Re: How much therapy before adding meds?

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the encouragement BJ. I am really tired and so is my husband. I

told my friend yesterday that I felt like crying, but that I just didn't have

time! Interstingly, Josiah was diagnosed with strep yesterday. He didn't have

the symptoms but his sister had it so he was tested. That means he probably had

it when we started him on meds.

We're going to the psychologist today, so I'm hoping it is helpful. Keep us in

your prayers.

Walk by Faith

Tyler

________________________________

To:

Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2008 8:41:04 PM

Subject: Re: How much therapy before adding meds?

That is great, ! And it's only been a week, so it will should

get better yet. It's so great when they get some of the joy in life back.

BJ

>

> Hi Annie. I just want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are

with you and your son. We've been right where you are within the last

few weeks. It is so scary and heartbreaking to see them go downhill,

and yes, it always happens on the weekends!

>

> We finally started Josiah on meds last Sunday. He was diagnosed a

year ago. We tried so hard not to go this route but I have to say

that this week has been a much needed reprieve for all of us. The OCD

is not gone, but it is manageable and he is so much calmer. He plays

with toys again and he can get a grip on his anger when he gets upset.

>

> The codeine may have affected your son. Mine is really sensitive to

drugs and so is his father. My husband cannot take antihistamines

because he has such horrible mood swings from them.

>

> Let me know how you're doing over the next few days. We're all here

for you. Lots of hugs to you.

>

>

> Walk by Faith

> Tyler

>

>

>

>

> ____________ _________ _________ __

> From: Annie Moreland <amoreland@. ..>

> To: @ yahoogroups. com

> Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:40:12 PM

> Subject: RE: Re: How much therapy before adding meds?

>

>

> Well, I am pretty sure we are going to have to go to meds. He's

completely

> out of control tonight with his obsessions. We were going to bring

him to

> the Childrens Hospital ER if he did not settle down (called the

therapist

> and that was her advice) but I think he is asleep now. Why do things

always

> happen on he weekend when the drs office is not open?

>

> Does anyone know if codeine can make OCD worse? He had his tonsils

out on

> Friday and I am wondering if the codeine is affecting him.

>

> _____

>

> From: @ yahoogroups. com

> [mailto:ocdandparen ting@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Trabulsy,

> Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 9:07 AM

> To: @ yahoogroups. com

> Subject: Re: How much therapy before adding meds?

>

> I second what the Barb and say. Finding someone who does CBT /

ERP is

> the important thing. What their title is is irrelevant. You will

know when

> it is time (if it is time) to start meds. We did therapy for a year

when my

> son was first dx (age 3) with several months of totally exploding

symptoms

> and unfunctional behavior, but I just couldnt bring mysek to do it

at 3 year

> old. Then he improved and was really in remisssion till age 8 (never

started

> meds). At 8 relapsed, tried for another year, not able to engage

with CBT

> and stopped eating due to poison fears- started meds at that time, with

> failure of the first med ( suicidal) prior to any response. Changed

to 2nd

> med and started going up with good response but bad side effects.

But then

> were able to engage in CBT and get things under better control and

have been

> weaning down since then ( he is now 12 and almost off) Good luck. It is

> heartbreaking! !!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Will say a prayer, . Let us know how it goes today. )

BJ

> >

> > Hi Annie. I just want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are

> with you and your son. We've been right where you are within the last

> few weeks. It is so scary and heartbreaking to see them go downhill,

> and yes, it always happens on the weekends!

> >

> > We finally started Josiah on meds last Sunday. He was diagnosed a

> year ago. We tried so hard not to go this route but I have to say

> that this week has been a much needed reprieve for all of us. The OCD

> is not gone, but it is manageable and he is so much calmer. He plays

> with toys again and he can get a grip on his anger when he gets upset.

> >

> > The codeine may have affected your son. Mine is really sensitive to

> drugs and so is his father. My husband cannot take antihistamines

> because he has such horrible mood swings from them.

