This breaks my heart. Our Stinkpot has now had two major out-of-control rages at preschool in the last two weeks. The preschool has informed us that they are not capable of handling a child that will punch their teacher in the face. And we understand. The school has to have an environment that is safe for everyone.
Last year, when Stinkpot got kicked out of his second daycare due to his rages, I took Family Medical Leave from my job and stayed with him more with him in Mothers Day Out part-time.
- Photo courtesy of Rodrigo Senna
We also took him to a child psychiatrist to evaluate him. As Stinkpot was literally climbing the walls, tables, and shelves, the doctor knew there was definitely some hyperactivity issues. He wanted to take a conservative approach toward medication. We like that!
The doctor prescribed a calming drug before moving onto psychotropic medications.
For the first two days our Stinkpot was on that medication, he slept. And I cried! I didn’t want my energetic baby turned into a zombie! FosterDad encouraged me to wait a few more days as Stinkpot adjusted to the medication.
Our Stinkpot did well all last spring and summer on that drug until a couple of weeks ago. Now we have to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the medication with the doctor today and examine alternatives.
I realize that every child and every situation is different, but have you had to medicate your child? What was the outcome?
Thank you for helping me feel less alone in this!
Hugs!
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: sinesmama
October 27, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Penelope,
I am sorry it has come to that. It is not an easy decision to decide to medicate. I have two children on psychotropic medications, one of them on five different ones daily, which does not include his two daily seizure medications . It is a struggle to know which medications to use, how much and the need for constant “tweaking” to find that right dosage. You can read more of our story on my blog (twospecialneedschildren.blogspot.com) and feel free to e-mail if you have any specific questions. We are very fortunate that we have a great psychiatrist for our kids, who is very conservative in her approach to medication.
I will keep you in my prayer as you make this decision.
Check out what Cassandra recently posted..Not Knowing
Twitter: Foster2Forever
October 28, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Thanks, Cassandra! Our Internet friends are the ones that can understand foster care situations & behavior issues. Your support is invaluable to us!
Our story could be your story! Right down to having to quit work after our little guy had exactly the same issues, physical attacks on caregivers and explosions. We found a wonderful doctor who was able to actually explain what was going on inside of him(chemically as well as emotionally) and our re-actions (instead of response!) to his behaviors. He also explained that IF our little guy had diabetes, cancer or any other life threatening illness we would have no problem accepting medication as a TOOL! Uncontrolled irritation, anger (ADHD) ODD RAD etc can also be life threatening sooooo, we agreed to try his way with meds, after all we could always stop. After a few adjustments and really careful observations we have come to adore both our child and his meds! Yes we have to be constantly re evaluating and adjusting not just dosages but timing as well as he grows but he has BLOSSOMED! He is performing well in school, actually a gifted student! We signed on to be an advocate for this child in every way we could so seeing the doctor keeping behavior diaries and monitoring his progress is a small price for his better than average chance at growing to be a productive adult! We are so glad we tried medication because honestly I don’t know where we would be right now but I do know our little guy would probably not be in public school making friends and learning. There is nothing like a WELL INFORMED DOCTOR that is willing to help the parents of these children while he treats the child. Without a good relationship between Doctor and parents these kids have a less than good chance at life! Follow your heart as far as it goes, never just blindly trust anyone where your child is concerned, ALWAYS be pro-active~ and LOVE THEM!!! It can work! RESEARCH EVERYTHING!!!! including what works for someone else~it won’t alwasy work for you!
Twitter: sinesmama
October 27, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Teri,
So glad things are going well your little guy!
Cassandra
Check out what Cassandra recently posted..Not Knowing
Twitter: Foster2Forever
October 28, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Thank you so much for your honesty and sharing your story! Congrats on your success! It gives us hope! Your support means everything!
My then almost 4 year old was diagnosed with early onset Bipolar Disorder (Both biological parents were also). I hesitated to try her on medication, but the shrink convinced me I could stop at any point. We tried Risperdal and a happy, non aggressive kid appeared and stayed until we had to take her off it because her Prolactin level went through the roof. I am a believer!
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
October 28, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Your story makes me happy since that is what the doctor prescribed. We’re just hoping that he’s not diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. His birthmom was schizophrenic. So who knows? Only time will tell. Thanks!!!
Twitter: sinesmama
October 30, 2011 at 9:55 pm
My 8 year old has been diagnosed with ODD. It’s very tough!!! I pray that you don’t receive that diagnosis!
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
November 2, 2011 at 7:30 am
Me neither! But given the violent history of Stinkpot’s birthfather, it’s probably in the genes…
Twitter: sinesmama
November 2, 2011 at 7:46 am
Same here with our daughter’s biological family! We met with a neuropsychologist last week to discuss having some a very extensive psychological evaluation performed on our daughter. In the hour that we were in his office, her moods shifted quite quickly. He is going to do the testing in January, as that’s the soonest he could get her in. This same doctor did testing on our 9 year old almost two years ago and it gave us a lot of information, as well as helped us to get more state services for him. It’s something to keep in mind as your little Stinkpot gets older. They do not like to do it much earlier than eight years old, but it’s something to keep in the back part of your mind for that time.
