Had to Take HA#1 to the ER .....

**many houseapes** · 09-10-2011, 03:44 PM

I woke up about 4am w/a bad headache, got up to take some ibuprophen & I hear this "scratching" sound in the livingroom. I found my oldest son walking around & I told him to get some sleep....he walks into the light coming from the hallway & then I realized that the scratching noise had been his foot dragging as he walked...his entire left side of his body was contorted & he couldn't get his muscles to relax. My first thought was that he was having a stroke. Got him to sit at the kitchen table, got dh up & I called 911. Dh was trying to get ds to focus & to respond to his questions...the blank stares that he got from him were alot like he could have been having a seizure (dh has a bro. that has epilepsy). the EMT's arrive & checked ds & by then, his muscles were starting to relax, but he felt as if it was going to happen again ( & it did on the way to the hospital). The EMT varified that it wasn't a stroke or a seizure, but a possible side effect from ds's medication...so there wasn't really anything that they could do for him except for giving him a ride to the hospital. Ds wanted me to take him instead. So...we get to the ER, they gave him a shot of benedryl that seemed to help a little.As we were waiting for the doctor, I started to get sick to my stomach & I had to go back home & dh came to be w/ds......the dr. gave ds more of the bendryl while he was there & said that what he had experienced was a side effect from a new medication that he had started 2 days ago...he is not to take this medication again until we speak to his psycologist. This was so scary to see him like this - his body was so contorted that it looked like he had cerebral palsy. He is back home now and resting & will be taking benedryl for the next few days until this other medication works itsself out of his system.I am really upset w/his psycologist & the pharmacy for not telling him about the possible side effects. Sorry this has turned into a book, but thanks for listening.

**mauimagic** · 09-10-2011, 05:28 PM

How scary for everyone. I'm glad that you got the signal to get up - Now that he is being taken care of - how are you doing? Take care my friend.

**brennasmom** · 09-10-2011, 05:31 PM

How scary. **hugs**

**frugalwarrior2** · 09-10-2011, 05:45 PM

So scary. Glad he's ok now. I hope you are.
DD has had a migraine w/ aura in front of me last year. I thought it was a stroke so I took her to the clinic who sent me to the hosp. Yes no more of that meds for sure!!!

**shoiji** · 09-10-2011, 05:45 PM

I am sorry to hear your son went through this. So glad that you woke up and were there for your son. When speaking with your sons psychologist ask him what type (class) of medication it was that caused this episode. State that you want your son on the lowest possible dosage of any medication given at the start of a new medication. Write down and log all medications given and any side affects. Hopefully it will help your son when dealing with future psychologists down the road. You can also request that your son not be given the latest medication out there. Reason being known side affects may not be as well known.

I am not trying to scare you about future appointments or for your son to stop treatment. Just to give you some advise so you feel more empowered at your next doctors visit.

Let us know how your son is doing. He definately has an angel looking over him.

Take care.

**Daisygirl** · 09-10-2011, 06:57 PM

I call moments like this "a cosmic thump on the head." It's like God just smacks you and says "Hey, you! Do I have to do everything by myself!?!"

What a terrifying side effect! I live in fear of side effects myself - it's so scary to be between the devil ( of mental illness) and the deep blue sea (of side effects).

Everytime I get a new med I immediately go home and do some research on the computer before I take it. I'd suggest this is s good course of action because some of the effects of things that mess with your brain are just WILD. Did they call this side effect "tardive dyskinesia"? That is the one I live in fear of.

Big hugs to you - your son is so very lucky to have you!

**oheoh's momma** · 09-10-2011, 07:06 PM

That is so scary hugs to you and yours and prayers

**BlissMommy** · 09-10-2011, 07:08 PM

I'm glad to hear he is okay. Hugs to you. That is so scary!

**Nishu** · 09-10-2011, 07:56 PM

Oh geez, that must have been terrifying. I'm glad he's okay. I hope the next few days are uneventful for you while the meds work out of his system.

**many houseapes** · 09-10-2011, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

How scary for everyone. I'm glad that you got the signal to get up - Now that he is being taken care of - how are you doing? Take care my friend.

I'm doing okay - stomach has settled....just very thankful that the little ones were asleep when it all happened - they would've been very scared to see their brother like that. ds was up & helping out w/dishes this evening. Muscle-wise, he's still a little sore & his brain is still foggy. I can't get in touch w/his psycologist until Monday....there is no way that he's going back on that medication.

**many houseapes** · 09-10-2011, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by shoiji

I am sorry to hear your son went through this. So glad that you woke up and were there for your son. When speaking with your sons psychologist ask him what type (class) of medication it was that caused this episode. State that you want your son on the lowest possible dosage of any medication given at the start of a new medication. Write down and log all medications given and any side affects. Hopefully it will help your son when dealing with future psychologists down the road. You can also request that your son not be given the latest medication out there. Reason being known side affects may not be as well known.

I am not trying to scare you about future appointments or for your son to stop treatment. Just to give you some advise so you feel more empowered at your next doctors visit.

Let us know how your son is doing. He definately has an angel looking over him.

Take care.

I'm glad that you said that....During his first episode, ds cried out "Jesus help me"...& it was then that his muscles started to loosen up. Thanks for the advice. We need to get his condition under control, But he doesn't need to be anyone's guinea pig.

**many houseapes** · 09-10-2011, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

I call moments like this "a cosmic thump on the head." It's like God just smacks you and says "Hey, you! Do I have to do everything by myself!?!"

What a terrifying side effect! I live in fear of side effects myself - it's so scary to be between the devil ( of mental illness) and the deep blue sea (of side effects).

Everytime I get a new med I immediately go home and do some research on the computer before I take it. I'd suggest this is s good course of action because some of the effects of things that mess with your brain are just WILD. Did they call this side effect "tardive dyskinesia"? That is the one I live in fear of.

Big hugs to you - your son is so very lucky to have you!

It says on his release papers " Dystonic Reaction"