My bp child has had medication changes as I previously posted. He is currently on risperdal which he takes .5 in the morning and .5 in the early evening. He is also taking clonidine to help him sleep at night. He was previously on amantadine, intuniv, and a lower dosage risperdal.
I am seeing the effects of the medication change now, he is very jumpy and the mania and giddiness have returned. He is having a hard time controlling his anger. He is not able to control his anger or the constant quick changes in his temperament. John has been experiencing frustration when he can not control his actions.
John's psychologist suggested that I should have a multi-faucet evaluation done, he wants the school to establish an IEP and a 504 plan. These tools can help John by accommodating his special needs and develop a plan to help him to succeed in school.
The psychologist has suggested that we might have to again add another med. It seems that the warning sign to a medication change is when they start to grow or have to adjust too many changes in their day. John has always had trouble with transitioning to different classes. I am concerned about if he will be able to handle junior high and high school. I feel that in the future that he will have to be home schooled.
Sometimes you can almost hear the changes coming it is , "The calm before the storm".
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Every Which Way: Changes and Adjustments
Every Which Way: Changes and Adjustments: "It seems as if I am always making changes and adjustments in my life. Usually the adjustments that are made are due to the changes that hav..."
Monday, November 8, 2010
Changes and Adjustments
It seems as if I am always making changes and adjustments in my life. Usually the adjustments that are made are due to the changes that have occurred within my children lives.
My Bi polar child John is experiencing a great deal of changes currently in his life. I decided to have him re-evaluated; it never hurts to make sure everything is as it should be. I was not currently happy with his doctor or therapist.
The re-evaluation was eye opening. John is still diagnosed with early onset Bi polar. The psychologist felt that John was on the wrong medication. He was taking 3/4 tsp. of Amantadine in the morning, Intuniv at 5pm, and then .5 of Risperdal at night. John was experiencing fatigue during school and very often fell asleep in class.
The new psychologist changed all his meds taking off the Amantadine, the Intuniv, and increasing the Risperdal .25 in morning, .5 at night. The thought of changing his meds was terrifying to me for I did not want to return to the school calling each day to pick him up. I just sat in the waiting room while he was talking to John almost in tears.
We did try the which though, you always have to hope for an improvement for your child and that was the reason I witched doctors to begin with. The change in the meds did work I have seen a very tired child go to be energetic which is a good change. John's mood seems to be more stable too. He has not had an aggressive mood swing that is full blown, they appear to be more manageable.
John has been on the Risperdal increase for approximately three weeks. The doctor did add Clonidine to the mix last week which is helping as well. The doctor ordered a blood test to check John's blood sugar. Diabetes runs in our family and Risperdal in some cases can increase a child's blood sugar.
The results of the blood test was that John is pre-diabetic.
We are currently changing his diet and hopefully we can maintain his blood sugar at normal level. The whole household decided that we all would change are diet for John does feel deprived or tempted to eat items that might raise his sugar. I'm sure it won't hurt any of us to eat more healthy food anyway!
I hope the changes that occur in John's life continue to be positive. I am concerned about the thought of him also becoming diabetic. John has managed to inherit everything from my ancestors and his dad's ancestors. I guess it is just something else we have to add to the list. I am also very thankful to God that he has helped us receive diagnoses early on before conditions become life threatening.
My Bi polar child John is experiencing a great deal of changes currently in his life. I decided to have him re-evaluated; it never hurts to make sure everything is as it should be. I was not currently happy with his doctor or therapist.
The re-evaluation was eye opening. John is still diagnosed with early onset Bi polar. The psychologist felt that John was on the wrong medication. He was taking 3/4 tsp. of Amantadine in the morning, Intuniv at 5pm, and then .5 of Risperdal at night. John was experiencing fatigue during school and very often fell asleep in class.
The new psychologist changed all his meds taking off the Amantadine, the Intuniv, and increasing the Risperdal .25 in morning, .5 at night. The thought of changing his meds was terrifying to me for I did not want to return to the school calling each day to pick him up. I just sat in the waiting room while he was talking to John almost in tears.
