Cerebral Palsy - bit long, sorry. [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

lukaelmo

12-10-2006, 18:15

I went to the doctor today, for me not the dude, and, like everyone before her, she mentioned how little the dude was. I went into my usual spiel of deflection, but she then said that he also seemed to be around the development stage of a 9 month old (the dude is almost 15 months) and suggested I see a specialist.

I kind of got a bit peeved, I am tired of hearing about Luka not walking, and so I said, "well what on earth could be wrong with him, why can't he walk when he wants to?".

And she said because he looks like he has a very mild form of cerebral palsy.

I started another thread today asking when other bubbas started walking, and I have also seen various threads on babies not rolling, or not crawling for ages. What I don't understand is why it is fine for other bubbas to be late developmentally, but now it is suggested that mine has a serious problem.

I don't think he has cerebral palsy. I think he is talking his time and is not very strong. I am not sure of my point here, I think I am looking for some empathy, and perhaps if anyone out there has a bubba with cerebral palsy they could post too. I have been googling all afternoon, and it is kind of hard to say whether Luka has the condition or not.

We are seeing a specialist next month, and we are on the waiting list to get in a bit earlier.

Life today was blah.

MariaO

12-10-2006, 18:21

I am sorry that I don't have any knowledge of Cerebal Palsy. I would try not to worry until you do see the specialist (easier said than done I am sure). You have a strong sense yourself that all is fine, and I am sure you are right. There have been a few babies in my mother's group that were 'late walkers' - around 17 months and they caught up really quickly with the other kids. He is just being a relaxed dude!

poshBecks

12-10-2006, 18:33

Oh Ali :hugs: I sorry about your yucky day. I hope you can get into the specialist earlier so that you can put your mind at ease whatever the outcome. :hugs:

misskittyfantastico

12-10-2006, 18:39

lukaelmo

12-10-2006, 18:46

Hey Ali,
Millie didn't crawl until she was eleven months, and right now she's only pulling herself up onto things.....nothing has ever been mentioned to me about her development from our GP (who is a friend) or our CHN (who's also a friend).

I don't have any knowledge on CP but it sounds really odd to me....I'm sorry your day was so ordinary.:hugs:

See, this is what I don't understand. The dude rolled both ways at 3 months, and commando crawled at about 5. He didn't start crawling properly until a few months ago, but he has been pulling himself up for ages now.

This is not the first time concern has been expressesed over him either. I have had it from several CHNs, two doctors and his specialist (for another unrelated problem).

So why do people comment on him and not other babies?

Sorry, getting cranky now :o .

And I am certainly glad that you are not getting any negative comments on your lovely Millie.

*Chels*

12-10-2006, 18:51

You poor thing,it must be so frustrating to have people constantly commenting on your son's size and development.
Its great that you have a realxed attitude about.People should just shut up sometimes.
I hope all goes well with the specialist:fingerscrossed:

defaipe

12-10-2006, 19:05

when she said that he 'looks' like he has cp did she mean he had a specific feature coz i didnt think that was the case with cp.
i know of kids not walking till just before they turn 2!
my little one who is 11months doesnt look like she'll be walking anytime soon. shes happy to pull up on things but thats it. whereas her big sis was walking before 11months.

it must be so frustrating! i get the size comment alot with dd#2, she's only 7.9kg and 69cms.. there are 6month olds bigger than her!

back to the cp surely there are other charateristics than walking late?!?!

rynosmum

12-10-2006, 19:06

Hey Ali,

Perhaps it's because these people want more excitement in their lives than weighing babies and prescribing antibiotics for the 'flu.

I haven't seen your little man for quite a while but all I can say is that he is absolutely adorable. It's not fair that anyone should suggest that he isn't all he could be because he is. He is doing things when he is ready and able and what could be better than that?

See the specialist if it helps to set your mind at ease but in the meantime, don't let them get you down. The problem with medical non-specialists is that they don't know whether they are on the right track either and our dilemma as parents is trying to work out which ones we should even take notice of. What some of them seem to forget is that they are putting doubts in our minds about our child's health and nothing can be more all-consuming than that.

Be strong Ali, he's a gorgeous clever boy who is adored by his parents - that's the most important thing in the world:hugs:

bpato

12-10-2006, 19:08

Hi

Don't know if I can be much help.

I work/ed with several children with CP who are school age. CP is a condition that affects the mucles and therefore a child's movement. It is usually attributed to a difficult or trumatic birth, so I guess my first question would be was what was you son's birth like???????????

CP affects all children differently. I have worked with some children that have only a mild form on CP, which doesn't effect them in anyway, an I have worked with children that are wheelchair bound becasue of this.

Most children with CP do have developmental delay with both fine and gorss motor. One student I worked with didn't walk until he was nearly 18 months.

This is not to say your son does have CP, as you have said why your child and not others???? Maybe you GP is just being over concerned, but isn't it better to find out now rather than later. It is amazing what early detection can do.

What other physical milestones has you son not meet apart from walking??? Form you last post his physcial development otherwise seems quite normal. Does he seems rigid or stiff a lot of the time?? Was he floppy as a bub????

I ask these questions as these can be a sign of CP.

I hope this has help.

Belinda

lukaelmo

12-10-2006, 19:20

Thanks Belinda,

I was induced at 42 weeks and had an emergency c/s when the dude went into foetal distress.

He isn't floppy, but I think his legs are fairly weak, he doesn't stand if you try to stand him up in the middle of nowhere, only if you stand him up next to something that he can see he can hold on to.

