Our son (my bonus son) was diagnosed with ADHD Combined type, recently. Has anyone heard of a misdiagnosis in kids with sleep apnea, open mouth breathing? I feel like if this is what it is, that it fine and we will live our lives accordingly in the best way we can for him to have the functionality he needs to succeed. However, I don’t think it is. A true adhd child can not control impulses, regardless of motivation. J can. He is very active, hyper active even, but he is only defiant when it comes to attention.
His diagnosis doesn’t make me feel like a failure as a parent, but my ability to be convinced this is it does.
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mrsd1109
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Usually a battery of tests are done including inventories before a diagnosis of ADHD. Many things can contribute to symptoms like lack of sleep due to sleep apnea. The ENT even told me there is evidence of problems with tonsils and adenoids leading to ADHD. Even kids who are advanced are sometimes misdiagnosed but it is due to a lack of challenge in the school setting.
I actually read a story of a mother who got her son tested for sleep apnea and sure enough he had sleep apnea and his ADHD symptoms went away (not sure if they completely went away) but I am trying to get my son tested for sleep apnea or narcolepsy because he has a hard time staying awake at school and he says he's bored. I've had to go around with the school allowing him to sleep because then I have a hard time with him at night. You would think that's common sense and vice versa. He's tried meds but Tenex/guanfacine did wonders for him but made him more tired then, Adderall made him cranky coming down and he had high BP on it. So I'm still researching and trying to find things that will help him.
It might be the same story. This particular mom felt the way I do, and didn’t settle with the diagnosis. Having adenoids/tonsils removed for some magically reduces if not takes the symptoms away. We’re going to see an ENT specialist after the holidays.
It’s just frustrating because as he’s getting older, it’s getting worse. When he has days he knows he doesn’t want to miss out on a particular event, he focuses on his behavior and doesn’t have issues. His mom said he “shouldn’t have to try that hard” but I disagree. Every child is taught how to use self control in their life and even kids with this diagnosis have to be able to some. The medicine isn’t going to do the work for them. It’s just frustrating in my position I think.
My grandson had sleep problems and we went for a sleep study. He had his tonsils taken out. He still has to be on medication but he is the most stable he's been in years.
We had our daughter’s tonsils and adenoids out because she was snoring. Lack of sleep can definitely make ADHD symptoms worse. If you’re not confident of your son’s diagnosis, by all means, get a second opinion. We did. I would suggest a child psychologist and not your pediatrician.
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