Hi from detroit!

Looking to chat with other parents who have children with bipolar disorder,odd, adhd and hypoglycemia. This just seems like a never ending battle with psychiatrists, therapist and school. Just nice to have somewhere to ask questions and vent if needed!!
My daughter is currently taking adderall 20 mg in the am 5mg in the afternon and geodon 40mg before bed. Curios about side affects children have had taking geodon? Her major one is blurred vision about once a week for about an hour after waking up. Psychiatrist said it is ok if its not affecting her everyday life...you know,,,,good outweighing the bad!! Just dont know if im comforable with it,,,,but it does help tremendously! Our homelife is somewhat normal again (if there is such a thing)! And shes not trying to hurt herself or saying she just wants to die and start over again! Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

I am wondering whether your daughter has ever been screened for gluten sensitivity or pyroluria? Gluten sensitivity is treated by excluding foods that contain wheat, barley, and rye from the diet. Pyroluria is treated primarily with vitamins, particularly B6 and zinc. My daughter had raging mood swings, depression and sleep problems (and seizures)... that all responded to treatment for pyroluria.... particularly improved with vitamin B6.
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/pyroluria
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/adhd

There is information about diagnostic testing and other symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity in The Gluten File... you can scan the right bar for various topics. Just thought I'd share these possibilities with you, as they may be root causes for your daughters symptoms... that can sometimes be corrected without the use of prescription drugs and their side effects.

There are also forums here specifically for bipolar, adhd.

Parents with bipolar children:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=80

ADD
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=-1&f=39

Thank you for the information......i will definatly do my research on this....i want to check out all aspects of her issues to try to make life better for her!!! Thanks again!

Hi sampy, and welcome to NeuroTalk! We're so glad you found us!

There are a lot of great people here who are friendly, caring and very helpful. This is such a nice place.

I hope you can find some help for your sweet daughter. I wish you both all the best.

Hello, sampy and welcome to NeuroTalk

My daughter started saying "just kill me, I don't want to be like this" and self injury when she was about 7 years old . She was diagnosed with ADD, ODD, Dyspraxia and a mood disorder.

That was 10 years ago, she is 17 now. Through the years there have been ups and downs, the downs being really bad at times.

Last year she had a doctor try to diagnose her as Bi-polar. My daughter's Psychiatrist dis-agreed and said she would stand by what she has said till the day she dies...My daughter is not Bi-polar. Her Psychiatrist said quite a few children are wrongly diagnosed with bi-polar - bi-polar in children is very rare.

The best advice I can give you - Pay close attention to any negative changes your daughter may have. That could be a sign the medications are not working currectly anymore or the medication is not a good fit for her. I have found meds and/or dosages need to be adjusted sometimes.

With just the diagnosis of ADD your daughter qualifies for help with school work under the 504 and can get an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Hi there:

Just wanted to send a hug (you need one),

I've been in your shoes. Not easy I know. I have no idea what the outcome will be, but your daugher is very lucky to have such a loving mom.

You hang in there. You have been given the best advice by people who know what they are talking about.

So do the research, don't beat yourself up if you lose your temper and start yelling, YOU'RE A HUMAN BEING!!!

This is 2009 and not 1909. There have been major advances in the mental health industry.

But (and I can't stress this enough), YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF HER.

You need to do this. Or you will surely lose your mind (if you haven't done so already).

Moms are people just like everybody else.
Take a hot bath, chill out, curl up with your favorite book, or go and watch a favorite comedy on TV.

Let your brain take a break once in a while. THEN, it can focus on whatever it has to focus on.

Remember, YOU MATTER ALSO!!

Take care,

Melody

Hello Sampy, If you would like any assistance, Im trained and know all the laws to show you how to help your daughter ( resources avail ) to her through schools as well with other agencies.......