Update on meds

[Guest guest]

Glad you hear the depression has lifted Carmen !

Connieknwnj

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen. I am wondering do you know what is causing her so much trouble

sleeping? In the spring, my daughter was having a lot of trouble sleeping, which

for her was caused by obsessive thinking. She was having so much trouble

turning her mind off that she couldn't sleep, which was making it extremely

difficult to get to school. I did not want to add another med either, but we

were

at the point where I felt we didn't have a choice. We added Seroquel and for

her it helped the obsessive thinking which in turn allowed her to sleep

again. Good luck. Kim

In a message dated 9/3/2005 9:27:16 AM Central Standard Time,

musicgirl9395@... writes:

Sleep and

nighttime is horrible. Ambien was unsuccessful as she was really goofy

before falling asleep and she woke up at 1am until 3am. We have to

find something else. It feels bad giving kids so many meds, doesn't it?

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen. I am wondering do you know what is causing her so much trouble

sleeping? In the spring, my daughter was having a lot of trouble sleeping, which

for her was caused by obsessive thinking. She was having so much trouble

turning her mind off that she couldn't sleep, which was making it extremely

difficult to get to school. I did not want to add another med either, but we

were

at the point where I felt we didn't have a choice. We added Seroquel and for

her it helped the obsessive thinking which in turn allowed her to sleep

again. Good luck. Kim

In a message dated 9/3/2005 9:27:16 AM Central Standard Time,

musicgirl9395@... writes:

Sleep and

nighttime is horrible. Ambien was unsuccessful as she was really goofy

before falling asleep and she woke up at 1am until 3am. We have to

find something else. It feels bad giving kids so many meds, doesn't it?

[Guest guest]

Dylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch-free for about 1.5 weeks now

(at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication and only during the

school week. He says he " feels like himself " now and he's very happy he can eat

lunch at school. The reviews from the teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's

been talking more in Band and Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine.

Dylan told me last Friday that he can tell things are a little different with

kids too. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he

thought he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently

because of it. This is particularly hard for me to hear b/c he started off with

a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible friendships

forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue letting him not wear the

patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to put the pros and cons out there

again for him to consider (last Friday) but we talked about it again (Sunday)

and he said he'd thought about it and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to

really be insistent that he wears it means I don't believe in him to some

degree; at least, that's what it feels like to me.

My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to see how

he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now, due to his

missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it up this week) and

behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his grades start going down or

he's being very disruptive, but seeing him inadvertently sabotage his social

efforts so far this year is HARD to watch. And it's not something he's happy

about either, but his desire to not be medicated is winning over anything else

he's thinking about.

Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

I would approach it by discussing what problems he is having with his

friends. If he can tell things are different, can he identify why? Or

can he tell you what others are saying? Or how he is feeling when he

is trying to socialize? Or describe what happened? You might be able

to use what he describes as a way to get back to the patch if it

relates. Like, " So you start acting silly and don't think before you

talk....that's part of your attention deficit/impulse control (whatever

relates)...etc.... " He may find ways to control these things on his

own. Or he may need the patch. But you can help him see that this is

why he was wearing it and this is what the med/drug helps. Do a

" social autopsy " to help him figure out where it's going wrong and he

might realize he needs the meds on his own. It's such a tough age. My

older ds (20, hfa) got to his " I don't wanna take any meds " stage

during his teen years and it was just really hard for him and for us.

He needed them for so many reasons. But his attitude was, " I am fine

the way I am, it's all of you who are the problem. " It still is. He

is just now reflecting and learning that he might have caused some of

the problems. But it's only 15 years later than I wanted to start down

this path. lol. And he has suffered a lot more this way. With my

younger ds (12, hfa), I have wor

ked harder to discuss why he takes what

he takes. So he is more of an active participant in this way and is

not at all upset about taking his meds. So far...

 Roxanna

" The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do

nothing. " E. Burke

( ) Update on meds

Dylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch-free for about 1.5

weeks now (at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication

and only during the school week. He says he " feels like himself " now

and he's very happy he can eat lunch at school. The reviews from the

teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's been talking more in Band and

Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine. Dylan told me last

Friday that he can tell things are a little different with kids too. I

can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he thought

he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently

because of it. This is particularly hard for me to hear b/c he started

off with a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible

friendships forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue

letting him not wear the patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to

put the pros and cons o

ut there again for him to consider (last Friday)

but we talked about it again (Sunday) and he said he'd thought about it

and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to really be insistent that he

wears it means I don't believe in him to some degree; at least, that's

what it feels like to me.

