Yesterday I took Little A to the cardiologist for a recheck and to discuss the safety of putting her on ADHD medication. She was diagnosed with Ebstein's Anomaly and an Atrial Septal Defect shortly after her birth. The septal defect closed on its own when she was a baby, and the Ebstein's Anomaly "miraculously" improved at her last echo cardiogram 3 years ago. I was very happy about all of this, but the cardiologist that she had been seeing then would not remove Ebstein's Anomaly as a problem on her medical history... The issue with this is that, although she has a very healthy heart now, she will not be able to get health insurance when she is an adult due to having a "pre-existing" condition. This year, I scheduled her appointment with a new cardiologist--- mainly because the day fit my schedule-- and I am very very glad I did. He was extremely thorough, and it was his opinion that Little A's tricuspid valve is within the normal range of variation, and he wrote on her record "No evidence of Ebstein's malformation or Atrial Septal defect" This is great news because, although there may be a fight from insurance companies in the future, she has a much better chance of winning and being insurable... Of course, our current president is working to make "pre-existing" conditions insurable, but who knows what will happen in the long run... At least she has some hope now. The cardiologist also assured me that Little A should well tolerate ADHD medications! That is excellent news because she desperately needs medication... and fast!!!
I really think that getting her started on some meds will improve things for her a great deal... Her hyperactivity has gotten considerably worse in the last year. She can barely sit while eating dinner. She can't even sit through a bedtime story. She has zero impulse control. This affects her both at home and at school. This year has been incredibly hard for her. She has been sent to the assistant principle a few times and has even had in school suspension... And she is only in first grade! I'm hoping that her reading will improve as well... although it looks like she may also be dyslexic. But at least her ability to concentrate on her school work should improve greatly. D's life changed for the better when he started his meds... Anyway, I am really really counting on some medication to help my little girl. Not to mention, help her Mommy.... Having two ADHD kids in the house has about caused me to go insane... Or at least helped my insanity along a bit...
Now, if I can only get Big A's mood swings under control, and my constant depression in check... we will be good to go!!!! :)
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