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ADHD
You remind me of myself a few years ago. I knew something was wrong with my daughter at a very young age. At 11mo she stopped taking naps. A year old she was staying up over 20hrs and taking naps before doing it again. Age 2 she would often be up 20hrs sleep a few hours and go another 20hrs. As a single mother I would collapse in exhaustion trying to keep up with her. She couldnt control herself and it just go worse. Family and friends pointed their finger at me as not being strict enough, that it was all my fault. I said ADHD they said it wasnt real and it was me. I struggled.
My daughter started school and the teacher told me I had to address the problem. It was real and my daughter would fail with out help. I took her in to a psych doctor who said she had ADHD/Impulsive and I finally felt someone UNDERSTOOD the situation. I went home and went all over the internet reading on medications. I was scared. Very scared.
My daughter soon went to a ped doctor instead of psych as her insurance at the time would cover the ped and not the psych doctor. The ped doctor specializes in ADHD children. My daughter sees her only for that and if she is ill sees another doctor at the same place. I suggest calling around for a pediatrician that deals with ADHD.
My daughter went on Concerta and the first day was strange. She wasnt talking ALL the time, twitching around. ripping things apart, frustrated or talking loud. She actually stared out the car window and told me she was seeing new things her mind was slow enough for her to actually NOTICE things. It was heaven!!!
School became the big issue. Dx done, medication done and now focus on school. She just finished 2nd grade and just now is catching up to her classmates. I am thankful I didnt wait to medicate her and treat her ADHD aggressivly. Hands down the best hurdle I jumped over and now it is much easier.
Also if you child struggles in school if they have ADHD bad enough have them evaluated by the school. My daughter was accepted into special education just on her ADHD. She has a high IQ but her ADHD is just that bad. The one on one in her hard areas like reading and math have made the difference. Her grades this year ending were all good and she is MUCH less frustrated.
Its hard to deal with, and some dont agree with medication. However, it was the best choice I made and my child is thriving on medication and able to have a more NORMAL life in school. We still battle behavior problems though. Her impulsive behavior is very hard to deal with.
My daughter is 8 now.
Also if you go with meds. Try them just when you need them. Such as school days or when you have a busy day and things to do etc. Skip weekends. My daughter takes them on school days and not on weekends. I give her a break. Sometimes she asks for it when she knows she is having a bad day and having a hard time reading a book or playing her game. She knows. The summer I rarely give it to her unless she asks or if we have to go to an event or something.
Most of the stimulant medication will give them a stomach ache with out food in the morning. Breakfast is very important. Also it makes them not feel hungry so pushing them to eat at least something at lunch is very important as if they lose weight the doctor may take them off the meds. My daughter doesnt have this problem now, but she use to when she first started. I made sure she drank ensure at first.
Also I was making snacks and supper to meet her needs. If she said she was hungry before meal times I would feed her when SHE wanted it. To make sure she ate to keep her weight up. The doctor said that was very wise of me to support her in making sure she ate.
Even today I let her eat when she wants. She is a small and her weight has been good so I dont break what is working. lol
Good luck! Need someone to talk to that understands let me know.
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23 May 2008 @ 11:15 PM
24 May 2008 @ 1:32 AM