He has never gotten into the sitting position by himself, he sits up, but only if I sit him up. When he gets down from standing, he goes onto his knees.

His fine motor skills are excellent, and he blathers all the time. He is a very alert baby, and this is commented on all the time. He doesn't miss a trick.

Wouldn't I see it if there were something really wrong?

the_queen

12-10-2006, 19:26

I just wanted to send you some hugs Ali :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

veve

12-10-2006, 19:26

Be strong Ali, he's a gorgeous clever boy who is adored by his parents - that's the most important thing in the world:hugs:

perfectly said RM :D Luka is a gorgeous spunk .. who is very well loved - and certainly doesn't miss out on a THING!!!

I totally understand why you would be upset .. and indeed frustrated at the medical world .. as you have had to constantly defend your stunning son throughout his life..

I personally have met very few other children who have the cheekiness .. and spark about them ... (I just have to think of his hilarious chatter .. to make myself grin :D)

please call me if you feel sad .. or cranky .. or just plain pi**ed off .. I'm always here for a hug ... and remember .. stay strong .. get to the pediatrician asap .. so that you KNOW exactly what is going on (and then .. you can always go back to that insensitive GP and show her your documentation :D)

xx
Jen

Percy

12-10-2006, 19:36

Hi Ally

It must be so frustrating for you. I know how irritating unwanted comments like that can be.

Jake didnt crawl until 12 months, and has only just started walking at 16 months. He was quite behind in alot of things, but is a very happy and contented baby.

Its hard to brush comments like that off, but i really do believe they will do everything in their own time. I know jake did!

:hugs: for you

Elfin

12-10-2006, 20:01

Ali, I am really sorry your GP has said these things but like everyone said just see the specialist and hear what he/she has to say before you get anxious. A lot of things can be greatly improved with physio and it may not even be anything to worry about.

My daughter has low muscle tone (it is fairly mild) and she was a bit slow on the gross motor skills as a bub, she is a bit clumsy now and has flat feet so is likely to need orthotics (which I am going to see about shortly). We had a couple of physio sessions with her and that did make a big improvement in the gross motor skills. It really doesn't affect her in any way and no one would know she has it. She is probably never likely to be a great athlete but who cares. I was so upset when the low muscle tone was first diagnosed but now it is fine as she is happy and healthy and it doesn't bother her in the slightest.

Best wishes and hope you get in earlier to see the specialist:hugs:

Seekrit

12-10-2006, 20:10

:hugs: I just want to be another to offer you hugs, Ali.

You ARE a brave, stong woman and Luka is an adorable, bright little boy! Who is obviously well loved by his parents.

I'm no medico so I can't comment on anything, I just wanted to join into the chorus of support.

zenifa

13-10-2006, 07:12

Ali, firstly :hugs: to you!!
I am going to send you a PM

bekkyboo

13-10-2006, 07:18

Ali, i Can ask my aunt if you want, my cousin has CP...

G is 4 months and has only now learnt to roll from his back to his belly, when i read that there are so many (Younger) bubs that are rolling. But is he a bIG bubba too - i think thats his problem.

Luka is just taking his time, he is such a sweet boy - Im sure he is fine. Everytime i have seen him he doesnt look to have a problem. He problemy just thinks why walk when someone will carry!

LittleBoysRock

13-10-2006, 09:20

There is nothing worse than somebody making you feel like there is something wrong with your child. :hugs:

My advice would be to wait until you see the specialist, sometimes Dr's get it SO wrong.

We have a baby in my mothers group who was very behind the other children, he didnt even crawl until about 12 months, he is now 15.5months and starting to walk. Now lots of people wondered if there was maybe something up with the child but he is a happy healthy boy and doing fantastically.

:hugs:

jaimmdee

13-10-2006, 16:16

Okay, you wanted to hear from a parent of a child with CP, well here are my thoughts. Your GP may have noticed a problem with your child's tone. There are four different types of CP and each one presents very differently. The other thing is that your child may have one or more of the primitive reflexes present. This would explain why she is taking more of an interest in your child then others. Not all cases of CP are through oxygen starvation or a traumatic birth.

If your child does have CP, it does sound extremely mild. Plus early intervention is important if a diagnosis is made. Keep in mind though that diagnosis on mild cases doesn't usually happen until a child is between 1 -2 years old, so even if you see a paed, they will probably want to just monitor it and send your child to a physio to see if that makes a difference. Sometimes just seeing a physio a couple of times can make a huge difference and everything clicks with the child.

I don't want to worry you but I think you should look into it so it doesn't keep playing on your mind.

maddys_mum

24-10-2006, 15:19

Hi,
My DD has CP, but it is only mild. So if you have any specific questions or anything you want to ask feel free to PM me and try not to stress too much. Wait and see what the specialist has to say.

veve

24-10-2006, 19:30

I just want to post a big AWWW this thread has been so lovely .. supportive and informative ... how sweet!!!! (its cause you are so lovely LE!!! :D)

:hugs:
xx
Jen

xkwzit

12-11-2011, 22:42

Gandalf

12-11-2011, 23:06

Hi
This thread is a little old, but I'll give you a bump to make sure people see your question. (If you don't get an answer though, don't give up, start a new thread - as you might have a better response then)

Cheers
psaw - its only five years old. i'm sure the OP has been waiting to see the paed until after she gets more replies in this thread ;):p

[sorry, i couldn't resist - i only read the thread cause i was hoping to hear if there was a happy ending...]