Chairi and ADHD

[duff9]

Just wondering if anyone has Adhd as well as Chairi and if they take meds for it. I had my son whos 9yr at the peaditrican yesterday. My son has a dx of Autism and ADHD given before his Chairi and syringomyelia was discovered. He had decompression surgery last July. He had been taking adhd meds prior to surgery but stopped When he had the surgery. Pysch would not give them afer surgery in case they masked any neuro symtoms. He has been having difficulty in school with learning and I know at home he has not been himself since xmas. His mri in January showed enlarged ventricles. So pead is unsure if his behaviour changes learning difficulties  are due to his autism his Adhd or possibly raised Intercrainal preasure. Now I have an appointment with NS next week so I will know more. Pead thinks he should go back on the adhd meds if NS rules out ICP. She doesn't think he has EDS as although he is very flexible his skin is not particularly stretchy. She has refered him for genetic testing anyway. So my question is does having chairi preclude you from taking Adhd meds.

[selmaS]

  How is your son feeling? Glad the Dr is happy....and will continue to monitor and check him for a time to come....

[duff9]

Just an update. Some good news. Took my son to the NS today. He is very happy with him. He doesn't need to see him for a year. He will attend for checkups until he is 14 or 15 as they need to monitor him for scoliosis when he hits puberty due to the syrinxs. Good day today as no more surgery. I know things can change and he has all his other issues and genetic testing to come but I'm counting my blessings today.

[selmaS]

  Ok so the dura was not opened.....so many that have that less invasive procedure end up having to go for a full decompression as the benefits are short lived.

I had a full decompression with a dura patch and no issues ....almost 6 yrs later....

The fact he is having more days falls into how that procedure usually goes...sorry but that is what I have seen in the 7 yrs I have been on this forum....do try to get a Chiari specialist to look at your son for a consult..

[duff9]

Hi Selma Thanks for replying. My son doesn't have a patch. From this site and others this seems to be more unusual. I asked pead about it yesterday and she thinks that there are studies for and against them and NS opinion he would do better without one. He has good days and bad days With the bad days getting more frequent. Have NS next week so Ill ask h about it.

[selmaS]

  Hi...let me start by asking  since they are now doing genetic testing for EDS post op.....did he have a dura patch placed

Sometimes when a person is rejecting a patch they over produce CSF fluid and it is then DX'd as having ICP and a shunt is placed....

Sometimes all that is needed is to replace the dura patch with tissue harvested from the patient to help lessen the CSF being produced.

I know when I went to school I had issues learning and focusing...and there were no MRI's to give a DX and ADHD was not a DX heard of back then....and I am not sure there is any way to say your son is precluded from meds if they find he truly needs them....revisit the ICP issue to see if that is an issue and if it is causing some of his issues with schoolwork.....