Posted by Cairo on October 6, 2003, at 5:53:08
In reply to Re: Help w/ daughter - atypical, anxiety, ADHD more » Cairo, posted by DSCH on October 5, 2003, at 20:07:21
Thanks, DSCH. She's had a QEEG which shows hot spots just about everywhere. 60 sessions of neurofeedback didn't do anything, so we're concentrating on CBT now. MRI showed nothing, but I agree that and fMRI and SPECT may help, but my husband says that it wouldn't show much else that we don't already know from the QEEG and observation (is this right?) We'll address the sleep issue with the Neurologist after her sleep study. I'm eagerly awaiting my own return appointment to be put on the CPAP to see how many of my symptoms improve/resolve after correcting long term sleep problems. Don't know yet if I have alpha intrusion for which Xyrem is used.
I've read Amen's books and I can't get the sense that he takes this whole HPA axis dysfunction into account. There are also alot of doctors out there who will put bandaids on symptoms such as using Armour thyroid wholesale. I know several locally and the patients, my friends, feel great initially, but relapse and I wonder what the feedback inhibition is doing to their thyroids. I asked about growth hormone use, but was told that that also would negatively feed back and low GH might be secondary to sleep problems.
I whole heartedly agree with you that HPA axis dysfunction should take priority, but the interesting drugs, CRH antagonists, will take awhile. What about aprepitant in conjunction with other meds? Any advice on an algorithm for antidepressant use?
Do you think the anxiety is part of the HPA axis mess? Certainly as her other symptoms increase, her anxiety does also. I think it's both primary and secondary.
Also, thanks for reminding me about licorice. I need to read about it more for myself, actually, as I crash in the afternoons. My Endocrinologist simply won't consider low dose Cortisone. I've heard about pulse(?) Cortisone where you apparantly use tiny amounts only when you need it.
Any other advice and votes of specialists from others?
Cairo
poster:Cairo
thread:265767
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031004/msgs/265885.html