My LO's about to turn 3. Been using a potty & steps for the big toilet for several months now. Started training pants today.
We have so far had 5 changes of pants, 3 changes of legwear (they insisted on wearing them!) and 2 changes of tops.
I know it's only up from here, but I'm solo parenting today and I am at my wits end for the day! (PMS and a predisposition to catasrophise doesn't help!)
So, when does it get better?
I just had my first medication appointment, and thought I'd share what happened so that for others like me, who want to know what to expect in advance, might not feel so nervous going into it.
I was diagnosed in August last year, and waited 9 months for my 'MPS' appointment. I was sent an email of about 2 weeks notice for the booking slot for this 30 minute virtual appointment. The only prep I had to do was an updated physical information with height, weight, BP and HR beforehand.
I was not told what the contents of this appointment would be. I wasn't told IN the appointment how it would go, she just launched straight into fast-paced questions. So here's what it looked like for me:
It was the first appointment to issue me with a prescription. It was a 1:1 virtual appointment with a licensed prescriber, who needed to ask me the same medical questions as before, but to receive current answers; what medication I'm on, details of family history or personal diagnoses etc.
I was told that dependant on my answers to the updated medical, I would either be clear for issue of a prescription at the end of that appointment, or I may need to go into a waiting list for follow-up with any relevant professional such as: Cardiologist, GP etc. The longest wait for those appointments was the Cardio with up to 9 week wait.
As it was I narrowly avoided referral to a Cardiologist, but I still came away with 2 things that my prescriber needs to double check with Team Lead before issuing me. One of these was the length of time I've been on my current dose of anti-depressant, which they need 3 months of stable dose before they will issue ADHD meds. (For me I'm just clear of the cut-off, but they want to get reassurance).
They only issue 3 varieties of ADHD drug at Problem Shared. These are 1 Non-stim (Atamoxetine), and 2 Stims (Methylphenidate and Lisdex'). They don't like to issue the Non-stim first unless medically necessary. The Lisdex is only in a long acting 12 hour, and they do 4/8/12 Hr Meth'.
I was told a brief explanation of how they are supposed to feel in your system (Lisdex is up a little bit then constant throughout the day, Meth' is like a big arching curve, and Atamoxetine takes up to 12 weeks to take effect) and then given the choice which one I would rather take. I opted for Methylphenidate, and chose 12 Hr. My prescriber told me I would be starting at 18mg, and could go up to 27mg after 2 weeks, but I elected to stay at 18 until my next review.
Once the prescribing team have ok'd my medical history, I am to expect an email from a company called Pharmacierge who will have the information available to book my home delivery (I need to be in to sign for it). I will get a copy of the report from this appointment.
Then a follow-up will be booked with Problem Shared for 3-4 weeks time to review my experience on the medication.