Feeling Hopeful Today

[MomWithOCDSon]

So, DS started high school two weeks ago, and though it hasn't been an entirely smooth ride thus far, he has handled all with grace and composure and a maturity I would not have thought he could muster just a year or so ago. He is becoming, in all respects, a young man as opposed to a boy.

 

For those of you who are more recent to the forum, a short background. DS diagnosed with OCD at age 6; we queried about PANDAS, but as DS was classically asymptomatic and few docs around here subscribe to PANDAS at all, we were waved off. At second major exacerbation at about 7.5 years of age, we asked about PANDAS again and even fought for a strep culture. But when it came back negative, we thought we'd reached the end of that road. Therapy, health, lack of exposure, low-dose SSRI . . . who knows? . . . kept DS happy and "normal" for another 4+ years until the Great Exacerbation of May 2009, approximately 4 weeks after known strep exposure.

 

This time, there was enough literature and resources out there (thanks!) to provoke us to get blood tests, and not just settle for a throat culture. DS's ASO and AntiDnase-B were astronomically high, and we were able to coax abx out of his pediatrician. He's been mostly on abx for the last 2+ years, though we've taken him off for brief periods, reduced dosage for brief periods, etc. We've continued low-dose SSRI, added anti-inflammatory supplements and glutamate-modulating supplements, including a prescription (again, low-dose) -- lamictal.

 

He's loving high school, and we are thrilled! He's THE freshman in his AP Computer Science class, and the upper classmen are in awe of his technical knowledge and ability. He's keeping up with his AP Biology course, and his AP Engineering class. We've had to invoke some of his IEP accommodations for his AP Geometry and AP English classes, but the teachers appear willing to work with him, and his attitude is almost eternally upbeat. He is "stepping up to the plate" in almost every conceivable way, and we are immensely proud of him. He grew more than 3 inches over the summer, so now he's as tall as me (5'7"), but his voice has yet to change, so there's a comical disconnect there. He got his braces over the summer and has adjusted well to them; I personally like the little pout they give his lips.

 

I'm certain there are more bumps ahead. Maybe even a few bruises. But thanks to great support and his own inherent spirit, I can today envision a future in which DS will achieve his full potential and be a happy and productive adult.

 

Thank you all so much!

[ZJsmom]

What great news-it's so nice to see these stories! Congratulations to you and your son!!

[melanie]

Awesome !!! Love hearing this from you Nancy!

 

Melanie

[Sheila99]

So glad to hear your son is doing so much better. You all deserve this great turnaround!

 

All the best,

Sheila99

[LNN]

:D :D

Nancy,

Sooooo happy to hear the good news!!! Like watching a friend summit Mt. Everest. Such hard hard work and so much advocating. None of it gets conveyed when you try to put 8 years into a few paragraphs. The endless nights of OCD holding your whole family hostage, the tears, the fears, the endless times you didn't know how you'd pull thru or if he'd get to the end intact. And now...he's becoming the man you always tried to nurture, feeling the joys you always wanted for him. Shedding a tear of happiness for you

Laura

[dcmom]

Nancy- so happy-

 

you and your son are truly an inspiration,

 

there is no doubt he will go on to do great things!!

[Christianmom]

Wow! I didn't know you could take that many AP classes at once! So happy for you. You're post brought great encouragement to me.

[michiganpandas]

I so needed to read a post like this today! That is great news! I teach Biology and don't think I could even handle an AP Biology class right now!!! That's truly amazing! Again, can I ask what the anti-inflammatory supplements are and the glutamate-modulating supplements are?...(you probably already told/posted about this at some point, but I can't remember!

 

Again, great news!!!

[MomWithOCDSon]

Again, can I ask what the anti-inflammatory supplements are and the glutamate-modulating supplements are?...(you probably already told/posted about this at some point, but I can't remember!

 

 

Sure, no problem! Amounts below are daily, usually divided among 2 doses (morning and evening).

 

Vitamin D3 - 2,000 i.u.

NAC - 3,000 mg.

Time-released B Complex - (varies by "B," but B-12 totals 150 mcg.)

Vitamin E - 800 i.u.

Melatonin - 2 mg.

Quercitin/Bromelain/Vitamin C - 1,500 mg./150 mg./3,750 mg.

Curcumin - 1,000 mg.

Fish Oil - 2,400 mg.

Taurine - 500 mg.

[MomWithOCDSon]

Thanks, everyone, for cheers and well-wishes!

 

I'm just so glad to see DS step up and manage himself, rather than feeling as though disolving into tears or anger is the only route available to him!

 

Mostly, though, I wanted to express that he is, I think, some degree of proof that, even in the event your kid has suffered longer than some, and gone medically untreated longer than many, it's still possible for them to come back to a good, happy, healthy place.

 

Since he's utilizing an IEP at school and we still strive hard to maintain a low-anxiety peace in the household, plus he continues to take a great array of supplements and abx, I won't claim that he's 100%. But, maybe even more importantly to me, he's handling himself as though he is nearly 100%. And that's building his confidence and self-sufficiency and spirits. It's a beautiful thing to see at last, long-awaited, and much deserved by him!

 

All our kids deserve that, and I'm sure they're all going to get there, if they're not there already! Thanks again!

[beeskneesmommy]

I am so very, very happy to hear of this news. Thank you for sharing because you bring hope to us all! Keep fighting the good fight, Nancy. What a wonderful mother you are. I send lots of positive thoughts your family's way!