My son is not doing very well

Well, after not being able to sleep at all last night from the pred taper, I took my son in for his bone scan.  He had had an abnormal MRI of his lumbar spine and we can get no info from the docs about it.  Well, the scan didn't seem to show any big abnormal areas but his bones did seem faint and there was a problem with his legs being bowlegged.  They ordered extra xrays but it's looking like a vitamin D or calcium defiency, but the legs are a separate problem from the abnormalcies seen on the MRI since the MRI didn't include his legs, so we still don't know about that.  My son is finally taking eating seriously and I think has just about had it with health problems.  He's only 19 and it seems every few months they find something major wrong with him.  With ADHD, then epilepsy, then heart problems and bp problems, a fungal problem that is out of control, and now this, his moods are not real great.  I can't blame him.  It was hard to see my beautiful boy laying there and having something else wrong and some of it probably due to him just being stubborn and anorexic-like from his ADHD and epilepsy meds.  I just can't blame him.  Any prayers and good wishes for him would really be appreciated now.  He tends to be anemic as well and I'm just hoping that its not something horrible, but something that can be corrected with diet and vitamins or med change.  Thanks for listening.  I'm just so sad, it's just not fair when these kids get sick and their young lives changed so drastically.

Marji. I'm so sorry to hear that your son has so much going on and that he's not doing well. It's so hard to feel helpless. I'm going through some similar things with my son, who is just 9. Docs are having a hard time getting his arthritis under control and he has really been suffering since school started up again. I'm afraid he's going to have to go on a med like methotrexate and I hate the thought of that. Watching your kids go through these kinds of things is much harder than dealing with our own illnesses. My heart goes out to you and your son. ((((hugs))))

Hi Marji, sorry to hear about what you and your son are going through. You both will be in my prayers, as always. 19 is a tough age to be going through this, just starting adulthood and all. Just be sure they rule out other causes too, not just assume vitamin deficiency. Has his bloodwork come up with vitamin difficiency? Does he have any other bloodwork abnormalities? Sounds a little scary, I hope that it is a deficiency and it all works out. You have been going through an awful lot recently, please take good care of yourself. Glad to hear your son is taking better care of himself. BIG HUG - Kristin

Thanks Redrose, hippimom, omega and Kristin. Well, so good has come of this. My son quit smoking and is finally listening to me about taking care of himself and eating and doing what he needs to do. He seems happy to have accomplished quitting smoking and seems more upbeat for some reason, I guess just knowing that they are working on the problem and can see it. He's doing the instant breakfast thing at least at night, taking a general vitamin (we are waiting to see what the doc wants him to take) and drinking a lot more milk and eating more dairy. I think he is relieved that it is probably dietary and hopefully easy to fix. He is also starting to do well in his Java class which is good because he needed a lift right now. He can't work any heavy type job, cant do military like he wanted to, and needs to feel secure that he can get a job where he can have insurance to pay for his medical needs and to live well enough not to be sick and worn out and get sicker. Maybe your prayers and good wishes did the trick and gave him this burst of feeling good and taking care of himself, I don't know. He had a date recently and maybe it was that too. Anyway, I'm still worried, you know moms. Hippi, I'm sorry to hear about your son's problems and will keep him in my prayers. I can't imagine a young boy being on methotrexate, a very strong, very hard on the liver and body medicine. I can't even take it, so I can't imagine what it would be like for a child. I hope that it works as it should and doesn't cause him harm, if he does have to take it and I also hope and pray he goes into remission from his illnesses doesn't need it or they find something better for him. (((hugs))) back at you and I hope that things get better for all of us!

Hi, Marji. I am SO sorry your son is having to go though this. We'll pray that is all just related to poor nutrition and a vitamin deficiency that can be easily resolved. That is very positive that his spirits are up, he's stopped smoking and is making adjustments in his eating habits to help himself. I know you have enough on your plate with your health the way that it is. I just hope you can both work together to get his taken care of. Take care and good luck,