9yr old grandson hospitalized again :(

My grandson was dx'ed with bipolar, odd, ocd, ptsd about 3 years ago at the age of 6. It's been an up and down battle with him to keep him safe and healthy. This is where we are right now. Has anyone else had a child going through this? If so, do you have any words of wisdom for me?

Ok, here goes -

Larzs' outbursts and behaviors have been escalating for about 3 months now. His mom has explained to his T and his team that he needs some kind of med change. They are slow at responding to these requests. And sometimes my daughter does not follow up the way she should either.

Larz received a new med about a week and a half ago that was supposed to help stabilize his mood swings....it didn't touch it. He has been very mouthy at home, always having to have the last word, never listening to exactly what anyone is saying to him in order to try to help him through his difficulties and now for the past 40 days or so has been physically lashing out at his friends, the kids at the boys and girls club and himself....ie, punching himself very hard in the face, the head, his stomach and his extremities. He was suspended from the boys and girls club the other day for 2 days because he bent back some fingers of another kid and got up on the pool table and started throwing the pool balls around the room. He was scheduled for overnight camp for 12 days and did great with it last year. After 3 days, he was suspended from that and sent home because he attacked a kid in his bunk house. Over the past couple of months he has been banned from playing with the kids next door, his friends for inappropriate behavior, aggressive and some sexual as well.

My daughter finally had enough the other day and we took him to the ER to be checked out and admitted to the children's psych hospital. They agreed in their assessment of him that he needed to be there. So, he is there now....lord knows for how long. At the very least for 2 weeks. He'll miss the start of school. He was so looking forward to going back to school.

I went with my daughter to the hearing at the state hospital to have Larz committed involuntarily. When he spoke with the attorney handling his case, he told her that he knows he needs to be there and that he needs help in controlling his angry outbursts and learning how to deal with his peers. It brought tears to our eyes to think that a 9yr old boy has such insight into his emotions and feelings and knows that he can't do this alone. And even though he is 100% on board about being in this hospital, he's involuntarily admitted because the hospital will have the right to hold him there until they feel he is no longer a danger to himself or another, even if he feels he is ready to leave before they do. That's the involuntary part Even the judge was taken back by Larz admitting to the fact that he needed help and was calm, cool and collected at the hearing. You have no idea how proud I am of him.....and at the same time how my heart is breaking for this beautiful grandson of mine who has a huge heart and much compassion for others when he is not out of control.

The psychiatrist called my daughter this morning and informed her that they took Larz off the med that his team put him on to help his mood. He said this med was basically worthless in helping anyone with their personality disorders and mood swings. They have now started him on lithium with a seroquel prn. I am really nervous about the lithium. I know it's done wonders for a lot of folks, but I'm wondering where do we go from there if he maxes out on it at a very young age??? I can't wait to speak to the psychiatrist myself as I have many questions at this time.

So, thats where we stand now. The house is relatively too quiet, I miss seeing him here and his hugs and kisses and hearing "I love you grammie" many times a day. My heart is very sad right now...so please forgive me if I'm somewhat quiet for awhile.


sabby

(hugs) i hope things get better

get thyroid tests on him while on lithium!

My thoughts are with you and your family. Huge hugs.

((((((((((((( HALLIE ))))))))))))) Thanks hon for the tip on the thyroid tests....I'll be sure to make that happen!


sabby

Thank you very much ((((((((((((Schatje ))))))))))))))))))) we sure can use all the good thoughts and hugs we can get right now!


sabby

(((sabby)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
my thoughts and prayers are with all of you
He is a smart child and a gift
he will make it
and so will you my friend
muffy

(((((((((((((( ladybug95 & muffy )))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you so very much. He has had his ups and downs since being admitted. Two days ago he had a reaction to either just the lithium or the combo of the lithium and the increase in abilify. He could not control his neck and head and was looking like a bobblehead He immediately told the staff and they gave him cogentin (sp?).

In the mean time he is feeling better, acting better and hopefully will be home sooner than anticipated.

Again, thank you all for your love and care during this difficult time!


sabby

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Sabby}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} I'm so sorry! Your grandson, your family and the doctors will be in my prayers.

(((((((((((( Larz, his mom, Sabby & family )))))))))))))

Thinking of you! I hope Larz will receive the help needed as fast as possible.

(((((( Sabby )))))) Sending you good thoughts.