We did try the which though, you always have to hope for an improvement for your child and that was the reason I witched doctors to begin with. The change in the meds did work I have seen a very tired child go to be energetic which is a good change. John's mood seems to be more stable too. He has not had an aggressive mood swing that is full blown, they appear to be more manageable.
John has been on the Risperdal increase for approximately three weeks. The doctor did add Clonidine to the mix last week which is helping as well. The doctor ordered a blood test to check John's blood sugar. Diabetes runs in our family and Risperdal in some cases can increase a child's blood sugar.
The results of the blood test was that John is pre-diabetic.
We are currently changing his diet and hopefully we can maintain his blood sugar at normal level. The whole household decided that we all would change are diet for John does feel deprived or tempted to eat items that might raise his sugar. I'm sure it won't hurt any of us to eat more healthy food anyway!
I hope the changes that occur in John's life continue to be positive. I am concerned about the thought of him also becoming diabetic. John has managed to inherit everything from my ancestors and his dad's ancestors. I guess it is just something else we have to add to the list. I am also very thankful to God that he has helped us receive diagnoses early on before conditions become life threatening.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
It's Hard to Let Go
This weekend was home coming weekend for Keith. Keith usually does not participate in social functions, but this weekend he did. He went to the football game on Friday, and then the dance on Saturday; I took him to both events.
In the past these type of events have been challenges. I worried while he was at both events and waited for my phone to ring, but it didn't. I was very anxious about him attending even though I want him to be involved with his friends and school events.
It is very hard to let to go when you worry if it will be disastrous or not. Who said it was going to be easy to let them grow up? Who said we would be glad when it is over? I can remember the child hanging onto my leg and not wanting to go to school. Sometimes it is hard to except the fact that it may be time to let go; at least a little.
I am very pleased that it was a joyful event, and a good experience.
In the past these type of events have been challenges. I worried while he was at both events and waited for my phone to ring, but it didn't. I was very anxious about him attending even though I want him to be involved with his friends and school events.
It is very hard to let to go when you worry if it will be disastrous or not. Who said it was going to be easy to let them grow up? Who said we would be glad when it is over? I can remember the child hanging onto my leg and not wanting to go to school. Sometimes it is hard to except the fact that it may be time to let go; at least a little.
I am very pleased that it was a joyful event, and a good experience.
Every Which Way
I am the single mom of 3 wonderful children. My oldest child is grown and is a very successful computer guru.
The ages of my other children are 16 and 9. My sixteen year old (Keith) was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5 and we continue to have adventures as he grows older.
My youngest (John) was diagnosed with Bi Polar disorder last year. I was always told he was very strong willed and stubborn. He has always had severe tantrums and experienced mania but no one ever suggested that I should have him evaluated until I transferred him again to a new school due to behavioral issues.
I have learned a great deal from therapists, doctors, researchers, and other parents that have experienced the challenges of raising a Bi Polar child. I often feel that the children High 5 each other as we face have challenges with the school system. I have managed to keep both of my children in the public school system which is a challenge in itself.
I very often feel that I am pulled "Every Which Way" in their challenges and adventures, but I strive to hold on and guide them through the challenges that they face.
This Blog hopefully will help others understand the challenges, joys, and adventures of our life. I hope to provide others with insight and help you know that your are not alone.
The ages of my other children are 16 and 9. My sixteen year old (Keith) was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5 and we continue to have adventures as he grows older.
My youngest (John) was diagnosed with Bi Polar disorder last year. I was always told he was very strong willed and stubborn. He has always had severe tantrums and experienced mania but no one ever suggested that I should have him evaluated until I transferred him again to a new school due to behavioral issues.
I have learned a great deal from therapists, doctors, researchers, and other parents that have experienced the challenges of raising a Bi Polar child. I often feel that the children High 5 each other as we face have challenges with the school system. I have managed to keep both of my children in the public school system which is a challenge in itself.
I very often feel that I am pulled "Every Which Way" in their challenges and adventures, but I strive to hold on and guide them through the challenges that they face.
This Blog hopefully will help others understand the challenges, joys, and adventures of our life. I hope to provide others with insight and help you know that your are not alone.
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