> >

> > Let me know how you're doing over the next few days. We're all here

> for you. Lots of hugs to you.

> >

> >

> > Walk by Faith

> > Tyler

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ____________ _________ _________ __

> > From: Annie Moreland <amoreland@ ..>

> > To: @ yahoogroups. com

> > Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:40:12 PM

> > Subject: RE: Re: How much therapy before adding

meds?

> >

> >

> > Well, I am pretty sure we are going to have to go to meds. He's

> completely

> > out of control tonight with his obsessions. We were going to bring

> him to

> > the Childrens Hospital ER if he did not settle down (called the

> therapist

> > and that was her advice) but I think he is asleep now. Why do things

> always

> > happen on he weekend when the drs office is not open?

> >

> > Does anyone know if codeine can make OCD worse? He had his tonsils

> out on

> > Friday and I am wondering if the codeine is affecting him.

> >

> > _____

> >

> > From: @ yahoogroups. com

> > [mailto:ocdandparen ting@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Trabulsy,

> > Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 9:07 AM

> > To: @ yahoogroups. com

> > Subject: Re: How much therapy before adding meds?

> >

> > I second what the Barb and say. Finding someone who does CBT /

> ERP is

> > the important thing. What their title is is irrelevant. You will

> know when

> > it is time (if it is time) to start meds. We did therapy for a year

> when my

> > son was first dx (age 3) with several months of totally exploding

> symptoms

> > and unfunctional behavior, but I just couldnt bring mysek to do it

> at 3 year

> > old. Then he improved and was really in remisssion till age 8 (never

> started

> > meds). At 8 relapsed, tried for another year, not able to engage

> with CBT

> > and stopped eating due to poison fears- started meds at that time,

with

> > failure of the first med ( suicidal) prior to any response. Changed

> to 2nd

> > med and started going up with good response but bad side effects.

> But then

> > were able to engage in CBT and get things under better control and

> have been

> > weaning down since then ( he is now 12 and almost off) Good luck.

It is

> > heartbreaking! !!!

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi

Yes, sometimes the mantra " I WILL get thru this " is all you can do!

And perspective on what else others are coping with out there, and

then feeling grateful for what one does have. When I got past the

grieving I did this too. Then had to work with the anger over the

lack of resources, and some of the insanity we went through with

doctors, still working on figuring out what to do with all that...

Know what you mean wondering about college too... We expect ours will

stay with us and go in town. Our current concern is completing

highschool, at 17 and three years behind. Now that he is actually

able to go to school and focus on work we can start moving forward

and am so grateful for this, but if I think about it too much, about

how far behind he is, I start to feel concerned. They get there when

they get there, and in their own way, I know this, but with OCD you

never know what's around the corner...

Hard not to wonder about the future with these kids, but best to stay

in the present and not look to far ahead in general I find.

counting my blessings a bit since many, especially the

> parents with kids with developmental disabilities, really had more

> weight to bear than me (I worked in the DD dept). And I guess just

> repeating to myself (as I really want to knock my head against the

> wall and repeat), " , I WILL get thru this... "

> helped too!

>

> It's still hard with having his scrupe/bad thoughts now, I

do

> worry about his future, the OCD and then the Aspergers part too.

> Right now I just have to wait and see how being away at college

next

> year works out. That'll be the big test, for his OCD and his

[Guest guest]

Sorry for being too vague. I meant obsessed with me. Clingy, yes, but also

just having to touch me constantly and having to say " I love you " repeatedly. I

suppose of all the obsessions he could have, it's not that bad, but it can still

wear me out!

As far as the neuro transmitter meds, our doctor tests his neuro transmitters

and sends the test to a company called Neuro Science who in turn puts together

nutrients to address Josiah neuro transmittter irregularities. We've had a lot

of success, but as you know, had to add Prozac recently. The Dr. feels that

according to the tests, Josiah's body was making enough serotonin, but another

brain chemical was " off " and causing his body to use it way too fast. The

prozac is helping his body use it more slowly. We are looking into what we can

do naturally to support this chemical so that when he gets off the Prozac

someday, he will be more balanced. I'll let you know how it goes when we get to

that point. Thanks for asking.

