club in the cosmos.

thier clothes,jargon , power seems so exclusive and intresting.

but the reality is much different.

mayhem and death not so appealing if it happens to one self.

----

so hurdle help here with the boy .

create a time he can look forward to creative out let time help his social developement by being his club and participating in it while teaching him social cues and expressions foster other events that kids want to participate in so you can observe where he needs more help or understading playdate kids are easy to find if youre looking for them but dont expect it to happen at school or last a life time see creative outlet as a leverage tool he looks forward to it enough that mom or parent gets to be apart of it while creating opprounity

social skills spontaneous talk time to express his feelings planned ignore with positve attention recognition of what to do when time to self is needed break from boredom and negative attetionommas39777.6392592593 [QUOTE=coveredngrace]

Okay, bit by bit, here we go, Okay? Now, breathe dammit or I will send a box of moldy donuts to your house, are you breathing? Not Blue? Good. Here we go...

Today I feel like a raw nerve. I have made it through this day with only one crying episode locked in the bathroom. Today, I have no more to give.

Then find something you like to do tonight and do it. Order a pizza watch a movie do something pleasant for YOU. Whatever you like.

Ya still with me? Breathing? Good, otherwise I'm calling purolator to pick the donuts up right now...

Nothing like a happy morning brotherly punch-up to start everyone's day off just right--if that's how it started, the ending must be a real corker...

I sent them to class and then went straight to the guidance counslers office to see what she could do about the girl bullying DS. This little girl called him Emo yesterday. Which he of course didn't know what that meant, me neither for that matter, and immediatly wanted to google it.

Oh lordy

Yeah, he's that smart. (I googled it when he wasn't looking.) The counsler said she would talk to the girl but obviously didn't because today the girl told him what it meant. Emotional, goth, someone who cuts themselves. She called him a cutter.

I doubt that kid knows what a "cutter" is. An "emo" stands for "emotional", as you've probably managed to figure out. If your son googles it, he's not old enough to hear Emo Phillips' humour--who was the one who actually started the trend.

That must have whacked YOU right out

Breath some more now, stay with me...

Just what I need. Now he wants to know what a cutter is and why.

She told him an emo is a cutter? Does this girl know what a cutter is? Where the feck is this kid getting her information?

I just hadda do it...

I did speak to his teachers and she has been moved away from him in all classes. I'm going back to the counselor tomorrow and make sure she sits this girl down in her office. I'd hate to have to stake out the parking lot for her Momma. Someone hold my earrings, I'm going in!!!

Glad to see you've kept your sense of humour.

Have you tried those new med pill cups for kids?

We tried Folclin (sp) but that was awfull. We thought about the patch, but didn't hear to many great reviews. Our pediatrcian is a joke, so I'm pinning my hope on the specialist.

I'm learning not to repeat myself with him so much. It's a bad pattern that I'm afraid we've fallen into. The guilt I have from this is immense.

Of course you repeated yourself. What person doesn't when they make a request and the task isn't completed?

So, now you know better Live and learn. It's not like the kid came home from the hospital with a set parenting instructions printed on his diaper.

[Or as a friend of mine astutely told a man who complained that his wife was a nag, "She wouldn't BE nagging you, if you did it the FIRST time]

Have I caused this? I feel like I have. I've nagged the poor little guy into the ground. No wonder he doesn't feel like he can't do anything right. How do I fix this? I feel like I've crushed his little spirit.

Okay back to square one. Breathe dammit breath. [be careful the donuts are packed!]

You are learning to work with this kid. He is learning to work with you. His little spirit isn't crushed--there might be a few scratches in the paint but time will provide more paint in pretty colours.

We are learning that we need supper tight structure. I just wish we were good at it. I've got three boys, what in the world is structure and does it have anything to do with leggos?

Well that's the problem, innit?

Legos fit all nicely together and they're all neatly mathematical and you can build square things with no gaps. You however, have been "blessed" [forgive me!] with a family full of tinker toys. Tinker toys tend to build very strange structures that are not tidy.

Mind you, they hurt a lot less when you accidentally step on them.

[man, that was so deep, even i haven't plummeted the full depths of THAT statement. if i get any pithier i will barf]

I've handled this all wrong.

STOP. You have not handled it 'wrong'. There is no 'wrong".

You have not learned to handle it. That is what you are trying to learn.

