Too Good To Be True
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| Tue, 11-28-2006 - 9:03am |
I've waited a bit to post this information, as it simply seems too good to be true. But after what happened this morning, I'm convinced it's time to share.
As some of you may recall, I've struggled with the idea of medicating our youngest DD (6 y/o-autism) for a long time. My main concern was the fact that, due to the communication delays, she wouldn't be able to tell us about any side effects. (She's never been able to tell us when she wasn't feeling good, had a headache, etc.)
About two weeks ago, we started her on an extremely low dose (1 ML liquid) of Zoloft in an attempt to help control her anxiety meltdowns and the recent onslaught of depression-like episodes. To be honest, I wasn't expecting any positive effects with the dosage being so small. (Her doc wanted to make sure she didn't have any health issues before giving her a higher dose.)
So far-
*We've had two weeks straight of no "post church meltdowns". (Typically she'd make it through mass, then goes into a crying fit about how Jesus hates her in the parking lot.)
*She not only agreed to, but actually asked multiple times, to take a bath in my mom's whirlpool bathtub. (Previously wouldn't even walk into that bathroom when the jets were on. The noise was terrifying.)
*She's NAMED the hair dryer, Susie, and lets us blow dry her hair without incident- even stands still for it! (Used to run and hide at the sight of the hair dryer.)
*This morning, she actually let me CURL HER HAIR!!! (The curling iron's name is Carly, by the way.) When I was done, she announced, "I look fabulous!"
I am overwhelmed right now. I don't think anybody-present company excluded-can understand how amazing these developments are for our family. After DH and the kids left for school, I sat on the couch and cried. I hate the fact that it took a medicinal intervention to "open the doors" for our daughter, but I'm so grateful to simply be able to curl her hair. I guess being forced to wait 6 years to do so, makes it that much sweeter.
Thanks for letting me share.
Amy


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Hi Amy,
Well, I understand. I am very happy for you and your family. The Zoloft is allowing you to see what your daughter is capable when her sensory system is more relaxed and more endorphins are flowing, good information. Stress is the enemy, I always say. We also are constantly amazed by when Malcolm is in a good space, the normalcy that lives within him. Right now, after 3 months of happy home and no icky school and great successes, we have a thriving. growing, learning, relaxed child and it is the BEST!
Just a quick cautionary note that some kids have a great first few weeks and then there is some trouble, anxiety, sometimes levels need to changed, sometimes kids get MORE aggressive and can't stay on Zoloft. Right away, we also had a real amazing honeymoon on Zoloft and thought this was a complete miracle, but later the results were not QUITE so rosy. Even so, Malcolm has done very well on Zoloft long term -- although we did have to pull him from that school and of course the school was hoping the drug would be the fix -- and of course the REAL problem actually was the school -- 'nuff said. We see a much clearer big picture in his brain, more ability to follow cause and effect, all his thought processes are profoundly improved on the Zoloft and so we love it for him. For long term self-regulation, he still needs tons and tons of OT..
Anyways, just wanted to say congratulations and I do understand the sadness that a child might need a drug like an antidepressant, but remember, if our children didn't have to live in such a NOISY, chaotic world, many of their issues wouldn't exist at all. And I think of all interventions as simply assisting my son to grow and hopefully function independently as the fabulous, wonderful person he is and is meant to be! Anything is worth getting him there. Maybe eventually, the drugs won't be necessary. But if they are, I hope he will continue to be able to use whatever he needs to be very, very well.
(((((HUGS))))) I still have a moment's pause of wonder and joy every time Malcolm lets me pour cups of water over his head to rinse out the soap...
Sara
ilovemalcolm
Amy!
That is great! I am really happy for you and crossing my fingers that it just continues to get better! I know I haven't always been the bearer of good new with medications and Mike is one of those kids for whom meds will work for a bit and then not but I thought I would give you some positive this time. Cait did really well on Luvox for about 3 years which is a similar med and my nephew also is doing very well on that and a combination of concerta and risperadol I think. He sounds pretty similar to clair. I saw his this week (he is 9 this month) and I be darned if he isn't doing better than Mr. Mike these days. Played with the kids all day, blended right in, etc. The only time we tried zoloft was with Mike and the problem was it made him very very hyper and uninhibitted. That reaction came up immediately for him.
