Guest guest Posted April 15, 2003 Report Share Posted April 15, 2003 Oh, yes, the former autist, who needs no IEP. Sigh. I do hope that the school sees that, while may be doing very nicely for a boy with autism, he is not exactly a completed book. And adolescence LOOMS. Horridly, in my experience (I know you don't need to hear this). Well, was last night at least better? Did he wake up more easily? Salli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2003 Report Share Posted April 15, 2003 I have been medicating Alec early too. He threw a spade at Yessenia the other day because she wanted a goldfish he had. Damn those goldfish! You would think they were made of real gold! Jacquie H Change of Plans I am not sure what we are going to do next with Chris. He went to school today and things went okay, sort of, for Chris. If it were any other kid it would have probably been a not so hot day. Sheesh, some measuring stick. Anyway, he only had one time at school today where he has little tantrum, and it wasn't too bad. He was excused from some assignments that he missed and I'm sure that helped too, but in the long run I am not sure it is doing him any favours. He had a minor little fit during homework and fussed and kicked something when he couldnt get his way, but again, better than it has been. Ick. Carol, the SPED director is going to go over his report from Dr. Amato tomorrow, and call her, and meet with his teachers to get more information. Then we will start trying to figure out how to make the rest of this year work. He's Soooooooo tired in the mornings and I can't get him up, and he's slow to get moving once he is up. Once he's up he gets more up as the day goes on and gets pretty wound by the end of the day. The school problem is that the core academics are of course being taught when he is still asleep and just waking up for about half of them. Needless to say this is not very conducive to learning. Then we have the not so small issue of his behavior being a bit scary to other children at times. Also not conducive to thier learning. I medicated him earlier tonight, despite his protests, in hopes that he would actually go to sleep before midnight, and he did! He fell asleep in the chair watching a video and is now on the couch, but for now, it works for me. I just hope he doesn't pee on the couch. Maybe if we are lucky he will be able to make it to school at a better time tomorrow. Ya think that just maybe after all this he might just possibly end up with an IEP again? I wish I could stuff his $1280 worth of Zyrtec down the school psychologists throat. Ergh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2003 Report Share Posted April 15, 2003 When we put the boys on Zyprexa, the doc said not to give it to them too early because it would make them sleepy. I have found that by giving it to them around 5, they are usually ready for bed between 8 and 9. You might try this with Chris. I hope you are able to get him an IEP again! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2003 Report Share Posted April 15, 2003 When we put the boys on Zyprexa, the doc said not to give it to them too early because it would make them sleepy. I have found that by giving it to them around 5, they are usually ready for bed between 8 and 9. You might try this with Chris. I hope you are able to get him an IEP again! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 > > Ya think that just maybe after all this he might just possibly end up > with an IEP again? I HOPE so. Is it possible that he might be becoming a rapid cycler? If so, you might want to evaluate any antidepressant you have him on, as some can exacerbate the problem. Jacquie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2003 Report Share Posted April 16, 2003 > Is it possible that he might be becoming a rapid cycler? If so, you might > want to evaluate any antidepressant you have him on, as some can exacerbate > the problem. > He is a rapid cycler and we don't go near SSRIs but I am having my doubts about the Trazedone which in old years past was used as an antidepressant by working on the sleep cycle. SIGH. So how else are we going to get him to sleep? No sleep is really really seriously bad juju. KWIM??? We have used clonidine, benadryl and ambien. He took a whopping dose of clonidine even when he was teeny bugger. Benadryl you can load him on enough to knock a horse over, and ambien did not seem overly effective either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 >So how else are > we going to get him to sleep? No sleep is really really seriously > bad juju. KWIM??? We have used clonidine, benadryl and ambien. What about one of the triptylines? My doc prescribed them for me for sleep, they were okay with the antidepressant and the mood stabilizer, just one small dose before bed. I stopped taking them because