Post by corbettc on Dec 16, 2008 0:16:45 GMT -5
Hello,
My 7-year-old daughter has had a wide array of health and developmental issues since she was very young. She has no diagnosis yet, but I saw an a show on Discovery Health channel this evening called "Mystery Diagnosis" that referenced hypopituitarism and many of the symptoms seem consistent with her history.
Her most serious medical issue has been unexplained faints where she briefly loses consciousness. This has happened 3 times. At first, we thought these were seizures, but after numerous EEGs, no seizures have been detected.
Next, we saw a cardiologist to rule out heart defects, but her EKG and echocardiogram were normal. Cardiologist suggested "vasovagal syncope" which is really just a tendency to faint due to abnormal nervous system functioning (the blood vessels in legs dialate in response to certain triggers causing the blood to rush to legs and away from brain). Typically there is no treatment for vasovagal syncope.
But, there have been a large constellation of other, "minor" symptoms. I have this nagging feeling that no doctor is connecting all the dots. These symptoms include:
- fatigue
- headaches
- lightheadedness
- paleness
- visual issues (can't locate or find things that others can easily spot -- e.g. we'll point out a certain large billboard when we're driving and she can never find it, this type of thing happens all the time)
- periodic puffiness in her face
- craves sugar
- having difficulty in school -- seems slow to process instructions -- currently getting a series of IQ/educational tests
- hives that are not allergy related -- she gets these hives when her skin is scratched or rubbed, but they also seem to come out in response to some stressful situations
I think that covers most of them. She has normal height/stature though. Does one have to have short stature for this diagnosis?
From the reading I've done so far, it sounds to me like she may have an issue with her Cortisol levels. But, I came across another condition called Orthostatic Intolorence that is related to low cortisol and faints.
I'm taking my daughter to the pediatrician tomorrow for her 7-year check-up. I'm thinking of asking for a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist and would appreciate any suggestions from this group.
- Coleen
My 7-year-old daughter has had a wide array of health and developmental issues since she was very young. She has no diagnosis yet, but I saw an a show on Discovery Health channel this evening called "Mystery Diagnosis" that referenced hypopituitarism and many of the symptoms seem consistent with her history.
Her most serious medical issue has been unexplained faints where she briefly loses consciousness. This has happened 3 times. At first, we thought these were seizures, but after numerous EEGs, no seizures have been detected.
Next, we saw a cardiologist to rule out heart defects, but her EKG and echocardiogram were normal. Cardiologist suggested "vasovagal syncope" which is really just a tendency to faint due to abnormal nervous system functioning (the blood vessels in legs dialate in response to certain triggers causing the blood to rush to legs and away from brain). Typically there is no treatment for vasovagal syncope.
But, there have been a large constellation of other, "minor" symptoms. I have this nagging feeling that no doctor is connecting all the dots. These symptoms include:
- fatigue
- headaches
- lightheadedness
- paleness
- visual issues (can't locate or find things that others can easily spot -- e.g. we'll point out a certain large billboard when we're driving and she can never find it, this type of thing happens all the time)
- periodic puffiness in her face
- craves sugar
- having difficulty in school -- seems slow to process instructions -- currently getting a series of IQ/educational tests
- hives that are not allergy related -- she gets these hives when her skin is scratched or rubbed, but they also seem to come out in response to some stressful situations
I think that covers most of them. She has normal height/stature though. Does one have to have short stature for this diagnosis?
From the reading I've done so far, it sounds to me like she may have an issue with her Cortisol levels. But, I came across another condition called Orthostatic Intolorence that is related to low cortisol and faints.
I'm taking my daughter to the pediatrician tomorrow for her 7-year check-up. I'm thinking of asking for a referral to a pediatric endocrinologist and would appreciate any suggestions from this group.
- Coleen