Shouldn't an eval include talking to my son?

[sweety]

I knew I liked my dd's pediatric neurologist when she had a long conversation with Rose upsidedown! Rose was hanging upside down off the exam table and the Dr. turned her head around so she could be eyeball to eyeball with Rose. Many doc's would say something like "sit up now or Be still etc" this Dr stood at the foot of the exam table with her head twisted around while talking to Rose about school. It just takes finding a good sympathetic Dr.

[Renee]

bunny, did you get the eval done yet? I noted you had an appt scheduled for mid-dec.

It has been MANY (12) years since we had one, but it was with a social worker and a bery through process. She talked with me, she met with him alone (he was 6 at the time), she gave me forms to fill out, plus one for his teacher. Then we met again, then she met with the psychologists and shared the forms and her thoughts on her meetings, then we met again to get the diagnosis. It spanned 2.5 months, and while I was impatient to know the results, at least I felt confident that it was acurate because she was so thorough.

Now I know many drs. will give you a dx after a brief chat. I understand the temptation as I certainly feel I can identify ADHD when i am just "out and about" oberving people. However, I don't give those kids medication and I do think a thorough exam, ruling out other issues, is the best approach. For example, lead poisoning has many similar syptoms to ADHD. So ruling that out is important. Also, there is much discussion over bi-polar being mistaken for ADHD and that can be a huge problem as ADHD medication can make bi-polar much worse in some people.

Also, I think that having a Dr. observe the child can be very helpful as they may see things we have come to accept as "normal" as we live with it daily. Let us know how you are doing and any results so far.

[bunny]

Hey Renee,

Thanks for asking. We did go in to see the psyciatrist. He spoke with my son and I together. He was very nice, understanding and resectful. I guess I need to remember that I also have already done the connors, as well as reviewed son's history.

The doc suggested that we try Adderall. I thought I would start over the holiday break from school so that I could monitor his reaction, but.................... we didn't start the meds. DS has had a bad cough since the middle of November, I've had him to the doctor several times, and on the last day before the holiday break I took him back in because he felt so crummy. The doctor said that he sounded like he had pneumonia (chest x-ray turned our negative). After 2 rounds of antibiotic and some asthma meds, he's finally doing well.

I think we will start the meds on Saturday.

I'm nervous

[Linda]

bunny....I understand about being nervous...you are wise to start on a week-end...remember some parents have to keep trying different meds till they find the one that works. Hopefully you will get lucky first time around I know we did Good Luck

[Horst]

Hi Bunny,

I don't know if you are still checking this thread - hope you are! I've been off this site for a while, busy schedule, and I just noticed this thread. Your story mirrors mine, we've been going thru the same stuff and even have the boys the same age with ADD - not H.

I too have been trying the natural approach and am not sure it is doing it for Andy. As with your son, his grades aren't horrible (with tons of tutoring from me) and he is not a behavioral issue in school. Therefore he doesn't stick out as needing help - he's the type of kid that will fall thru the cracks in the system. But not with moms like us! I am determined to find him the help he needs.

I just took him to have his blood tested for thyroid, lead, and a CBC panel to rule out any physical problems that mimic ADD. I'll know the results shortly and from there am going to try my hardest to find a good doc who will do some real testing and not just prescribe him meds. I am not opposed to meds, but it must be proved to me that there is a reason for it.

Anyway, we are on the same path at the same time and I just thought I'd try to touch base with you. May God bless you and your son and guide you to the right doc!
Horst

[finnmom]

Bumping this up to tell both Bunny and Horst:
[glow=red,2,300]WAY TO GO MOM´S[/glow]
It´s so true, our kid´s wouldn´t get the help they need without mom´s and dad´s like us, we have to give the credit to us sometime´s too

[bunny]

Hi Horst,

I hadn't checked here in awhile, thanks to finnmom for bumping it up.

The meds have been going really well Even better than I expected.

Our most recent set back has been with DS having chest pain (see my post in the medication area), so we are off meds this week, but I'm confident that we'll be back in the game soon.

My son has had some side effects like loss of appetite, and a tough time going to sleep, but he's very mature and is trying to work with me...

He tells me that "that pill really works!". My husband has been rather sceptical, and asked me tonight if DS just wants it to work, therefore he tries harder, and what if we gave him a sugar pill..... I let him know that if that were the case, than all the natural supplements we tried would have given us the same results. As much of a "natural" person, and believer in good nutrition that I am, it just didn't work like the meds. We still follow a good diet, avoid food dyes, and continue to work on making our diet better.
I make my friends and neighbors a little crazy with all the natural nutrition stuff, but I feel like I'm educating the parents and kids, one family at a time. Hee Hee!

I do plan to put DS back on at least the fish oils, but wanted to work with one change at a time. I can SO RELATE to all of your trials, I've been there. Good luck with your decision. I'm following my instincts and have found that they are usually good. We need to trust ourselves!

Get in touch with me any time.