Respen-A Or Not Respen-A?
by Steve West on April 19, 2010
We got a prescription for the aforementioned drug and have been administering it to Olivia for one month now. The results are pretty mixed. There have been no side effects apart from some minor appetite issues but also not a whole lot of observable benefits. Not a lot but a significant few. Olivia seems to be slightly more aware of her world than before. She is somewhat more focused when performing tasks and turns her head to identify noises as opposed to ignoring them as in the past. Her world is now more than just a three foot sphere of influence. We got an additional two month supply as it was recommended that a trial last for a minimum of two months.
Her vocabulary has expanded by a few more words and she apparently has mastered a few school tasks by rote memory. She memorizes a lot of things that I previously would not have expected and has learned a few more tasks previously unachieved. She types using a standard keyboard but only to copy text not generating original thoughts.
But, and this is the rub, how much of this is attributable to the medication and how much is just the natural maturation process? The progress is enough to continue the experiment. At least for another few months.
The cost is manageable, although the hundreds we have paid are yet to be reimbursed by our insurance and the supplements she has to have are cumbersome to an already finicky eater. But she physically appears to have nothing adverse happening. Brenda and I are maintaining enough enthusiasm to continue the efforts required. We'll continue to observe and do our best to make unemotional judgements.
Three Replies to Respen-A Or Not Respen-A?
Scott Hardie | April 20, 2010
Agreed. This is good news! If the drug did help, could Olivia lose some of the gains that she made if she went off of it, or are the improvements permanent? Every patient is different and this drug is brand new, so who knows. I think Amy has the right attitude; progress is progress. :-)
Jackie Mason | April 23, 2010
[hidden by author request]
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
At 11:00 a.m., Brenda called me from the school where she works and told me that she had fallen and was unable to drive home. She needed me to 1) find a second driver for her car, 2) come get her and take her to urgent care and 3) make sure that Olivia is taken care of when she arrives home in an hour. Go »Half-time
At about the halfway mark between Halloween and Christmas, I ran across this gift idea suitable for both holidays. Zombie lawn sculpture. Dave Barry included this in his annual gift guide and I found the original source for it. Go »Pedants 'R' Us
Today, we attended a celebration for a very good friend of mine whose daughter was graduating High School. It got me thinking in an educational mode so I thought I'd share a pictorial overview of air quotes. Go »Adios Por Ahora
So I've dragged my old college spanish texts off the shelf trying to prep for my trip to Spain. Four days in Barcelona and 2 days in Madrid. I should see plenty of the Mediterranean in Barcelona with temperatures in the low eighties the entire time. Go »Housebuying Stuff
I'm too tired to come up with a more clever title. New carpet installed. New bathtub and shower installed. Go »
Amy Austin | April 19, 2010
Sounds pretty good, if not promising. And hey... whatever the cause, progress is being made, right? And without any apparent side effect, too. This is good.