I've been mostly on the Bipolar Disorder board, but have also posted to the Borderline Personality board, the Sleep Issues board, the Plastic Surgery board, and the Unforgettable Weight Stories board (under August 2006 shows), the Teen Wake Up Calls, the Newlywed part 1 board, and the Biggest Parenting Problems board (all three under August 2006 shows). "I've been everywhere, man, I've been everywhere" (a song).LOL I'll check out the toilet water posting.
Long QT syndrome is a congenital heart arrhythmia, which, for me and two of my kids, was diagnosed through genetic testing. It is a transient arrhythmia, which is characterized by a lengthened QT wave on and EKG. It can be aggravated (and deadly, also called Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome, or SADS) by certain medications that cause vasodialation, or a rapid heart beat. A pulse rate of 140 or greater can cause a deadly heart rhythm, which causes the heart to stop (hasn't happened to me, but often the first symptom of this disorder is sudden death). Many cases of SIDS are now being attributed to Long QT syndrome. It is passed from parent to child, when the parent has the gene, and one in 7000 people have it, although, I am one of 12 kids, and more than half of us and our kids have it...there is a 50/50 chance of a parent with Long QT syndrome passing it on to their kids. Most anti-arrythmia drugs will aggravate the arrhythmia associated with Long QT Syndrome. There is a 5-page list of drugs NOT to take with this condition, including most dental anesthetics, SSRIs, some antibiotics, decongestant, asthma meds, and the list goes on. It is treated with Beta Blockers, but I can't take those because it would aggravate my asthma and make the rescue inhaler not work.
Narcolepsy is one of over 200 sleep disorders. It is characterized by extreme daytime sleepiness and falling asleep while doing passive activities like driving and reading. Before Provigil, I had to sleep a lot (I felt like a slug) just to be able to stay awake to drive and help the kids with their homework. One of my kids, who had an ADHD diagnosis for years, actually has Narcolepsy too. Adderall and Ritalin made him extremely shakey and destabilized his moods (depression and anger). I would recommend for your son to have a sleep study...many ADHD cases can be attributed to a sleep disorder. My other two boys with ADHD symptoms actually have Restless Leg Syndrome, a sleep disorder that wakes them up over 250 times a night because of excessive leg movement. They are both taking Requip, and their moods and ability to get along with each other have improved immensly. My 13 year old still has had trouble in school. I would also recommend for your son to be evaluated by an eye doctor who does vision therapy. Both of my younger two sons have Esophoria, a vision problem, where their eyes do not work well together, and they only see partial words, when reading. They also have sloppy, disjointed handwriting. The 13 year old often refuses to do his work at school and lies about having homework. They have been doing vision therapy all summer, we'll see if it helps.
This info has nothing to do with chronic pain, I'm just answering questions asked of me, I hope everybody else doesn' mind.
Besides breast cancer (recent mastectomy and current reconstructive process), Asthma, Narcolepsy, former Obesity and cholesterol problems, five major surgeries in the last year, Bipolar Disorder, Long QT Syndrome, and chronic pain from Fibromyalgia I am managing to care for my family and volunteer a little at school and scouting with my boys. I am on SSI disability because of all of my health and mental health problems. I am currently in a lot of pain...neck and shoulder, and major migraine headaches. I saw the chiropractor yesterday, after many months of not seeing him because of the surgeries. He adjusted my neck and back, but today I am worse. This happened the first time I saw him, but with my second visit, things went much better. Last year, after suffering through months of headaches, the visits with the chiropractor improved my condition immensly. He is recommending some kind of specialty pillow. Somebody on the Bipolar board recommended a "memory foam" pillow. Has anybody out there had success with a specialty pillow? I'd be interested to hear before I buy one.
I will pray for all with chronic pain...I know how difficult it is to live with. My wonderful husband has remained steadfast and true...we understand each other...he has depression and diabetic neuropathy and has a lot of pain.
