drugs, drugs, drugs

Calvin has never experienced life drug-free. He has had to take drugs since he was born for a myriad of reasons. For seizures: trileptal, keppra, depakote, clonazepam, zonegran, lamictal and clobazam. For gastro-intestinal: lactulose, reglan (caused seizures), erythromycin, zantac, myralax and milk of magnesia. For sleep: neurontin and melatonin. As needed while on the Ketogenic diet: potassium citrate and carnitor. Antibiotics for pneumonia, eye infections and ear infections: cefprozil, azithromycin, erythromycin, amoxicillin and bacitracin. And I know I have forgotten some.

With many of the drugs it has been unclear as to whether they have helped him or not. One thing that is clear to see is the side effects he experiences, particularly with the anti-seizure meds: insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, somnolence, nystagmus,  diplopia, ataxia, anorexia, hypotonia, respiratory suppression, aphonia, confusion, abnormal thinking, nervousness, fatigue, weight loss, agitation, irritability, nausea, anterograde amnesia, unsteadiness, tremor, impaired attention, hyperactivity, drooling, vertigo, impaired memory, depression, loss of appetite and restlessness just to name a few.

But Calvin is a trooper. His resilience and tenacity are formidable. He just keeps on keepin' on. And it is because of Calvin that we persevere in the same way that he does.