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Poor baby and poor yo!! We tried medicating Olivia but she turned into a zombie…so we stopped. It’s a difficult road! I wish I had more advice to offer.
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
October 28, 2011 at 9:23 pm
When we first medicated Stinkpot, I cried for the first two days since Stinkpot only slept. Fortunately, he quickly adjusted. Love your blog! Olivia is precious! What a blessing. I had never heard of her condition before. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh no Penny, I’m so sorry it’s come to this. We are still coping through diet management. I really hope that you find the right way for all of you. Poor Stinkpot. Big hugs to everyone, it’s not easy.
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
October 28, 2011 at 9:27 pm
I do realize that we need to do a total elimination diet on
Our Stinkpot since he is lactose sensitive and reacts to raw apples. I can’t imagine him going gluten-free. I know many do it! I will need lots of encouragement!
You are not alone. This is a hard road, and hard decision to come to. We just began our journey 3 weeks ago with meds, and it has already been very rocky. I do want to stick it out b/c I do think if we find the right fit it could definately fit our little guy. Good luck, I really hope you are able to find the right fit again.
Twitter: Foster2Forever
October 28, 2011 at 9:35 pm
I’m so sorry that your having such a bad time! My stepson actually had to be hospitalized through his medical journey. (his mom put him on antidepressants as a child). So all these meds scare the fire out of FosterDad and me. They eventually found the right combination and as an adult he is drugfree! A rough start with a happy ending! Thanks for sharing these details about your son!
With my son Anthony it is all that keeps him in control at school. I missed his meds one day and his teacher was calling me at 9 am asking me to bring it to the school! With my daughter we struggled with whether we should put her on anxiety medication. We finally made that choice as she entered kindergarten and were plesantly surpirsed that for the first time she could speak to her teacher on the first day of school. Recently we also put her on ADHD medications and I know it was the right choice. I don’t typicall give ADHD meds on weekends but last weekend she asked for it. I asked her why and she told me that she felt so much happier with it. I was surprised that she could tell the difference.
Twitter: Foster2Forever
October 28, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Glad your daughter is happy with her meds. My stepson hated his pills. Thanks for your support.
OMG! you just described our 4 year old to a T. We are getting close to adopting him and his little brother from Foster Care and his behavior has us and daycare at their wits end. I actually feel so bad for him because feeling so out of control has to be scary! We are doing Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) with him now and have just started doing remedial services with him (Not sure what they call those in your state) We are in Iowa. I really don’t have any advice, but you are not alone. Hugs!
Jennifer and Brian
Twitter: Foster2Forever
November 4, 2011 at 3:42 am
Thanks for your support, Jennifer! The risperidone is working well so far. Praying that you find answers for your little boy too.
We are dealing with this right now with one of my boys- he has such poor impulse control. We’re trying other routes, but he has a psychologist appointment this month for a more in depth eval and if we have to medicate, we will.
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
November 2, 2011 at 7:33 am
It’s a tough decision. Last January, the psychiatrist prescribed Tenex which, at first, made my little boy sleep for days. I struggled through that and he eventually became himself again, just a bit less hyper.
Aw, I certainly feel for you. I made the difficult decision to medicate my ADHD child when he was in kindergarten. He was climbing on desks, running out of the classroom and into the parking lot in search of me. It was dangerous and he could not for the life of him focus enough to learn. He’s 16 years old now and we are transitioning off of his meds. It’s time. He’s worked so hard to control his impulsiveness and it’s time for him to move on to a new chapter. Good luck to you as you make these difficult decisions. Follow your instincts!
Thanks for stopping by on my SITS Day yesterday. I’m following you now via GFC and liked you on FB as well. Have a great day!
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
November 4, 2011 at 3:45 am
Thanks, Kristi! My grown stepson is now off any meds. He’s doing okay, but his laziness is what his problem is now. I don’t think they make a drug for that though.
Twitter: SeekingGrace316
May 18, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Ugh! This is something we continually are struggling to make the decision about. I have a child with autism (high functioning) and he is known to have some explosive moments. It is a tough decision and one that I think has to be decided upon on a child by child basis.
Stopping by from SITS!
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Twitter: Foster2Forever
May 18, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Thanks for visiting, Missy! Medication isn’t a step to be taken lightly. I recently read a few chapters from the book “What Your Explosive Child is Trying to Tell You”. It had a chapter on transitioning from one activity to the next that helped me in regard to letting my child know what’s happening next. Helps sometimes. Big hugs to you!