Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
Usually on Tuesday Mornings I write my Morning Cup of Tea lesson and then I think about what I'm grateful for this week, for the Heavenly Homemakers Gratituesday link up. This time, my fuzzy brain realized I'd already written what I was most thankful for this time.
J has been on a new medication for the past few weeks. There were some small adjustments made for timing and dosage, and more of his personality seems to come out these days.
Let me be clear: I don't like medicine. I wish he didn't have to take it. But at the moment there are NO other alternatives for him that are safe and legal. Medical marijuana is gaining some interest for some kids with autism because of the lack of dangerous side effects. But the more I look at it, the more I see that J doesn't need it. He's no where near in danger of not eating enough. The only benefit I see would be that it would take care of his violent tendencies. Well, as his mom, I'm just not ready for something that would cause him to eat more. J has always, as a teen, had a healthy appetite. This medicine he's on now, like other medications, has its share of side effects that could happen. But he has me and his father and his doctor to watch out for these things. So far I'm happy with what I'm seeing with this new medication, except for the moments of rebellion.
J knows when he is to get his medication and sometimes refuses to eat dinner until he gets his evening dose. On Sunday evening, he didnt want to take the pills. He threw them. I knew he threw one of his anti seizure meds and I made him pick it up and take it. Intelligent child that he is, he picked up ONLY that one and left the rest. Of course he was bouncing off the walls when he should have been asleep or going to sleep. Hubby went back to the car and sure enough, there were his meds. He cannot go without his meds. He could have seizures, he could become violent, and he would be off the charts unable to pay attention.
I like him the way he is--a little calmer, more in tune with the world, showing me the medicine rebellion that lets me know he has an opinion on this matter as well, and especially this right here. Yup, this all sums up what I'm grateful for on this beautiful day.
Showing posts with label medication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medication. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Falling From the Face of the Earth
Several days ago I lost internet. I was not happy this happened, because in many ways my computer is a lifeline. It connects me to people I don't get to see day to day. And yet, I welcomed the breathing space. It was nice not to be connected for a few days, to think about other things.
During this time J has (and we his parents have) been adjusting to a new medication. His appetite has changed, mostly for the better. He no longer is eating simply to be eating, but he eats when he is hungry. His sleep pattern has been getting a little better, although this morning he was wide awake very early. And he is, for the most part, calmer. Until the medication wears off. Usually around 2 in the afternoon. As Big J put it, he goes from John Lennon to Ringo. Fun, fun! He makes this loud shriek, a yawp. It's ear piercing. And he does it several times. He no longer pinches but he does poke more. And he seems to be more aware. He tries harder to get our attention, so maybe the yawping and the poking are ways of communication.
No medication is perfect, and each have their draw backs. His last blood tests revealed, in the doctor's exact words, that J is "disgustingly normal" in his medication levels and cholesterol and blood sugar and everything else they tested for. Because he is on some serious medication he will continue to be monitored periodically to make sure all is well. But so far, at least on this front, modern science has not failed him. I think some tweaking of the meds needs to be done, and thankfully he sees his doc this coming Tuesday to discuss how the new medicine has been working.
I have plans to add a new series coming up sometime soon in this blog, and I will talk more about that later. I hope you will enjoy it.
As for today however, hopefully a nap or two will be in order and I will try to avoid the heat as much as possible. What about you? What will you be doing today?
During this time J has (and we his parents have) been adjusting to a new medication. His appetite has changed, mostly for the better. He no longer is eating simply to be eating, but he eats when he is hungry. His sleep pattern has been getting a little better, although this morning he was wide awake very early. And he is, for the most part, calmer. Until the medication wears off. Usually around 2 in the afternoon. As Big J put it, he goes from John Lennon to Ringo. Fun, fun! He makes this loud shriek, a yawp. It's ear piercing. And he does it several times. He no longer pinches but he does poke more. And he seems to be more aware. He tries harder to get our attention, so maybe the yawping and the poking are ways of communication.
No medication is perfect, and each have their draw backs. His last blood tests revealed, in the doctor's exact words, that J is "disgustingly normal" in his medication levels and cholesterol and blood sugar and everything else they tested for. Because he is on some serious medication he will continue to be monitored periodically to make sure all is well. But so far, at least on this front, modern science has not failed him. I think some tweaking of the meds needs to be done, and thankfully he sees his doc this coming Tuesday to discuss how the new medicine has been working.
I have plans to add a new series coming up sometime soon in this blog, and I will talk more about that later. I hope you will enjoy it.
As for today however, hopefully a nap or two will be in order and I will try to avoid the heat as much as possible. What about you? What will you be doing today?
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