*****Please note that there are days where I will post more than once. So, to find out all the latest happenings and "goings-on" in our family (or my random thoughts), be sure to scroll down.*****

Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Diagnosis Is…

Tourette Syndrome.  The neurologist we met with yesterday at Emory Children’s Center agrees that Caleb does have Tourette Syndrome.  I’ll admit, that’s not a shocker to me.  In fact, Brian and I both knew that yes, that’s probably what it is.  However, she was much more thorough and understanding.  She involved Caleb in the appointment and discussed his tics with him.  She asked him to describe (show her) the tics he’s had in the past, and she asked him if he felt like he HAD to do them or what was going on.  We mentioned some concerns we have with Caleb’s breathing (he’s a very heavy breather at times…almost like he’s holding his breath), and she informed us that it could be a respiratory tic.  We had NO IDEA there was even such a thing.  So, we will definitely keep our eyes/ears out for that to make sure that’s all it is.
We also mentioned some of Caleb’s other quirks with her, and she feels that there may be a bit of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), too.  It’s very common for TS and OCD to run hand-in-hand.  Honestly, that doesn’t shock us either.  I, for one, have my own OCD tendencies.  Everything has a place, and I know if you’ve moved it.  It was the joke when I was a teacher that if someone came in and misplaced a pen or anything else, I would know.  I knew where everything was when I left, and I would notice if something had been changed/moved.  Now, I’m not OCD in the sense of the old movie “Sleeping With the Enemy” (did you ever watch that one with Julia Roberts?), but yes…I like the towels folded a certain way, I want the dishwasher loaded a certain way, etc. 
We also brought up some of the other issues that we’ve discussed with our pediatrician in the past (Caleb’s body odor and some other puberty signs), and the neurologist is actually on our side about those issues.  She thinks we need to head BACK to the pediatrician and seek a referral to an endocrinologist.  So, that is on the agenda for this week. 
As for the next step, it’s just a wait and see.  There’s really no need for medication or treatment for Caleb’s TS at this moment.  It’s not interfering with  his academics or his social life; however, if it gets to that point, then we are welcome to see her again and seek alternative treatment. 
Like I mentioned in my post from yesterday, we don’t see any tics right now.  That’s a good thing, but we know that it can all change in an instant.  So, as parents, we’re just going on with life as normal, and we know that Caleb’s TS will be there.  We don’t want to waste time focusing on it and making it more of an issue for him. 
We appreciate all of the love, prayers, and support that you all have shown.  It truly means so much to us.  We ask that you continue to pray for Caleb (and us) as we try to determine if there are any problems with his endocrine system.  I’ll continue to update on that situation as we learn more.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well you guys sure seem to be right on top if things. I never knew about the breathing tics at all! I'm glad his tics aren't 'active' at the moment and I hope this break will be a long one.
You are super great parents! Will keep you guys in my prayers.

Love ya girl!
Donna

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you updated on this. Front of the Class, the Hallmark movie, is an awesome TS movie, I think. My boyfriend went to an endocrinologist as a kid for growth issues (more the opposite of Caleb) so that def. sounds like a good place to go from here. Good luck with it all!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I do feel for yall! It is tough to see a child hurt. I hope he is doing ok.
kim

Lin said...

Crap. Well, at least you know. And I think you knew all along anyway, but the words still sting. I hope she gave you some good advice on how to proceed and what you can do for him. Will all of this increase with age or decrease?

Sending love and hugs, Sherrie. I know it was a difficult journey and I'm sure there is still another ahead. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.

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