Logan's sleep study results

Logan's sleep study results are in.  Very interesting stuff indeed. 

First, I love this doctor we've found. Thank goodness for honest to goodness doctors who take the time to explain things, take notes for you and follow through on all of your questions.  This pediatric sleep doctor we're seeing is just fantastic and I fully trust she is thorough and completely an expert in her field.  If anyone wants her name, just let me know.

The sleep study revealed that Logan has two sleep disorders:  Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). 

The apnea is mild, and we'll be pursuing a possible tonsillectomy and possible adenoidectomy with our ENT.  Our ENT appointment is Septmeber 12th.

The more moderate disorder for Logan is the PLMD.  Normal involuntary leg movement is only up to 5 times an hour, Logan had an average of 23 movements an hour.  I was not surprised to learn this.  If you would see his bed in the morning, its always a twisted mangle of sheets and blankets. And if you sleep in the same room with him, you hear him moving around quite a bit.  I asked the doctor if this carried over to daytime living and kids being unable to sit still for more than a few moments at a time.  It definitely does.

So what do they recommend for kids with PLMD?  Many kids with this condition have an iron deficiency.  So simply adding an iron supplement to increase the ferritin levels.  It has something to do with dopomine levels in the brain, which are fueled by iron and ferritin levels.  If there is a deficiency, it can cause irregular limb impulses during sleep and a proper level of REM sleep is hard to reach.   

This lack of great sleep may very well be leading to behaviorial/mood issues and is most certainly the reason he is so tired during the daytime.  There is certainly a proven relationship between lack of sleep and ADHD kids.  Our sleep doctor has treated kids with PLMD by increasing iron levels, and ADHD behaviors have vastly improved.  

The first step with all of this is to have Logan's blood drawn next week, and a full work up looking for iron levels.  She also requested a look at his thyroid levels.  Thyroid issues exist in our families, and thyroid imbalance can also cause and/or lead to sleep apnea.  I have sleep apnea.  I have a thyroid disorder.  Its not surprising that one or both of our kids could have inherited some of this stuff.  Also, Logan has always been a very picky eater with limited foods he likes to eat.  So we need to make some changes to his diet.  If giving him an iron supplement doesn't decrease his PLMD, more serious medications might help.   One step at a time.

Surprisingly, breakfast cereal is high in iron. But kids have to eat it dry.  Once you add the milk, the calcium prevents your body for absorbing the iron. Also, don't buy OJ that contains calcium if you're trying to increase you iron levels.  Interesting, right?

If the bloodwork shows low ferritin of 55 or under, he will be put on an iron supplement and she'll recheck him at the end of November.  By then, his levels should start going up.

So, maybe we have another few pieces to the Logan puzzle.  Time will tell.   I'm sure we still have a lot to learn, but I know we're on our way.