Inside Families Living with Autism

[Accountable for Me]

Just a FYI for those of you that are interested. Oprah is having a show 'Inside Families Living with Autism" on tomorrow. (Thursday)

[Preciouspinot]

Inside Families Living with Autism

Thanks for the info Accountable..

[Green Goddess]

Inside Families Living with Autism

Hi Accountable,

Saw your thread about autism and jumped in. That show was a good one on Oprah - I saw it the first time it aired and learned a lot. I was especially interested because my youngest child has PDD, which is a high functioning form of autism.

It is kind of ironic, but she is turning 5 years old tomorrow and I started my daily drinking the very evening I gave birth to her. I came home from a wonderful water birth (didn't drink while pregnant or get drugs during or after labor) and enjoyed a glass of wine, and then the next night, and then it became 2 glasses, 3 glasses, a bottle, etc., and here I am five years later fighting an alcohol addiction.

Now what is really weird is that I just got my topa today and am starting the MWO program full swing. I have been doing it off and on for over a year and a half but never with the drug. Have moderated quite a bit but would really like to go 30 days AF. So it's kinda funny that it is exactly 5 years to the day! Didn't plan it that way - the universe works in mysterious ways.

Love & Light - GG

[Accountable for Me]

Inside Families Living with Autism

Hi Green Goddess. Although my daughter doesn't have autism I am going to watch it as I am meeting more people with autistic children and want to learn more about it.

I am the same as you. I came home from the hospital after giving birth and had a few myself. It escalated from there ... again.... I was doing so well with the AF since December but have started to drink a little too much too often again. Friday, Sunday and last night. God, I hate this. I haven't tried the Topamax and am a bit scared to. I have been losing hair since the birth of my daughter and it is a possible side effect with the Topa. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow and I hope he will have options for these really crappy anxiety attacks I have been having the last few weeks which got me drinking again because they are so bad and I can't sleep with out the self medicating. I am not drinking today - as I know there may be relief in the near future. Or at least that is what I hope for tomorrow.

I wish you all the best in your 30 days AF! Sounds like you have the right ammo all ready!!

[happycamper68]

Inside Families Living with Autism

My daughter is autistic. Thanks AFM for telling us, I missed it last time. I am going to set the TIVO right now!! :h :h :h

[xtexan]

Inside Families Living with Autism

My nephew is autistic.

I only get to see him twice a year, but he loves his Uncle Neil. The little guy is brilliant with mathematics, and covets my electronic gadgets, so Christmas and birtday presents are fairly clear cut.

When he was only 4 or so, I was able to teach him basic geometric solids using those magnetic stick and ball toys. It was amazing to hear him repeat the words "rhombic octahedron" with perfect clarity, and then know it from then on, and reconstruct the configuration with ease.

Anyway, last summer, I was left in charge of him for a few minutes while his Mom and Dad and sister rode the big roller coaster at an amusement park. He was too small to ride yet. So he starts screaming, "Dipping Dots!! Dipping Dots!!" I had no idea, and let him drag me to the kiosk for the ice cream. I helped him with the transaction, as he was helpless at that point. Pretty good. I never know what to do when he has a meltdown, without his mom nearby.

He has his meltdowns, and tantrums, but his parents have been working with him patiently since he was diagnosed at about 2 or 3 years old. He finally started making eye contact with me in the last couple of years, so he is coming along. I try to tune into his thinking pattern sometimes, but you know how it is when they just disconnect.

Great little guy. He hates writing though, as it is too "boring". Math, science, and computers though are his big things.

Hope they figure this one out soon.

Neil

[Green Goddess]

Inside Families Living with Autism

Hi Accountable,

I was really scared of taking medication, but have realized that even when I did do the rest of the program completely, I couldn't seem to control the drinking as much as a would like. I have problems with cravings and the Kudzu just isn't enough. I finally decided to try the Campral since it seemed to have less scary side affects, but it didn't help at all with the cravings and I had yucky intestinal stuff with it.

So today I am starting the topa and am going to take it very slowly. I am really hoping this will work for me, otherwise, I don't know what I will do. I have cut back a lot, but am still drinking 4 or more days a week with short periods of abstinence here and there. The most I went AF was 6 days and I did that 3 times over the past 2 years. Not real great, but every time I was able to do it I felt more hopeful that I can beat this. What I have realized is that I need help; and I have been getting it in the form of counseling, this program and website, and now I am trying meds. Hopefully, it will be short term as I do not feel that I am a hardcore alcoholic, but just need a little help to break a nasty little habit.

I don't know if it is the drug or just the fact that I recommitted to the program today, but I had no desire to drink tonight, which is great since I have had a horrible craving every night for the past 2 weeks.

I try real hard not to beat myself up when I don't meet my goals - that is the hardest part. Be kind to yourself Accountable, we are all in this together and we are all perfect in our own unique ways.

Love & Light - GG

[Beaches]

Inside Families Living with Autism

Thanks AFM for the information. I hope to catch it and love watching anything to do with autism...my son has autism who is 4.