A couple of weeks ago, we met with Jordan's teacher for conferences to discuss his progress. It was the end of the first week he's been on medication. She said it's made a huge difference, almost a complete 360 turn around. (then proceeded to boast how she was right and I was wrong, but that's a different rant). We've also briefly talked to her last week without any behavioral or educational complaints from Jordan. We are ecstatic.
Since the last post, we've also been able to assess his bus trips. He's had 2 write ups for non-ADHD related issues, which is still marked improvement. We've also added a handheld pinball game for the bus ride to help him focus on something other than "the boring bus ride".
The "coming off the meds" issue has been stifled thanks to another 2.5mg dose around 1230. I was very hesitant to give him another dose for a lot of reasons, mostly because twice daily dosing is not recommended for under 6. However, the doctor expressed that 2.5mg is a 'sub therapeutic dose' and adding another sub therapeutic dose later in the day shouldn't hurt him.
Since then there has been minimal complaints. He is harder to get him down for bedtime, and falls asleep an hour to an hour and a half later than before meds. My sister made the suggestion that his body is used to going a mile a minute and now its not for most of the day; so it might give him trouble sleeping for that reason too. We've been trying to keep him as active as possible after school to help him go to sleep easier. (Come on Spring, we need you!!) He doesn't wake up as easy either in the morning.
We are still up in the air about giving him medication on the weekends. It does make it easier for us, however, I feel like its his time to "catch up" on sleeping. I also like the idea of giving him a break from the medication too.
All in all, the difference with the second dose has been more positive than negative. He's not been perfect (because he is a kid) but he's been more "normal". What little side effect he has from the medication has been manageable. While my hesitation for medicinal therapy are valid, I'm glad we've done it at the timing we have. I feel like we are finally getting somewhere with Jordan. It makes me excited for his future because he really is a good kid. And I wouldn't have changed a thing about the decisions we've made for him. :)
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
The medicinal therapy begins
Our doctor appointment with Jordan did not tell us anything we didn't deep down already know. ADHD. He scored pretty high on the evaluation that we completed (my husband, myself, and his teacher.) Still it hard to hear that there is something "wrong" with him. He talked about three options: diet (seeing if removing red dye or processed sugars would be the link; studies are inconclusive of that working), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and of course, medication. We exnayed the diet route for a variety of reasons. I am 100% for CBT, however, we felt like we needed to start with medication first due to the severity and quicker results.
I already knew what I wanted him to start on because I did my homework on the medication. Adderall 2.5mg daily; the only medication with dosing recommendations under 6 years old. He discussed side effects, most of which I knew except for one: "coming 'off' the medication can lead them combative, uncontrollable, and extreme regression back to previous behaviors." Guess which side effect my son gets.... but we'll get to that.
The doctor suggested trialing the medication over the weekend to see what side effects he experiences and if the medication at the lowest dose proves to have an efficacy. Saturday we gave it to him and it seems like a miracle. No appetite suppression, no insomnia, no "coming off" the med symptoms, and it seemed to work all day even though its not extended release. It was the best day we've had with him in what seems like years. We were ecstatic. Then we gave it to him Sunday. It worked for the 4-6 hour time span its supposed to, no side effects except you could tell the instant the medication wore off. From sane to insane. Almost like Jekyll and Hyde. The real test would be how it helps at school.
This week during the 2.5 hours of kindergarten have seemed to be successful. He's had no bad reports (although we won't find out officially how well its helped until our conference with teacher on Friday). His work seems more completed than before. The only question unanswered is how it will help on his bus trips because he's not allowed on the bus until Monday. However, the after school care program has raised heavy concerns to what happens when the medication wears off. Its like the chemical light switch is shut off and hell is broken loose. It happens exactly at the 6 hour mark of giving medication. He's uncontrollable, unable to reason, unable to think at all through his choices, more impulsive than before, and down right awful. We've also seen this at home. Its a form of him we've never seen and is not like this before medication.
