I was going to say basically what SmallMom said.
Also wanted to add that you are totally correct. You all deserve the best quality of life possible. Least of her problems or not, it's a problem interfering with her life, and you all deserve for that to be addressed.
Good luck!
WELCOME!Welcome sophiasheart, I bumped a thread for you on CHD and ADHD. My son has CHD with a similar diagnosis, and ADHD. KarenCee also has a child with CHD.
I've heard the same thing---that's the least of your problems. But, in reality, it's going to become a bigger and bigger problem b/c the school will become involved. If she has a bday from July or later, I would seriously consider holding her back for another year so that you can work on this. Also, ADHD kids tend to be immature.
Our cardio said he's not going to favor the stims. There's one non-stim (Straterra) for this age, but really, it doesn't work like that. You don't just pick one med and everything is devine. People try lots of meds, and they change the doses, and they combine meds--to find the right thing. So I've taken the alternative route and I'm having some success. You might want to come visit the alternatives board. If you are interested, there are many ideas to pursue.
Feel free to PM me.
NoTellin38944.390625Hello,
My name is Laura and I'm concerned about my daughter, Sophia. Sophia was born with a rare congenital heart defect known as Pulmonary Atresia Intact Ventricular Septum with Multiple Coronary Fistulae. She is five years old and has undergone 3 open heart surgeries and 4 heart catheterizations. I will try to sum up why I'm here...
I suspect my child has ADHD. In fact, I have suspected something wasn't right with her from 15 months on. As a baby, she never allowed me to hold her - NEVER. Her behavior is horrible and she is constantly being grounded or priviledges taken away. Her latest thing is lying and destructive behavior. Examples: she keyed up my mini van, killed all of my flowers by stomping them to death, every night I pick her up from work, she is NEVER happy to see me and lets it be known. Every morning she wakes up, she is emotional, cranky. She is constantly bored and constantly wants to eat food. I have to limit her food.
She can't sit still, sings all the time, can't behave in stores, restaurants, just doesn't STOP! You would think a child with half a heart would tire out... not my Sophia. Her head spins and so does mine because she is driving me crazy and is disrupting our household. My 2 year old behaves better.
It's getting to the point where I know she hates me. Maybe becaue I'm always the one that takes her to doctors, blood draws, surgeries, who knows. I provide everything for my child - I have kept her alive for G*d sakes and she could care less. She has no regard for anyone but herself. The only time she is nice to me is when she is hurt or wants something. Most of the time, I don't like her and I'm ashamed, terribly ashamed to admit that.
I am trying to get an appointment with a neurologist. I want her thoroughly evaluated, not just observed and given a pill! I don't even know if she would be able to take medication. I just want the behavior to stop before I really hate this child. I don't want to hate a child that I have fought to keep alive. I have tried to communicate my concerns and have been told, "That's the least of her problems!" For as long as she is alive on this Earth, she deserves to have a good quality of life and so do we - her family!
Thanks for listening,
Laura
Laura, welcome. While not sitting still may be an ADHD symptom, some of the other symptoms -- emotional, lying, destructive behavior, constant eating, unhappiness -- may be indicative of a disorder other than ADHD. It's good that you're starting with an evaluation by a neurologist. At the appointment, I would recommend asking the neuro for a referral to a neuropsychologist (frequently found at children's and university hospitals), who can administer tests to help determine what is going on with your child. Without an accurate diagnosis, there is no way you can put the proper interventions into place (which may or may not include meds, depending on the disorder). Good luck.