Wishing you the best, Lookout. I hope you soon find a solution for the young man. :comfort:

Nothing to add except that at least he has you and the problems are being recognised.
Keep letting us know whenever you think it's appropriate.

Howdy all. I figured I should stop in and say hello and give an update on life around here.

Lil Lookout is doing marvelously well at the moment (and we're about 6 weeks into that moment). Vyvanze did a great job of helping him focus and stay on task but he was an emotional wreck. Not just a little sensitive but a wreck. A minor inconvenience could literally result in two hours of sobbing. He didn't understand why he was acting that way and it made it even worse. After appointments with the medical doctor and the psychologist we decided it was time to acknowledge and address the likelihood of a mood disorder as the main culprit for his problems.

LL started on 1mg daily of abilify 7 weeks ago. I was concerned about 'zombification' and other side effects but it has been great so far. Within days the meltdowns disappeared and things mellowed out around the house. 2 weeks after starting it LL commented repeatedly that he likes the pill because he doesn't want to cry all the time and life doesn't seem so hard. His words, not mine. He now has a full range of emotions from sad, angry, happy, to downright joyous. People have commented on his performances in his soccer games because he is playing like a man possessed once again. He is living with an actual hunger for life again. He was even looking forward to school starting up again.

I am well aware that a day may come when this medication doesn't work anymore and we'll have to start the search all over again, but for now I am enjoying watching my son enjoy life. At this point he isn't even taking any medicatin for the ADHD because with his emotions under control he is able to consciously work on maintaining his focus. Times are good.

Beyond that, since my last post I have pulled the trigger and sold my company, accepted a contract returning me to my old firm, and will be building yet another office not too far from home. I am busy busy busy, but life is good.

***Clodfobble - we had the whole family on a STRICT GFCF diet thanks to your fantastic website but after 6 weeks we recognized no change at all to anyone in the family so we aren't following it anymore. Mrs L has always kept us on a healthy diet anyway, but it is good to know that that particular burden is not ours to bare.

Wonderful to hear, lookout. It must feel great to see LL feeling good again.

Glad to hear from you man. Keep on keeping on.

So glad that things are looking up for the Lookouts!

6 weeks is more than a fair try, and it's good to have it ruled out--you explored every option thoroughly and found what works for your kids. I am very, very happy to hear that LL is doing so much better!

Woo Hoo - all good news from the lookout clan!

Very glad to hear that.

Sounds like good news all round Lookout. I'm very pleased things are a little easier for all of you now, especially LL. :)

Way to go, Lookout! Try, try, and find what works. Congratulations!

Excellent news. Thanks. :)

Super. :thumb:

Happy to hear it, LO. Good news for LL.

excellent.

Great news LO. Come on back a little more often.