We've decided to give it to Friday before we call the pediatrician because of the conference with his teacher. Now we have a lot of questions on where to go from here. If we give him another dose of 2.5 in the afternoon, he'll be coming off the meds past his bedtime. Will he even be able to go to sleep normally? He can't take any different medication (including extended release) and from what I've read a twice a day dosing has not been studied under 6. Even if we try something not recommended for under 6, we may lose this side effect to gain more.
I feel like my child is an experiment.
To be continued....
I already knew what I wanted him to start on because I did my homework on the medication. Adderall 2.5mg daily; the only medication with dosing recommendations under 6 years old. He discussed side effects, most of which I knew except for one: "coming 'off' the medication can lead them combative, uncontrollable, and extreme regression back to previous behaviors." Guess which side effect my son gets.... but we'll get to that.
The doctor suggested trialing the medication over the weekend to see what side effects he experiences and if the medication at the lowest dose proves to have an efficacy. Saturday we gave it to him and it seems like a miracle. No appetite suppression, no insomnia, no "coming off" the med symptoms, and it seemed to work all day even though its not extended release. It was the best day we've had with him in what seems like years. We were ecstatic. Then we gave it to him Sunday. It worked for the 4-6 hour time span its supposed to, no side effects except you could tell the instant the medication wore off. From sane to insane. Almost like Jekyll and Hyde. The real test would be how it helps at school.
This week during the 2.5 hours of kindergarten have seemed to be successful. He's had no bad reports (although we won't find out officially how well its helped until our conference with teacher on Friday). His work seems more completed than before. The only question unanswered is how it will help on his bus trips because he's not allowed on the bus until Monday. However, the after school care program has raised heavy concerns to what happens when the medication wears off. Its like the chemical light switch is shut off and hell is broken loose. It happens exactly at the 6 hour mark of giving medication. He's uncontrollable, unable to reason, unable to think at all through his choices, more impulsive than before, and down right awful. We've also seen this at home. Its a form of him we've never seen and is not like this before medication.
We've decided to give it to Friday before we call the pediatrician because of the conference with his teacher. Now we have a lot of questions on where to go from here. If we give him another dose of 2.5 in the afternoon, he'll be coming off the meds past his bedtime. Will he even be able to go to sleep normally? He can't take any different medication (including extended release) and from what I've read a twice a day dosing has not been studied under 6. Even if we try something not recommended for under 6, we may lose this side effect to gain more.
I feel like my child is an experiment.
To be continued....
Friday, February 14, 2014
Kindergarten Troubles
As many of you know and experience first hand, our son is quite the active kid. That's putting it mildly. While we love that about him (and wish to bottle up the energy and make millions), it makes it challenging as a parent. Add strong willed. Add high intellect. And cute! We're in for it for sure.
The past 2 plus years, we've been dealing with behavioral issues in the classroom in addition to at home. When he was in daycare/preschool last year when he was 4, the issues were at the height of awful. Refusal to listen to adults. Impulsive. "Intelligent but socially and emotionally immature." Hitting. Tantrums. Manipulative. Wild. And it goes on. Sounded a lot like me when I was a kid. And I also loved blaming his biologic contributor, because inherent douchery reigns through DNA. We thought he was acting out of boredom because he learns things so fast. We were hoping kindergarten would give him the stimuli and structure to keep his attention.
And it did. For a little bit.
Around October, his teacher voiced concerns about his behavior. He sits at a desk by himself because he can't sit with others without being all over the place. He is not allowed to have certain school supplies at his desk because he uses them inappropriately. He rarely walks, its usually a sprint. He does not shut up. She said talk to his pediatrician. I talk to his pediatrician, he says have her call me. Due to miscommunication, that doesn't happen.
I didn't really want to get his pediatrician involved. While his behavior is not acceptable (and believe me, we are not the parents that let our kid rule the roost), it wasn't everyday. In my mind, means that there isn't anything diagnosable wrong because I am convinced that's who he is. I see so much of myself in him and I turned out ok, right? Isn't he too young? Not to mention my soap box of "not every kid has something wrong with them, let's chill out on slapping meds on kids here". (that's another lecture I like to call "Society and the Pharmaceutical Band-Aid")
Then last week, he gets kicked off the bus for 3 days for not sitting in the seat, screaming for no reason, kicking the window, and not listening to the bus driver. That was a real eye opener for us. Not only is his bus behavior unsafe, it also causes quite a dent in my sleeping if I have to drop him off and pick him up.
