Cutting Back

Once again, we are scaling back one of B.'s medications. One I'm in high hopes of phasing out altogether. To me, less is more, if at all possible. And I'm hoping in doing so, it helps curb the Tardive Dyskinesia (Tic Disorder that is usually medication-induced with Psychiatric Drug Therapy) as well.

So far, we've gone from 150 of Seroquel (mood controller and sleep aid), down to 100 mg dose. Then over the last several weeks, went down to a 50 mg dose. As of a couple of nights ago, we have now brought the amount down to 25 mg per night.

His other medications (Vyvanse and Intuniv) will remain the same, though. During the Summer Vacation time, we might try to next scale back the Vyvanse to see what happens.

Some people would say that it's "about time" that I stop "doping" my kid up for MY gain and ease of parenting. But I say to them... You don't live our life as a family, or as I as his parent, so YOU have NO room to judge or condemn me or parents like me with kids in the same situations.

True, most of these drugs that treat mental disorders can have some pretty harsh side effects. No doubt about it. But SOMETIMES, you must take the chance of the side effects as to "balance out" what is imbalanced in their minds and give these kids the BEST possible shot at a "normal" life as they can potentially have.

These medications have been known to SAVE the lives of these kids, and save the lives of those around them. Especially in times of being in severe volatile states of emotion and action. I personally in the past have had my son come at me with scissors, knives and hammers. He would tell me in explicit detail of how he was going to kill me.

Then, just like that, the rage was over and he honestly could not remember (most times) what he had said and done. What kind of life is that for a CHILD? This is why he has been on SOME KIND of medication or other since the age of six years old.

So while I have high hopes for completely getting my child off AT LEAST one (if not maybe even two) medications, I will always have it in the back of my mind that there is a very distinct possibility that again, he will HAVE TO go back on them. For his sake, my sake, and the family's sake. And for all of our safety.

So far, so good..

It's now been a week since we have decided to cut Bryce back on his Seroquel. But only night five last night of doing so, seeing as my pill cutter went missing.

The Seroquel is for helping with mood stabilization and to help him fall as well as stay asleep. But we also strongly believe that this is the medication that is causing the Tardive Dyskinesia also.

So, for the next three weeks, we are only giving him 50 mg. instead of 100..Before then it was 150. If all goes well, then I will again knock it down, but to 25 mg. at night.

The only real problem that I am seeing with the weaning-off process is that Bryce is having a harder time FALLING asleep. But once he is out, it's for the entire night. That alone is a feat in it's own right.

I've also noted though on the other hand a difference between him taking and NOT taking his Vyvanse for the ADHD..When he does have a done, at some point during the day once the medicine has kicked in, his oral movements (tics) become prominent. So, instead of calming the tics, it seems that the Vyvanse is actually "showing off" the tics more. And the doctor said that it may well be the case.

But when I do skip a dose of the Vyvanse, then Bryce's tics, while there, are not nearly as visible. If anything, unless you have a "trained eye" to look for them and take note, then they are to the point of subtlety that they are practically invisible to the naked eye.

I guess all in all, things are looking up. I'm trying to get him off at least one medication. But if need be, later on, depending on any possible violent tendencies or severe mood swings, we may have to place him back on a third medication. It just won't be the Seroquel.

Gotta love the "Medication Merry-Go-Round"!