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!!!!!!!!!!

One Fish Two Fish...

Ok I have no idea if this stuff comes from Red fish or Blue fish or if Dr Seuss knew anything about Omega 3 fatty acids. But I have read tons and tons of information saying that an Omega 3 supplement can help kids with ADHD. So I just ordered some of this to try. I will update when we receive it and see if he'll actually take it or if it tastes like sweaty socks! :)

follow me

Ok see if you follow me on this. The other day someone said to me that if they'd known that we were having Timmy evaluated they wouldn't have commented on his behavior awhile back because they "know how sensitive some people can be."
Now the original comment about his aggression issue was made a while ago and I was neither defensive or sensitive about it. His behavior is what it is, while a Dx may give us explanation it doesn't excuse unacceptable behavior.
But now I think I'm being overly sensitive about the fact that someone commented about being sensitive...because I don't think I was being overly sensitive! Anyone able to follow me on this? No, can't say I blame you! Sometimes I can totally see where Timmy gets some of his traits! :)

The Diagnosis

Well just got back from the follow up meeting with the psychologist and after 9 long hours of evaluation last week, Timmy received his official ADHD Dx today.
I now have to set an appointment with his pediatrician to start medication as the psychologist felt very strongly that they will help him immensely as he was also unofficially labeled as "gifted." She said the schools here don't recognize giftedness until usually second grade so we should bring him in again towards the end of first grade to be reevaluated but that at 5 1/2-6 they are most likely where they will remain and he is currently at the 95-98% for all but one academic test and the one he did poorly is one that she said is one that is a huge indicator of how he is affected by the ADHD.
Just hearing all this info makes me feel so much better, she confirmed every gut feeling I've had for so long but that everyone has tried to convince me otherwise.
So we will hopefully be starting meds before school starts and then she recommended setting up a meeting with his teacher for a couple weeks into the year to develop of 504 plan. So I need to get some info on that. but she said it basically means that we will write a list of accommodations to be made for him to help him stay focused, such as having him seated at the front of the room.
She also said he would actually be a good candidate to go straight to 1st grade but didn't know if that was an option but that he will definitely need extra enrichment to not be totally bored with kindergarten.


~~Update: His appt with the pediatrician is Aug 5th~~