Thank you for being so supportive, I wish I could take time for myself, but most of the time it's impossible. My husband works nights so it's very difficult. He is very understanding on the weekends but that's when I take my other children to sports. Right now Rorey will not tolerate going anywhere, not even to the park. Usually everyday I have something speech for my daughter two days a week, my oldest son has soccer three times a week and one of my daughter has gymnastics. I also have a three year old who will start preschool in September so then it will be easier to do things for myself.

Talk with you soon

Janet

God Bless you for doing it on you own, I could never do it.

I am beside myself today my son is out of control I picked him up from school and he just keeps attacking me. I took my daughter who has PDD to private speech and he was to much to handle. He kept on hitting his head with his fits and slamming his head into the wall. A little boy came in and he slapped him in the head, I felt like a looser. The mother was very nice to me and said he didn't hurt him, but what is he going to do next ? My two daughters are afraid of him because he has hurt them a few times. In regards to a dog all of my kids are very scared of them so I don't think that will happen. I don't know how much longer I can handle him. I was crying my eyes out at speech because all I could think of was if he gets any worse I won't be able to handle him. I am petrafied that I will have to put in in a Residential home, I need him as much as he needs me. Although the rest of my family is suffering as well. I have a Dr's appointment for him on Wednesday hopefully she will be able to help us. I don't know how I am going to get through the night. Talk to you later.

Janet

Lindsey

I do have Respite Care and I also have a PCA 12 1/2hrs for Rorey and 10 1/2hrs for Paige. Although I don't have anyone who can fill all the hours. I have this 23 year old guy and he is great with Rorey and my sister comes over one night a week after work. It's the nights and weekends that he is at his worst.

My husband and I are going away in two weeks for the weekend for our 11th Anniversary and I can't wait. We both really need it bad, just to reconnect and try to set aside our troubles for two days. My sister is babsitting and she is the only person I can trust with all of my children.

I am glad I found this website and I can't thank you enough for your support. I'm going to try to go to sleep now. I'll talk with you soon

Janet

I feel relieved that you have a vacation coming up. Just hang in there, we are here for you if you need to vent, or cry lol.

Lindsey

Well I have two doctor appointments for Rorey tomorrow, one regarding his meds and on for his GI. Hopefully I will get some answers, then on June 4th I have a meeting with his school. Then we leave Friday night and come back Sunday afternoon. After that week we are going to need to get away. I see a therepist and I saw her today and I feel a little bit better after seeing her. How is your day going? I'll be around tonight, I have lots of laundry that's my goal for the day. Lucky me huh. Have a great day!

Janet

You sound like you are in better spirits, I'm glad. Sounds like you're pretty busy!! I have laundry too LOL> Trae wet his pants twice today at school. Poor guy, I know it's so embarrassing for him, and of course they ran out of pants that I send, so he was wearing these goofy shorts. I wish they would just call me when that stuff happens.. as if he doesn't draw enough attention to himself... UGH! He was mad about it, but got over it as soon as he was home and had them off. Have a great night!!

Lindsey

I am in better spirits although when there is lots to do I thrive on that. I took Rorey to two Dr. appointments and I was so tired as well as Rorey. We are going to wean him off the Tenex and up the Abilify, then we are going to give him a strong medicine for his acid reflux. I pray that works, but it's so difficult to keep up with his meds I feel like a nurse @ times. Then keeping up with the other children, I will be glad when the long weekend comes. I don't know where you live, we live in Massachusetts and the weather has been cold one day aliitle bit warmer the next. So I don't have the kids summer clothes out yet. This weekend is suppose to be hot it might hit 80 degrees.

I am so sorry that your son had to go through that at school, you would think that the school would call you. there had been times that Rorey would come home with clothes on that were not his and I live 5 minutes away from the school. Well I have to get back to my wife duties LOL, I will keep you up to date re: Rorey.

Janet

I'm glad you feel better. Sorry, my computer was down all day yesterday. My youngest brother is only 21 and sometimes while I'm at work he comes and uses the computer. Then of course, it never works.. I'm not good at computer stuff (Trae knows way more than I do) so it takes me a while to figure it out... I only work/live 5 min away too. This school district has no idea what they are doing with Trae. I had some good news as well... well, the service dog thing is moving right along. I recieved an email from the executive director with the invoice and cost of the dog... hold your breath, $16,700.00! I think it will be worth every penny. We got even better news. WE had a newspaper article and it did generate some donations... God bless those people. Then, I don't remember if I told you or not, but I quit my job... felt great! I am staying home for the summer so I don't have to worry about daycare for Trae. I have a degree now, so I will take this opportunity to find something better. Besides, It looks like I will be fundraising all summer.

Have a good day!

Lindsey

During the past two years, we have been doctoring and trying different medications for some of Justin's needs. I too often wonder what my "real" child is like when every medicine has it's own set of side effects. Because of his lack of focus, we decided to try ADHD type medication and wanted to stay away from stimulants if at all possible. First we tried Strattera for 6 weeks and saw no change whatsoever. The next was Tenex. Tenex was NOT for us. Justin ended up being a "basketcase" (the doctor said "describe basketcase" and I said "weepy, cries at the drop of a hat, withdrawn, and says he wants to die"). The Tenex was quickly changed. I think we tried that for 2 1/2 weeks. The next medication try was a stimulant, Adderall XR. I cried when Justin came home from school the first day of trying the Adderall - a whole page colored in - and almost everything in the lines!! Before we just had scribbles!! Adderall definately seemed to be the answer for us. About a month or two after starting the Adderall, he started seeing "bugs" on his walls and in his bed. Now he was on Adderall and Risperadal. My husband, who is a social worker, didn't particularly care for the Risperadal because it is known to have possible permanent damage to the reproductive system. (not sure about that, but it was working!) Also, because Justin is not much of an eater and is pretty picky, we were happy that there might be a possiblity that he might gain a little weight.

When his pediatric neurologist wanted to take him off of his anti-seizure medicine - Lamictal - we got nervous and saw the other neurologist at his clinic. (They had taken him off of the medicine before, but he ended up having seizure activity during the night) This doctor decided to take him off everything - ughh! - and see where he's at. (Ever wonder why you bother going to the doctor sometimes?). I had also told this doctor another concern I had about him not being on the Lamictal is that I know it's a mood stabilizer (I'm on it and it works great for me). We went ahead and did what she said. Bad idea! Justin is now on Clonidine instead of the Risperadal because that is the medication she likes. It seems to be working good. He is also back on his Lamictal due to a seizure he had at school last October and the Adderall for attention.

Because he was losing weight, in January, the family doctor discontinued the Adderall. Grades and behavior started slipping. Justin was able to get in to a Psychiatrist for medication management. She prescribed a new drug - Vyvanse. This drug is not for Justin. Back to wanting to hurt himself, wants to die, angry, sleep problems, isolation. Because we follow what they want us to for a waiting period to see if the side effects will diminish, he has suffered for the last month. Today he is on another new medicine - Focalin XR. Has anyone tried this yet?

Shannon