Special needs daughter & periods

mumto2loves

((cathy36))
aw i really feel for your poor daughter:(

just wanted to say I started my periods in yr 5 (age 9) and i was really really so heavy and they went on for well over a week with sometimes only 2 weeks in between, but I was put on the pill at 10.
I'm pretty sure I wasn't told it was a contraceptive - or at least if I was told it didn't register! It made them lighter so I didn't keep leaking through to my skirt - the amount of times my teacher had to tell me that I needed to change my skirt in the end HE just used to have to say my name and give me 'that' look. It also regulated them so they only lasted 5 days.

I'm sure there are many reasons people could come up with why a child shouldn't be on the pill but sometimes we need to look at what is best for the child at that time and I really think this would be an option worth lookng at for your dd at the moment.

I hope the hospital appointment goes well tomorrow and they come up with something to help.
xx

thegirlintheattic

There are things that can be done but you need to talk it through with the GP or consultant, as most, unless the learning difficulties are severe will agree to stop the periods indefenantly.

I don't agree with the school, picking her up at lunchtime is not a suitable solution.

grey_lady

The pill. hormonal coil etc all come with their own side effects, sometimes the side effects can outweigh the benefits - it's really up to the medical professionals to find the best solution here.

cathy36

LE3 wrote: »

does she cope with normal toileting at school or does she have a carer to help? If she copes normally, then she WILL cope with this, it's just a case of getting to her own level of understanding - would she respond to a big "celebration" of the fact that she's growing up - maybe a special "grown up" necklace or something as a present?
If she has a carer at school to help with toileting, they will help with this too - there is a young lady I know who has a carer to help with toileting and the carer also helps with period related issues.

She has a special pass to let her go at anytime as she has bladder trouble. She is in complete denial and doesn't want to acknowledge whats she's going through. We have hospital this afternoon so hopefully they can help us through this.

cathy36

jackyann wrote: »

This is really not acceptable Cathy. When you are over this initial difficult time, I do hope that you can get some proper help. I hope that the school nurse can help and suggest some suitable resources (have you looked for support groups on the internet?) Where I worked, it was the nurses / health visitors who did this teaching, not the teachers.
I suggest you look for some simple relaxation exercises as well. You can tell her that "breathing like this" will help.

I totally agree it shouldn't be left to the teachers to teach them. It was just bish bash bosh, this is how it is and off home. The sensitive ones, bottom class special needs were not taken out and taught separately which I was very angry about. We have hospital this afternoon so am going to ask for more help.

cathy36

jazabelle wrote: »

What about the mini pill? I've been on it years - and don't ever have periods. I know it's not always simple for everyone, but it's an option to look at if she's able to at her age.

Good luck.

This has been mentioned to me, I am going to ask at hospital this afternoon if this is an option.
Thank you.x

cathy36

mumto2loves wrote: »

((cathy36))
aw i really feel for your poor daughter:(

just wanted to say I started my periods in yr 5 (age 9) and i was really really so heavy and they went on for well over a week with sometimes only 2 weeks in between, but I was put on the pill at 10.
I'm pretty sure I wasn't told it was a contraceptive - or at least if I was told it didn't register! It made them lighter so I didn't keep leaking through to my skirt - the amount of times my teacher had to tell me that I needed to change my skirt in the end HE just used to have to say my name and give me 'that' look. It also regulated them so they only lasted 5 days.

I'm sure there are many reasons people could come up with why a child shouldn't be on the pill but sometimes we need to look at what is best for the child at that time and I really think this would be an option worth lookng at for your dd at the moment.

I hope the hospital appointment goes well tomorrow and they come up with something to help.
xx

Thank you. Gosh poor you at that age and a MR as the teacher too. I totally agree with all what you have said. I think she needs putting on something as 'heavy periods' are not nice for an adult let alone a child who has to miss school, restrictions on leaving the house, gets her mum to change her and clean her up and showers in her clothes.
Fingers crossed for this afternoon!

cathy36

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

There are things that can be done but you need to talk it through with the GP or consultant, as most, unless the learning difficulties are severe will agree to stop the periods indefenantly.

I don't agree with the school, picking her up at lunchtime is not a suitable solution.

Thank you. I hope there is something than can be done to help make them lighter and then I can help her/teach her calmly without being sooo hysterical.

cathy36

grey_lady wrote: »

The pill. hormonal coil etc all come with their own side effects, sometimes the side effects can outweigh the benefits - it's really up to the medical professionals to find the best solution here.

They might just observe for the next couple of months before making a immediate decision. I have Factor V Leiden so couldn't take the pill, just hope this is not hereditary.

kelfen

Hopefully they can give her the Pill, and if the doctor agrees, she can take it for more than one pack - so takes 3 packs in a row, then has a period, hopefully it might lessen the shock if she knows she only has to go through it once every 3 months or so