twee426

Wow...what a subject!!! Really interesting input from everyone!! I have a son who is 13 now. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 7. His doctor was really cool in the fact that he didn't just give him medication because the school said he had this. He referred him to Texas Childrens for a battery of tests. I can honestly say we have been on a roller coaster for 6 years now. I cannot stress this enough....FIND THE RIGHT DOCTOR!!! I stick with his original doctor now.....but at one point fell in the hands of a Psychiatrist who over medicated my child. Take this med to counteract the effects of that med.....and so on. I have found (through trial and error of alot of medications) Adderall XR works the best for my child.......Problem now: His original doctor all of a sudden switched him back to the short acting Adderall......It does not work as well and his doctor is saying there are problems with the XR??? Have any of you heard anything like this?? I have major depression; anxiety and adult ADD......Adderall XR has been a life saver for me.....For some reason it keeps me focused and calm. I do not get overwhelmed and my compulsiveness has dwindled remarkably. Any thoughts here???

Update: My dad passed away dec. 26 at 5:25pm. I now understand what the death rattle is. I read a book called Final Gifts (by 2 hospice nurses...Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley)......I'm not sure if I found out about this book through this site or a hospice site. This book really shed some insight into what I was witnessing with my dad. I would have really missed out on some very special moments had I not been aware of what to look for. I was able to hear my dad say off the wall statements and know that there was a meaning to them. I was there holding my dads hand along with my sister.....listening to Elvis Gospel Music.....when he took his last breath. I can't really explain it but it was a very peaceful moment. No gasping or fighting for air. He just stopped breathing and went to sleep. What an awesome way to go. Thankyou......Teresa

Update on my dad....His nurse came in yesterday and stated he was dehydrated from all the vomiting I suppose.(she determined it was old blood)... Ordered clysis.....??? what is that? My dad is under DNR....Hospice in home....I am wondering first of all what clysis is??? Also if my dad has wishes of dying naturally and he has stopped eating and basically shutting down....Is it wrong to have him getting fluids subcutaneously?? He's getting 50cc......only 2 liters and his nurse ordered 24 hr nursing til the immediate crisis is over. I am power of attorney and told the nurse ok....am I going against the DNR deal here? Am I prolonging the inevitable? The nurse believes he is in the pre-active phase of dying....Thanks, Teresa

thankyou!!! I kind of meant that I might not know as much as maybe someone that works in Hospice ....know what I mean?? I have never "watched" someone die before.....does this death rattle thing sound like a galloping horse if you get up close near their neck?

thankyou so much for all of your input. i went to my dads this morning.....he has this noise in his throat that sounds like a galloping horse. I was able to get him out of the bed for about 30 mins. then he was exhausted......has anyone ever heard that noise before? what is it? thanks

Hi my name is Teresa and I am new here. My dad is in Hospice (in his home). He has end stage congestive heart failure. He was told he had 6 months to live. He's been hanging on for about 3 years now I think. He's been fairly independant in his apartment ...using a walker and a cane. His nurse comes once a week and I am over there frequently (shopping, cleaning etc....). For the past couple of months he has been having trouble with holding food down. This last week he has fallen twice ....his pee is very dark...throws up everything he eats. He's saying how cold he is and weak. I am feeling like this might be the end. Is throwing your food up part of the end? Last week he was saying he was hungry....yesterday was the first time he said he didn't want any food. any info would be greatly appreciated.