Any ideas?!

[Biscuitsgalore18]

Hello,

Please can I have some advice as feel like I am going out of my mind and unsure where to turn.

My DD14 has a diagnosis of autism and ADHD.

She has recently had an ECG (fine) and blood test - full blood count, thyroid, renal, vit D, vitB12 and all fine.

I had convinced myself she has a B12 deficiency and/anaemia as she has a lot of symptoms. They have come back clear. I am wondering if I give a list of symptoms if anyone thinks it’s showing signs of anything? I am wondering if this is her mental health and not physical. I guess it’s potentially both!

Symptoms:
-sense of not being real
-intrusive thoughts
-blurry vision (she does vision therapy, vision impacted by stress)
-fatigue
-muscle ache
-pins and needles
-constipation/loose bowls - no in between
-breathless when doing sports - very sporty
-lack of motivation, not seen friends all over Easter holidays
-headaches
-irregular period - used to be regular and normal flow. Last few times have been very light
-irritable
-dizziness
-pale
-metallic taste in mouth
-acne
-stomach ache

She has been in titration for ADHD since December and is now moving from stimulants to non-stimulations (Starts Strattera tomorrow). Concerta didn’t help her concentration and elvanse made her dizzy during sports and she started having OCD thoughts and compulsions, so we stopped. Not sure if the stimulants could have caused the other issues? There have definitely been a marked deterioration since starting the Elvanse. However she says a number of the other issues such as this sense of not being real/headaches have been there since before any medication.

She has had previous referrals to CAMHS but they won’t accept her as not self-harming or
suicidal. Just feel really helpless. She is so unhappy. I know from past experience with the GP that now the blood tests are ok, he will say its all due to anxiety. Which it might be. I just really thought she had something physical going on and worried about missing something.

Hank you.

@Biscuitsgalore18 I’m sorry your daughter is going through this. i was searching up on non stimulant adhd meds and yours came up.
Your mention of your daughter talking about ‘things not feeling real’ caught my attention as my ds who is 12 and diagnosed adhd (possibly asd too) said this same thing too. Well actually ticked the box in assessment papers where it says having a feeling of ‘things not being real’ but never really knew what he means by that but never really asked either.
Anyway quite similar situation as you ds just started medikinet Xl 10mg the last week but overall it’s making him more anxious which results in him having a major meltdown by the end of the day so thinking about suggesting trying an non stimulant to help with the anxiety.
Have you ended up trying the non stimulant?

@Whereisthesunny sorry to hear about your son. It’s so hard supporting them through these challenges.
we did try the non-stimulant Staterra - it was horrendous!! She had vivid awful nightmares, heard a voice which completely freaked her out and made her scared to be in her bedroom, and developed a hand tremor. That’s it for us, she has stopped all ADHD medication and I really doubt it will ever be a route we go down again.
I really hope the medication works for your son.

Hey there,
low B12 is still a possibility as the ranges are, depending on where you are, given as normal, that is normal for the population who may all be deficient thanks to modern diet. And the acceptable range just means, below this you have serious health issues, not that above this you do not.

If you are open to trying dietary intervention watch this for more info.
Georgia Ede is a psychiatrist from the US who treats using diet, based on understanding what food are good/ bad for the brain.
Best of luck.