About a year ago, when I was crying to a family member about Stink’s upswing in tics and focus issues, I received some advice that felt very truthful to me. I never forgot it. I was struggling with the idea of medication for Stink. Her exact words were, “If you don’t medicate him, he very well might try to medicate himself one day.”
I certainly don’t think all kids need drugs, nor would Stink necessarily be that kid in Vegas boozing and drugging and humping everything in sight. But her words did give me pause. How many people, who are emotionally unstable, sedate themselves with wine? How many artists, unable to calm down their crazy brains, use weed to ease their nerves?
I was never 100% convinced medication was where I needed to go, and I gave it a lot of time before trying it. Her words were a great kick start to thinking about them, though.
And… after a few weeks on some actual medication… I am so happy to report that we are seeing really great results from the Intuniv. After bumping up the dosage from 1 – 2 pills, we have seen very little to no ticking. It’s like the edge is off Stink’s personality, but he’s far from subdued. He is not a robot. He is not lethargic or tired. He is just Stink, minus tics, plus a bit more grown up. He is a bit less impulsive, more interested in what others have to say, less argumentative and more able to control his outbursts. Overall, he’s a true pleasure to be around. It’s like we never went through that awful tic phase – it’s just that good.
Of course the moment I type this all hell will break loose and I’ll rue my words and spit on the screen.
But for now, I’m so happy about this progress! Even my formal father-in-law, who never says “boo” about anything my kids do, commented to my husband that Stink wasn’t making any sounds or noises. It was lovely!
Moral of the story: After lots of trials and errors, it’s possible to find a shoe that fits. Here’s to continued success with the Intuniv for us, and I have all fingers and toes crossed that the same goes for you.
What are you all trying this summer for your kids? Have any of you ever heard of the GAPS diet? With its root in digestive health (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) my bloggy friend, Raymond, has amazing reports of success with this diet. If you’re interested, I can post more soon.
Tonight I write. I have been lagging with my book. Sometimes I just wonder if this is something worth pursuing. It’s not like I have all the answers for this crazy syndrome. And I don’t always have peace about it. I feel akin to a yoga instructor who teaches people all day how to breathe and relax but then goes home, downs 2 bottles of wine and screams at her kids. I don’t think of myself as a role model for T.S. enlightenment. But then again, maybe that’s what people want: To know they aren’t alone in not feeling serenity all the time. Just my rambling. Would love to hear your thoughts, too.
Until next time, Andrea
Happily Ticked Off 
So glad to hear Stink is doing well (and you too) after all you went thru with the trial. And as far as your book, keep writing – I can’t wait to read it. Enjoy the summer!!
WOW!!! Great news!!! You guys deserve this after that trial of…whatever it was that ended up being a true TRIAL for you.
I don’t blame you for putting the book on ice, you deserve to just relax and enjoy this.Tics are the last thing you want to think about right now and that’s fine.
I am so happy for you and will continue to pray for you. Prayers of thanks going up tonight!!
@ Christa – Thank you. I hope you’re still corresponding with the 500 pound woman? That’s our code name for K.
@ Margaret – Thanks, friend. I will be praying for you, also. 🙂
AWESOME news! I’m so happy to hear that things have settled down!
Andrea,
I am so happy for you ..that you are were you are right now. You all deserve it. As for your book. I feel so deeply that you were meant to write it. Please don’t stop writing it. I think maybe this is why you have gone through this journey. Oh…can you give Christa the 500lb womans new address!
That is fabulous news! I’m so happy for you guys and wish you continued success with the Intuniv!
Ah, thanks, you all! I appreciate all the support. I will likely keep writing, it’s been just a bit harrowing. To go back and visit all that yuk, both with TS and some marriage stuff which has since resolved, is very uncomfortable. And yet, it seems to me that so many people throw in the towel when stuff stinks. And that’s not the way I want to live my life. There is hope. I have seen it. I want people to know that even when they are in the bottom of the barrel there is a small rope that will lead them out. And Cheese Its are on the other side! Can’t go wrong with those.
Have been following your blog and am so happy for you guys that you are getting some relief. Keep us posted, Carla
The thing is, when you have a blog, then it allows others to see what paths you took, what worked, what didn’t. Even if you don’t come up with the right answers, you share the process, and that helps others come up with answers in a better informed way.
My kid has been going on a rollercoaster of OCD symptoms. Disappears, comes back. I talked to my ped again, told him I wanted to get the advice of a therapist, he gave me the number of a pro-medication psychiatrist to do an evaluation. So I found a therapist who specializes in kids like mine and I’m starting there anyway.
But I read your blog and it does make me think more deeply about what the consequences of being anti-medication are. I’m only a few weeks into my journey, but if there’s anything I’ve learned from the past, it’s to constantly re-assess what you are doing and listen and respect the experts for what they do know. My son had severe asthma as a baby and I got a lot of bad medical advice. The bad advice made me dismissive of the good advice. I finally began to be able to tell the difference (after a long hard road).
I don’t want to repeat that process this time around. Though I think that may be impossible. Life is imperfect. But it is helpful to see how others go through the journey.
Andrea,
I bet going back to some of that stuff is not easy. It’s like crawling back into that black hole. But I know for me …YOU got me out of that hole. Not to put to much pressure on you here..but this book of yours….and the way you write….it is a gift.
Karen b
SOOOO happy for you guys. And thanks for the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep us posted on Stink’s progess. And my dad drove home from florida once with a trunk full of cheez-its. Maybe you have some insight on that- we could never figure it out.