OMG how aweful that has to be for him. I'm just about in tears from the frustration that he is sure to feel soon. I'm sure there must be a good reason why he can't stay on the drugs, but not even a low dose? It just doesn't seem fair after all his progress.
It's a very powerful drug, an anti-psychotic that is primarily used in alzheimers patients with dementia and is not intended for long-term use, especially in kids. Boys taking it during puberty can grow breasts and it can cause diabetes, among other things. Nasty long-term effects, so he has to get off, sadly. I will ask if he can cut his dose in half. He's on the lowest dose available, so it's a tiny pill to try to cut in half, but I will ask anyway and see what the doctor says. BUT......since he's on the lowest possible dose, and we've not been increasing it, it seems to me that if we stay at the current dose, as he continues to grow, he's sort of naturally weaning off it, so I'm going to mention that to the doctor too and see what he says, especially since there are absolutely no signs of any negative symptoms happening (which is why he's so closely and frequently monitored while on it).
That's a really busy week. I'm exhausted just reading it. Whew!
How is your pink eye Holly? I hope it's getting better.
Pink eye is completely gone as of this afternoon, thanks!
Holly.. talk to the Dr. - it might be time to explain to Tyler AHEAD of time of what MIGHT happen and that you will be working with HIM and the DOCTOR to see what is best for him...
Team work. Maybe he will feel better about it if he knows there will be changes... and maybe he may have to be on meds long term... it does happen to lots of us... and he does so well too!!!
Good luck!
I do always warn him in advance of the appointment what could happen. I always keep him fully informed because he's such a logical kid, he can handle it. BUT, I can't tell him until a few days before the appointment because his anxiety level goes through the roof in anticipation of what might happen. Thank goodness they've never tried reducing the med he takes for his anxiety issues.
We already know he will be on meds permanently. Well, I know that, but dad is unwilling to accept and doesn't believe that this is not something he will outgrow. It's a neurological disorder, things aren't connected the same as us, so he will learn ways of adapting and coping, but it's not a matter of him just growing out of it, like his dad thinks. Doctors have told us this over and over, but he's still in denial. So whenever he starts demanding that the doctor take Tyler off meds, I have to argue with him about how "unreasonable" I am for not feeling the same way.
Anyway, the doctor told us about 2 years ago that he will eventually be put on an antidepressant, which will work similarly to what he's on now, but he doesn't put little kids on anti-depressants because of the high suicide stats. When that time comes, it will be trial and error with different meds and doses until we find one that works.
BUT FOR NOW, right now, life is good and we only think about that for now.
Oh no!!!!! I'm so sad for you. So sorry. 
might as well just set my alarm now!!! 
I'll check into that though.
