Quick update... So, last I wrote, I put Judy back on the Valium. I gave it to her for 3 days. Ever since I stopped, she's been acting fine again. It's so bizarre! It confuses me. I'm wondering what the Valuim does for her that is helping. The last time I gave her the Valuim, it didn't help her while she was on it. The day after I stopped giving it to her she started acting happy and normal. So that's why last week I thought I'd try it for a couple days again and then stop it to see if it stops her fussiness again. It worked! I told the Riley doctor and she was surprised. She said she was going to check with some of her colleagues to see if they have a hunch why the Valuim could be helping in this way. She also is making sure we see a neurologist soon at Riley. Which is good because, my father in law (retired psychiatrist), thinks she might have Temperal Lobe Epilepsy. I have no idea, I just want answers and a solution!
Last week when I spoke with the Riley doctor, she brought up that miracle drug again. The first time we met with her she said she would give kids that have the same issues that Judy's having a mood stabilizer. But she said she wouldn't give it to someone under 2 yrs old. Well, last week when I spoke to her, she brought this drug up again, Risperidone. It's an anti-psychotic. It would be very scary to give to Judy because she's so young. There's been no research studies on children 2 and younger taking this drug. They just don't know the types of effects, etc. it could have on toddlers. But she said every time she sees Judy and/or whenever I tell her Judy stories, all she can think about is this drug. The doc brought it up this time because she just wants me to start thinking about it, researching it, and getting feedback from others on it. This drug would have to be our last resort. I just don't want to hurt her! I just want to get her feeling better and happy! I'm just so confused.
Judy just qualified for First Steps so that should be starting soon. Continue to pray. We are tired and need answers.
Hey Courtney,
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen yall in awhile! Hope all is well. I think your blogs are interesting so Amanda and I read them sometimes...I work with severely mentally ill clients at work, mainly people with schizophrenia. A lot of them take Risperidone. They also take a mood stabilizer called Depakote. Im no expert by any means but what I have observed is that most of our clients are zombified, very lethargic, and extremely overweight. This may have nothing to do with Risperidone but it could I suppose since they take it. Again, Im basing this purely off observation. Do you think she may have a severe mental illness?
Jason,
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing! No, we don't think she has a severe mental illness. Doc just feels she might have high anxiety and/or autism. And they use this drug for many different things, not just mental illnesses. This is the drug they use. Yes, those are the side effects- weight gain, zombies, etc. It's very scary. That's really neat you work with those people! Hope you guys are doing well!!! Thanks for caring!
Court