Re: - [ADHD Oppositional Defiant disorder

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am a behaviour support teacher as well as a fellow achalasian. Your story has made me shiver, you must be a wonderful lady!!! No wonder these kids are like they are, and will not place their trust in anyone. I guess the best hint I can give you with the defiant 12 year old is to offer him choices. It will not work instantly or every time, but if he feels he has some control this may make his and your life much easier. What I mean is something like this:

Your room needs to be sorted a little (give a little room here), you can either do it now and watch TV after tea or you can do it after dinner, before you watch TV.

Remember what you call clean or sorted may not mean the samre to him.

Love and caring are your best assets, but it wil take a long time. These poor little darlings.

Donna

-- Re: manometry + OT

,

My whole body shivered when I read your post. I had a horrible experience with my manometry, but I understand the significance of having the test. I was also tested for thyroid problems, but everything was fine. What I don't understand is why this test needs to be performed several times. Hopefully, it will be the only time you ever have to endure it. Personally, I have grown so used to eating healthy and routinely, I don't even crave pizza and fast foods. Even the smell of greasy foods is a turn off. I miss eggs though. I can't eat them because they are so light. My cream cheese addiction will grow tiresome soon.

I'm also feeling stressed right now dealing with a 12 year old ADHD boy. The School isn't very supportive either. The attitude this boy has is astounding! I don't want to bore anyone with too many details, but imagine being 12, raising 5 younger siblings while Mom is "entertaining" in her bedroom for drugs. Four older siblings live on a reserve, sniff gas, glue. The Mom was wise enough to give up the last baby for adoption, but Cliff openly calls his Mom a ... wow! See, that's what happens when you have a stressed night. You turn to people who understand where you are coming from!

For those who don't know me, I am an emergency care provider who has recently accepted two siblings from a reserve. The six year old communicates by spitting. The 12 year old is openly defiant.

Well, it's nice to be OT as well as discuss Achalasia.

Thanks for listening,

.

Re: manometry

> Oh my God!!! Had my first (and hopefully my last) manometry today.> Geez...I wouldn't wish that test on my worst enemy. They didn't numb my> nose. Do they usually?Hey ... glad it's finally done and over with!The manometry is one of those tests that can be done expertly and withcompassion by someone who understands, or ineptly with all the mercy of amob boss w/ a vendetta! (Think Tony Soprano and what he did to Ralph!)I've had it done by a quack who made it so painful that he actually rousedme out of my drugged state of unconsciousness (no, he was NOT supposed tobe administering the test while I was unconscious.... like I said, he wasa quack!) and I've had it done by a nurse who was relatively new at theprocedure (had someone else watch over her shoulder for part of it, shewas so new at it -- I think I'd had more of these than she'd actuallydone!) but who numbed me up wonderfully and it was an endurable procedure.And I've had it run the range in between those extremes, too. Fortunately, the only one that was climb-the-walls horrendous was the oneI at least got some good drugs for. )I've been considering making up some "guidelines" for varioustests/procedures that affect us, taking suggestions from the members here,the ones who KNOW what this stuff is like, the good, the bad, and theugly. Other than my first quack experience, my techs have been prettygood to work with, but I've heard some horror stories on this board thatwould curl your chest hair (if you had chest hair... and if you do, I doNOT want to know about it!) I'm gearing up for my fiscal year end at theoffice (which will be 3/31/04, so I won't have a life again untilbeginning of May or so), but hopefully after that I'll have time to workon this and other ideas I've had.If anyone else has any ideas of stuff like this (or the time/energy toactually compile this stuff instead of waiting for me to find the time),please share! Examples of things I'm thinking of including:-------------For manometry, there are different types of equipment out there, and theprobes can come in different sizes. Ask your doctor what size will beused on you, and if there's a smaller size available.The manometry technician doesn't know stuff if you don't tell him/her. Work out a "time out" signal before you start. If the numbing hasn'tworked, you can "give the signal" and they can retreat and administer morenumbing gel.If your nasal passages just don't cooperate (in my case, the large probedoes NOT fit through, but the smaller one does), it is NOT crucial thatthey run the probe down your nose in order to perform the test. They CANget readings off your LES by going through your mouth (although they getmore "whole region" readings if they can go through the nose, which is whythey prefer that), but they won't offer if you don't ask for it.Get some tissues before you get started -- your eyes will probably watersome during the insertion of the probe, you may drool or cough some salivaon your chin, the gel may smear on your face, etc.Ask to have your favorite radio station on the sound system (or ask ifit's ok to bring your own tunes) if music will help to distract you. (TheMedical Procedures Unit used to ASK me my favorite music genre and tune itin for me before endoscopy, dilations, etc.)-------------Anyway, those types of things are what I'd like to be able to have in theFiles section... so many people say "if only I'd known" after theirprocedures; it would be great if everyone could know BEFORE the procedurewhat kinds of options they have!!! And there are so many differentclinics that seem to do the "same procedures" in so many different ways,it's great to get feedback from all situations in one central place sothat if you're faced by one of those "climb-the-walls" situations, you cancall a "time-out" and demand a more humane testing condition!As for the thyroid thing, I know they did ultrasound and MRI on my thyroidto rule out tumors, etc., and found nothing. I think w/ a lack ofperistalsis and a tight LES, the chances are pretty slim of actuallyfinding thyroid problems at this stage in the game (this is just in myopinion, of course!) I think more probably it's a situation of coveringhis butt "just in case" -- so he can tell the insurance company that heexhausted all other possible causes before billing them $25,000 for asurgery. I wouldn't be too concerned about it -- just be glad that he'sbeing thorough, I guess!Debbi, also hoping that this was 's LAST manometry ever!