My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to

see how he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now,

due to his missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it

up this week) and behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his

grades start going down or he's being very disruptive, but seeing him

inadvertently sabotage his social efforts so far this year is HARD to

watch. And it's not something he's happy about either, but his desire

to not be medicated is winning over anything else he's thinking about.

Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

I say you're doing the right thing. Keep talking to him about how socially, etc, things may start to go down hill? Keep talking with him. Not pushing him to get back on them, but it sounds like you know it was better for him to be on it.

I think many kids/people get to the point where they want to have control over taking their meds or not.

I, over the years, have let my kids decide. They've chosen to go back on, too, though, on their own.....with my acknowledging their harder times.

I think it helps when kids see that most people have "something".....where it's a behavioral issue or physical issue. AND,,,,,,we live in an age where we are lucky enough to have the availability of meds. Some of them suck. Some aren't the right "mix". But, some help wonderfully!!!

So,,,,,,just keep chatting with him and doing what you're doing. Hopefully he is/will see that if social interactions are doing worse, that being on a pill that helps a bit, isn't so bad.

Good luck.

PS - I have to remind myself of this too,,,,,when I have a good run going with my kids. I think,,,,,,"hey....maybe they're overcoming this"......"maybe they're learning coping skills and I can get them off this".

While it's true, over time, kids do learn and grow up and sometimes, even, don't require what they used to,,,,,,,,,,,taking yourself off meds when you're doing/feeling better is a very common things with people who deal with mental health issues. It's a fine line of knowing that the reason you're feeling better is because of the meds....and you're feeling better SO you don't need your meds.

Ugh........

Good luck.

Robin

Normal is just a cycle on a washing machine!!

From: smacalli <smacalli@...>Subject: ( ) Update on meds Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 8:30 AM

Dylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch- free for about 1.5 weeks now (at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication and only during the school week. He says he "feels like himself" now and he's very happy he can eat lunch at school. The reviews from the teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's been talking more in Band and Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine. Dylan told me last Friday that he can tell things are a little different with kids too. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he thought he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently because of it. This is particularly hard for me to hear b/c he started off with a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible friendships forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue letting him not wear the patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to put the pros and cons out there again for him to

consider (last Friday) but we talked about it again (Sunday) and he said he'd thought about it and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to really be insistent that he wears it means I don't believe in him to some degree; at least, that's what it feels like to me. My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to see how he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now, due to his missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it up this week) and behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his grades start going down or he's being very disruptive, but seeing him inadvertently sabotage his social efforts so far this year is HARD to watch. And it's not something he's happy about either, but his desire to not be medicated is winning over anything else he's thinking about.Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Your son was feeling good because he was on his medication, he needs to know that there is nothing wrong with taking a medication that a person needs. He needs to know how important the medication is in helping him to be able to function. I have been through this with my son, it wasn't his ideal to quit the meds, it was mine, cuz I didn't like him taking them. But seeing him without them I realized they heped him function and he needed them. You can wait to get him to put the patch back on, but I wouldn't let his world slowly fall apart. That is why we are the parent to help them to make the right decisions. pjFrom: smacalli

<smacalli@...>Subject: ( ) Update on meds Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 8:30 AM

Dylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch- free for about 1.5 weeks now (at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication and only during the school week. He says he "feels like himself" now and he's very happy he can eat lunch at school. The reviews from the teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's been talking more in Band and Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine. Dylan told me last Friday that he can tell things are a little different with kids too. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he thought he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently because of it. This is particularly hard for me to hear b/c he started off with a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible friendships forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue letting him not wear the patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to put the pros and cons out there

again for him to consider (last Friday) but we talked about it again (Sunday) and he said he'd thought about it and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to really be insistent that he wears it means I don't believe in him to some degree; at least, that's what it feels like to me.

My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to see how he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now, due to his missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it up this week) and behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his grades start going down or he's being very disruptive, but seeing him inadvertently sabotage his social efforts so far this year is HARD to watch. And it's not something he's happy about either, but his desire to not be medicated is winning over anything else he's thinking about.

Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

I'm not so quick to give the medication all the credit for his successes at school this year. We attended a Parents Night at his school on 9/1 at 6:30pm, 2 hours after he removed his patch, and his poise and appropriateness the entire evening just had me floored. The patch was mostly out of his system at that point too. He works hard to remember the right ways to act, what to say/not say, etc... so I refuse to think the medication is responsible for all of the good things he does. I think the meds make it easier for him to have appropriate behavior, but he still has to make the choices himself on how to act.