I'm the first one to admit I don't know how to parent this child. I say it to myself on a daily basis. "I don't know what the hell I'm doing." BUT I am a firm believer in God. He created me and he knows me. He obivously thinks I DO know how to parent this child or else he wouldn't have given him to me. Now, I have to trust that he will guide me in doing so. Easier said than done.

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Remember:
Kill the turkey.Stuff the turkey.Bake the turkeyFeed the kid.
Do not, under any circumstances, change the numerical order of these instructions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dh and I decided to stop Ds meds till we see the specialist. We just can't handle this roller coaster of rage anymore. I spoke with the principal at his school on Friday and told her we were thinking of taking him off of them. She said from her experience, she taught sped for 13 years before becoming a principal and has a daughter with ADD, she would have to agree that it is his meds causing all this rage and depression.

Today is our 3rd day without meds. I feel like I need meds now. Or maybe a good wine. I'm kidding. No I'm not.

The first day went ok with a few rough spots. DS stayed busy all day but was WAAAAAYYYYYY active. He can wear out a humming bird. I let him pretty much go and do whatever he wanted within reason. We took him and his brother to the movies and it went rather well. The place was full of yelling kids so no one noticed mine. He dad a lot of fun and I just sat back and let him go. He's so funny. It's sad how the meds take that away from them.

The second day was not good at all. His Daddy was running short on patience and they fought most of the day. By the time the day was over I didn't know who to strangle first, DH, DS, or myself. I feel like I play referee between the two of them. I have the same conversation over and over again with DH. "Look him in the eye. Don't tell him to more than one thing at a time. Show some manners, don't bark at him." About that time, the two year old decided to jump from the chair to the coffee table and landed face first on the corner of the table. nothing like a trip to the ER for stiches at 8pm. Oh yeah, you all envy my life, I know you do. I start a lot of conversations/explanations with "I have three boys. Two of them are ADHD." Nuff said.

Today, everything went ok. I took him for an allergy test, which showed he is not allergic to anything, and he behaved like a true champ. I was so proud of him. And told him several times. He was very hyper, but did settle down when I asked him too. He seems to be much happier but still makes the negative statements about himself. How stupid he is, nobody cares about him, everyone hates him, etc. I'm trying to ignore that and focus on the task at hand.

So, now that I have ventured down this rabbit hole, what do I do when we go back to school? He's happier but has the attention span of a drunk gnat. You all know what I mean. He hasn't gone to school without meds since kindergarten. Hopefully we can survive a week and a half without too much damage until we see the specialist.

Oh, I did look up the pill cup. I'm going to order one and see if it works. You would think those would be a hot item and available in local stores.

[QUOTE=coveredngrace]

I'm glad you kept your sense of humour. This was the funniest-written post I've seen for days

Today is our 3rd day without meds. I feel like I need meds now. Or maybe a good wine. I'm kidding. No I'm not.

No, you're not. Your brain needs a holiday from everyone else's uproar.

Only some meds do that. Or are you saying I'm not funny?

[jk]

The second day was not good at all. His Daddy was running short on patience and they fought most of the day. By the time the day was over I didn't know who to strangle first, DH, DS, or myself.

Don't strangle yourself. You'll just turn blue before you pass out and breathe again. Your family will not be amused. Although, it might be the first time in days you get any peace and quiet.

DH and DS--well you could see which one wins the lottery first...

I feel like I play referee between the two of them. I have the same conversation over and over again with DH. "Look him in the eye. Don't tell him to more than one thing at a time. Show some manners, don't bark at him." About that time, the two year old decided to jump from the chair to the coffee table and landed face first on the corner of the table. nothing like a trip to the ER for stiches at 8pm. Oh yeah, you all envy my life, I know you do. I start a lot of conversations/explanations with "I have three boys. Two of them are ADHD." Nuff said.

Hopefully all that bloodshed broke up the preceding argument?

Ever have that overwhelming urge to yell, "YES I LOVE YOU, YOU FECKING EEJIT--NOW PICK THE TOWEL!"

I wonder how much longer you can last before we have to send the men in the white coats to sedate you?

Would you be offended if we started a betting pool?

Well we promise not to count family members or dig up under the washer for at least 10 days.

Oh, I did look up the pill cup. I'm going to order one and see if it works. You would think those would be a hot item and available in local stores.

That's what *I* don't get either?

[/QUOTE]

Good luck. Remember what General Lee said just before he led the calvary into a losing battle....

"CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!"

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