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[Guest guest]

Thank You Donna & for your kindness.

It's so nice to have someone else understand when you are having a rough day. I sure do understand about giving Cliff some control. It really works. If he makes it through a day at School without incident, he gets a bag of low fat microwave popcorn, computer time, and full use of the skidoo.

Unfortunately, we have a Doctor shortage in Thunder Bay. Cliff needs to be on medication and we haven't been able to get him to a specialist yet. I've looked after more challenging kids, but they've always been girls. Yesterday, both boys came home with letters for me to sign. The six year old punched a little girl in the face for bumping him and causing him to scribble. The School is very supportive, but there is only so much they will tolerate.

What amazes me is their love for my cats. We have two black cats who are constantly being held and cuddled. To me, that shows their desire to just be loved and looked after.

Thanks again,

.

Re: manometry

> Oh my God!!! Had my first (and hopefully my last) manometry today.> Geez...I wouldn't wish that test on my worst enemy. They didn't numb my> nose. Do they usually?Hey ... glad it's finally done and over with!The manometry is one of those tests that can be done expertly and withcompassion by someone who understands, or ineptly with all the mercy of amob boss w/ a vendetta! (Think Tony Soprano and what he did to Ralph!)I've had it done by a quack who made it so painful that he actually rousedme out of my drugged state of unconsciousness (no, he was NOT supposed tobe administering the test while I was unconscious.... like I said, he wasa quack!) and I've had it done by a nurse who was relatively new at theprocedure (had someone else watch over her shoulder for part of it, shewas so new at it -- I think I'd had more of these than she'd actuallydone!) but who numbed me up wonderfully and it was an endurable procedure.And I've had it run the range in between those extremes, too. Fortunately, the only one that was climb-the-walls horrendous was the oneI at least got some good drugs for. )I've been considering making up some "guidelines" for varioustests/procedures that affect us, taking suggestions from the members here,the ones who KNOW what this stuff is like, the good, the bad, and theugly. Other than my first quack experience, my techs have been prettygood to work with, but I've heard some horror stories on this board thatwould curl your chest hair (if you had chest hair... and if you do, I doNOT want to know about it!) I'm gearing up for my fiscal year end at theoffice (which will be 3/31/04, so I won't have a life again untilbeginning of May or so), but hopefully after that I'll have time to workon this and other ideas I've had.If anyone else has any ideas of stuff like this (or the time/energy toactually compile this stuff instead of waiting for me to find the time),please share! Examples of things I'm thinking of including:-------------For manometry, there are different types of equipment out there, and theprobes can come in different sizes. Ask your doctor what size will beused on you, and if there's a smaller size available.The manometry technician doesn't know stuff if you don't tell him/her. Work out a "time out" signal before you start. If the numbing hasn'tworked, you can "give the signal" and they can retreat and administer morenumbing gel.If your nasal passages just don't cooperate (in my case, the large probedoes NOT fit through, but the smaller one does), it is NOT crucial thatthey run the probe down your nose in order to perform the test. They CANget readings off your LES by going through your mouth (although they getmore "whole region" readings if they can go through the nose, which is whythey prefer that), but they won't offer if you don't ask for it.Get some tissues before you get started -- your eyes will probably watersome during the insertion of the probe, you may drool or cough some salivaon your chin, the gel may smear on your face, etc.Ask to have your favorite radio station on the sound system (or ask ifit's ok to bring your own tunes) if music will help to distract you. (TheMedical Procedures Unit used to ASK me my favorite music genre and tune itin for me before endoscopy, dilations, etc.)-------------Anyway, those types of things are what I'd like to be able to have in theFiles section... so many people say "if only I'd known" after theirprocedures; it would be great if everyone could know BEFORE the procedurewhat kinds of options they have!!! And there are so many differentclinics that seem to do the "same procedures" in so many different ways,it's great to get feedback from all situations in one central place sothat if you're faced by one of those "climb-the-walls" situations, you cancall a "time-out" and demand a more humane testing condition!As for the thyroid thing, I know they did ultrasound and MRI on my thyroidto rule out tumors, etc., and found nothing. I think w/ a lack ofperistalsis and a tight LES, the chances are pretty slim of actuallyfinding thyroid problems at this stage in the game (this is just in myopinion, of course!) I think more probably it's a situation of coveringhis butt "just in case" -- so he can tell the insurance company that heexhausted all other possible causes before billing them $25,000 for asurgery. I wouldn't be too concerned about it -- just be glad that he'sbeing thorough, I guess!Debbi, also hoping that this was 's LAST manometry ever!

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am so glad you are still surviving, what lucky kids they are to have found someone so loving, understanding and supportive. Yes, these kids often have great affection towards animals and I agree it is a great sign of their emotional state. It scares me when kids hate animals too, they usually have no empathy at all then - towards anyone or anything & then I am not sure who an help them. Keep working with choices and rewards. Give them partial agreeance, for example with the litttle fellow discuss how frustrated he must have felt when he was trying to do his best work and was bumped - let him know you understand those feelings and that they are okay. Then ask him how else he could have dealt with those feelings without hurting someone else and also getting himself into trouble.

Hope this helps - so who is supporting you while you are going through all of this? I hope you have a great support network and can take a little time-out for yourself.

If you wish to contact me privately my email is dmcurtis@... - Keep up the great job

Donna

-- Re: Re: - [ADHD Oppositional Defiant disorder

Thank You Donna & for your kindness.

It's so nice to have someone else understand when you are having a rough day. I sure do understand about giving Cliff some control. It really works. If he makes it through a day at School without incident, he gets a bag of low fat microwave popcorn, computer time, and full use of the skidoo.

Unfortunately, we have a Doctor shortage in Thunder Bay. Cliff needs to be on medication and we haven't been able to get him to a specialist yet. I've looked after more challenging kids, but they've always been girls. Yesterday, both boys came home with letters for me to sign. The six year old punched a little girl in the face for bumping him and causing him to scribble. The School is very supportive, but there is only so much they will tolerate.

