Lizze and I have never been thrilled with the fact that Gavin is on some of the medications that he is.  Unfortunately, it’s not about what makes us happy or comfortable, it’s about what’s best for Gavin.

Because Gavin is so complex, the medications he needs to help manage his life are hardcore.

The silver lining in all of this is the reality that his life is dramatically improved by these medications. Gavin and a medication free life are simply not compatible.

While this is overwhelmingly positive, we do hit our fair share of hiccups or bumps in the road.

Gavin is on a medication called Clozapine. This is a very hardcore antipsychotic. In fact, it’s an absolute last resort and is the most tightly controlled medication in the US.

The red tape that we have to get through to simply refill his prescription is unbelievable but understandable.

In the beginning, we only received 7 days worth of pills at a time.  Blood work was required every 7 days. The lab results had to be certified and faxed to the pharmacy.  The pharmacy would then submit the results to the pharmaceutical company. The pharmaceutical company would then grant permission to the pharmacy to release another 7 day supply. 

After 6 months, we received 14 days worth of pills at a time.  The procedure was the same.  Everything was just spaced out to fit the 14 day window.

Now we get 30 days at a time and blood work is only required once a month.

We’re now almost 2 years in and it took a year to get to the point of receiving a 30 days supply.

Gavin’s handled this medication very, very well.  He’s had no side effects and his life has been dramatically improved. Unfortunately, this is the kind of medication that if he misses more than one dose, we have to start the whole process over.  That means we loose 2 years worth of progress and must return to the 7 day supply at a time. 

Occasionally, we hit a snag with his refills.

Today was one of those days.  For whatever reason, the lab couldn’t fax the results to the pharmacy. The fax won’t go through and no one can figure out why. Neither the lab or the pharmacy are having trouble sending or receiving faxes to or from anyone else, just each other.

Until this is resolved, the script can’t be released. 

Thankfully, we have enough to make it the next few days and I would expect this to be worked out long before then.

This so stressful because he’s recently maxed out on Clozapine and there is nowhere let to go from here. If we were to miss any doses, it could prove to be disastrous.

I’m confident that Akron Children’s Hospital and Walgreens will get this worked out. 

These little hiccups turn what’s left of my hair grey.

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