[Abdulina]

August1964Houston. Thanks for your input but we are in a FAR different situation than an "ADD" sort of thing. It is by far NOT the same. I deal w/ things on a daily basis that most would not dare phathom or understand. We don't just put our kids on medications to "deal" with them. That is not it. It is a very difficult decision to make and I don't want people thinking we take this lightly. I'll give you an example and maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from on this topic. Some of the issues we deal with are: FAS/ ADHD/ OCD/ Anxiety/ RAD/ PTSD( unofficially diagnosed)/ Devel. delays/ anger management issues/ MMR/ missing limbs/ etc. I won't go through the entire list just the major ones. A few of our children have multiple issues. And no, these diagnosis are not pulled out of a hat by some random doctor. There is a lot more to diagnosing FAS and that's why most parents of FAS children are fustrated due to what you have to go through in order to get a diagnosis. And yes, sometimes therapy helps but w/ kids w/ issues such as ours, therapy doesn't even touch the tip of the iceburg. We did not put our son on ADHD meds right away. By the way, it is not good to put your kids on ADHD meds before the age of 5. You have to distinguish first what is just typical kid behavior and what is not. ADHD though is only a small component of the FAS diagnosis. FAS children can NOT self-regulate themselves. That's a fact. Not from my mouth but from countless doctors and specialists, etc.

Okay, our son was first diagnosed as ADHD. Yet, teachers and us always thought there was something more to it. There was. Later, the FAS diagnosis was to follow. Well, we wanted to "try" to do the no med thing. Worst mistake we ever, ever made in our lives and the life of our son. Huge. Our 11yo son this past year was a mess. So much so that we were even looking at treatment facilities that may be able to manage him. It was that bad. Rages out of control. And rages are much different than tantrums folks. The first time you see a child rage, your heart goes completely numb and you don't know what to do. I have not only been beaten, bruised, punched, kicked, glasses destroyed, etc. by my own kids but countless other verbal things said to me. This behavior was not limited to just one child btw. Anyways, my son was doing horrific in school, trouble all the time, wandering off, etc. (and he WAS in a self-contained classroom for behavioral children). We were at wits end on what on earth to do to help this child that was hurting himself (suicidal and depressed) and others in the family. A nightmare no one should have to go through. Then, we found his neurologist that we consider a life saver. Our son was then put on medication-- Risperdal and Focalin. He has done such a turn around in school that he is being put in a regular classroom next year! Getting all kinds of awards next week. Winning art contests. Having friends for the first time in his life. Kind to everyone. Gets along w/ all sibs now. Essentially, loves his life now. He used to walk hunched over and now, even his body language has changed. Getting on the honor roll at school, etc. It is a far cry from the constant rages months ago. We no longer have to worry about him hurting someone. We have hope and he has hope. He no longer is suicidal at the tender age of 11. We have all this b/c of the medications he is receiving. Is it better to give him medications? ABsolutely!!! Otherwise, I guarantee you he would be in an RTC right now w/ no family. And that would have broken everyone I'm sure.

Our other son is just 5. However, he is diagnosed FAS/ADHD/RAD/devel. delays/ MMR/ possible PTSD, etc. He was out of control beyond belief. Chasing the dogs w/ coat hangers. Killing lizzards w/ glee. Laughing when people got hurt. Had no empathy or conscience. Essentially, he was on the path to becoming a sociopath. I'm dead serious. We were terrified. I did regression therapy and attachment therapy w/ him. He was also put on Risperdal and Tenex. The changes have been none less than miraculous. He is a happy, healthy, well attached 5yo boy now. EVeryone is amazed. Took lots of work and not just a drug to get to this point. Do the medications help...yes. He no longer rages.

All I'm saying is there is more to the story than just medicating our kids for the heck of it. These are hard, long thought out decisions w/ alot of experts involved. We research and do more reserach. But in the end, we have to do what is best for the kids and I feel for a fact, if some of them were not on medication, they would be institutionalized or in jail. Just stating facts. Our kids have brain damage. That's what FAS is essentially, frontal lobe brain damage from the alcohol. Well, if someone has seizures, aren't they treated w/ medications most the time? Same w/ FAS. Most of us do have to medicate our children at some point in time. Usually, it is for their own safety. Was it hard all these years w/ out some of my kids on medication...yes. But I did that for their well being. We don't medicate just for ADD.

Sorry for the speech but I don't want people to think this is some go to the dr., get meds type of decision. I just really wanted some opinions on the whole Prozac deal b/c it is one that I haven't dealt w/. Thanks in advance. I know medicating a child is a tough decision and I respect those who don't and can handle it.

Take care,