Mild CP? Self Inflicted as a child? Thoughts that keep me up at night.

[slimjiminy]

In my adult life before the onset of type-2 diabetes, I have been aware of a slight tremor in my right hand and to a lesser extent in my left. My wife thinks that I am over thinking this, but I am not so sure. The symptoms at one web site lists:

• delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
• seeming too stiff or too floppy (hypotonia)
• weak arms or legs
• fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements
• random, uncontrolled movements
• muscle spasms
• shaking hands (tremors)
• walking on tiptoes

And some other symptoms include:

• feeding, drooling and swallowing difficulties
• constipation
• problems with speaking and communication
• seizures or fits (epilepsy)
• difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus (gullet)
• an abnormally curved spine (scoliosis)
• hips that pop out (dislocate) easily
• difficulty controlling the bladder (urinary incontinence)
• a learning disability – about half of children with cerebral palsy have a learning disability
• eye problems – including reduced vision, a squint or uncontrollable eye movements
• hearing loss

In my case, I think only the following applies:

• delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
• problems with speaking and communication
• shaking hands (tremors)
• difficulty controlling the bladder (urinary incontinence)

I know for a fact that I had speaking difficulties until I reached the age of about 5 (delayed development). Even today, I sometimes get tongue tied more easily than most folks, even though I consciously work at overcoming this. I don't know if the IC is related to this, as this started after a couple of decades of diabetes, so nerve damage seems appropriate.

I recall that in the late '80s I was out of work for a short spell and an acquaintance talked me into applying for an insurance sales position. That didn't work out because when they asked me to hold a sheet of paper, it shook somewhat. They said that scares prospective clients off since it seems like the salesperson has something to hide, LOL.

Today, at breakfast time, my spoon shakes as I hold it over my cereal bowl or if I carry a cup of coffee. I think it has progressed a little worse than back in the 80's but it does make me wonder about CP.

I have to confess that this might have been self inflicted from when I was a child. I apparently had a terrible temper in those early years, choosing to bang my head against the wall if I didn't get my way. I remember finally one day my exasperated mother finally said "Fine! Go ahead and bang it some more!" That seems to have cured me of that bad behaviour, LOL.

Anyway, what worries me about that is that I may have done myself some harm. In school I had average grades, except for science and some of the mathematic studies. I typically had to work harder at grades but otherwise did well on things that I was keen about. I was never particularly good at sports and hopeless at basketball. I did play baseball for a few summers but never really accomplished much.

My wife doesn't put much stock in this but I sometimes wonder if I should bring it up with the doc. There is no cure for it so I have to wonder if there is any point to mentioning it.

Does anyone else have mild symptoms that suggest CP but otherwise not confirmed? These are just a few thoughts that keep me up some nights.

 

[AJFan2020]

Hi, my little boy is confirmed with mild CP and he exhibits the above. We don't know about early childhood development, but he is also albino which can include nystagmus (uncomfortable eye movement) so not sure if that's CP or albinism related. He also has some bladder control issues ma

I think you have enough symptoms that it's worth mentioning your history to your doctor. Even if there is no therapy available getting a diagnosis could afford you certain benefits, protections, and supports. It can't hurt to talk about it with your doctor.

Good luck.

Cerebral Palsy is not self-inflicted. (Despite what some people might claim).

I actually have a mild form of CP combined with some Right Hemisphere Damage from a small stroke when I was born (these two are considered in my case to be complications of an extremely premature birth (I weighed less than two pounds when I was born)).

I walked (but not well) by about 12 or 13 months, but I have been told that I sat late (Around eight or even nine months). I didn’t have any seizures (and still don’t) but otherwise my symptoms fit the ones listed at the top of the page almost exactly. I fell down when walking more than most children until I was eight years old (or even nine). I needed to be carried or wheeled around in a stroller on most walks around the neighborhood until I was five years old, and I only learned to ride a bike after my eighth birthday.

I also have what is considered to be a mild form or autism (basically what they used to call Asperger’s). Like Carl in the Arthur episode “When Carl Met George” I tended to take figures of speech completely literally, and I often had autistic meltdowns like Carl that my parents misinterpreted as “plain-old garden-variety temper tantrums“ (as my maternal grandmother called them) like what most children have during “The Terrible Twos”. Even though I was in Special Education for social difficulties combined with a mild learning disability that mostly effected my visual/spatial skills, I was only officially diagnosed with these when I was a freshman in college during a neurological exam following some nausea and vomiting that turned out to only be the result of optic migraines.

My scoliosis is considered mild and was only diagnosed around my junior year of high school.

