My son was started on Vyvanse for his ADHD in August because he had burned out at max dose on the Concerta after being on it for a couple of years. He was also prescribed Klonopin because his anxiety level has just been off the charts. So we cut his Abilify down to 7.5, half of .25mg of Klonopin and the Vyvanse.

Lately we noticed that he has been really touchy mood wise. Using foul language more often when he is angry and when called on it he gets worse. I try to let it slide for the most part because I recognize it for what it is because when the storm blows over he is a totally different child. He has become more sensitive to the smallest of slights real or imagined. Day before yesterday he became angry at me for something, guess I kinda pushed him because I didn't realize he was in one of his no go zones. Making faces, childish stuff, he started it lol. Anyway he became angry and grabbed a laundry basket out of my hand and threw it. So I told him to knock it off, he did his what are you going to do which I usually just ignore and he just got angrier and angrier and by this time I am back to folding laundry but I can hear him ranting and raving in his room. Then he is packing his duffel bag, leaving and I won't have to deal with him ever again. disappears in room for a while, comes out in tears and stands in front of me sobbing and asks, "am I a bad son". I tell ya it about broke my heart. I held him and told him he was by no means a bad son, he was a great son who had bad moments and I apologized for pushing him and everything was fine.

Last night was worse, he misunderstood a question I had asked earlier in the evening about the front door being locked so when we got home it was unlocked well it just set something loose in him. He kept trying so hard to make me argue almost physically fight him. I just kept ignoring it and he kept cussing at me. I made his little brother go in my room as soon as it started. He was going in and out of his room and finally I told him to knock it off, just go to his room, well then we get the what are ya gonna do ground me thing. Well this was the weekend for his girlfriend to stay over so I took that priviledge away. He says fine what do you want me to tell her, like it was my fault lol. I said you tell her that you don't know how to act and are rude and disrespectful and because you continue to argue and use foul language you aren't allowed to have company this weekend.

Truly it was awful. I am so glad that the BF wasn't here because my son has attacked him twice already and even though my BF is bigger he does not want to fight him. We have already been there.

So in the meantime I am waiting for that stupid nurse at the mental health place to contact the pdoc to let me know what I should do. I threw out this mornings dose of Vyvanse and I am thinking of raising the Abilify back up because that is always what helped his rages in the past.

I hope someone calls me.

He is at his grandmother's now.

Awwww, that's so hard, Christina.

It's so hard being a parent, esp. when little things get blown out of proportion. I just shake my head in admiration and bow to you: you are a great mother.

Your son doesn't know it yet, but someday he'll appreciate you and tell you thanks for hanging in there with him.

Hello,
Your med instincts seem right.
I hope that the pdoc called by now -- or at least very soon.

Try to be calm. He'll get through this.
And he knows that you are on his side.

Mari

Sending hugs, and I too think your med instincts are right.

Donna

He is so lucky to have a mom like you.
He will realise that someday; and it will occur to him that you were his driving force for not giving up on him and allowing him to throw his life away at such a young age.

My son is moving back in with his grandmother for a while. Lord forgive me but I hate that woman. I can hear her gloat in the simplest of sentences. She is using her happy voice when she speaks to me. Usually she is hard pressed to be civil.

"Is Brandon there?" I ask. "Oh he's out playing in the rain" she answers in a singsong voice that sounds full of joy and triumph.

He is in such misery after being there for a while but I guess he is trying for his sake to pick what he considers the lesser of two evils.

I could tell him no but he is in such an unstable place right now and there is such chaos here. I think he is afraid that until his meds are right that he may say or do something that may hurt my feelings. Well....done.....and forgiven.

Now I cannot monitor that he takes his meds, she will but at her age she forgets. He will not remember to take the 4 pm meds and after a bad week will just quit taking them thinking that is the problem. They will hound him about school adding to his stress and anxiety.

I am in a way relieved for both of us because when we are together after a while we are toxic. We just rub each other the wrong way. He is exhausting to be around and I love him so and worry about him. Now I am a horrible mother because I feel a measure of relief at the break that I will get while he is gone. The anger that I feel for not being a better mother.

So I sit here and sob and wait for him to come and get a few things. I will dry my face when they pull in and help him get what he needs. Then cry myself to sleep.

Dear Christina,
Sorry that you are so sad.


Mari

Sounds to me like you need that break. You've earned it!

My circumstances were very different from yours, but I remember back when friends would ask about my absent teen, I'd just have to shrug. She'd call home about every 6 weeks or so.

I remember thinking, "Out of sight, out of mind." And it was true.

She made some really poor choices for several years, but (thankfully) finally found her way back home.

We are such good friends now. I enjoy her and her cute family so much.

I feel it was expressions of love that made the difference. Even when she was breaking my heart, I'd tell her I loved her.

My Mom used to like to quote to me, "This too will pass." She was right.

Just keep doing your best (like you've been doing) and believe that everything will work out eventually. Prayers definitely help. Sending some your way.