ADHD and sleep apnea

[beclynne]

I have quite a story to share. I am a single mon of two boys, my youngest, Andrew, who is 8, was diagnose bipolar and ADHD at 4.  Tried to change his diet, tried every kind of combo of ADHD and bipolar meds, nothing worked. He was aggitated, immature, socially innapropriate, we have dealt with major tantrums and just "little" things like his love to annoy and irritate people.  He is inteligent and caring, but does not, or does not want to understand consequences. To make a long story short, none of the meds worked.  I took him to a nuerologist in town and he asked me is he has ever had a sleep study done. WOW! Something new, but I kinda thought the doc was crazy.  I agreed to the study and 2 weeks later the doctor calls me and says that Andrew has sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. I was kinda shocked.  He referred me to an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) dr.  Last week we went to see him and Andrew's tonsils and atnoids were infected and swollen.  He suggested we get them removed.  I did a lot of internet research on this and there are many studies done where sleep apnea  is directly related to ADHD and other emotional disorders.  Andrew had the surgery done this week and the doc said his atnoids were so infected, and had been for years, when he took them out they fell apart and were full of puss- Nice thought! We are only days after the surgery, and It will be a rough recovery, but he is doing ok, and has started eating pastas and soup today.  I just want to get the word out there about the coorilation of sleep apnea and the overdiagnosis of ADHD, bipolar, and everything else. I am angry at the many doctors we say that never said this tonsills and atnoids were swollen, or suggested a sleep study.  Its probably been a big problem his whole life and I am thankfull we finally found the root of some- I know not all- of his problems.

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[Kyesma]

I am glad to read this. The way you described your son sounds very similar to my sons behavior.  I was thinking of calling his NP to see about a sleep test. Now I will mention this to her.  Thanks!

[tysmom1313]

Your story sound very similiar to mine, exept I haven't tried the medication yet.  Right now I am in the process of changing my son's diet and adding vitamins.  But we have a sleep study scheduled for october 20th, and I can't wait to see the results.  I really think it will be the same outcome.  Did your son ever have white puss spots on the tonsils but not have strept throat, but they caused bad breath?  Just wondering, because I took my son to my ENT and she said that some kids collect bacteria in the pockets of the tonsils which causes very bad breath, but she didn't want to take them out.  Do you think even if my son doesn't have sleep apnea, I should still have his tonsils taken out because of the white spots he always gets on his throat?  Let me know what you think, thanks!

Dena