After very brief exams and basic blood tests, our doctor is telling us that since he can not figure this out, he wants to treat the symptoms and believes it must be anxiety.

I do not want to accept this diagnosis without ruling out other more dangerous possibilities.  We have another appointment the end of this month for a 2nd opinion and before I go, I am doing my own research.  I am looking for the right words and questions to use when talking to the doctor.

I will be asking for an oxygen level test with other breathing tests but do not know what else to ask for.

Has anyone experienced similar things with a child?

Does anyone know of medical words that I can further research regarding feeling like his body is moving up and down?  Or any questions that I can add to my list for the doctor?  Or questions I can ask my son?  Or things to watch for?

A trusted friend did tell me that this can be anxiety but can also be a lot of other things and I am on the right track to make sure I am treating the right thing.  She was surprised an oxygen level test was not given since that is the main symptom.

Thank you!

Adrianne

My mother in law recently had to be in a nursing home for rehab, she is home now but has a home monitor that she uses daily and the results are sent to doctor via phone line.  (She does not have cable)

It records BP, oxegen stats, weight, then asks yes no questions; i.e.  Do you want your Dr. to call you, do you have pain...etc.

The questions are modified to the patient.  I thought it is a great tool and can get a broader picture of a patient.

This is something I would want recorded for a period of time.  A home study if you will.

Good luck,  praying for you and your son.

Blessings,   Donna  NH

I don't have any advice for you but just wanted to say that I'm praying for you and your son.

God Bless,

Josh T. in Ohio

Group's Crocodile Dock VBS 2009 June 15-19, 2009

I suggest you keep a diary of when your son has a problem, what the complaint is and how long it lasts. This will help the doctor (and you - because it is difficult to remember everything).

Unless your son has had a problem with anxiety before, or unless something major had happened in his life recently to cause anxiety, I would keep looking until I got some answers.  Kids don't usually make up stuff like that. Doctors use this as a cop out when they do not know what is happening or don't want to take the time to figure it out.

Praying you will find the right doctor and he will be able to help you.

Orion's August 31st appointment was changed by the clinic to another doctor on October 8th.   I called the clinic and explained (tried real hard not to sound too much like a complaint) that we needed to see a doctor NOW.  I need to know that his heart and lungs are o.k.   So, they put me back with the original doctor on September 11th.  

That is still not soon enough but I accepted that and this morning drove him one hour to the children's walk-in clinic.  The doctor there was very understanding and did a chest x-ray and EKG to rule out heart and lung problems.  She gave the chest x-ray to a professional to  read but stated what she understood it looked good.

She also stated this could be anxiety but that it did not mean the cure has to be drugs.  She was understanding that I wanted to make sure the physical issues were addressed.

So, this may be anxiety and it is good for us to know that his heart and lungs are strong and healthy.

The last time we had a medical issue on a September 11th, was in 2001. Orion was being wheeled into surgery for tonsils and adnoids as the first plane hit.  I

So, it appears all our worries may have been in vain and now I can feel more assured when comforting Orion and telling him that everything will be fine.

Thank you again.

Adrianne

Adrianne

I needed to take time off of work and attend school with Orion.  There were several days that he only made it to school for a few hours even with me there.  He said he did not feel well and was afraid that something would happen (mainly fainting and being taken to ER via ambulance).   When I called my supervisor to explain why I wasn't coming in to work, he stated I should talk to another person who was now my supervisor.  This other person is from another facility so does not know me.  That added to my stress; new supervisor and not going into work!   On a day that I did return, he called me into his office and assured me that I can flex my hours and do what I need to do to figure out what Orion needs.   I love my job and feel so spoiled!

Remember I stated we had an appointment on Sept 11?  Well the Friday before I received a call - we can not see the doctor on Sept 11th.  He is not taking new patients.   I CAN NOT WAIT AGAIN!!!   We got in on Sept 14th with another doctor.   This doctor gave Orion some breathing tests, UA for diabetes, and nose swab for allergies.  All o.k.  He stated that there are some anxiety issues (which I knew got worse because we couldn't get in sooner) however, we need to also follow the medical issues to make sure they are not just the symptoms of the anxiety.  AMEN - just what I was asking for!!   Oh, the best part, he states not all anxiety needs medications and he doesn't see that Orion does.  At this point our next step will be a counselor.   I know there is a time and place for medications but I do not believe in automatically taking medications until it is determined that they are necessary.

Orion has some fears but has gotten so much better.  He is in school without me (usually calls during morning break and sometimes lunch) and getting back to his normal self.  He just needed to know that he was o.k.

We figure this all comes from his very scary dentist appointment the beginning of July.

Thank you all for your prayers.  This is sure seeming to end in a happy place.

Orion attends a very small day school through our church.  On the first day that he attended all day, the classmate in charge of prayers for the week thanked God for Orion being at school all day.  His 5 classroom friends have been so good about praying for him.   He hates any attention at all but I believe that was good for him to hear.  Being only one of six in the classroom has made this easier for him.

We need to work on his attitude toward school.  He is a perfectionist and is getting upset about not doing "A" work in all cl.  He has to learn that it is more important to try your best than to always get "A"s.  That "B"s are just fine also.   I told him that 5th grade is a year to learn how to learn.  He will do lots of things wrong as he learns what is expected but he needs to learn from these errors.

Low battery, better sign off.   Thanks again!

Adrianne