Walk by Faith

Tyler

________________________________

To:

Sent: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 1:43:32 PM

Subject: Re: How much therapy before adding meds?

> > >

> > > Hi Annie. I just want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are

> > with you and your son. We've been right where you are within the last

> > few weeks. It is so scary and heartbreaking to see them go downhill,

> > and yes, it always happens on the weekends!

> > >

> > > We finally started Josiah on meds last Sunday. He was diagnosed a

> > year ago. We tried so hard not to go this route but I have to say

> > that this week has been a much needed reprieve for all of us. The OCD

> > is not gone, but it is manageable and he is so much calmer. He plays

> > with toys again and he can get a grip on his anger when he gets upset.

> > >

> > > The codeine may have affected your son. Mine is really sensitive to

> > drugs and so is his father. My husband cannot take antihistamines

> > because he has such horrible mood swings from them.

> > >

> > > Let me know how you're doing over the next few days. We're all here

> > for you. Lots of hugs to you.

> > >

> > >

> > > Walk by Faith

> > > Tyler

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ____________ _________ _________ __

> > > From: Annie Moreland <amoreland@ ..>

> > > To: @ yahoogroups. com

> > > Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:40:12 PM

> > > Subject: RE: Re: How much therapy before adding

> meds?

> > >

> > >

> > > Well, I am pretty sure we are going to have to go to meds. He's

> > completely

> > > out of control tonight with his obsessions. We were going to bring

> > him to

> > > the Childrens Hospital ER if he did not settle down (called the

> > therapist

> > > and that was her advice) but I think he is asleep now. Why do things

> > always

> > > happen on he weekend when the drs office is not open?

> > >

> > > Does anyone know if codeine can make OCD worse? He had his tonsils

> > out on

> > > Friday and I am wondering if the codeine is affecting him.

> > >

> > > _____

> > >

> > > From: @ yahoogroups. com

> > > [mailto:ocdandparen ting@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Trabulsy,

>

> > > Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 9:07 AM

> > > To: @ yahoogroups. com

> > > Subject: Re: How much therapy before adding meds?

> > >

> > > I second what the Barb and say. Finding someone who does CBT /

> > ERP is

> > > the important thing. What their title is is irrelevant. You will

> > know when

> > > it is time (if it is time) to start meds. We did therapy for a year

> > when my

> > > son was first dx (age 3) with several months of totally exploding

> > symptoms

> > > and unfunctional behavior, but I just couldnt bring mysek to do it

> > at 3 year

> > > old. Then he improved and was really in remisssion till age 8 (never

> > started

> > > meds). At 8 relapsed, tried for another year, not able to engage

> > with CBT

> > > and stopped eating due to poison fears- started meds at that time,

> with

> > > failure of the first med ( suicidal) prior to any response. Changed

> > to 2nd

> > > med and started going up with good response but bad side effects.

> > But then

> > > were able to engage in CBT and get things under better control and

> > have been

> > > weaning down since then ( he is now 12 and almost off) Good luck.

> It is

> > > heartbreaking! !!!

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Oh yes, Josh went through that when he was younger. He also has

rituals where he says he loves me, because he NEEDS to say it. Then

the OCD requires that I answer " I love you " back. So sometimes it can

be OCD prompting it, for him. He literally did an exposure for that,

where he was only allowed to say it once, and I got to choose whether

I wanted to say it or not. In fact, I was encouraged to do it

intermittently. I suspect it is probably normal for a kid with

anxiety issues to be somewhat clingy, because they want to feel

secure. I can tell you to be encouraged. Josh eventually outgrew it.

I think it was when he started to feel more secure, as he matured.

Hang in there.

BJ

> > > >

> > > > Hi Annie. I just want you to know that my thoughts and

prayers are

> > > with you and your son. We've been right where you are within

the last

> > > few weeks. It is so scary and heartbreaking to see them go

downhill,

> > > and yes, it always happens on the weekends!

