Hunter's string of not-so-good school days continues. Neither I, nor his teacher, social workers or therapist can figure out how to slow him down to get a closer look inside his brain.
His most recent IEP in November 2007, was as disappointing as all the others before it. Hunter is consistently scoring below his peers, sometimes significantly below, in academics and behaviors. Sadly, his unacceptable behaviors have a direct impact on his academics -- and vice versa. Round-n-round-we-go...tra la la laaaaaa.
At the end of January, Hunter's Psychiatrist added a stimulant (Daytrana patch, 10 mg) with his Abilify in hopes that it might curb his short attention span allowing him to actually receive an education.
I was scared beyond comprehension about this med change because the first -- last AND only -- time Hunter took a stimulant, he turned into the Devil. (I swear he turned red and grew horns after only ONE dose.) Henry and I vowed to never, ever, EVER try that class of medication on him again.
So, when the P-doc prescribed this patch I wasn't sure if I was strong enough -- or prepared enough -- to try it because Henry was traveling extensively out of state for his job. Except for calling 9-1-1, I had no idea what I would do if *that* Hunter reappeared and I had to handle him on my own.
Fortunately, our pharmacy didn't stock the Daytrana patches and because it was a "special" special order, it took several days (5) for them to receive it for dispensing. Enough time for me to decide to try it/not try it/try it...what the hell, why not?
I woke Hunter up for school earlier than usual the first morning, so I could slap the patch on his hip, and, like so many, many, MANY other new meds, watching and waiting for the raging Devil to appear was the equivalent of watching paint dry. Except this time, if that happened, somebody could be very seriously hurt.
That "someone" was ME.
See, in less than 30 minutes after the first time Hunter (I think he was around five- or six -years-old) was ever given a stimulant, we knew what a horrible idea it was.
After the patch had been on his skin for 30 minutes, I unlocked the door to the bathroom I had been hiding in and cautiously approached Hunter. After determining he had not yet grown horns, I engaged him in conversation. (So far, so good.)
Hunter easily followed his normal before-school routine and by the time the school bus arrived, the patch had been in place for more than 90 minutes and he was cheerful and giggling and ready for the day. (Could this be?)
When his teacher didn't call me at 3:15 PM that day to tell me everything that went wrong with it, I relaxed just a little. When Hunter walked through the door 20 minutes later -- with a HUGE smile on his face and a daily behavior/on task report of 100% -- I was, well, shocked! His teacher even remarked on Hunter's daily report "Who is this boy?!"
Unfortunately, the Daytrana honeymoon began -- and ended -- that first day.
At Hunter's med review appointment last week, his p-doc upped the amount of the Daytrana patch to 15 mg and due to the special order process, we are currently waiting for it to arrive at our pharmacy.
Here.we.go.again. (sigh)
His most recent IEP in November 2007, was as disappointing as all the others before it. Hunter is consistently scoring below his peers, sometimes significantly below, in academics and behaviors. Sadly, his unacceptable behaviors have a direct impact on his academics -- and vice versa. Round-n-round-we-go...tra la la laaaaaa.
At the end of January, Hunter's Psychiatrist added a stimulant (Daytrana patch, 10 mg) with his Abilify in hopes that it might curb his short attention span allowing him to actually receive an education.
I was scared beyond comprehension about this med change because the first -- last AND only -- time Hunter took a stimulant, he turned into the Devil. (I swear he turned red and grew horns after only ONE dose.) Henry and I vowed to never, ever, EVER try that class of medication on him again.
So, when the P-doc prescribed this patch I wasn't sure if I was strong enough -- or prepared enough -- to try it because Henry was traveling extensively out of state for his job. Except for calling 9-1-1, I had no idea what I would do if *that* Hunter reappeared and I had to handle him on my own.
Fortunately, our pharmacy didn't stock the Daytrana patches and because it was a "special" special order, it took several days (5) for them to receive it for dispensing. Enough time for me to decide to try it/not try it/try it...what the hell, why not?
I woke Hunter up for school earlier than usual the first morning, so I could slap the patch on his hip, and, like so many, many, MANY other new meds, watching and waiting for the raging Devil to appear was the equivalent of watching paint dry. Except this time, if that happened, somebody could be very seriously hurt.
That "someone" was ME.
See, in less than 30 minutes after the first time Hunter (I think he was around five- or six -years-old) was ever given a stimulant, we knew what a horrible idea it was.
After the patch had been on his skin for 30 minutes, I unlocked the door to the bathroom I had been hiding in and cautiously approached Hunter. After determining he had not yet grown horns, I engaged him in conversation. (So far, so good.)
Hunter easily followed his normal before-school routine and by the time the school bus arrived, the patch had been in place for more than 90 minutes and he was cheerful and giggling and ready for the day. (Could this be?)
When his teacher didn't call me at 3:15 PM that day to tell me everything that went wrong with it, I relaxed just a little. When Hunter walked through the door 20 minutes later -- with a HUGE smile on his face and a daily behavior/on task report of 100% -- I was, well, shocked! His teacher even remarked on Hunter's daily report "Who is this boy?!"
Unfortunately, the Daytrana honeymoon began -- and ended -- that first day.
At Hunter's med review appointment last week, his p-doc upped the amount of the Daytrana patch to 15 mg and due to the special order process, we are currently waiting for it to arrive at our pharmacy.
Here.we.go.again. (sigh)
2 comments:
Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Notebook, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://notebooks-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.
how's it going with the increase in the patch dosage?
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