Only me Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I've posted several times before about 14 year old dd. She continues with the severe insomnia. It has really started to affect her health. She has already missed 8 days of school this semester due to illness and has also had to miss due to doctor's appointments. Needless to say, she has fallen behind in her classes. Her teachers have been wonderful and have tried to give her extra help, extend guidelines etc. but the truth is that dd just doesn't have the stamina to make it through the school day and even to study for tests etc. DD has so much going on right now: dealing with a severe lack of sleep, depression from the insomnia and still recovering from the concussion. (She reinjured her head 2 weeks ago and that has delayed the healing) and she seems to be catching every virus that comes around. Her self esteem is also really going down. She has always been a bright girl and has done well on her studies and failing tests has made her feel like a failure. My husband really wanted her to go to this school mainly for the social aspect. DD tends to be quiet and shy and doesn't have any friends. She has had one friend since preschool but over the past few years that friendship has slowly faded away mostly due to just not having time to get together. Their interests have also really changed so they just don't have as much in common anymore. Her other best friend moved away a few years ago and although they keep in touch it just isn't the same. It seems that dd has gotten quieter over the past year but we also think that the insomnia has a lot to do with as well as recently diagnosed depression from the insomnia. Today dd is sick again and I feel that this is the last straw. She is losing weight (she is only 97 pounds and is 5-7). I'm very afraid what is going to happen if she gets influenza like she did last year. It kept her in bed for a week and she was very sick. I want to bring her home to homeschool her and try sending her to the private school again next year. Dh just wants me to keep her home for the semester and try again in January. I'm really unsure about the whole thing. If we homeschool her just for the semester I will have to use the exact same curriculum as the school and will have to be sure that she keeps at the same speed as the rest of the class. Since she has fallen behind that will mean that I will actually have to move at a faster pace then normal. I'm leaning toward keeping her home for the whole year. That way I have the whole year to finish her work. I'm hoping that we'll have this insomnia thing figured out soon but unfortunately it may be another few months. If I keep her home we can take things slow right now but if the insomnia improves then we can speed things up later in the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macrina Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Pull her our and tell your DH she will stay out as long as it takes to get her well- physically AND emotionally. She needs some TLC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 She is very thin. Along with all her other issues, you really want to try to prevent her from getting either of the flus. With her low weight, her insomnia, etc, I think you really could get a very sick child. My dd had a seven month long headache in 9th grade and had bouts of very bad insomnia based on some medicines they tried for the headache. I have since thought that it was such a blessing that we were homeschoolers because she would have missed the year if she was in school. Your daughter seems to be on that track right now. Get her back home, healthy, and then see where you are. It may be January when she is fine but it could be next year. Many problems are not so easily solved by medicine and it takes time. (By the way, my dd is 102 and 5'4.5" and I was 106 and 5'6.5" in college, lost weight, fell to 98 lbs, and kept getting sick because I was too thin so its my opinion about her weight but something I do have experience with). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Pull her our and tell your DH she will stay out as long as it takes to get her well- physically AND emotionally. She needs some TLC. :iagree: Her physically health and mental well being is wayyyyy important. I'm sorry you haven't gotten answers yet :( :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink Fairy Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Homeschooling is the best option for a situation like this, even for people who aren't normally homeschoolers. Your dd's health is compromised, she isn't ABLE to function well in regular school, and everything points to hsing as the solution. I suppose to pacify your dh you could reevaluate at the end of this semester and see if she's ready to return to her current school, but based on your description I'd say she could benefit from staying home the entire school year. I'm sorry you and your dd are going through this! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I say pull her for at least the rest of the year to allow her time to rest and recover. As someone who deals with severe insomnia I can tell you that it can have a devestating effect on all aspects of your life. Functioning becomes extremely difficult and learning almost impossible. There is no way she is going to be able to learn at a faster pace. She needs to slow down and even try power naps during the day. She probably won't sleep but she can at least get some rest. I know you have serious concerns about the more powerful sleep meds but at this point I would strongly urge you to consider them. Something like Ambien or Lunesta or since you are also dealing with depression an anti-depressant with strong sleep properties. This last bout I had with insomnia was so bad I was starting to have various sensory hallucinations and the doc started talking about hopitalization. I really hope that they figure something out for your dd and soon so that she can start resting and recooperating. ETA: You might want to check out the book Insomnia by Gail Greene as well. You can probably get it at the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Pull her our and tell your DH she will stay out as long as it takes to get her well- physically AND emotionally. She needs some TLC. :iagree::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Pull her our and tell your DH she will stay out as long as it takes to get her well- physically AND emotionally. She needs some TLC. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Only me Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 I know you have serious concerns about the more powerful sleep meds but at this point I would strongly urge you to consider them. Something like Ambien or Lunesta or since you are also dealing with depression an anti-depressant with strong sleep properties. This last bout I had with insomnia was so bad I was starting to have various sensory hallucinations and the doc started talking about hopitalization. She actually tried Ambien. It won't put her to sleep. It still takes her 2-3 hours to fall asleep but she also got severe hallucinations. So either the sleep meds won't help at all or will give her bad side effects and still won't help. We've tried 7 kinds so far. She tried Lexapro for the depression. The doctor started her off on 1/2 dose. It caused her to have some shakiness in her hands, unsettling but not too bad. The day after the doctor increased the dose to the full amount I ended up having to take dd to urgent care. She was shaking from head to foot, her heart was racing, she had palpitations and was sweating when everyone else was freezing. They took an EKG since her heart was racing so much and luckily everything was ok but it was a pretty intense day. The psychatrist said she won't be prescribing any more meds for dd. Her body just can't handle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma23peas Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Praying!! Our daughter just suffered for 9 months, horrific pain/specialists, we feel we are finally on the upward swing!! So take hope!!! 1. Dump meds (sounds like you've done this) let her body work for her. 2. Exercise (know she's weak right now, but simply heading to a park, getting a walk in, tennis, whatever she is up to, but get her OUTSIDE, the sun does wonders and the fresh air...) 3. Bring her home...traditional school and all the 'work' that goes along with it will only defeat her... 4. Get her involved...it's a requirement that my kids have 2-3 outside activities....here's a list of what we've tried in the past and currently do. speech/debate (lots of kids involved here, great for social aspect) music lessons (builds neural pathways and helps with memory) Irish dancing (toning and tough!) Rallyball/Tennis lessons (gets them outside!) gymnastics (good for winter activity and flexibility) fencing (just cool to do!) scouting (I started an American Heritage Girls troop 3 years ago, we've doubled almost every year! Camping/badges, fun! Ballet Science Olympiad B.E.S.T. Robotics teams Lego robotics teams Science clubs/classes Co-ops for languages quilting classes/crocheting etc. weekly historical village where the kids dress up and teach early american skills to school children art lessons (local art museum held classes where my kids met a lot of children) horse lessons Whatever you can find in the community, get her involved in 2-3 things..make one a physical activity and outdoors, especially before winter sets in...check your local community center for plays/theater etc...give her a couple of great books to read over the next few weeks and let her get back to a home schedule and add some fun things in!! Let us know how it goes! Praying for you both! Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caitlinsmom Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I just wanted to agree with everyone else. Bring her home and let her get well. Pushing her to keep up with the pace at school will only effect her negatively. You said she was in school mainly for social issues. With her body so worn out and not at its peak, socially she isnt going to be up to it anyway! I would suggest some mellow activities like maybe a teen book club at the library, volunteering at a pet shelter, etc to get her out of the house and talking. These things wont be nearly as draining as the social life at school and it will really help her mental state. Once she is feeling better then tackle the social stuff. Something mellow for now might be best. Good luck, I will keep your dd in my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PineFarmMom Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 :iagree: Her physically health and mental well being is wayyyyy important. I'm sorry you haven't gotten answers yet :( :grouphug: :iagree: :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quad Shot Academy Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I agree with all the pp's, but wanted to add that you might consider a food allergy elimination diet, if you haven't yet. I get insomnia from eating diary. I also have multiple food sensitivities that get me really out of whack. I was very sick as a teen, and had to be taken out of school, but thanks to the food allergy diet I am on, I feel the best I ever have in my whole life! I am so sorry for you and your daughter. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Only me Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 We took her out today. We are going to homeschool her until January and reevaluate at that time. The school is being very cooperative with us. I don't need to follow the exact curriculum. I just need to be sure to cover the same things but can use any book I want as long I finish by January. I'm happy that she is home again but now I am starting to panic. I am awful at geometry. Can anyone suggest a book or online course that would help me get through it with her. I need a lot of hand holding! I think I'm ok with biology but want to find a place online that she can do virtual labs. She also needs to do an intro to computers course (typing, word, Excel, etc.). The rest of her classes will be pretty easy to cover (Bible and English). Thanks for all of the suggestions and reassurance that I am doing the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 She actually tried Ambien. It won't put her to sleep. It still takes her 2-3 hours to fall asleep but she also got severe hallucinations. So either the sleep meds won't help at all or will give her bad side effects and still won't help. We've tried 7 kinds so far. She tried Lexapro for the depression. The doctor started her off on 1/2 dose. It caused her to have some shakiness in her hands, unsettling but not too bad. The day after the doctor increased the dose to the full amount I ended up having to take dd to urgent care. She was shaking from head to foot, her heart was racing, she had palpitations and was sweating when everyone else was freezing. They took an EKG since her heart was racing so much and luckily everything was ok but it was a pretty intense day. The psychatrist said she won't be prescribing any more meds for dd. Her body just can't handle it. Oh hon, I am so sorry to hear that. Is she getting any sleep? What is the doctor saying regarding the lack of sleep? A person can not go indefinitely with no sleep. Have they considered benzos? That would be a very drastic measure for a teen but I can imagine that she is feeling quite desperate by now. It causes a panic-y feeling almost like suffocation and to know that there are no other options, I just can't imagine. My meds stop working sometimes and I have to go a few days without but I can't imagine facing this without any help. I still recommend the book. If I recall correctly the author has not be able to find help either and she may have listed some comping skills. I do keep your dd in my prayers. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Only me Posted September 22, 2009 Author Share Posted September 22, 2009 I still recommend the book. If I recall correctly the author has not be able to find help either and she may have listed some comping skills. Thank you. I ordered the book last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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