hcelesteanderson

My son had ADHD symptoms for 2-3 years. Suddenly developed frequent strep and tonsillitis. Moved to a different state (Army family, formerly Marine) and Ethan's teacher noticed not only does he hit(Since infancy he's banged his head on things), bite, and otherwise hurt himself when frustrated (which is often), but he also started compulsively smelling and blowing on his fingers. After another strep infection around last Easter he developed tics. He can't cope with the noise and activity at school and has no friends. When summer vacation began the tics seemed to disappear but now he has a new tic. He spits. His tonsils are bigger than marbles since his string of infections began nearly a year ago. He also has emotional issues from abuse from his father (who has just left me) and the death of his baby brother to SIDS in 2004. I've taken him to several doctors and the suggestions are to remove his tonsils and then drug him. When I asked for allergy and celiac testing they flat out refused. There are a lot of variables in Ethan's case so I'm confused and stressed. Oh, ther's also a very strong history of severe depression and anxiety in the family, both sides. His cousins have similar problems with the tics and ADHD symptoms. Apparently ther's a family auto-immune problem. So how do I figure out what Ethan has and how to help him? I refuse to put him on drugs and can't understand why the docs are so eager to "treat" him with drugs when we aren't even sure what it is we're treating. His cousins have only had relief from the Feingold Diet and eliminating gluten, so I'm trying that. I want to ask so many questions that my idiotic military docs just brush off. For one thing, how do I know if its PANDAS or Tourettes? He has the same problems as his cousins, but to my knowledge they never had the strep throat issues. Another thing, He was always healthy until kindergarten and by Christmas he had missed so much school from being sick they made me take him out of school. He couldn't pass even though he knew the curriculum. I had figured he was always sick cause I never sent him to daycare or preschool, But the doc said asthma. He only has symptoms when he's sick so I'm not convinced. Somebody help! I'm disabled from daily migraines and severe anxiety, I'm stranded in Bum****, Kansas, and my husband left me. Everything is falling apart. Should I let them remove my son's tonsils; would it help? I just can't risk any of these dangerous meds, but the shrink says I'm hurting my son and not letting him have a normal happy life by withholding the drugs. I'm so stressed I can't think straight!