Note on Kids Taking Iron

I just found out that supplemental iron can block the absorption of some psychiatric medications. Caroline was prescribed iron for anemia, and after about a week we noted a downturn in her behavior. Another mom on the CABF support group for teens noted that her daughter's medications had to be increased while on iron because of this problem. So if your child is low on iron, check with his/her doctor about increasing the dosage of their mood stabilizers if they need an iron supplement.

Happy Mother's Day!

For all of the moms of bipolar kids who are constantly working to help their children succeed in life, you are the best! God gave you this special child to raise and when we look to Him he gives us the courage and strength to keep going when we want to give up, and when our hearts feel hard towards them. It is not easy to love well, and to love those who seem unlovable much of the time feels impossible. With God, all things are possible. I pray that today you will get some much needed rest, that others will celebrate you. Happy Mother's Day!

Note on Seroquel XR

If your child is taking Seroquel XR you may want to be sure that they are taking it on an empty stomach, a few hours after dinner. Apparently the XR part of the drug isn't effective if you take it with food, which we forgot. Caroline was really irritable yesterday, and then I remembered what the doc had said about how to take this AAP. We weren't following that little rule and I think it makes a difference.

Mental Health Week on Discovery Health

I don't know how many of you out there know that this week Discovery Health has been showing nightly documentaries about different mental illnesses, including one about a child with bipolar disorder. I don't get the channel on cable, but you can watch the videos on Discovery Health's website. I have already watched some of the bipolar girl and it is VERY familiar. The shrill screaming and the slamming of doors (repeatedly) rings a bell with many of us, I'm afraid.

Off Topic: Where Have All the Gentlemen Gone?

I love helping my oldest daughter pick out fancy dresses, plan her accessories, and fuss over her hair, nails, and makeup for homecoming, prom, etc. We are both girlie-girls. She has been planning for weeks on going to the prom with a senior guy who is just a friend, she insists. I believe her. She thinks having a boyfriend in high school is stupid, after seeing all the drama her friends go through. Well, last night she called me in tears because he was mad that she couldn't stay out until 2:00 am, hanging out with some other couples at a friends house. We don't see the point in hanging out in couples at some guys house after prom. Sounds like trouble to us. My husband knows how guys think about prom, and he is right. I remember too. She was basically being given an ultimatum: stay out with me until 2 or we don't go to prom. The jerk! Whatever happened to being a gentleman and respecting a girl's curfew? I wanted to punch the guy. No one treats my daughter like that! Well, she said no and he said fine I am not taking you. I applaud her conviction and stance. But I was so upset by the insensitivity this guy showed toward my precious daughter! We already spent $200 on the dress and another $100 to get it altered! She says she may go single to the prom, or with another friend, hopefully one who respects her more. The dress can be used next year, if not. She is sick of high school, and frankly so am I! The immaturity is amazing sometimes! She is worth so much more. Watch out for mama bear, boys!!

Calm PRT Helpful

The NeuroScience supplement Calm PRT seems to be helping with Caroline's overstimulated adrenal glands that were pumping out too much cortisol. She says she feels much calmer since starting the 3 capsules a day. The next supplement we will add is the Trava Cor. Anything that works, right? If you have an interest in having your child's neurotransmitters tested (beyond the big three: serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) see their link on the right under Resources. I am slowly becoming a believer, and I am truly a sceptic by nature about a lot of "alternative" medicine. My sister is a doctor, and another is an ICU nurse by training, so I am slow on the uptake for anything non-traditional. I think I need the Calm PRT! I have really been on edge the last few days. I think the stress of the last push during the end of school gets to me. Too many tests, projects, deadlines, etc.

Schooling Decided

Surprisingly, we have decided to send Caroline back to the private school she has been in all year, despite the numerous issues we have had this year. Why? Well, for three reasons, the first being that there are very few schools out there that have been as flexible as this school has been regarding her many absences during the depressive and manic episodes she has experienced, and will experience. In our school district, you can only miss so many days of class per year or you must repeat that grade or class, regardless of circumstance, even if you make up the work. In the other private schools, she simply wouldn't be able to keep up like she has been able. They move too fast and are too rigorous academically compared to this private school. She needs a lot of grace, and her present school has given her a lot. Secondly, the girl who has been such a bully to her this year isn't coming back, and the same goes for another boy whom she cannot stand (very disruptive in class.) The third reason is that she has gone from school to school since the fourth grade, often changing schools mid year, and so to finish this year and possibly the next at one school would be very good for her academically, boosting her sense of accomplishment. High school will be another matter, and we will consider other options at that point. She is such a great lacrosse player, and it would be nice for her to be able to play on a school team in high school, which could only happen at another school since this one is too small to field a team.

Now it is the summer I am worried about. She needs tight structure every day, and the summer presents a a huge challenge to keep her occupied. A bored bipolar kid is not a good thing. I may sign her up to volunteer a lot of time at the local animal shelter, or something like that. She has three week-long lacrosse camps, but her other sisters need to have some fun too, so all of the alloted camp money can't be spent on her alone. My oldest may be going to Scotland for a few weeks, so that will help with keeping the peace.

I hope you have a good week. I schedule a Mother's Day pedicure for myself and brunch for all. Not that my husband won't do something nice that day, but a little self-care doesn't hurt!!