Now before you say anything-- We absolutely talk to him about his behavior. We've tried almost discipline method under the sun. We've tried reward systems in which he's manipulated and/or doesn't care about. Of course we spank him. All of this doesn't work. Doesn't mean we don't do them, but it doesn't change anything.
I finally broke down and actually looked up ADHD. What the DSM criteria is. Jordan meets them all. Every single one. I called his pediatrician. Pediatrician talked to his teacher. We're now in the process of evaluation for a diagnosis. It pains me greatly. Not at the possibility of something "being wrong with him". Of the label. Of the medication and side effects (especially that). Of what if we're wrong. What if this doesn't work.
I greatly despise the label of ADHD because it seems like every kid is on Ritalin or stimulants of some sort. The stories I've heard of all the bad stuff like parents using ADHD meds to improve their kids focus during sports(of course we would not do that); pediatricians not properly evaluating their patients; teachers pushing for medications for their students. I am completely jaded, still am, and probably always will be. But I'm trying really hard to push that aside because this is what he needs. I'm scared on what this means but we want our son to be successful. I hope this all leads to a better road for Jordan.
The past 2 plus years, we've been dealing with behavioral issues in the classroom in addition to at home. When he was in daycare/preschool last year when he was 4, the issues were at the height of awful. Refusal to listen to adults. Impulsive. "Intelligent but socially and emotionally immature." Hitting. Tantrums. Manipulative. Wild. And it goes on. Sounded a lot like me when I was a kid. And I also loved blaming his biologic contributor, because inherent douchery reigns through DNA. We thought he was acting out of boredom because he learns things so fast. We were hoping kindergarten would give him the stimuli and structure to keep his attention.
And it did. For a little bit.
Around October, his teacher voiced concerns about his behavior. He sits at a desk by himself because he can't sit with others without being all over the place. He is not allowed to have certain school supplies at his desk because he uses them inappropriately. He rarely walks, its usually a sprint. He does not shut up. She said talk to his pediatrician. I talk to his pediatrician, he says have her call me. Due to miscommunication, that doesn't happen.
I didn't really want to get his pediatrician involved. While his behavior is not acceptable (and believe me, we are not the parents that let our kid rule the roost), it wasn't everyday. In my mind, means that there isn't anything diagnosable wrong because I am convinced that's who he is. I see so much of myself in him and I turned out ok, right? Isn't he too young? Not to mention my soap box of "not every kid has something wrong with them, let's chill out on slapping meds on kids here". (that's another lecture I like to call "Society and the Pharmaceutical Band-Aid")
Then last week, he gets kicked off the bus for 3 days for not sitting in the seat, screaming for no reason, kicking the window, and not listening to the bus driver. That was a real eye opener for us. Not only is his bus behavior unsafe, it also causes quite a dent in my sleeping if I have to drop him off and pick him up.
Now before you say anything-- We absolutely talk to him about his behavior. We've tried almost discipline method under the sun. We've tried reward systems in which he's manipulated and/or doesn't care about. Of course we spank him. All of this doesn't work. Doesn't mean we don't do them, but it doesn't change anything.
I finally broke down and actually looked up ADHD. What the DSM criteria is. Jordan meets them all. Every single one. I called his pediatrician. Pediatrician talked to his teacher. We're now in the process of evaluation for a diagnosis. It pains me greatly. Not at the possibility of something "being wrong with him". Of the label. Of the medication and side effects (especially that). Of what if we're wrong. What if this doesn't work.
I greatly despise the label of ADHD because it seems like every kid is on Ritalin or stimulants of some sort. The stories I've heard of all the bad stuff like parents using ADHD meds to improve their kids focus during sports(of course we would not do that); pediatricians not properly evaluating their patients; teachers pushing for medications for their students. I am completely jaded, still am, and probably always will be. But I'm trying really hard to push that aside because this is what he needs. I'm scared on what this means but we want our son to be successful. I hope this all leads to a better road for Jordan.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Becoming at family part 4: It's final!!!
