Thank you to all of you who weighed in on my last post about our dilemma. When I wrote that post, we had not yet hit the proverbial wall; I didn’t know the behaviors would get even worse. The first night of the medication —only two doses given at full strength —left Nik in a lethargic zombie-like state the next day; the second night —doses of only half strength— accomplished the aim of uninterrupted sleep and a subsiding of the allergy symptoms but left Nik in an even worse state of hypersensitivity and extreme agitation.
We opted to forgo the medication and try to mitigate any allergic response as much as possible using some homeopathic remedies to relieve the symptoms. Now, say what you will about homeopathy —we are all entitled to our opinions —but I have personally experienced times that it works both for me and for Nik. I certainly don’t believe homeopathy —or anything else for that matter— will “cure” my son’s autism (or anything else). What I have seen, though, is that it can ameliorate some specific symptoms of physiological responses and make things a bit better —more manageable, if you will. Such has been the case with the homeopathic antihistamine we’ve used. It’s not perfect and it doesn’t solve the problem by any stretch —Nik’s still showing signs of allergy or extreme sensitivity— but it makes Nik more comfortable and less inclined to claw at his head. And that’s all good.
Anyway, we decided Nik in the aftermath of the Atarax was too close to our experience of Nik in the weaning stages with Lamictal. (You may recall that was an ugly time for us.) Nik continues to show us that he does not handle certain types of medications well at all. No amount of titration or even minimal use will work. He has had adverse reactions to four different seizure meds, paradoxical responses to another anti anxiety med plus Benadryl, and now this. At some point, we have to respect the messages he’s giving us. That point is now.
Last night, Friday, was our second night without the Atarax. Nik slept okay —not as long as I’d have liked but soundly none the less. This morning, the light is back in his eyes and the music in his voice. As I write in the loft, I can hear Nik playing happily in the family room below; he’s actively engaging with his electronic toys, singing along in time with the music and “talking” back when they make the letter sounds. “Huh” he says when the alphabet train says “This is the letter H.” Instant recall where two days ago there was confusion and extreme frustration at his inability to retrieve the information in his brain.
I witnessed the same thing yesterday in his OT session; he couldn’t recall simple things that he’s long ago mastered —this one was matching colors in a sorting activity —and he got so frustrated that he just fell apart. Yet, today he’s able to respond to a disembodied voice from his toy asking him “Where is the letter P?” He recognizes that he has to wait a moment before pressing the right button and he’s actively looking at the letters to find the right one. He even says “guh” for “good” when he knows he’s pressed the right button. He is aware in ways he hasn’t been for a few days.
Oh, if only we could wish it so. I’d wish for answers and there they’d be–marching forth in a line.
We have been through 4 years of different medications both homeopathic and prescription. Wrong diagnosis, wrong meds, total chaos and insanity. We are now semi-stable, not great but functioning and Timmy smiles again. Sometimes I think they medical world feels it’s better to zombie out our children into compliance. For me him sleeping less, looking me in the eye, talking non stop and laughing is better. I believe for us behavioral therapy and intervention is more vital to our success. It’s a personal choice as you go down this long road to do what you feel is best for your child. You are well on your way.
I’m thrilled to hear that YOUR Nik has returned. I wish you much luck in figuring out the allergy issues.
Niksmom, as always, much wisdom and food for thought in this post. I love the line, “we have to respect the messages he’s giving us.” So very true for all of us.
I hope these glimmers of the Nik you know are truly the beginning of answers showing themselves to you.
Oh, and for the record, I agree with your thoughts on homeopathy. (Just in case you needed an ally. 🙂
I saw a naturalpath (for me) for over a year and I was in my best health during that time. I kinda got tired of the homepothic stuff just as much as I do with medications…. but she helped me find solutions that worked with my body (low fat for example was pointless for me, but low -glycemic eating solved everything from my weight issues to my hormonal imbalances to anxiety to my adhd/ocd issues, my joint and neuropathy crap… I know how much it helped because I’ve been eating like crap for about a year now and all of my ailments and weight have returned. I piss myself off.
Sorry, back to Nik and you…. you’ll figure it out… just in time for things to change, so don’t drown yourself in research, okay? promise? Do what you can for that sweet boy, and don’t doubt yourself.
It’s such a long road of trying this and not doing that and sometimes even when I can sleep, I still can’t because there’s so much to think about. Sometimes I have seen Charlie loses skills or seem to, but to gain them back even more solidly—he often knows things, but he doesn’t show them all the time. And clearly your guy is figuring things out like how to get where he wants—-
So happy to have the rascally Nik back! I’ve never really used homeopathy – for no other reason than I just don’t know much about it – but I say, hey, whatever works! We moms do what we can to help our kids function the best they can. Praying for answers, friend.
Homeopathy as helped C in the past (and me) as have Bach flower remedies.
And you will adjust – as you say our kids keep us going!
that nik! he has the most impressive resilience of any kid i know!
you just keep listening to your brilliant instincts.
(and p.s., homeopathy has been helpful for us, at times.)
sending xxx!
Your guy. He has an incredible little spirit in him. Amazing.
I used to work for a veterinarian who used homeopathy sometimes. With certain animals it really seemed to make a difference.