9-14-11 (Wednesday) - Ritalin to aid Recovery

There is a "magic pill" (pun intended) for rehab that will jump-start the rehab process. It seems the ADHD drug Ritalin is used, in low doses, to assist in focusing the patient and preventing the residual impulsiveness syndrome that most go through. Although the impulsivity goes away over time, enhanced focus allows the mind to start rehabilitating faster. To properly administer this, they need a baseline, which is why they have not started him on it until this morning.

I have also learned that other patients who have brain injuries (even adults) contract a mild form of ADHD from their injuries, and that this drug is very helpful in their recovery.

We understand it is NOT LONG TERM, but a catalyst to get him further down the recovery road quicker.

From last night:

Those prayers worked. The afternoon went very well! Excelled matching during OT, NP, and better word work in speech. Had some visitors tonight and Isaac even sang a song! Less stressed going to bed. Day starts early tomorrow with new med @ 7a followed by another OT at 8am. Night all you prayer warriors.

From this morning:

Jason with OT made him brush his teeth and put deodorant on by himself. (!) He did a good job with these & even completed tying his shoes! Not happy, though, with a 2nd pill in the am :-(. Currently in PT -- hoping it goes well. 

From this afternoon:

Ritalin makes him mellow and "whisper", but does seem to help him during the day. Just came from "craft time" where he tolerated others and music playing, and painted (brush and fingers, and even mixed colors). Now to room to rest before dinner.

Dad and Brea came tonight with Josh, bringing him a chocolate shake. (Yum!) From our perspective, he seems to be fighting to produce a demonstrated action. My thought is that he got too much Ritalin, and that they should halve it. The nurse asked us to give it 24 hours to balance into his system to determine whether or not this is just a symptom of getting on the drug. He was still laughing, but seemed to go back to a slightly catatonic state when not being engaged. The positive side was he swallowed his pill rather than chewing it.