((((((((((((((Tomi, Nina & Vince )))))))))))))))))))))

Thanks so much my dear ones! I visited with Larz yesterday for a little while. Poor guy has a stomach bug and is running to the bathroom constantly. The staff moved him to another room that has his own private bathroom and they are doing their best to get him the immodium every time he has a "problem". They are trying to keep him a bit segregated as they don't want the bug to spread to all the other kids and staff....but not to the point where he has no contact with others. It's a hard one to handle when in a place like that

I felt so badly for him, all he wanted to do was cuddle with me. (that's not the hard part...I love cuddling with my grandson!). Hopefully today he'll be feeling back to his old self and it was just a 24hour bug thing.

It seems the change in meds is having a positive affect on Larz. His behaviors seem calmed yet he doesn't seem all drugged up (thank goodness!!!). So, we'll take it day by day and go from there. Hopefully he'll be home soon.


sabby

(sabby and grandson)))))))))))))))))))))
I hope he gets over flu soon
Neither one of you needed that
I am happy is doing mentally better
muffy

Sabby,

Wow, this hits home! My son is the same age and has similar diagnoses and well as symptoms. He hasn't been hospitalized yet, which I am thankful for. Sometimes, it seems no matter how much support or love there is for the child, it just isn't enough or what they need.

Keeping you and your family close in my thoughts!


Dee

thats great to hear! i hope he continues to feel better and comes home soon!

(((((((((((( Sabby Grandson )))))))))))

Thanks a bunch ((((((((((((( fluffymuffy )))))))))))))))))))


sabby

(((((((( Dee )))))))))))

I'm sorry to hear that your son has some of the same issues as Larz. It's not easy as a parent or grandparent to see our kids having such difficulties. I'm glad he hasn't had any hospitalizations and I pray he never has to go through that.

Thanks hon!


sabby

Thank you (((((((((((((((( Halliebeth ))))))))))))))))

Actually, Larz came home this afternoon!!! The staff believes he is now in a calmer state, the lithium is helping and he's feeling better tummy wise too. The last outburst he had, and it was fairly mild was with his socks and shoes not feeling right. He has horrible sensory issues with his socks and shoes That happened 2 days ago. He wanted to leave to start school tomorrow, so they agreed to letting him go on a conditional discharge. If by chance he has more issues, especially with starting school tomorrow, he can be readmitted without having to go through the ER again.

We went out school shopping this afternoon and he got his hair cut. He's psyched...he wanted another mohawk and he got one! It looks great


sabby

Thanks so much for your love and support ((((((((((((((((((((( Justgiving ))))))))))))))))))))


sabby

(((((((((((((( sabby )))))))))))))))

((((((((((((( grandson )))))))))))))

(((((((((((((((( fuzzyiestwuzzyiestbearzyiest ))))))))))))))))))))

Thanks sweety.....your support means so very much!


sabby

Reading what you wrote brought tears to my eyes, I wish you all the love in the world right now and hope you all get the help you need for everyones sake especialy Larzs.

Love and hugs to the beautiful woman that you are.

((((((((((((((( Tishie ))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much my friend......I so appreciate your words, thoughts and love....


sabby

Sabby,

I'm sorry that so much difficult stuff is happening to your family right now. I can't even imagine how hard it is to watch a precious grandson go through so much turmoil and suffering.

I do hope they can help him stablize quickly and deal with the outbursts and other disorders that afflict him.

You are so good at encouraging others around here and I hope a lot of that comes back to left your spirits right now.

Leslieann

(((((((((((((((((Leslieann ))))))))))))))))))))) Thank you sweetheart for your kind words.

It is very heartbreaking to see a young child suffering the way he is. It's even more difficult when he realizes himself that he doesn't like lashing out but has such difficulty in maintaining and releasing it in a more healthy and safe way. He is learning....and he is trying so that is a most wonderful thing.

It really kicks me in the stomach to hear a 9yr old say to the T that he "knows" he needs to be in the hospital to get straightened out. Just rips my heart out you know?

Larz did well in his first day at school. I am very proud of him and he was happy to be back. He does need schedules and needs to know what to expect and when most days. So going back to school is really a good thing for him. After school yesterday his case manager picked him up and brought him out and about for a treat and talk. I think this new guy is going to do wonders with Larz....he doesn't let Larz shirk his responsibility to work on his issues!

Again, thank you sweety.....I so appreciate your love and support! And btw....I think you are a wonderful addition to PC and I always read your posts.....very insightful and supportive!


sabby