This is SO how I feel right now. I have been struggling with my 3 1/2 yr old son's behavior. I finally decided to talk to his doctor, who referred him to a behavioral health clinic. We had an intake with a therapist who said he is probably ADHD/ODD, but she wouldn't be his therapist. He was assigned to someone else. What the what?! He's only 3! She asked if we wanted medication and we said that would be a last resort and we really wanted behavioral/family therapy. She told us our next an appointment would be with a psychiatrist.
Fast forward to the appointment. It was by tele-med. Which means he wasn't on-site, but was using a video system to meet with us. I figured he was at another clinic in the state. Nope. He was in Thailand. Yes, you read that right. He asked us a few questions about Jaxon's behavior and then told us that Tenex would be what he would prescribe. What? Medication? I asked him how that would help and he said it would slow him down, it also slows down the heart. It's a blood pressure medicine. No one has even had therapy sessions with him to see if behavioral therapy would work. We told him we were not interested in medication at this time and he them proceeded to treat us like we wasted his time. THEN, at the front desk they said if we didn't have a follow-up with the psychiatrist, we would need to call for an appointment. Uhm, I thought we had been assigned a therapist at the initial consultation. SO UPSET.
Anyway, just needed to vent. If you need me, look in the fort. Bring your own crayons.
Thanks for stopping by (and listening to my rant),
Natosha
P.S. Don't get me wrong. I am not anti-medicine. I just want to try everything else there might be to help my son before I put him on a medicine designed for adults. If that includes therapy, diet, a new school. Whatever it takes. If that doesn't work, and he is older with the same behaviors, then I would consider medication. Any suggestions?
Oh my! It seems the easy answers these days is medicating every child according to the doctors. don't get me wrong some kids need it, wait not just these days! When my son who is now 27 was the same age, I was ill with RA etc. they wanted to slow him down with meds as well and diagnosed the same thing. This was with no testing, only with observing him for a half an hour. I never did medicate him, he was just a normal child. For your son medication may or may not be the answer but for them to give up that easy isn't right. Take him wherever you need to take him till you feel comfortable that you are getting the right treatment for you and him. I'm sorry you have to deal with all of this. It's starting with my grandchildren now too. Just keep in mind your doctors work for you.
ReplyDeleteLorna
Life with RA is a Pain
Thanks Lorna. It just made me so angry that the doctor wanted to medicate first thing. How does he know, all the way from Thailand, that my son really is ADHD/ODD. Very annoying. And you are right, the doctor works for me. Great reminder. We need to stand up for ourselves more and our children especially.
DeleteHe is in Thailand? That is even more of a clue that they are looking for the "easy" way out. I agree with Jodi below, sugar was and is a trigger for my kids and grandkids. Again, a heck of a lot more testing would need to be run before any diagnosis would be run, and as with me and all my medical issues the last resort my doctors have given is medication. If you ever need an ear just yell. I don't always answer right away, but you can always email me too. I hope your week is a better one.
DeleteIs the problem that he just won't slow down? Behavior issues as well? A lot of this can be changed with diet and patience. Take the sugar and processed foods out of the house. Have him on a strict 'diet' of fresh vegetables, organic meats and lots of fruit. Make it fun...get him involved with the process of making the food. Make yogurt and honey dips if he needs a little sweet.
ReplyDeleteGet him in a class such as karate or gymnastics. If he ever throws a violent fit, sit on the floor with him, wrap your arms and legs around him and tell him it will be ok while rocking him and stay in that position until he wears himself out.
Medication is a lazy doctors way out of a situation. Try these things for a month and you will see a totally different kid. If you ever have any questions or want to vent, feel free to shoot me an email. Jlynn3530@yahoo.com
Good luck! I know it's frustrating.s
Thank you Jodi. I messaged you via Google+. Thank you for the support.
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