Catching Up : Autism Update

J had a neurology appointment early this morning and he had a psychiatry appointment on Monday evening. While the main psych wanted J hospitalized to find out the cause of the rages and to even out his meds, neither doctor deemed it necessary at this time. At the moment, I agree with them. 
   The psychiatrist he saw on Monday asked a lot of questions and the end result was a trial of a new behavior med. Not too happy with another pill to add to the mix, but he has been calmer so far. We're reserving judgement at this point because the current trend tends to be that a medicine works great for a month or so then fizzles out and we're back to square one.
     The doctor we saw today fully impressed me. Instead of rushing us in and out of the office in five minutes like the previous neurologist, there were two doctors (the first most likely a resident, as it's a teaching hospital) and both asked lots of questions. J was observed for a few minutes. Then the main doctor, an older, caring gentleman, talked with us. 
   Turns out, one of the anti seizure meds he's taking could possibly be the culprit. And he also thinks that the other anti seizure med may not be the correct one for J's particular seizures. The plan? Step down the dosage of the possible offender, monitor at home to see what happens, and in a little over a month J will have an EEG and a visit with the neurologist. We will go from there depending on the results. 
  Both the Hubs and I, as well as J, were well pleased. We didn't feel rushed at all, J was welcomed in with no problems at all. I love doctors who actually want to do their job instead of listening with half an ear and going with the plan from a previous doctor. 
    As for the plan of action here at the house, we will be going by the doctor's recommendations and I plan on keeping track of J's moods and any seizure activity we see due to the changes. In the meantime, the Hubs and I *just might* get to have a few hours of alone time tomorrow evening after a home visit. It has been entirely too long since we've had time for just the two of us. If it all works out, J will get to spend the evening with his Granny and Uncle. I do hope it works out. J needs a few hours away from us I think.
  Well, the future is looking a little brighter. I'm hanging on to hope and the faith in our Lord that this will all work out.It's not always easy, but I still believe that faith and determination pay off.

Gratituesday: Good Health

For the past several months although I was not desperately sick, I was very often tired and depressed and slept a lot. I felt dizzy often, and could barely get any work done. I already knew that my thyroid and iron levels were most likely to blame because I had been through this before. Finally I went to the doctor and sure enough, my iron level was severely low. My thyroid must be doing well enough on the level of medication he prescribed so he very nearly insisted that I be put in the hospital for a blood transfusion. 
  I don't like hospital stays. They are expensive and it takes me away from my family. I have a son with autism, and there would be no one to care for him, which would force my husband to miss work while I was in the hospital. We told the doctor we'd rather not do that, but simply take the medication. The doctor wasn't happy about it, but he upped my iron dose to four times a day and I have a B-Complex multivitamin I have to take as well. 
  My dear husband did miss some time at work because of how ill I was, and it was a hardship financially. But he made sure I took my meds and got the rest I needed, and he cooked for me healthy foods that would build me back up. That included beef liver, which I am not very fond of, but I ate it, and he did too. Spinach is a big part of my diet these days too.
  I am very thankful for a doctor who cares enough to insist that I take my health seriously enough to have tests run to find out the cause of the low iron, and calls me personally when he sees the results of blood tests. I am thankful for the prayers of many who asked about me continually. And I am thankful for my husband who cared for me during this time and my mother in law who sent soup! I  still take the medication, and probably will for a long time. I'm not quite at the "normal" level iron wise yet but my doctor was happy with the improvement. It's easy, I think, to get into a rut of rush rush rush, and take care of everyone else to the point that even though you know how to eat properly you sometimes don't. While my eating habits hadn't been exactly stellar, I wasn't so far off the mark nutrition wise. There is another contributing factor, my doctor believes, and we will find it. 
  Each Tuesday Heavenly Homemakers  invites others to link up with her and share what we are thankful for. What are you thankful for today?