Keep a personal wellness journal on DailyStrength to track your health and communicate with friends. http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:33:04 +0100 DailyStrength RSS 0.11.3.0.6833 (FeedCreator 1.7.2) http://dailystrength.org/images/comprofiler/avatar/gallery/butterfly.gif http://dailystrength.org/people/4931 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/1361818 Jason is on his fourth week at the Art Institute -- he barely tells us anything about it, but I'm sure that's because he's trying extra hard to be independent of us and trying to have his own life without me always hovering over him about his meds, or something else.  I still hear a... Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:10:48 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/1337697 Jason has completed his first week at the Art Instit.  He's been making the 30 mile trip down there and back four days a week. He seems to have a good attitude so far, everything is so strange to him. I just pray that he sees this through so that he can go on to mature into a strong, indepe... Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:53:02 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/1268152 I'm being so cautiously optimistic - this is the best Jason has been since I can remember - something is finally, FINALLY helping - the Topamax.  I keep praying this isn't all a dream.  He still does some pretty shrill shrieks and makes small clucking noises with his mouth.  I... Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:11:23 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/1235604 It seems the Topamax (200 mg) is helping.  Sometimes it's hard for Jason to tell if it's working because he feels so tic-like all the time.  But I told him that I could tell by the noise level in our house going down somewhat when he's home.  His big vocal tic right now is... Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:19:11 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/1169974 3:00 AM - Just got done sitting up with Jason until he fell asleep.  When his vocal tics subsided, I knew he was finally, comletely, asleep.  Someone tell me, how do these kids cope with these tics - I'm at a loss to understand this.  Thinking of myself as needing to constantly ti... Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:22:17 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/1041505 Took Jason to a hypnotist today. We had the consultation with the guy last week, and today Jason had his actual "session". I was there the whole time, watching. I went in having my doubts about this guy -- he seemed overly confident he could "cure" Jason. But this is something Ja... Fri, 09 May 2008 23:58:47 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/984766 Trying to get Jason the best care he can get, I took him to the Univ. of PA Hosp neurology clinic 2 hours away, in Philadelphia.  We met with the doctor there for 1 1/2 hrs, and he is yet again on another new med, Zyprexa.  It's not helping him yet; we will be increasing the dosage lit... Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:30:33 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/742730 Although Jason mostly supresses his tics at school, at home I'd say his symptoms are severe.  Everywhere I read it says that the majority of kids outgrow tourette's by the time they become adults.  He's 18 now, and his tics have gotten worse.  And louder.  My 16 yr ol... Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:17:42 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/698261 I got in touch with the PA Tourette Assn - they are located about 50 miles from me.  They recommended a neurologist in Philadelphia.  I feel I need to go to one of the bigger cities, maybe they can provide more options for Jason to pursue, in terms of treatment.  I would like to try m... Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:22:44 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/590380 Jason is very confused as to where he should go to college.  I can feel the in my heart that battles that he is going thru and it is breaking my heart. I want him to go to whatever school he truly wnats to go to.  But I've been encouraging him to go to the local 2-year community colleg... Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:43:07 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/528475 Jason seems to be enjoying his senior year.  He needs to tic like crazy before he leaves to go to school or to any public function.  We are going to visit some colleges soon to help him pursue his interest in digital-video.  I'm hoping he will decide to stay here for the first two... Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:11:07 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/435564 I'm not so sure a neurologist knows much more than a psychiatrist as far as treating a tourette patient.  I guess prescribing meds for this is just a big guessing game, no matter who you are.   And I'm also convinced all meds will work differently for everybody.  You can ... Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:20:24 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/49734 Took Jason to a neurologist the other day for first time. We went to a psychiatrist for 7 years; now we'll let a neurologist choose his meds. I guess I thought maybe this doctor would do more for him than just put him on meds, but that seems to be the foremost type of treatment for this. I liked thi... Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:18:54 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/21053 For the first time in 7 years, Jason is not on any med for his Tourette's, and although he still has all his tics, he seems so happy finally. I think all those meds were making him sleepy and moody, and we were walking on eggshells around him. He's still on Prozac and Strattera for his OCD and ADHD... Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:47:31 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/11031 The Guanfacine did nothing for him, so his dr. put him on Geoden. Since he's been on the Geoden, he's become very depressed and he is freaking out all the time. He hates his life, hates himself, is questioning why God does this to people. I called the dr and left msg that since none of these meds... Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:11:13 +0100 http://dailystrength.org/people/4931/journal/9041 Jason started Guanfacine 2 weeks ago and yesterday, he actually said he felt kind of good all day yesterday at school, which, for him, would be a major breakthrough!! One can only hope! Wed, 20 Dec 2006 13:00:32 +0100