I'm very excited about this update!! I took my son to Ottawa today for 2 very long awaited appointments. One was to the neurologist for the result of his CT scan , which was normal...good. The other was to see a doctor who speacializes in Learning Disabilities.
So the neurologist also did a private "test" with my son to evaluate how my son felt about himself. Sadly, he feels as though he is worth nothing...his life doesn't matter. Of course, this indicates depression, which in light of recent events (re:thread about Cyberbullying), does not surprise me. The doctor suggests, for now, that he continue with counselling and continue taking Fever Few for migraines...tylenol for tension headaches, which he believes my son suffers from most frequently. Also, the fact that my son has been medication free for 6months for ADHD, due to the fact that the meds intensified his headaches, and I did not see any positive progress whatsoever, also contributes to his anxiety resulting in tension headaches. The neurologist felt it would be best to speak with the LD specialist before treating him with a prescription for migraines.
So, the LD specialist was awesome!! I had previously had to mail my sons report cards from JK to gr.6 to the doctor. He had highlited phrases and comments in every single report card that clearly indicated signs of
ADHD and was shocked that my son had not been properly diagnosed and treated long before now (he is in Gr.10). My son was diagnosed in Gr. 7 with
ADD and was put on medication that, according to his height and weight, was sufficient for a 5yr old, if even! He said it was no wonder we were discouraged with medication since that dosage would never have affected him at all and no positive results were seen. He spoke mostly directly to my son, stopping often to ask if he or I had any questions. He explained that he was born with ADHD and that it does not mean that he is stupid or has 1/2 a brain. It is also genetic. He put it in such simple terms. If your computer has an internal problem...wires are crossed...it runs slow, and sometimes crashes. So we call in a computer technician, and they fix it so it runs up to speed again. With ADHD, the brain is the computer. Wires are crossed causing the brain to run slow. The medication is like a computer technician that comes in and fixes it. He explained that LD meds do not miraculously MAKE you smart. They ALLOW you to be smart...make better choices. He told us that after reviewing my sons report cards prior to the appt., he told his wife, who is also his secretary, that "this boy is a mess...he's struggling...he needs help and we need to get him in here ASAP". I thought the 2 month wait was long for this appointment. I found out that the waiting period is 6-12 months!! The appointment was 1 1/2hrs and was extremely informative. I felt empowered with info more from that 1 1/2 hrs than I have in the last 8yrs of my sons acedemic career from meetings with teachers, principals, school psychologists and the pediatricians!! He also explained the result of ADHD if left untreated, and he explained 90% of things that's going on in my sons life now from low self-esteem...no friends...withdrawn..different in appearance...feeling of worthlessness...emotional...anxiety attacks...depression...all which often lead to Chronic Daily Headaches as well. If continued untreated into adulthood, it often can lead to bad choices including breaking the law, substance abuse and in some cases suicide...even and especially in teens!! He stated that 25% of prison inmates are ADHD.
So, he's prescribed Dexedrine, which will be taken 3 times/day, everyday. Loss of appetite is the most common side effect so it's best taken with meals. He will try this until January when the doctor wants to see him again.
So, both my son and I feel excited and hopeful. We both had a positive attitude when we left. We celebrated and went to The Keg for supper!!
So, that's our update! Hopefully, the migraines can come under control now that my son is being properly treated for his LD. The doctors are very confident that the problem this whole time was mistreating his ADHD, which resulted in great stress at school and home. Makes perfect sense! Keep your fingers crossed for him!
