Worried about ds

[dontcallmehon]

ds, 2, has a lazy eye and long sightedness in both eyes. He has been prescribed glasses and patching treatments. however he is very off balance, which seems to be getting worse.

He falls over a lot and staggers about as if he is drunk! He is worse with the patch on, but isn't great without. He paints a picture and will only colour one half of the paper in.

He is also very irritable and upset a lot of the time. Am a bit concerned and wondering if I should take him back to be checked out and what could be causing this?

I would have him checked, out but it may not be something easy to diagnose.

My DS is very long sighted, with one lazy eye, and I honestly wouldn't have known (great at sport, catching, jigsaws). Keep trying to get to the bottom of this. Good luck.

Thanks Lynette :)

My DS has a balance disorder that took a long time to diagnose. Part of his vestibular system does not function. When we balance we use the vestibular system (in our ear area) our eyes and our feet and legs so if one of these areas does not function well our balance can be impaired. He staggers, can cannot walk in the dark (cinema's a bit tricky if they don't turn the lights on at the end!) and can't run yet - he's 3.10.

I would ask to be referred to a general paeds clinic and they should be able to check the basics like muscle tone etc and refer to the relevant specialists. They might want to take bloods too; we had them taken to test for dystrophic disorders as DSs muscle tone is very poor. This is also a symptom of the balance disorder he has as well.

You say he has got worse. It would be worth mentioning how much worse and how quickly to the GP too. DS's worsened as he became more mobile (he was a late walker.)

That sounds like it might be worth checking out. ds was an early walker though and very very active, just clumsy. I keep thinking it must be related to his sight - but it sounds as if there could be something else as well.

I should add that DS's condition (Vestibular Hypofunction) is quite rare! I'd definitely push for a paeds referral. They will be able to refer for all sorts of things, physio for example if this is appropriate.

DS got very frustrated and it was awful the amount he fell over. I was an over protective nervous wreck with him at the playground for example and it was impacting my mental health. Don't underestimate the effect caring for a scratchy, angry young child can have on your wellbeing and if you feel it is getting to you, you must make this clear to the GP or whoever makes your referral. That I was starting to feel very low, anxious and ground down by the situation gave rise to our appointment being brought forward and prioritised.

Good luck!