This little pill

this little pill is called Dilantin (dye-LAN-tin). it is an anti-convulsant that zaavan has been taking in one form or another, pretty much since he was born(except for a short period of time before he got his g-tube when we were experimenting with a different med.) this little pill is one of four anti-seizure meds that zaavan takes daily. since the induction of the ketogenic diet, he has taken this little pill 3 times a day. this little pill is a BIG PAIN!! in order to administer it, we have to carefully break it open with a pill cutter, which is very difficult because it is secured with a pink band intended to keep people from opening it, and gently tap the contents into a medicine cup being cautious not to spill any. we then, with a syringe, measure out the exact amount of water needed to disolve the precious powder after it is released from it's gelatin capsule. sounds like a piece of cake so far right? well now we must stir the contents gently until completely dissolved and draw it into the syringe to administer it through zaavan's g-tube. sounds easy? IT IS NOT! for some reason the contents of this little pill are almost impossible to dissolve, do not incorporate well with water, and stick to absolutely every surface making it extremely difficult to get an accurate dose. not to mention, taking a painfully long time. jon, myself, and zaavan's PCA's have spent upwards of 10 minutes, 3 times a day, just trying to accurately and correctly administer this one little pill!
6 weeks ago we started to gradually taper down the dilantin. zaavan has been nearly 3 months completely seizure free! his neurologist gave the OK to get rid of dialntin, as tolerated. if successful, we can move on to getting him off of one of his other anti-convulsants.
i'm very happy to say that we have succesfully weaned zaavan off of this little pill with no breakthrough seizure activity, and as of now, he has gone over a week without it! still no seizures! this little pill is going bye-bye. hopefully forever. and we are not going to miss it one little bit.