At WDW and need to vent!

[katydoll]

Hello all!


I checked in last night with my 14yo ASD, bipolar, GAD daughter. Her newest thing is med refusal, and sure enough, she refused to take her meds last night, even when I reminded her that in order to go to the park today she would need to take her meds. (Both pm and am.) She gets "stuck" and no matter how many angles I tried she refused.

No pm meds yielded no sleep. She was up most of the night. I woke her after noon and asked if she wanted to get up and go to the pool. (Her favorite.) Of course she now just wants to go to the parks. I have offered that if she takes her am meds we can go to the parks later in the day, but not right now. (Consequences for last night). She has turned it into a battle and refused.

So now I'm sitting on the balcony at BLT, watching the world go by, convincing myself to stay strong as we have a week ahead of us.

Just needed to vent and maybe get some encouragement. No negative comments, please. I'm in my happy place, after all.

 

[Wcpedorc]

Stay strong! I'm praying for you both.

 

[katydoll]

Thanks so much!! Trying to soak up the peace so I can bank it for later! ;-)

 

[pieface]

Can you crush up her medication and mix it in her food or drink

 

[pieface]

I really feel for you and wish you the best I know what your going for. Hang in there at least you're in a happy place.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Can you crush up her medication and mix it in her food or drink

I think I agree with this approach. I really think in your situation you need to carefully pick your battles. First you have a teenager not easy in its self then all the other issue's you mentioned. If it was me I would save the power struggle with DD for when you get home. For now do what you may need to do to get her to take her medication and both of you enjoy this wonderful vacation you can have with each other. The memory's will be worth

 

[Ali]

I say stay strong and enjoy the balcony. She knows what she has to do and you are a great parent for setting boundaries and consequences! You are awesome!!!

 

[FortForever]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. It sounds like you are handling it the way I wish I would have handled it when I faced the same problem at the same age with my son.

My son is now 23, has the same exact problems as your daughter, and has been non compliant with medication since about her age. I let him get away with not taking it instead of implementing consequences and sticking to them.

I don't know if there is a way to sneak it in her food, but I think I would try it at least during vacation.

Try to stay strong and know that you are doing the right thing for your daughter. If it helps any, know that many of us know exactly how you feel and what you are going through. You are not as alone in the world as it may feel right now.

I will remember you and your daughter in my prayers. Keep us updating. Hope your week takes a turn for the better by morning.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Good for you sticking to the rules you set. I hope things went well last night and you're out enjoying the parks.

Sending happy thoughts for a peaceful, enjoyable vacation!

 

[bookwormde]

Well I guess I will take the other side.

I am assuming the meds have to do with her ASD/anxiety.

At 14 she needs to start to understand herself and the value of anything she is taking.

WDW is actually are great place to let her "try it on her own"

Relax and work with her, threats and bribes are only going to work for a few more years at best, so you might as well get ready.

 

[Diegosmom]

Thats stinks...

Does her meds affect her behaviors?..I say this in terms of will she be a total bear or have melt downs or what not in the park without them?

I have always told parents a lesson I learned don't threaten a punishment that you arent going to want to implement...

You are doing good in sticking to your guns but what if she refuses all week? will you stay in the room or at resort all week?

I'm not trying to say this as a negative comment...just curious is you have a "long term" (meaning the week) plan?

And prayers to you...

Oh and is there a reason she doesnt want to take them, like they make her dizzy or natious or something that she might not have told you about...

 

[Kristibo42]

I have a niece who is autistic and does not like to take her meds. For several years my sister will crush her pills and put it in pudding or anything like that. She has even done soft ice cream or milk shakes. We have taken her to Disney several time and when we have been at restaurant when my sister has ask for a small amount of something soft and explains why she only needs a small amount most times she is not even charged for it. A couple of times they have even brought out a special treat for my niece. Good luck and hope your trip is magical. Just keep a smiling everything will work out!!!

 

[Diegosmom]

just noticed you posted this yesterday...hope you guys made it to the park today....

 

[t_daniels]

Can you crush up her medication and mix it in her food or drink

I think I agree with this approach. I really think in your situation you need to carefully pick your battles. First you have a teenager not easy in its self then all the other issue's you mentioned. If it was me I would save the power struggle with DD for when you get home. For now do what you may need to do to get her to take her medication and both of you enjoy this wonderful vacation you can have with each other. The memory's will be worth

This wouldn't help in the long run, if the child needs to take medicine regularly.

Op, good job. Just do what you feel is best for you. <3

 

[katydoll]

Thanks for your encouraging words. This is our umpteenth time to WDW, so if she had chosen to continue not taking meds, yes, we would have just enjoyed the resort for a week.

But....

It worked! She took her meds both last night and this morning without much fuss.

She definitely needs her meds, and the parks are the last place I'd want to be with her if she was unmedicated.

Interestingly, her anxiety seems much worse this trip. She rarely let go of my hand at HS today, and she doesn't want to trade pins b/c she is too stressed about talking to strangers, even cast members.

It's a whole new world this time around. ;-)

 

[Laineysmom]

Good for you for sticking to your guns. I'm glad she learned quickly you meant business. I pray the rest of your week goes smoothly!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm closing this thread because it was posted on the general disABILITIES Board, not the one about Disney World.

And, the original post was months ago, so it is resolved.