Tuesday, January 18, 2011

We got AN ANSWER!!!!! No, it is not 42...although that is my age right now...Spooky, Mulder!

But seriously, WOOT!
Saw a fabulous neurologist for Aspie teen yesterday.
We have An Answer!
A label for these monstrous outbursts!
Episodic Dyscontrol Syndrome aka Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
Go on, go gurgle it.
*waits*

No, I did not do crack cocaine or drink alcohol or swing from chandeliers when pregnant; I had high blood pressure, worked full-time until the placenta previa was discovered (the placenta was covering my cervix, no emergency exit that way), enough fluid retention to call off the drought and was so bored on strict bedrest that I even read the fine print on those dinky Franklin Mint offers.

And at 16 weeks I lost Aspie teen's twin.
Didn't know there were twins until after the fact, lost him/her on THE weekend all freakin' radiologists were out on strike (cos a potential miscarriage is not considered an emergency. huh) so we had to wait til Monday to discover the Aspie fetus was waving his bungee cord about still, that there was an empty sac beside him and there was another egg propped at the end of my fallopian tube waiting to get rubbed up the right way by the Spouse's swimmers.
The GP was very insistent "Please, don't have sex for awhile!"
I've followed his instructions to the letter ever since....

Anywho, the kidlet was born via caesarian, was whipped off to the neo-natal unit, yada, yada, yada, the rest is history.
So, yesterday we were told that whenever a twin dies in utero there is always some form of brain damage to the surviving twin, even if it is unable to be detected by an MRI.
Which is the most likely cause of his frontal lobe not working properly (ADHD, behaviour control, Tourette's, Autism, etc).
And the push off the trampoline 2 years ago may be the straw that broke the camels back with yet another insult to his frontal lobe, triggering the Episodic Dyscontrol.
So, we wait for the appointment for the MRI and further genetic testing (as it's been almost 10 years since our last lot of genetic tests and massive progress has been made since then).
Not that there actually is anything we can do; we can't stop it or change Aspie teen or hang him upside down from the chandelier and whistle Dixie to see if he turns into a frog.
We basically stick to the medication he's on.
And ride out the malestrom whenever it hits.
But now we know!

6 comments:

GB's Mom said...

Knowing is good : )

Anonymous said...

Knowing is very good :)

Amy (DQ) said...

What an incredible rollercoaster ride. I am sure the whole process of getting this particular answer has been a roller coaster ride all of it's own. I am sure that this will help, giving all of you, especially Aspie Teen, some insight into the 'why?' of this, and thus some sense of comfort that there is in fact a real reason. Personally, I think it helps enormously to get this kind if answer, because you get a sense of being heard, and having it confirmed that you are not imagining it or don't have the 'right perspective' (as some charming person once said to me about my oldest)
I hope you all get a sense of direction from this and some comfort that you are getting more pieces of the puzzle to guide your way.

Nikki aka Widdle Shamrock said...

Wow, I am so glad you know, but also too, learning about surviving twins. As you know I belong to a group of Mothers who have lost a child in a multiple birth situation. I will pass this info on, as I think it is invaluable.

Anonymous said...

Oh Ro.....It's great that now you KNOW but seriously.....haven't you already got ENOUGH medical mayhem in your family?
How is this fair?
You are a sweetheart and keep getting slapped with more and more and more....
Your humorous outlook on life is uplifting and you are an inspiration to me :)
Fi

Anonymous said...

oh Ro :'( I had no idea you have had so much sadness in your life. You are so positive all the time :) no matter what life throws at you, you just dodge it and keep on your merry way. you are awesome and I admire your strength and courage. xxxx