We had some moments today but overall, I feel like we had a good day. I wasn't feeling quite as overwhemled as I have been and I was able to get some groceries delivered this afternoon.
I feel very lucky to have had that all work out today.
Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends. Gavin woke up very early this morning vomiting. He dealt with it on his own and didn't wake me up until afterwards, so I want much help. I gave him something for the nausea and he was able to go back to sleep.
He was very, very manic today and it was a bit much. Truthfully, he's absolutely harmless and it's more annoying than anything else. He just sorta wears me down.
Throughout the day he was battling with a headache, stomach ache and nausea. He has his Zofran and it helps but tonight, he got really sick. He puked again and was miserable. It appears that he's going through physical withdrawal from the Clozapine. Sunday was his last dose and while he did okay the first day, he was hit hard today.
I spoke with his doctor and we need to put him back on the last dose he was on before discontinuing it completely. He's going back on that for two days and then he'll take half of that for four days before stopping. If that doesn't work, I'll cut the dose in half once again and run it for four more days.
Keep in mind that by this point, I'm literally crushing the pill and cutting it with a razor blade. I weight it on a scale and will mix it with a pudding or something like that. We're talking very precise dosing right now.
Once I had things under control, I called Lizze to let her know what was going on.
After Gavin went back on tonight, he began to feel better and was able to fall asleep.
None of us were expecting this kind of reaction because when he's come off in the past, he never experienced these symptoms. Gavin never does anything half way.
We'll get him off safely and as comfortably as possible. It may take a little longer but who cares.
Anyway, this is a necessary evil for right now. For those just tuning in, the reason we have to do this is because Clozapine requires blood work before every refill. Gavin is immunocompromised and has other serious health issues that put him at high risk. I can't take any chances at all. This is the lesser of two evils.
Yes, it certainly makes things more challenging to have an unmedicated schizophrenic in the house right now but it's not a huge deal. I need more patience and I need to help him channel his energy in a productive way but that's about it for right now. I'm not trying to downplay this because it's going to take a lot out of me but at least Gavin's safe and healthy. That's what matters right now.
I hope you're all safe, healthy and staying home.
