Prayers Needed, Please

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

I have not been on the List since October. I've thought of you all

many times, but we have just had such a hard, rough year (school) that I

just had no time or energy to go online. Some of you may remember that our

(age 16, cognitively age 2) was put on risperidone last May (a

year ago). We've upped the dose many times & are now at a dose of 1.5 per

day. The very aggressive behaviours have ended (pulling hair & biting), but

she is still very aggressive with pinching & scratching (at times). Other

times she is gentle & calm. She's getting along fine at school as they keep

her busy & can re-direct her when she lashes out. At home she is most

aggrssive with me, which is very hard. Every time I am anywhere near her

she scratches me. I feel like a pin cushion.

There was an initial weight gain on this med which has levelled off.

Steph is now 90 lbs. & is 4'6 " tall. The worst side effect is being up at

night. She goes to sleep fine, but wakes 2,3 or 4 times a night. She

usually settles back to sleep, but is often wet when we get to her (or has

stripped & peed on the floor). We have just been exhausted for the better

part of the last year. We take turns getting up with her, but it takes its

toll. The doctor just ups the dose every time we see him (every 12 weeks)

& says he thinks the raised dose will help her sleep ( & it doesn't).

Lately, Steph seems to be sleeping better, but she's very unpredictable.

I am going for a hysterectomy on June 10th. I am quite worried

about this as I've never had major surgery before - (tonsils at age 4!).

We've been advised to put is a group home for the 2 weeks

following my surgery, so that I can recouperate properly, but we were't told

this until last week & now I find myself scrambling to get her into one that

we are comfortable with (she's never been away from home for more than a

week-end). We are very worried about her & me. Or should I say, I am very

worried about her & me - my husband is very easy going & believes that

everything will work out. I wish I could be as calm as he is.

So, if you would all remember me on June 10th with prayers &

positive thoughts, I'd be very grateful. I've gone into the archives a

little & I miss the wonderful support that you all give each other. Maybe

if you wouldn't mind putting " To " in the subject line if you feel

like responding, I could be drawn to any responses. I know that I won't

have the time or energy to read all the posts.

Thank you all for your support.

from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Mom to , 16 & , 10

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm so sorry to hear about your year. I hope you can find a solution for

while you are recovering. You will need the time. I never had this

surgery so I can't comment but the recovery is more than a few weeks knowing a

few

gals that have been through this. Prayers and hugs that all go well. Keep us

posted if you can.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 11 DS/OCD/ASD?