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Post by bugsmom on Nov 7, 2008 13:24:48 GMT -5
We had an appointment with Josh's psychiatrist on Monday and we all agreed that now was the time to take Josh off his Strattera. After homeschooling him these past couple months, I can see that the Strattera wasn't really having much of an effect on his focasing or learning. We've been wanting to take him off everything for a very long time and see where he's at, but we haven't had the opportunity. Now that he's home, we can do this.
So, today is the fourth day with a reduced dose and he's really starting to show withdrawl symtoms. He woke up with a terrible headache and I immediately tucked him back to bed. He woke up again with stomache upset and wanted to throw up. He didn't, but he just felt bad. We talked to him about how he would feel worse before he felt better and he's being a trooper, but I feel so bad for him. Next week we go down to another dose and then he's done. I wish these two weeks would just be over with...it's hard to watch.
On the good side, I feel like he's fun loving personality is starting to come back. Although very hyper, Josh is a card. I'm seeing little glimpes of that coming back just with the lower dose. He's going to stay on the Tenex for his impulsivity for now.
If you all could just keep him in your prayers for the next couple weeks I would truly be grateful. Please pray that the withdrawl won't get too much worst. Thanks you guys.
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Post by jj on Nov 7, 2008 14:15:22 GMT -5
You got it. Prayers for your little guy.
My Mom went through withdrawal several times when trying to find a pain med that helped enough and it isn't fun to watch.
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Post by misty on Nov 7, 2008 14:23:18 GMT -5
Prayers from PA too. I hope the symptoms go away fast!
I hated when Shannon was on Straterra....when you said "he's fun loving personality is starting to come back." I knew JUST what you meant! The main reason we took Shannon off of that was that she turned into a moody, depressed shadow of herself. Her joy for life came back immediately when she stopped Straterra.
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Post by bugsmom on Nov 7, 2008 15:26:44 GMT -5
Strattera was actually a good choice for Josh when we put him on it. He can't handle the stims after a certain dosage, and the Strattera was great for his moods and anxiety. The problem has been that it has never helped with his focas like the stims did. At the time, we were having more problems with anxiety. Now that he's home, the anxiety has just melted away. That's why we think this is a good time to stop. We're going to give his little body a break. He's been on some sort of medication since he was 7 years old. Even when he took med breaks in the summer, he was still on something for the anxiety. So this should be an interesting ride. Once we have a clear view as to where he's at, then we'll re-evaluate the meds again. His doc actually gave me a lot of hope the other day. She felt that he's really matured in the last year and we may be able to go un-medicated. I'm not so sure, but we'll see. Thanks so much for your prayers.  |
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Post by charliegirl on Nov 7, 2008 23:14:41 GMT -5
You have my prayers also. Is there any way he can wean off them with smaller increments?
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Post by puzzled on Nov 7, 2008 23:43:51 GMT -5
Bugsmom....I hope Josh can go unmedicated...I am so hoping that I can get there with Chase too....we are trying a little experiment this past week....he only took one dexedrine each morning instead of the two....he did so well last quarter, and I felt as if this is as good a time as any to try it...his next med check is in February....if he continues to do as well as he seems to be, we will talk to the doc when we go. I emailed all the teachers to give them the head's up on the change and for them to be on the lookout for issues.
He had been complaining of not feeling hungry, so if this does not work, I will see about upping the dosage of the periactin to help with that.
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Post by bugsmom on Nov 8, 2008 13:51:26 GMT -5
Thank you all for your awesome prayers. Josh is feeling much better today. No headache, no stomache upset. I think his body is getting used to the lower dose finally. Barb, we are going in very small increments. He was on 35mgs (which was way below his target range anyway), and we've gone down to 25mgs. We're suppose to go down to 10mgs on Tuesday, but after yesterday, I think we better go to 15, if we can. I don't want to see him suffer. Puzzled...I so know what you mean. I would love for Josh to be able to go unmedicated. But, I'm also very realistic that he may not be able to work to his potential without meds. The beauty of homeschooling this year is that we can at least see where he's at without worrying about school so much. Let us know how Chase is doing on the lower dose. I'll keep my fingers crossed for him too! |
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Post by bugsmom on Nov 10, 2008 13:09:08 GMT -5
Ok...today has been a rough one. Although we've gotten past the physical part (no headaches or stomache problems) we've now moved into the angry, aggressive, and mean part of the withdrawl. I swear, this is awful. Josh is so aggitated today, that it's been almost impossible to get any schoolwork done. I know it's the withdrawl and things will get better, but geez...he's really being a butt! He was so mean to me earlier that I actually started to cry! Once he saw how upset I was he felt soooooo bad and couldn't stop apologizing. I know he can't help it, but I want to be done.
Please keep praying!
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Post by mary2 on Nov 10, 2008 14:34:36 GMT -5
Bugsmom, I missed this thread, but I am praying that things get smoother for you. Now I understand the meaning of a meds withdrawal because we did so on vacations and most of you already know the story.
Sending lots of hugs your way!
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Post by bugsmom on Nov 10, 2008 15:44:47 GMT -5
Bugsmom, I missed this thread, but I am praying that things get smoother for you. Now I understand the meaning of a meds withdrawal because we did so on vacations and most of you already know the story. Sending lots of hugs your way! Thanks, Mary. I know you know what it's like. Once we're done I'll be so happy. It's just bad timing. I'm way too emotional right now. Advise to everyone....Don't do a meds withdrawl when mom is PMSed. Baaaaaaad combination.  |
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I was about to conquer the world but then I got distracted by something shiny.