We've been waiting for this day since February of last year. I can't believe this has been a year in the making, but it's finally over.
I've read back on my previous blog posts and remember exactly how we felt at the beginning of the adoption: scared, nervous, excited. So many what ifs. What would people say? Would he actually give up his rights? How long will this take? What will Jordan think?
Now a year later, those questions have clearly been answered.
The final hearing was short, sweet and to the point. The lawyer really didn't know what was going to happen because this was different than how the last judge did things. We go into the court room. The judge basically says, "Hey, has anything changed between now and September?". Nope. "Ok, well does he know what these whole proceedings mean?" Lawyer chimes in: "He's excited to change his name." Judge asks Jordan what he wants his name to be. J says it oh so cutely. Warms the judge's heart visibly. Judge says have a great life, it's final, peace. (ok, not like that but close). Signed. Sealed. Done.
Jordan is so excited to have his name changed. He told everyone yesterday at school he was being adopted today. I woke up this morning to "Bye Mom! See ya at the adoption! I'm going to change my name!" I'm so glad we made the decision to include him on the name choice. Jordan loves his new name, well... until we yell it when he's in trouble (already done, less than 8 hours of finality.)
We went immediately to change whatever we could of his name. Social Security. Check. School. Check. We will get a Hawaii birth certificate hopefully within two months. (It's weird that Ryan will have his name on a birth certificate in a state he's never stepped foot on--- immaculate conception!? HAHA) Insurances will be dealt with on Monday. The sooner we change everything, the better.
I've wanted this the minute I met Ryan. We're a family in every sense of the word minus a few pesky DNA (which really isn't that great anyway.)
Thank you to everyone who has supported us through this journey. We couldn't have done it without y'all!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
A Year In Review: 2013
2013 was a year I couldn't wait for. Now looking back, it's been everything I've waited for and more. That's not to say that it was perfect, but it definitely exceeded expectations. I am not sure if 2014 can beat it... :)
Here are the high lights:
Last Semester of Nursing School. Graduation. Passing my NCLEX. Starting my first job, conveniently in my specialty of choice. Learning how to be a nurse, for real this time. (and will be constantly learning from here on out!)
c/o Heather Heiney photography
Getting married. Jordan's adoption. All the fun times as a family.
Ryan starting a new job. A much better job in a company that treats their employees with appreciation and respect (rare it seems in this day and age).
[insert picture of Ryan being a geek]
Adding Spangle the cat to the family.
c/o Heather Heiney photography
My besties visiting. Both of them, at the same time. Going to Mississippi to be there for Heather while giving birth to her first child.
Jordan starting Kindergarten.
... and in 2014 we are looking forward to so much!
Buying our first house.
Jordan surviving kindergarten and most of first grade.
... maybe having another kid. I said maybe. LOL
Continuing to grow in our professions.
More fun times with family and friends.
And of course, the adoption being final! Cannot wait for Jordan's name to change :)
Peace out 2013. It's been real.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
The Reader's Digest Version of Thankfulness
Many people do month of November "day of thankfulness"; you know, the one where every day of November, the Facebook status contains what they are thankful for. Some are heartfelt, some are funny, and some are... well... stupid. I confess I have participated in such an activity in previous years, however, this year I decided to not "clog up the feed" with them and just make a list of a few biggies.
First and foremost, I am thankful for my son. Yes, he drives to crazy. Yes, he pushes every button he can possibly find. But, I don't know where my life would be without him. That's the joy of parenthood. "Can't with live 'em, can't live without 'em". Jordan has been the motivation for everything I have accomplished. He's smart, funny, wild, and super snuggly. (I love that he still enjoys hugs, kisses, and cuddles.) Not to mention, he's pretty darn cute (which saves him on many occasion).
Secondly, my husband. He is my rock. He has brought me through so many struggles over the past two and half years. I am thankful he stands by me through and through. I could go on and on about what he brings to my life, but we wouldn't want him to get a big(ger) head now would we? ;-)
I can speak for pretty much everyone when I say, I am SO thankful for the adoption. January 10th is our last court hearing and after that, it's signed, sealed, delivered. I like to think of that day as the final step of ridding ourselves of complete douchery.