What amazes me is their love for my cats. We have two black cats who are constantly being held and cuddled. To me, that shows their desire to just be loved and looked after.

Thanks again,

.

Re: manometry

> Oh my God!!! Had my first (and hopefully my last) manometry today.> Geez...I wouldn't wish that test on my worst enemy. They didn't numb my> nose. Do they usually?Hey ... glad it's finally done and over with!The manometry is one of those tests that can be done expertly and withcompassion by someone who understands, or ineptly with all the mercy of amob boss w/ a vendetta! (Think Tony Soprano and what he did to Ralph!)I've had it done by a quack who made it so painful that he actually rousedme out of my drugged state of unconsciousness (no, he was NOT supposed tobe administering the test while I was unconscious.... like I said, he wasa quack!) and I've had it done by a nurse who was relatively new at theprocedure (had someone else watch over her shoulder for part of it, shewas so new at it -- I think I'd had more of these than she'd actuallydone!) but who numbed me up wonderfully and it was an endurable procedure.And I've had it run the range in between those extremes, too. Fortunately, the only one that was climb-the-walls horrendous was the oneI at least got some good drugs for. )I've been considering making up some "guidelines" for varioustests/procedures that affect us, taking suggestions from the members here,the ones who KNOW what this stuff is like, the good, the bad, and theugly. Other than my first quack experience, my techs have been prettygood to work with, but I've heard some horror stories on this board thatwould curl your chest hair (if you had chest hair... and if you do, I doNOT want to know about it!) I'm gearing up for my fiscal year end at theoffice (which will be 3/31/04, so I won't have a life again untilbeginning of May or so), but hopefully after that I'll have time to workon this and other ideas I've had.If anyone else has any ideas of stuff like this (or the time/energy toactually compile this stuff instead of waiting for me to find the time),please share! Examples of things I'm thinking of including:-------------For manometry, there are different types of equipment out there, and theprobes can come in different sizes. Ask your doctor what size will beused on you, and if there's a smaller size available.The manometry technician doesn't know stuff if you don't tell him/her. Work out a "time out" signal before you start. If the numbing hasn'tworked, you can "give the signal" and they can retreat and administer morenumbing gel.If your nasal passages just don't cooperate (in my case, the large probedoes NOT fit through, but the smaller one does), it is NOT crucial thatthey run the probe down your nose in order to perform the test. They CANget readings off your LES by going through your mouth (although they getmore "whole region" readings if they can go through the nose, which is whythey prefer that), but they won't offer if you don't ask for it.Get some tissues before you get started -- your eyes will probably watersome during the insertion of the probe, you may drool or cough some salivaon your chin, the gel may smear on your face, etc.Ask to have your favorite radio station on the sound system (or ask ifit's ok to bring your own tunes) if music will help to distract you. (TheMedical Procedures Unit used to ASK me my favorite music genre and tune itin for me before endoscopy, dilations, etc.)-------------Anyway, those types of things are what I'd like to be able to have in theFiles section... so many people say "if only I'd known" after theirprocedures; it would be great if everyone could know BEFORE the procedurewhat kinds of options they have!!! And there are so many differentclinics that seem to do the "same procedures" in so many different ways,it's great to get feedback from all situations in one central place sothat if you're faced by one of those "climb-the-walls" situations, you cancall a "time-out" and demand a more humane testing condition!As for the thyroid thing, I know they did ultrasound and MRI on my thyroidto rule out tumors, etc., and found nothing. I think w/ a lack ofperistalsis and a tight LES, the chances are pretty slim of actuallyfinding thyroid problems at this stage in the game (this is just in myopinion, of course!) I think more probably it's a situation of coveringhis butt "just in case" -- so he can tell the insurance company that heexhausted all other possible causes before billing them $25,000 for asurgery. I wouldn't be too concerned about it -- just be glad that he'sbeing thorough, I guess!Debbi, also hoping that this was 's LAST manometry ever!

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