My son's (9) mental health crisis...UPDATE - HE's HOME!!

[ChickieDee]

Dear Susan, My heart goes out to you. I too have a very sweet 9 year old son and can't imagine how your feeling. My son has trouble concentrating and the teachers at school tried to push me into thinking he has ADHD. I was angry and confused but didn't fall for it. He has no hyperactive tendencies at all. Just because a kid can't concentrate as well as others doesn't mean he needs medication. Clearly your going through something totally different and it reminds me of my best friend from high school. One day she was the Sue I always knew, the next day she was a stranger who heard voices. She does have Schizophrenia and although she's had a rough life she does enjoy some normalcy. At age 42 she has 2 children and a husband who cares for her through all the craziness. As far as I know Schizophrenia doesn't show until late teens, as in my friend, and also my cousin. But they both hear voices. It sounds like you have a great team of professionals working with Jacob to figure it all out. I will think of you and your family often and hope for the best. I'm sure the chickens are great therapy for Jacob so hopefully he can come home soon. Please keep us posted. You can tell by the number of views we all care, can relate, and want to know how you all are doing, especially Jacob. Take Care and God Bless !!!

Dee

 

[arlee453]

Tonight's update...

Before I give the update, I have to say that the kids made a 'chicken video' and I put it on my Zune (like an ipod) to take to show him tonight. He was so thrilled to see how the chicken coop looks and how big the girls are. He had to watch it 2x and was so happy and cute watching. I think the chickens will be good therapy for him when he gets home!

Now for the latest....Jacob is doing so much better! We had a 'discussion' with the pyschiatrist vs the neurologist's recommendations. The Neuro seems to have Jacob 'pegged' as far as his personality and her recommendations fit right in line with what we see as his main problem(s), anxiety. She recommended an SSRI or SSNI - (cymbalta) and continued counseling. She said she sees a big improvement from her first visit to the last.

The Psyc wanted to put him on some pretty heavy-duty drugs and was saying he hadn't improved any since he'd been there and needs to stay indefinately. We don't want to be the parents who refuse to see the worst or 'face facts', but we honestly see a big improvement and think the Psyc is not really seeing the whole picture - or is just so used to kids with much worse problems he's overdiagnosing.

Needless to say, DH had a 'talk' with the psyc last night and said we would not be medicating with anti-psychotics since he can't even give us a definative diagnosis of Jacob, nor has he followed through on the testing he said would be done (MRI - ended up being done only because Neuro ordered it, and full psych battery of assements - hasn't been done at all that we can tell).

We're going with the Neuro's recommendations and if we don't see a big difference in a few weeks once the cymbalta builds up to the theraputic levels then we can always go back and pursue something stronger.

The BEST NEWS is that we are hopefully going to bring him home by early next week unless he just starts back-sliding, or doesn't tolerate the cymbalta. We'll be easing him back into school with 3 days outpatient program and 2 days school the first week, then 3 days school and 2 days outpatient, etc until he's comfortable going back full time.

Of course, once he's home we'll have a whole OTHER set of challenges, but we'll face those one day at the time.

Thanks again for all your well wishes!
Susan

 

[ozark hen]

that is such good news, will keep Jacob in our prayers.

 

[mom'sfolly]

We'll keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. I'm gald it looks like Jacob can go home soon. I know there are neuropsychiatrists out there, maybe that's the kind of person you might need. I don't know exactly what they do, but I've friends with children with learning disabilities and other disabilities that has been assessed by people with that title.

best wishes

 

[GAhen]

I take Luvox for my anxiety disorder.....My doctor uses it for this, but it is actually for used for OCD in this country....In Europe it is used for anxiety....it has been a wonder drug for me. She has seen great results with it!

 

[arlee453]

Great news - hospital called a bit ago and Jacob is being released today!

My husband is picking him up now and he'll be back home within an hour or two. Praise God - I'm so happy to have him on the way home!

I know we still have a long road ahead, but at least it feels like we're heading out now instead of just standing still.

Thanks
Susan

 

[cheepchicks]

YAY !

 

[chickbea]

I'm so glad! I bet he can't wait to be back with you.

 

[nccountrygirl]

Hurray,

 

[sara]

wonderful news!