I'm sorry honey...My son was dx'ed at 5 with SEVERE ADHD and medicated for 6 years. Heavily medicated. He was able to come off the meds for a while...but now that puberty has hit (he's almost 14), I'm really afraid (and I almost know in my heart) that he is probably Bipolar. I've made an appointment for him to see his pdoc again, but cancelled it, at his request. He doesn't want meds...REFUSES them vehemently. And at this point, he's not struggling too badly, except that its now getting a little worse and I know I'm going to have to fight him and force him and I really don't want to have to do it. So, I hear you and I know what you're going through. If you have any questions, or just want to talk, email me...kelisthabomb1@aol.com...I'll check my email tonight.
Here's some thoughts I hope you find comforting. Your daughter has some big advantages here. First off, she has a mom who identified her disease early so she won't have to live for years suffering and wondering what is wrong with her like many of us. She will be given the very best treatment and coping strategies from day one. She also has someone to talk to who knows exactly what it means to feel all these strange things.
My own daughter suffers from a chromosomal abnormality that can be inherited but, in her case, was just a mutation. Sometimes stuff like that just happens. Plenty of bipolar people have normal kids. Plenty of normal people have bipolar kids. Mood disorders are no fun but those who suffer from them tend to be very creative and feel things deeply. Who's to say your daughter will not grow up to change the world because of what she learns from this illness. I believe it was Sylvia Brown who said those of us with difficult lives are the overachievers of the spiritual world because we have chosen to learn so much in our time on earth. I don't know about you but I plan on cutting down in future incarnations. :-)
Lastly, I'd like to commend you on your active involvement in her treatment. You are doing all the things a great mom does. Who could ask for more? Don't you think your daughter would rather be here with you (even with this illness) than never have the chance to live and love you?
I am really sorry to hear that you are going through this. My dd was dx'd with mild ADD/ADHD when she was 6, and I also took a very proactive approach to it - you are doing the right thing. Fortunately, my dd didn't need meds for her ADD/ADHD, but because of that dx and my BP, she is more likely to be BP when she gets older....but like you have heard from others - at least we are aware and we can relate to what they are going through - they have an advantage there.
One thing I learned with my dd's ADD/ADHD that her pediatrician confirmed - a LOT of children with ADD/ADHD have hypoglycimia (sp), and you can help control it with diet. That is how we managed to keep my dd off meds. Now that she is hitting puberty, I can see where things may change, but hopefully not.
Good luck and please post as much as you need us!!!!
I'd like to chime in with my $0.02 on hypoglycemia. I became very hypoglycemic after my head injury and have done a lot of research on the subject. I, personally, believe its a silent epidemic in our over-sugared society. Speaking for myself (and my ADHD son), it dramatically affects our moods. Start looking at labels, you'll be shocked how many things contain sugar - like *gravy*, for instance. At first my new husband was not convinced, then he was around 2 hours after I ate a doughnut - not pretty. Now he'll tell people "Oh, she can't have sugar." hahaha
I'm sorry honey...My son was dx'ed at 5 with SEVERE ADHD and medicated for 6 years. Heavily medicated. He was able to come off the meds for a while...but now that puberty has hit (he's almost 14), I'm really afraid (and I almost know in my heart) that he is probably Bipolar. I've made an appointment for him to see his pdoc again, but cancelled it, at his request. He doesn't want meds...REFUSES them vehemently. And at this point, he's not struggling too badly, except that its now getting a little worse and I know I'm going to have to fight him and force him and I really don't want to have to do it. So, I hear you and I know what you're going through. If you have any questions, or just want to talk, email me...kelisthabomb1@aol.com...I'll check my email tonight.
Hang in there and hugs!
Love ya,
Keli
Here's some thoughts I hope you find comforting. Your daughter has some big advantages here. First off, she has a mom who identified her disease early so she won't have to live for years suffering and wondering what is wrong with her like many of us. She will be given the very best treatment and coping strategies from day one. She also has someone to talk to who knows exactly what it means to feel all these strange things.
My own daughter suffers from a chromosomal abnormality that can be inherited but, in her case, was just a mutation. Sometimes stuff like that just happens. Plenty of bipolar people have normal kids. Plenty of normal people have bipolar kids. Mood disorders are no fun but those who suffer from them tend to be very creative and feel things deeply. Who's to say your daughter will not grow up to change the world because of what she learns from this illness. I believe it was Sylvia Brown who said those of us with difficult lives are the overachievers of the spiritual world because we have chosen to learn so much in our time on earth. I don't know about you but I plan on cutting down in future incarnations. :-)
Lastly, I'd like to commend you on your active involvement in her treatment. You are doing all the things a great mom does. Who could ask for more? Don't you think your daughter would rather be here with you (even with this illness) than never have the chance to live and love you?
morgaine
I am really sorry to hear that you are going through this. My dd was dx'd with mild ADD/ADHD when she was 6, and I also took a very proactive approach to it - you are doing the right thing. Fortunately, my dd didn't need meds for her ADD/ADHD, but because of that dx and my BP, she is more likely to be BP when she gets older....but like you have heard from others - at least we are aware and we can relate to what they are going through - they have an advantage there.
One thing I learned with my dd's ADD/ADHD that her pediatrician confirmed - a LOT of children with ADD/ADHD have hypoglycimia (sp), and you can help control it with diet. That is how we managed to keep my dd off meds. Now that she is hitting puberty, I can see where things may change, but hopefully not.
Good luck and please post as much as you need us!!!!
Tracey