Seeing GP in a bit - what should I ask for

[rebl]

I'm taking my dd to the GP after school about the tingling and numbness in her fingers. Its also come to light that she has wrist pain when writing / colouring. She is yr 1 and has terrible handwriting but could just be that she's 5. She presses way too hard and regularly snaps the pencil leads.

Initially we thought that the tingling could be because of her propranolol and that hasn't yet been ruled out. But since she's made it clear about the wrist pain and the school have mentioned about her hand writting and we need to work on it we're wondering if its all linked.

Do I just start of wanting them to clarify with the neurologist that the propranolol isn't causing the tingling or do I need to think about pushing for maybe OT or physio because of the pain with writing and poor pencil control? We think its all related along the lines of numb fingers so can't feel the pencil so well, so presses harder so gets wrist pain and snaps pencils. Does that all make sense?! But we're not sure what to ask the GP for other than the propranolol check.

[mrsbaffled]

I would get the doctor to check there is nothing physical going on with the pain in the arms. My Ds (7) is awaiting a paed appt to do with the pain in his wrist when writing- the doc thinks it's because his elbows are hypermobile.

Good luck!

[rebl]

Um, I didn't think about that. I'll ask about that.

[starfishmummy]

I think as well as trying to find the cause, you should also consider seeing an OT - they can look at ways on which to help your DD for now, and can work with the school to make reasonable adjustments.
Things like different types of pern/pencil/penholders; having a writing slope etc could make a big difference to her

[rebl]

Just back. The GP didn't think referring right now to an OT was worth it. She thought it would be better to get an answer 1st. I'm not sure though because that could take months and she needs help now. We'll see how soon we can get to the neurologist and if we're still waiting months then I guess I'd better go back to the GP and ask again for an OT appointment.

[Marne]

Dd1 pushes to hard when writting and complains of pain and pins and needles, we have just got a dx of hypermobility. There are things you can do to help such as using pencil grips and a sloped desk (or you can get a slope that sits on top of the desk/table).

Dd uses these but there are lots of others you can try.

slope.

[madwomanintheattic]

private OT assessment?

lots of possibilities.

[rebl]

How do we go about arranging a private OT assessment? Do we need a referal from someone? How do we find an OT in our area?

There is more to her than just migraines I'm sure of it but we definatly do need to get the propranolol ruled in or out for the tingling and numbness. The gp didn't think it would be that because her fingers are warm to the touch. She agreed though that theres something "not right" about dd and wanted her to see the neurologist again. She asked about her gross motor skills and fine motor skills. I'm not naive because of ds. I just was hoping that my thoughts and worries about dd weren't warrented. I was using the crap school saying nothing as my trying to stop worrying and I'm imagining things net iykwim. But she's in a crap school. They wouldn't notice an alien in there they're that unobservant!

Was just speaking with dh and he says when we tell school in the morning he'll put money on them saying they've not noticed anything other than poor handwriting. DD says the teacher keeps telling her not to snap the pencils but the teacher has a history of lying to cover her backside so I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow she says she's never seen that happen in an attempt to squirm out of why she's not told us and why she's not worked with dd to try and correct her pencil grip.

[Tiggles]

Do all her fingers tingle or just some of them? If it is some of the fingers it could be carpal tunnel syndrome.

[rebl]

No, its all her fingers, both hands. And she told the GP that both her wrists hurt and her ankles hurt. Her feet roll over quite a lot. She struggles to sit at a chair that her feet don't touch the floor. That obviously won't help her writing either.

[Marne]

Dd1's feet roll too (we are waiting for insoles), school have just supplied her with a wedge cushion as reccomended by OT and her feet need to be on the ground. If her posture is bad then she will tire easily causing her to slump in her chair and apply more presure through her hands. I have similar problems with my hands (probably due to hypermobility), if i'm writing or doing anything else for a period of time (eg, peepling potatoes, sewing) then my wrists and fingers will ache and tinggle for the rest of the day and often keep me awake at night .

[TheOriginalFAB]

I would take her to see an osteopath. DD has problems and it has been a Godsend.

[madwomanintheattic]

this def sounds like hypermobility.

i would be googling 'private occupational therapist' and your area and making some telephone calls. i'm not sure how much they charge for assessments now.

either that or you need a second opinion who's willing to do an ot referral asap.

it won't hurt whilst they are looking at meds etc.

dd2 has used supportive seating since teeny tiny. an ot will also advise on seating support as required (does she also use one hand to 'prop' as a matter of interest?)

[madwomanintheattic]

are her hands quite 'loose'?

you might also ask for a physio referral to look at ankle stability. sometimes a referral for an orthotist is useful for inserts or more supportive shoes...

(just throwing out ideas - again, dd2 also has ankles that roll inwards and wore v supportive boots from teeny tiny. degrees of severity mean sometimes exercise is appropriat rather than external support)