Psychiatrist called. Psychiatrist tried to get my D into the hospital she usually uses but her brand new insurance is not taken there. So now daughter’s in the ER.
Her MD has LIthium below therapeutic level and has not raised it. MD also raised SSRI. This alone could cause agitation. She stopped Lamictal which had not gone beyond very low dose.
My daughter isn’t answering her phone so I can’t do anything but sit her and fret. could try and find her at local ER’s but she probably won’t let me in.
@compmom I’m so sorry. This is so very hard. I think the ER will try to get your daughter’s ok to call you. Hopefully it is an entry to better stability.
I hope they have found her a bed in a hospital, and that she will contact you with an update. When my daughter was transferred from ER to hospital they wouldn’t give us any information, even though she approved contact. It’s the most helpless feeling in the world.
If I recall, lamictal requires gradual increase to therapeutic dose to watch for rare serious side effect, a rash. It’s possible it might still work for her given more time and higher dose. Don’t blame yourself for the housing issues, it’s more likely the medication changes are entirely responsible for the destabilization.
Thanks to all who provided info about the medical dependent issue. I reviewed our evidence of coverage (blue shield) and am very happy to find that my S18 would qualify down the road, assuming his childhood-onset diagnoses don’t change (which seems highly unlikely). I stopped looking at CC much after the change to the “new” format, but these helpful responses remind me how important it was as a source of information for me in the past. Thanks again! @DeniseC@musicmom@HImom
@compmom, I am so sorry you are facing these issues all at once - your own health, your daughter’s crisis, housing uncertainty . . . absolutely overwhelming. I am thinking of you.
@pickledginger ,
So glad to hear that the insurance issue may be a nonissue for your son.
I cant imagine leaving this group. Too many generous, knowledgeable people hang out here.
I belong to a group of special needs parents IRL that meet locally. Great speakers and support but this forum is invaluable too.
I have gotten so much good info from this group and really treasure the valuable advice so freely shared.
My suggestion for anyone wanting to get their kiddo declared a medical dependent is to start paperwork like a year early—really. Sometimes things churn very slowly and you don’t want to rush your loved ones being uncovered while the bureaucracy slowly churns.
Son is still hospitalized. DH got him a pass yesterday and they spent a nice afternoon at the mall together. I’m kind of thankful that my husband is forced to help my son while I’m gone, to see what I do all the time! I’m having to compartmentalize and not think about DS at this point.
My dad was discharged to home hospice yesterday and probably has less than two weeks left. There are so many details to discuss with him while he still can talk. The fact that Mom isn’t doing great cognitively makes everything more challenging.
@MaineLonghorn this is the ultimate sandwich situation. And actually your are dealing with not one, not two, but three situations. Thinking of you.
My D is safe. This was all from the med changes done by her psychiatrist, which I knew would be trouble. Not just reduction of Lithium but addition of an anticonvulsant. In the past anticonvulsants have caused loss of control, impulsivity, depersonalization and one nearly successful suicide attempt.
The bipolar clinic we wanted is not covered by her insurance. Trying to find another one. She needs help with the nausea with Lithium. Not sure she will stay on otherwise.
I am going to call a compounding pharmacist for advice.
ML good luck with the very difficult combination you are dealing with.
So very sorry @MaineLonghorn and @compmom for all you are going through. Sending good thoughts for your kids to improve quickly and, if that is the path for your dad MLH for peace for him.
My son got out of the hospital on Wednesday. Since I was still in Texas (don’t return until Monday), my husband picked him up and got him settled back into his apartment. The staff say he’s doing well, whew!
Dad is still hanging in there. He is such a fighter! We’ve had some good talks. I think my sister and I have convinced him we will take good care of Mom after he’s gone.
I picked up my son from his apartment yesterday, because he has a psychiatrist appointment today. He doesn’t look great. I think maybe his ECT session yesterday was rough.
His house was not happy that I took him and planned to bring him home tomorrow. After discussing it, DH and I decided we should keep him with us for the duration. So I will work on arranging that today. We need to figure out meds and other logistics. His younger brother and sister will be staying with us, too. Ack. I think it will be nice to have all three of them here at first, but then it will get hard. Youngest is stressed out (she’s doing college work online), middle kid is prickly, and oldest is struggling mentally. Meanwhile, DH and I do have a business that is still functioning. At least we live in a big house with a hot tub, ha. I’m glad we hadn’t downsized yet.
Surprised that your son’s psychiatrist isn’t doing therapy at a distance but given the recent ECT maybe he needs to physically see him. With our kids at home I have mixed feelings: wanting to give refuge but on the other hand wishing I had control over my environment due to my own health. Good luck!
Did his house have a prohibition against going out?
We tried a video session last week and it didn’t go too well. It really is important for the doctor to physically see him. We’re not going against any state regulations for the appointments.
His house is trying to minimize the number of times the residents go out into the community and return. They’re still allowed to go shopping, etc. I explained that I would be taking my son only to our house and the doctor, but they were still concerned.
For a child about to select their college who has a diagnosis of anxiety and depression, what would you suggest we ask the college as to their mental health services? I dont even know where to begin.