For other parents

I'm not sure if too many people will ever read this blog but I thought I'd post this, just in case, because it's on my heart.

If you are a parent of a child who you think may have ADHD please please please do not let anyone, including family or friends deter you from doing what you feel you should. I put off having Timmy evaluated for a long time because of whatever else said despite my very strong maternal instincts. I let people make me feel horrible, convincing me that the issues were solely the result of poor parenting and the issues that had occurred in our house. Now I will never deny that we have done some things wrong and that my kids have seen and know more than they should at this age, but I KNEW there was something more.
But having finally done what I felt I should I can't tell you how huge a relief it is to be validated. I know many people are against medicating kids, especially at a young age and I'm not here to say that every child with ADHD should or shouldn't be. But as someone who before having kids was one who shared the thought of so many that medicating parents were just lazy or whatever, I want people to know that it sooo sooo isn't the case. It's a gut wrenching decision parents have to make.
If you're in this position with a child you suspect has ADHD, please contact someone, get some support. I can't tell you how much better you will feel about yourself and your family if you do. Not saying that things will magically change instantly but having some answers and some support will help a ton!

Not soo long lasting

Ok, I'm not sure that we're getting the full long lasting hour we should be as he seemed to be pretty wound up by 3 yesterday but he was outside too...so we'll see if that's the real deal but it's definitely working for the morning and early afternoon. Yesterday, we went to lunch after I picked him up from school and it was almost like eating by myself, he sat quietly the whole time and colored and ate calmly. It's sort of weird honestly, but he's still got his quirkiness so it's not like he's the zombie my parents are so afraid we'll make him. But it is very drastically different.

10mg

Saturday I called the Ped, as requested, let him know that beyond the first day 5mg didn't seem to make any real change. So he said double it up and try that for a few days. Yesterday he was awesome. His Sunday School teachers said he was very good. And he was very well behaved all day for a visit with Grandpa and Grandma Noel. We'll see how it goes for a couple more days and then call in to update the Ped. again.

Not sure

Well, Timmy's been on the Focalin for 2 full days now. It's hard for me to say if it's really working as it seems to be wearing off when I get home. But I 'think' its doing some good. I'll see more tomorrow when I'm home all day with him.

Rx Day One

We met with the Dr yesterday and he really was very encouraging. He said that if the Dx is accurate and complete (meaning that there isn't another issue that we haven't yet realized) we should see some results quickly. The decision on where to start with meds was made mostly because we don't know if he can swallow a pill. So we went with something we can "sprinkle" (that's the very technical medical term the Doc used). So he'll get his first dose of Focalin XR (5mg) this morning. He said we should see pretty much instant results. So I'm supposed to call him Friday or Saturday to see how it's going. The side effects we're watching for are appetite suppression, sleep problems and increased moodiness.

A little nervous

Tomorrow is our (new) appt with the ped to figure out where we are going to start with meds. But as much as I know we need to try and pray that we find something that works, I am getting more and more nervous because he seems to be getting more emotional lately on his own and I keep reading how so many have dealt with that as a side effect. He was never really a fit thrower when he was LITTLE and even until recently the only 'fits' he'd throw were usually when he required a time out. Over the last 8 months or so we've seen more aggression for sure but its just been the last month or so that I've seen weepiness. It breaks my heart because its not a nasty spoiled kid fit, it's heartbroken real tears emotion but just usually over small things or things we simply have no control over. He's always been overly sensitive for his age if you teased him but now the tears start flowing when something he deems as negative is said or you laugh at something he does thinking its cute but he didn't intend it to be funny.

We're still going to give it a whirl and hope that we can deal with the emotions if it helps him with the focus and lessens the hyperactivity.

one step forward...or not.

This week has been a REALLY rough one. I don't know what's up with both boys. They seem to have totally forgotten any rules we HAD gotten them listening to.
But today was supposed to be the day Timmy saw the Dr to discuss and start meds. But the psychologist didn't get the report to his Ped and the Ped's office didn't call to let me know this until an hour and half before the appt. As I always do I'll take the blame for it and say I know I should have followed up before today to make sure it got done but really can't I cut a break somewhere!?!?!? The new appointment is now for the 19th, that's 2 more stress filled weeks and gives us LESS than one week before school starts to get him started.
I'm really ready for a vaca...warm sand and cold umbrella drinks!!!!!!!!!!