About her reacting to a very small dose, the conference I was at there was talk of about how people with autism usually only need a very small amount of a med. For some reason they seem super sensitive in comparison to others.
In fact, I have noticed with my kids the bad reactions tend to come when I increase thier doses. Just some food for thought. From the time Cait was tiny we have cut her doses of things even like benedryl in half because she has such a reaction to it. She is on a full dose of trileptal but for different reasons. Otherwise super small doses.
Renee
Thanks for the support ladies, but don't worry, my hopes aren't up too high...let's say I'm cautiously optimistic. We've been on the med roller coaster with Noah (our 9 y/o aspie) for over three years now-so I'm well versed in the world of honeymoon periods, ugly side effects, etc. In his case, we had tried a couple of meds with little to no success. But our biggest issue for him came with the Adderall XR. He did very well on it for over a year, then when we had to increase his dose, he started the whole 'self-inflicted' pain ordeal. (He was biting himself, pulling out his hair, etc.) Finally had to drop that med all together. Now he's doing well on Concerta.
Regardless of whether or not Zoloft (or any medication) ends up being the answer for Claire, I'm going to bask in the glory of this one day...when I got to curl her hair for the very first time.
Amy
Now that is cool and let me just say that she looks "Fabulous!".
I love that line. Hey, you should be proud. Cait still won't let me dry her hair on 99% of the time. Only on rare special occasions with lots of fore warning. And I have never curled her hair, lol. Once in a while I can get a ponytail in there if she is in the right mood. I am happy the days she brushes it well or lets me brush it without a stink!
So you bask in he glory of one fabulous looking kiddo! That is absolutely marvelous dahlink!
Renee
Congrats, Amy! I'm so glad things are looking up for you.
Amy,
I am literally sitting here with tears in my eyes.
If you find the right med and it only works for a few weeks/months it was still a good few weeks.
Amy, I am so happy for you both. I also had the same reaction as Debbie, tears in my eyes reading about whether it lasts or not, you'll always have the glory of this day. That really hit home to me too.
Those moments of real connection with our children are so hard-earned that they are all the more special and all the more sweet.
One thing I have started to finally learn is to live in the moment more and go for the gusto when the times are good.
So enjoy the heck out of this wonderful, bonding, mother-daughter moment. I am sure you both look fabulous!
Hugs,
Katherine
Isn't it grand. For Josh, the drug of choice seems to be Focalin 20 mg. The difference in Josh's behavior is like night and day. Focalin is in the same family as Concerta and Ritalin but it is a newer drug. Josh is an Aspie but is is also very ADHD, and that was what we needed to get a handle on. The kid could not stay put in his seat. He would not read his tests. He would talk out of turn etc. Even on concerta last year was not helping.
We had taken Josh off meds for the summer to allow for weight gain. And at that point we had the Asperger'as dx so the pedirtican wanted to see if the meds really helped or not because many drugs for ADHD don't help aspie kids. And the month of September was a horror for us. We put him back on meds the begining of October. One week later, Josh's teachers were amazed at the difference. And we had a positive note in Josh's agenda book./ Serveral. His grades have improved and his ablity to stay put, which helps in learning. Plus Josh is much easier to reditrect when he goes off into Joshualand.
The only drawback was weightloss, Josh lost 2 pounds in one month because even he admits his appetitae is off. This month we stayed the same. OUr trick right now, no meds on the weekends or holidays. And you can see the difference in his appeitiate but then he is also talking a mile a minute and just too much sometimes.
We have told Josh, the doctor and I today that his job for this month is to drink a Boost everymorning and to eat a good breakfast. Josh gets very paniced about missing the bus he will dump his break fast so he can wait outside for the bus for 20 minutes. Hopefully we can cure that.
But just keep monitoring your little girl and hope this works for the long haul.
Rina
wow! I hope the positives keep coming! I know what you mean about meds and not wanting that to be the only way. We have felt that way about our #1 and ADD. We've decided meds do have benefits when it comes to dealing w/ anxiety and if that's what it takes to get through school well then, we'll do what has to be done.
Betsy
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