they made me TOO sleepy! Jacquie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 >So how else are > we going to get him to sleep? No sleep is really really seriously > bad juju. KWIM??? We have used clonidine, benadryl and ambien. What about one of the triptylines? My doc prescribed them for me for sleep, they were okay with the antidepressant and the mood stabilizer, just one small dose before bed. I stopped taking them because they made me TOO sleepy! Jacquie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 >So how else are > we going to get him to sleep? No sleep is really really seriously > bad juju. KWIM??? We have used clonidine, benadryl and ambien. What about one of the triptylines? My doc prescribed them for me for sleep, they were okay with the antidepressant and the mood stabilizer, just one small dose before bed. I stopped taking them because they made me TOO sleepy! Jacquie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 > >So how else are > > we going to get him to sleep? No sleep is really really seriously > > bad juju. KWIM??? We have used clonidine, benadryl and ambien. > > What about one of the triptylines? My doc prescribed them for me for sleep, > they were okay with the antidepressant and the mood stabilizer, just one > small dose before bed. I stopped taking them because they made me TOO > sleepy! > Hard to imagine anything that would make too sleepy. How long does it stay in your system? Would he be able to wake up in the morning? He is not on an antidepressant right now, although I think he alters between a mixed state and mania. He has alot of anxiety I think also which is probably what fuels alot of the tantrums over stuff like homework and attempts to have him do small tasks at home but he can't have SSRIs. The antipsychotic is supposed to help with the agression and other issues, making him more calm and less agitated so he can attend better, but I am not sure it is quite right either. There is only zyprxa and risperdal though in the atypical antipsychotics though so it is not like we have many choices. His Depakote level was only 33 at 500mg a day, so with doubling it his levels are likely around 65 +/-, we hope. That still leaves some roomm to increase it, and I know we do need to give it adequate time. I am just discouraged becasue I do not see him leveling out or stoping his cycling. The euphoria is more pleasant to be around than the mixed state generally speaking, but it is still not a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2003 Report Share Posted April 17, 2003 > There is only zyprxa and risperdal though in the atypical antipsychotics though so it is not like we have many choices. , I'm not sure where it is right now, but when we made the decision to put the boys on Zyprexa, there were 4 or 5 different atypical antipsychotics that were on the list the Dr. gave us. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 > I'm thinking that maybe since the sleep agents are not effective, that > caffeine will have the calming affect? > > Dunno...May be a simple solution, may do nothing at all. > Hmmm.....That sounds worth investigating. Think I might do a trial run today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 , Before we tried ADHD drugs we often used Mountain Dew as a relief from hyperactivity and help with sleep. With all that caffeine it seemed to help. Might be worth a try...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 , Before we tried ADHD drugs we often used Mountain Dew as a relief from hyperactivity and help with sleep. With all that caffeine it seemed to help. Might be worth a try...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 , Before we tried ADHD drugs we often used Mountain Dew as a relief from hyperactivity and help with sleep. With all that caffeine it seemed to help. Might be worth a try...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 Leggs, So, in general, if caffeine calms a kid down, then he's " hyperactive " right? We're giving up on the Strattera, unless we can get it in a smaller dose, and I don't want to go the stimulant route if we don't have to. Just wondering if Mountain Dew is worth a try? ellen ellen Re: Change of Plans , Before we tried ADHD drugs we often used Mountain Dew as a relief from hyperactivity and help with sleep. With all that caffeine it seemed to help. Might be worth a try...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 Leggs, So, in general, if caffeine calms a kid down, then he's " hyperactive " right? We're giving up on the Strattera, unless we can get it in a smaller dose, and I don't want to go the stimulant route if we don't have to. Just wondering if Mountain Dew is worth a try? ellen ellen Re: Change of Plans , Before we tried ADHD drugs we often used Mountain Dew as a relief from hyperactivity and help with sleep. With all that caffeine it seemed to help. Might be worth a try...