<p>I very recently got sleeping pills and I ****ing love them - it’s that simple. I’m 17 years old, and the blessing of being able to pop a pill and fall asleep without thinking about grades, girls, sports or anything else is literally priceless to me. My mom was against it for the most part, but I convinced her and they honestly have radically changed my life.</p>
<p><3 drugs</p>
<p>I hate those ads!!! They are helpful IF used to find out more information, see if you think you are a good candidate, and talk to your dr. I do understand the above is based in fact and statistics. It makes it harder for those of us who do go into our drs and ask about a new med to replace an existing medication. What is their experience? Do they have other patients that have tried it? Could it possibly have fewer side effects? I do not blindly trust my dr, however if I didn’t respect his opinion I would find another dr, or seek a specialist through my dr. My H or kids see these ads… And ask if I can try a certain drug they have heard about. No, checked it out. Not good for people with xyz. I researched myself
and didn’t bother my dr with it.
I was never in the mommy crowd that demanded antibiotics for a cold. After they were toddlers they were rarely at the dr for run of the mill stuff. This is why I take such offense to people who judge parents who make informed measured decisions before they give their children for add/adhd. We went for years past what drs recommended and certaintly the school would have liked. Before we did we went through testing at Johns Hopkins and with a neuropsychologist. This was not an I’ll behaved child. We learned what could be helped with medication and war could not. From this we also had a much clearer idea of his difficulties so when he did try to get lazy (as all teens do) and blame the add we knew to cry bs. He decided when to stop the meds we have helped with coping skills all along the way, as you would with any child.
So for those who decide its not the right choice for you, I say do what’s right for your child. To anyone who dares to sit behind a screen and pass judgement because I made the right choice for my child after much research, I say “How dare you!”
(This is where you’d see the back of my head as I walk away.)</p>
<p>Highschoolrules.
If you are stressed due to grades, sports, and girls to the point that you are popping sleeping pills, you need to be seeing a therapist to work on destressing and putting these things in a healthier perspective. All kids are stressed out. Most kids don’t need pills to sleep.
Your caviler attitude and apparent thought that it’s cool is a bit disturbing (<3 drugs?)
Try and fix the problem, not the symptom.</p>
<p>Hi shrinkrap,
I also get the online medscape articles. And I am on several professional listservs. We always say- you get 3 professionals in a room together you get 5 opinions… By the way, your article/link speaks to exactly what I said above-- that most patients expect to be given a prescription when they go to the Dr., and may be disappointed if they leave empty-handed.</p>
<p>blueiguana-
I think hioghschoolrules is being a bit tongue in cheek. That said, some kids do take either benadryl or a prescribed sleep agent or mild anxiolytic for sleep. In this day and age, with the pressure put on HS kids to achieve/succeed (eg many cc’er students) it it probably not all that surprising that they are anxious, worry and get what I call “motor mind” when they try to go to sleep. Certainly a therapist is also a good idea. But many want to treat the symptom, not change the core underlying issue.</p>
<p>There are also medical issues where a perfectly healthy and non-stressed person cannot sleep properly. Could we all please remember that there are physical body chemistry issues behind a lot of these things and they can’t all be willed away anymore than the diabetic can de-stress his way into producing insulin?</p>
<p>Yes, there are lots of reasons for problems with early, middle or late insomnia, but in this czse highschoolrules described the things he thinks about that prevent his ability to fall asleep. He soundss like he ruminates a bit. In those cases, learning relaxation strategies is really helpful. Actually, for that matter, learning relaxation strategies is actually helpful for diabetics who have trouble regulating their glucose levels too.</p>
<p>Since my comments have been mischaracterized, I would like to clarify that my comment was that we have found that 1 out of 5 MD’s are “truly great,” not that 80% are no good. There is a big difference. To say that 20% of any profession is “truly great” is quite a compliment to that profession. When we criticize other posters, we would do well to read their posts carefully.</p>
<p>A couple of things…medication and the use of it is a personal decision. Personally I think less is better…use what you absolutely need…and nothing else.</p>
<p>RE: doctors, competencies etc. In my experience, the vast majority of doctors have been terrific. When <em>we</em> need a doctor, even in a far away place (like when DD was at college and needed surgery), we contacted the doctor we know and trust HERE…who gave us a great list of references that included the doc that ER suggested to DD. You know, once you establish a positive relationship and have confidence in THAT doctor, they can and should be a resource to you. Doctors have connections all over the country for referrals.</p>
<p>And lastly, if you are a patient who can’t be satisfied, the medical profession is a small one. Doctors can easily say they are not taking new patients and will do so. I’m not saying patients shouldn’t be advocates for themselves…of course they should be vigilant and advocate for themselves and family.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I don’t think that anyone wants to “over” medicate their children. In fact, the definition of that phrase is, “giving more medications than are necessary”. I think that virtually every parent who gives their child medicine thinks that they need it. They might be wrong, but it’s not like they’re saying, “I’m a huge fan of over-dosing kids on drugs.”</p>
<p>“it’s that simple. I’m 17 years old, and the blessing of being able to pop a pill and fall asleep without thinking”</p>
<p>Hmmm… feels like a blessing NOW. Wait…</p>
<p>
Correct, compmom. Please feel free to reread the multiple posts by several posters in response to your critique of doctors. The feedback was fair and honest in the face of what sounds like anger and resentment. No need to continue (so many posts later) to justify or explain.</p>