> > > >

> > > > We finally started Josiah on meds last Sunday. He was diagnosed a

> > > year ago. We tried so hard not to go this route but I have to say

> > > that this week has been a much needed reprieve for all of us.

The OCD

> > > is not gone, but it is manageable and he is so much calmer. He

plays

> > > with toys again and he can get a grip on his anger when he gets

upset.

> > > >

> > > > The codeine may have affected your son. Mine is really

sensitive to

> > > drugs and so is his father. My husband cannot take antihistamines

> > > because he has such horrible mood swings from them.

> > > >

> > > > Let me know how you're doing over the next few days. We're

all here

> > > for you. Lots of hugs to you.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Walk by Faith

> > > > Tyler

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ____________ _________ _________ __

> > > > From: Annie Moreland <amoreland@ ..>

> > > > To: @ yahoogroups. com

> > > > Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 10:40:12 PM

> > > > Subject: RE: Re: How much therapy before adding

> > meds?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Well, I am pretty sure we are going to have to go to meds. He's

> > > completely

> > > > out of control tonight with his obsessions. We were going to bring

> > > him to

> > > > the Childrens Hospital ER if he did not settle down (called the

> > > therapist

> > > > and that was her advice) but I think he is asleep now. Why do

things

> > > always

> > > > happen on he weekend when the drs office is not open?

> > > >

> > > > Does anyone know if codeine can make OCD worse? He had his tonsils

> > > out on

> > > > Friday and I am wondering if the codeine is affecting him.

> > > >

> > > > _____

> > > >

> > > > From: @ yahoogroups. com

> > > > [mailto:ocdandparen ting@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Trabulsy,

> >

> > > > Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 9:07 AM

> > > > To: @ yahoogroups. com

> > > > Subject: Re: How much therapy before adding

meds?

> > > >

> > > > I second what the Barb and say. Finding someone who does

CBT /

> > > ERP is

> > > > the important thing. What their title is is irrelevant. You will

> > > know when

> > > > it is time (if it is time) to start meds. We did therapy for a

year

> > > when my

> > > > son was first dx (age 3) with several months of totally exploding

> > > symptoms

> > > > and unfunctional behavior, but I just couldnt bring mysek to do it

> > > at 3 year

> > > > old. Then he improved and was really in remisssion till age 8

(never

> > > started

> > > > meds). At 8 relapsed, tried for another year, not able to engage

> > > with CBT

> > > > and stopped eating due to poison fears- started meds at that time,

> > with

> > > > failure of the first med ( suicidal) prior to any response.

Changed

> > > to 2nd

> > > > med and started going up with good response but bad side effects.

> > > But then

> > > > were able to engage in CBT and get things under better control and

> > > have been

> > > > weaning down since then ( he is now 12 and almost off) Good luck.

> > It is

> > > > heartbreaking! !!!

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

This made me wonder about something, Micah says hi...you say...hi and he

says hi again. He has to have the last hi.

And he will say hi every time he passes you. If he walks past me several

times, even within a few minutes....he will say hi each time, coming and going.

And if I say hi, back he says hi again! But if I don't respond he will keep

saying hi, until I do.

I wonder if this is related to the OCD. I'd never thought about it before.

In a message dated 12/4/2008 1:24:52 A.M. Central Standard Time,

BJClosner@... writes:

Oh yes, Josh went through that when he was younger. He also has

rituals where he says he loves me, because he NEEDS to say it. Then

the OCD requires that I answer " I love you " back. So sometimes it can

be OCD prompting it, for him. He literally did an exposure for that,

where he was only allowed to say it once, and I got to choose whether

I wanted to say it or not. In fact, I was encouraged to do it

intermittently. I suspect it is probably normal for a kid with

anxiety issues to be somewhat clingy, because they want to feel

secure. I can tell you to be encouraged. Josh eventually outgrew it.

I think it was when he started to feel more secure, as he matured.

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