Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Mania, Again
The balancing act never ends. We have to watch her like a hawk when she starts to talk non-stop, tell tall tales, responds belligerently, and gets this very intensely "wild" look in her eyes. Another med adjustment is probably in order, though the doctor wants us to just up the Calm PRT. I want to trust his judgement, but sometimes I am hesitant about the herbal supplements. We know our kid so well, and if mania gets out of control, disaster follows. We will see how she is today when she wakes up.
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7 comments:
My daughter is 8 and we are VERY new to this whole thing. She begins meds on June 22. The doc gave us three choices, lithium, abilify, or trileptal. All of them scare me... just medicating my daughter so young scares me even though I know she needs it. I keep dropping my your blog and a couple others hoping to get some insight. Thanks for being so honest and open. There are many of us out there that need people like you to be so honest and forthcoming.
Our dd started with Trileptal alone at age 7 and it did the job until we had to go up and up until she was sleeping through class every day. Then we switched to Depakote which is not a great drug, and then to Lithium which was far better. Abilify we had to add in later. I know the drugs are scary, but sometimes they just need them and we pray for no long lasting ill effects.
Hey aspashofsunshine-I agree with Megan, sometimes our kids just need the drugs. Our son (9 yrs) was just switched to Trileptal about 2 months ago and it has changed all our lives for the better. The drug trials to get there were hard, so don't expect to have the meds work the first time, but put your fear aside and give medication a try, it could be a huge blessing!
By the way, I understand your fears, we have all gone through them, and they don't disappear, but they can be pushed aside when your child improves with medication.
My hubby used to take depakote because he has a seizure condition. It tore up his pancreas and has other long lasting effects too. We won't use that. I think we will go with Trileptal since I've heard the best things about that thus far. Another appt today, so maybe we can sort more things out with the meds. Thank you for your input. I deeply appreciate it! I hope you don't mind if I stop by for more questions here and there.
Hi Megan,
It is exhausting constantly adjusting meds, isn't it? I am overdue for a blood draw for Gabe (last week of school chaos has him acting manic/mixed and me feeling NUTS) -- but I am sure there is another adjustment in our future...Hang in there, Caroline is lucky to have such an educated and aware mom!
Oh -- and I love the new look to your blog. Very nice!
Hartley
www.hartleysboys.com
Megan, sorry to hear you're having to deal with mania. That's so emotionally, physically, and spiritually draining. (At least it is for me anyway when my daughter gets like that.) Her doctor just increased her Abilify 2weeks ago. Hopefully this dose will last for a while.
To asplashofsunshine, my 15 year old daughter was diagnosed last year and so far she's just had Depakote and Abilify (along with Adderoll for ADHD). But it's been a constant tweeking or increasing of the meds. I think the meds have saved my daughter's life. You're not alone in being hesitant about meds... but it sure beats the alternative.
Oh boy do we know what it's like to watch for that *look* in our little girl's eyes, the on the go behavior, risk taking, little to no sleep....Once, the school nurse said to me, "She looks very very happy and energetic today." I remember looking at her eyes and just shaking my head - that's not happy, that's mania. She is on Lithium and doing well, now.
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