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 Leggs, So, in general, if caffeine calms a kid down, then he's " hyperactive " right? We're giving up on the Strattera, unless we can get it in a smaller dose, and I don't want to go the stimulant route if we don't have to. Just wondering if Mountain Dew is worth a try? ellen ellen Re: Change of Plans , Before we tried ADHD drugs we often used Mountain Dew as a relief from hyperactivity and help with sleep. With all that caffeine it seemed to help. Might be worth a try...Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 Ellen, I am no expert, but my best friend in college was WAY hyper and she drank hot Mountain Dew all the time to calm down and sleep. She self-medicated with Mountain Dew for years until her youngest daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and started on Ritalin. Then my friend started on Ritalin, too, and liked it even better than Mountain Dew. I don't blame you a bit for wanting to avoid stimulants at 's young age and weight. We waited until Brandt was seven to try Strattera (much to his teachers' dismay) and only tried that because it wasn't a stimulant. I'd say Mountain Dew or another caffeinated drink is worth a shot. JMHO Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 Ellen, I am no expert, but my best friend in college was WAY hyper and she drank hot Mountain Dew all the time to calm down and sleep. She self-medicated with Mountain Dew for years until her youngest daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and started on Ritalin. Then my friend started on Ritalin, too, and liked it even better than Mountain Dew. I don't blame you a bit for wanting to avoid stimulants at 's young age and weight. We waited until Brandt was seven to try Strattera (much to his teachers' dismay) and only tried that because it wasn't a stimulant. I'd say Mountain Dew or another caffeinated drink is worth a shot. JMHO Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 UGH!! I often drink coffee before bed. I'm no where's near hyper though. Think I'll try it for him though. He actually likes coffee, so I will give him that until I get to the store. ellen Re: Change of Plans Ellen, I am no expert, but my best friend in college was WAY hyper and she drank hot Mountain Dew all the time to calm down and sleep. She self-medicated with Mountain Dew for years until her youngest daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and started on Ritalin. Then my friend started on Ritalin, too, and liked it even better than Mountain Dew. I don't blame you a bit for wanting to avoid stimulants at 's young age and weight. We waited until Brandt was seven to try Strattera (much to his teachers' dismay) and only tried that because it wasn't a stimulant. I'd say Mountain Dew or another caffeinated drink is worth a shot. JMHO Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 UGH!! I often drink coffee before bed. I'm no where's near hyper though. Think I'll try it for him though. He actually likes coffee, so I will give him that until I get to the store. ellen Re: Change of Plans Ellen, I am no expert, but my best friend in college was WAY hyper and she drank hot Mountain Dew all the time to calm down and sleep. She self-medicated with Mountain Dew for years until her youngest daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and started on Ritalin. Then my friend started on Ritalin, too, and liked it even better than Mountain Dew. I don't blame you a bit for wanting to avoid stimulants at 's young age and weight. We waited until Brandt was seven to try Strattera (much to his teachers' dismay) and only tried that because it wasn't a stimulant. I'd say Mountain Dew or another caffeinated drink is worth a shot. JMHO Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2003 Report Share Posted April 21, 2003 UGH!! I often drink coffee before bed. I'm no where's near hyper though. Think I'll try it for him though. He actually likes coffee, so I will give him that until I get to the store. ellen Re: Change of Plans Ellen, I am no expert, but my best friend in college was WAY hyper and she drank hot Mountain Dew all the time to calm down and sleep. She self-medicated with Mountain Dew for years until her youngest daughter was diagnosed with ADHD and started on Ritalin. Then my friend started on Ritalin, too, and liked it even better than Mountain Dew. I don't blame you a bit for wanting to avoid stimulants at 's young age and weight. We waited until Brandt was seven to try Strattera (much to his teachers' dismay) and only tried that because it wasn't a stimulant. I'd say Mountain Dew or another caffeinated drink is worth a shot. JMHO Leggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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