I am thankful for my JOB! One, I have a job, period. Two, it's EXACTLY where I want to be. I've had the best mentors to learn from. I've gotten to change lives, literally and figuratively. It has been my icing on the cake after all the hard work the four hellacious years of nursing school. (side note- also very thankful to be DONE with schooling, formally and for the present.)
Family and friends. All the support we've received and continue to receive through this HUGE life-changing year for us. Y'all are the backbone to what makes our life work.
Wine. Coffee. Chocolate. In that order.
And of course, all the standard things: life, health, the roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our back, running water etc. Those seem "standard" to us but there are so many that go without one or more of those things.
May your bellies be full. May the time spent be cherished. And may the food comas be long and worthwhile. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! :)
Friday, October 25, 2013
Week 13
Ahh... the end of week 13. What does that mean to anyone other than myself? It means that I have 6 weeks left of my internship at work. I will be "on my own" as they say, meaning without another nurse precepting me.
Me. By myself. Completely responsible for 2 lives: a patient that can talk to me (the mom -- at least they better be!!!) and a patient that can't (the baby). It's scary to think that I should have enough knowledge to be independent. It's scary to not have that blanket of security. It will be the first time I am THE NURSE. (not that I'm not now, but I will be the only one for that patient.)
Some days I feel like-- hell yes, I got this. I am really making headway with my skills and critical thinking. I've figured out the "little things" like how to work the equipment, where to chart what where, what all is within my scope of practice (L&D nurses have quite a bit of autonomy), etc. I even had a student nurse, who I actually knew, from my college with me on one of my c/sections this week. Not only was I independent in my practice, I was able to answer her questions and share my knowledge. . It was an awesome feeling and also weird having been a student less than 6 months ago. I really do know a lot.
Other days, I go home thinking "what the hell am I doing?". I just wasted 40K and 4 years of my life learning to do something I ultimately SUCK at. Yes, I know this is normal for new nurses to feel like this. But some days I feel like the only person whose ever felt this way. It doesn't help that I am overly critical on myself and have perfectionist tendencies. Those are all fantastic qualities in a nurse (nobody wants a half-ass nurse), however, it doesn't leave a lot of room for a new grad to get over the "rookie crazies".
Then I remember on the bad days, all the lives I have got to make a difference in. All the beautiful babies born. All the opportunities to share in a patient's special moment. There has been so many experiences, both good and bad. I am lucky to not only have a job, but a job in the field that I am most passionate about.
Bring on the next 6 weeks.
Me. By myself. Completely responsible for 2 lives: a patient that can talk to me (the mom -- at least they better be!!!) and a patient that can't (the baby). It's scary to think that I should have enough knowledge to be independent. It's scary to not have that blanket of security. It will be the first time I am THE NURSE. (not that I'm not now, but I will be the only one for that patient.)
Some days I feel like-- hell yes, I got this. I am really making headway with my skills and critical thinking. I've figured out the "little things" like how to work the equipment, where to chart what where, what all is within my scope of practice (L&D nurses have quite a bit of autonomy), etc. I even had a student nurse, who I actually knew, from my college with me on one of my c/sections this week. Not only was I independent in my practice, I was able to answer her questions and share my knowledge. . It was an awesome feeling and also weird having been a student less than 6 months ago. I really do know a lot.
Other days, I go home thinking "what the hell am I doing?". I just wasted 40K and 4 years of my life learning to do something I ultimately SUCK at. Yes, I know this is normal for new nurses to feel like this. But some days I feel like the only person whose ever felt this way. It doesn't help that I am overly critical on myself and have perfectionist tendencies. Those are all fantastic qualities in a nurse (nobody wants a half-ass nurse), however, it doesn't leave a lot of room for a new grad to get over the "rookie crazies".
Then I remember on the bad days, all the lives I have got to make a difference in. All the beautiful babies born. All the opportunities to share in a patient's special moment. There has been so many experiences, both good and bad. I am lucky to not only have a job, but a job in the field that I am most passionate about.
Bring on the next 6 weeks.
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