Up, Up Up

Just thought I'd update.

The boys are both doing well in school and we're all keeping VERY busy.

Johnny is holding steady at his 10MG Focalin XR dose.  But Timmy has now been up'd to 20MG Focalin XR in the morning and 10MG Focalin in the afternoon.  This higher dose is definitely an improvement but isn't as great of coverage as we used to get.  It seems like this wears of quicker the more active he is as it must be metabolizing quicker.  So we might see some change as winter weather settles in.  For now he's pretty much living outside until he forced to come in. 

I also wanted to be sure to share something I learned this month.  We have had issues with our medical insurance and will be covering the cost of these prescriptions out of pocket for three months.  That is a HUGE amount for our budget.  But there are programs direct from the manufacturer that can help.  Check out sites like needymeds.org to see if the Rx you have has coupons or other programs to help you afford them.  For Focalin XR Novaris had $60 off coupons on line.  That was a big help for us and I just wanted to pass along the tip.

And another one makes 2

Yesterday we added a second son to the list of Dx'd kids in our household.  Johnny has been struggling a lot in school, not academically but listening and staying on task.  So after an evaluation the Dr agreed.  So today we began him on the same medicine (Focalin XR) that Timmy takes.  We're again starting on 5mg and will see how that does.  Yesterday I picked up his Rx as well as Timmy's refills.  Anyone who says medicating them is the easy way out obviously hasn't had to pay for these scripts!  But whatever it takes for them to have the best chance in school and in life, is worth it!!!

Ding, Ding Ding, Round Two

Well, it appears we'll be starting the process all over again...except this time with Johnny. Because his symptoms are different and in some cases less intense, its taken a bit longer to be sure it was time to investigate. But it was questioned 3 years ago when he was first tested for speech (but denied that time for speech therapy only to be approved the next time a year and half later). But honestly in the throws of the chaos Timmy created, Johnny's "energy" barely seemed noticeable.
However, as he's started school this year its become pretty undeniable. He was given time to settle into the expectations of class but still has MUCH difficulty staying seated when he's supposed to, waiting his turn to speak or simply staying on task. So I called for an appt. Of course now it'll be almost 2 months before we can even SEE the Dr. So likely we won't get him much, if any help this year. But hopefully we'll be able to get things working before he enters the higher expectations of 1st grade!

It would be amazing if the proper treatment could also help with his tantrums but I think that is an unrelated behavior issue. But I'm still HOPING since we've been as consistent with this issue as humanly possible but it continues to be an issue. Thankfully not on a hugely regular basis but when they do occur...MAN, LOOK OUT!!