I've never insinuated that there is anything wrong with taking medication. I take an allergy pill every day b/c I have allergies. No amount of behavioral modification would allow me to not have to take the pill. With my son, he does have some level of ability to make his situation better. It's been a painful road, but there is some ability there. I can't think any other way b/c I've seen so much improvement since he was younger. The med he was on didn't teach him the right ways to act; they just facilitated his learning. It's a fine line but one I can most definitely see in my son.

My son only uses the patch when he's in school. He never takes meds in the evenings/weekends/holidays/summers, etc... He knows he can function w/out a patch. I might be interpreting your last 2 sentences incorrectly so I'm not going to comment on those.

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: Patti Journey <pjpoo78363@...> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 12:11:26 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Update on meds

Your son was feeling good because he was on his medication, he needs to know that there is nothing wrong with taking a medication that a person needs. He needs to know how important the medication is in helping him to be able to function. I have been through this with my son, it wasn't his ideal to quit the meds, it was mine, cuz I didn't like him taking them. But seeing him without them I realized they heped him function and he needed them. You can wait to get him to put the patch back on, but I wouldn't let his world slowly fall apart. That is why we are the parent to help them to make the right decisions. pj

From: smacalli <smacalli (DOT) com>Subject: ( ) Update on meds Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 8:30 AM

Dylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch- free for about 1.5 weeks now (at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication and only during the school week. He says he "feels like himself" now and he's very happy he can eat lunch at school. The reviews from the teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's been talking more in Band and Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine. Dylan told me last Friday that he can tell things are a little different with kids too. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he thought he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently because of it. This is particularly hard for me to hear b/c he started off with a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible friendships forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue letting him not wear the patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to put the pros and cons out there again for him to consider

(last Friday) but we talked about it again (Sunday) and he said he'd thought about it and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to really be insistent that he wears it means I don't believe in him to some degree; at least, that's what it feels like to me. My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to see how he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now, due to his missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it up this week) and behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his grades start going down or he's being very disruptive, but seeing him inadvertently sabotage his social efforts so far this year is HARD to watch. And it's not something he's happy about either, but his desire to not be medicated is winning over anything else he's thinking about.Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Robin

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: and/or Robin Lemke <jrisjs@...> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 8:50:53 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Update on meds

I say you're doing the right thing. Keep talking to him about how socially, etc, things may start to go down hill? Keep talking with him. Not pushing him to get back on them, but it sounds like you know it was better for him to be on it.

I think many kids/people get to the point where they want to have control over taking their meds or not.

I, over the years, have let my kids decide. They've chosen to go back on, too, though, on their own.....with my acknowledging their harder times.

I think it helps when kids see that most people have "something". ....where it's a behavioral issue or physical issue. AND,,,,,,we live in an age where we are lucky enough to have the availability of meds. Some of them suck. Some aren't the right "mix". But, some help wonderfully! !!

So,,,,,,just keep chatting with him and doing what you're doing. Hopefully he is/will see that if social interactions are doing worse, that being on a pill that helps a bit, isn't so bad.

Good luck.

PS - I have to remind myself of this too,,,,,when I have a good run going with my kids. I think,,,,,," hey....maybe they're overcoming this"......" maybe they're learning coping skills and I can get them off this".

While it's true, over time, kids do learn and grow up and sometimes, even, don't require what they used to,,,,,,,,,, ,taking yourself off meds when you're doing/feeling better is a very common things with people who deal with mental health issues. It's a fine line of knowing that the reason you're feeling better is because of the meds....and you're feeling better SO you don't need your meds.

Ugh........

Good luck.

Robin

Normal is just a cycle on a washing machine!!

From: smacalli <smacalli (DOT) com>Subject: ( ) Update on meds Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 8:30 AM

Dylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch- free for about 1.5 weeks now (at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication and only during the school week. He says he "feels like himself" now and he's very happy he can eat lunch at school. The reviews from the teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's been talking more in Band and Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine. Dylan told me last Friday that he can tell things are a little different with kids too. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he thought he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently because of it. This is particularly hard for me to hear b/c he started off with a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible friendships forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue letting him not wear the patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to put the pros and cons out there again for him to

consider (last Friday) but we talked about it again (Sunday) and he said he'd thought about it and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to really be insistent that he wears it means I don't believe in him to some degree; at least, that's what it feels like to me. My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to see how he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now, due to his missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it up this week) and behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his grades start going down or he's being very disruptive, but seeing him inadvertently sabotage his social efforts so far this year is HARD to watch. And it's not something he's happy about either, but his desire to not be medicated is winning over anything else he's thinking about.Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Good idea to talk more about why he thinks the kids are reacting to him differently and what specifically is happening in those situations. Sometimes I don't push for anymore detail b/c he kind of shuts down and doesn't want to talk about it. But if I plant the seed as to what I'm curious about, he'll think about it later and open up to me. Think I'll be planting a seed tonight

I know he's doing good in Science. His teacher told me so on Friday. I sent a note to his teachers asking how he was doing in class academically and behaviorally and 2 of the 4 I emailed have already responded. One was a great report and one was not so good.

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: Roxanna <MadIdeas@...> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 8:43:36 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Update on meds

I would approach it by discussing what problems he is having with his friends. If he can tell things are different, can he identify why? Or can he tell you what others are saying? Or how he is feeling when he is trying to socialize? Or describe what happened? You might be able to use what he describes as a way to get back to the patch if it relates. Like, "So you start acting silly and don't think before you talk....that' s part of your attention deficit/impulse control (whatever relates)...etc. ..." He may find ways to control these things on his own. Or he may need the patch. But you can help him see that this is why he was wearing it and this is what the med/drug helps. Do a "social autopsy" to help him figure out where it's going wrong and he might realize he needs the meds on his own. It's such a tough age. My older ds (20, hfa) got to his "I don't wanna take any meds" stage during his teen

years and it was just really hard for him and for us. He needed them for so many reasons. But his attitude was, "I am fine the way I am, it's all of you who are the problem." It still is. He is just now reflecting and learning that he might have caused some of the problems. But it's only 15 years later than I wanted to start down this path. lol. And he has suffered a lot more this way. With my younger ds (12, hfa), I have worked harder to discuss why he takes what he takes. So he is more of an active participant in this way and is not at all upset about taking his meds. So far... Roxanna"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." E. Burke ( ) Update on medsDylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch- free for about 1.5 weeks now (at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication and only during the school week. He says he "feels like himself" now and he's very happy he can eat lunch at school. The reviews from the teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's been talking more in Band and Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine. Dylan told me last Friday that he can tell things are a little different with kids too. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he thought he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently because of it. This is particularly hard for me to

hear b/c he started off with a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible friendships forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue letting him not wear the patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to put the pros and cons out there again for him to consider (last Friday) but we talked about it again (Sunday) and he said he'd thought about it and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to really be insistent that he wears it means I don't believe in him to some degree; at least, that's what it feels like to me.My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to see how he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now, due to his missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it up this week) and behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his grades start going down or he's being very disruptive, but seeing him

inadvertently sabotage his social efforts so far this year is HARD to watch. And it's not something he's happy about either, but his desire to not be medicated is winning over anything else he's thinking about.Thoughts?

[Guest guest]

You are soooo welcome.

From: smacalli <smacalli (DOT) com>Subject: ( ) Update on meds Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 8:30 AM

Dylan (13, mild Aspergers) has been Daytrana-patch- free for about 1.5 weeks now (at his insistence.) He was only taking this one medication and only during the school week. He says he "feels like himself" now and he's very happy he can eat lunch at school. The reviews from the teachers I've talked to are mixed. He's been talking more in Band and Language Arts but in Science, he's been fine. Dylan told me last Friday that he can tell things are a little different with kids too. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it insinuated that he thought he might be acting differently and kids were treating him differently because of it. This is particularly hard for me to hear b/c he started off with a bang this year, feeling more included and with some possible friendships forming too. My question to all of you...do I continue letting him not wear the patch or do I talk him into it? I've tried to put the pros and cons out there again for him to

consider (last Friday) but we talked about it again (Sunday) and he said he'd thought about it and he doesn't want to wear it. For me to really be insistent that he wears it means I don't believe in him to some degree; at least, that's what it feels like to me. My short-term plan of action is to stay in contact w/ his teachers to see how he's doing both academically (he has all A's and 1 F right now, due to his missing a major assignment when he was sick; he's making it up this week) and behaviorally. I only think I should intervene if his grades start going down or he's being very disruptive, but seeing him inadvertently sabotage his social efforts so far this year is HARD to watch. And it's not something he's happy about either, but his desire to not be medicated is winning over anything else he's thinking

about.Thoughts?