I suspect that my late diagnosis was a result of the fact that my symptoms were attributed to “sibling rivalry” (My parents accused me of being jealous of my sister and copying her behaviors in order to get some of the attention that she had). Some of my other relatives attributed my symptoms to “being spoiled“. My maternal grandmother once told me that my uncle could straighten out my behavior in a day or two with some good old-fashioned discipline. In light of my diagnoses that is obviously not the case. My parents eventually learned when I was diagnosed in my late teens that my behaviors (even pronouncing my rs like ws) were not the result of spoiling or excessive babying.

My sister is also on the autism spectrum, but even more mildly than I am. She was eventually diagnosed with Hyperlexia sometime between the age of eleven and thirteen (I forget the exact year). She remembers birthdays exactly like Pinkie Pie in My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. Also, she has the ability to calendar calculate about 80 to 100 years in either direction (with at least 99 percent accuracy) like some people in the literature do. I cannot do this, but I do have perfect pitch (for what it’s worth) (which my sister doesn’t have, strangely enough). My sister’s social skills are actually better than mine and she had more friends than I did in school that whole time I was growing up.

I could go into more detail, but I am probably already boring the reader with too much detail.

In any case, not long after I was diagnosed, my mother no longer attributed my symptoms to sibling rivalry, but she did tell me that if I stopped banging my head when she told me to that I would not need to deal with any of this. She basically told me that my condition was (at least mostly) self-inflicted. Since I was concerned that this might be the case I asked my doctor about it at my next physical. I was told that my head banging when I was younger (up to about age seven or eight) was actually a form of stimming (self-stimulation) commonly seen in people who are on the autism spectrum. It actually doesn’t cause neurological damage, but is instead a symptom of autism and some other neurological conditions.

In conclusion, Cerebral Palsy, autism, and other neurological conditions are not self-inflicted (despite how it may look to an outside observer) and the original poster probably should mention it to a doctor even if the only treatments available are likely to be physical therapy or speech therapy for any remaining symptoms.

 

[slimjiminy]

Responders: I found that very interesting reading. I was talking to my mother yesterday and found out that I banged my head on the floor rather than the wall. I seem to remember it differently but then there were likely multiple occasions. I also found out that one of my mother's sisters (my aunt) also has hand tremors, probably worse than mine.

I was told that my head banging when I was younger (up to about age seven or eight) was actually a form of stimming (self-stimulation) commonly seen in people who are on the autism spectrum. It actually doesn’t cause neurological damage, but is instead a symptom of autism and some other neurological conditions.

I'm glad to hear about the "doesn't cause neurological damage" part. The reference to autism is interesting. But I would imagine with autism that there is a wide range of characteristics, which I guess is where "spectrum" gets applied. I'm not going to lose more sleep over this unless my tremors get significantly worse. I'm retired now and not interested in any therapies at this stage. Thanks everyone.

 

[AJFan2020]

I'm glad to hear about the "doesn't cause neurological damage" part. The reference to autism is interesting. But I would imagine with autism that there is a wide range of characteristics, which I guess is where "spectrum" gets applied. I'm not going to lose more sleep over this unless my tremors get significantly worse. I'm retired now and not interested in any therapies at this stage. Thanks everyone.

What I said above is generally true according to some doctors I have talked to. However, if head banging is taken to an extreme or always (or usually) occurs on hard surfaces there is some possibility of damage (it’s probably just less than most people tend to imagine).

Head trauma can cause damage (that’s why football players, skateboarders, etc. wear helmets, and why helmets are often redesigned as new discoveries about the effects concussions are made.)

It is important to note that children who tend to often bang their heads on hard surfaces (a behavior sometimes seen in autism, and some other neurological conditions) are usually given helmets to wear by their doctors out of an abundacne of caution.

If you are concerned about anything neurological you can bring it up with your doctor, but at this point you probably have little to worry about as long as your head banging is entirely in the past. (Your doctor would probably have a better idea about this, though). After all (from what I have read in some books and articles) the brain is usually able to recover from minor damage over time due to the formation of new synaptic connections.

 

[slimjiminy]

If you are concerned about anything neurological you can bring it up with your doctor, but at this point you probably have little to worry about as long as your head banging is entirely in the past. (Your doctor would probably have a better idea about this, though). After all (from what I have read in some books and articles) the brain is usually able to recover from minor damage over time due to the formation of new synaptic connections.

Apart from a spat in my early childhood there was no continued head banging (and death metal came much after I matured). So no big concerns. I only mention all of this is that my hand tremors are slightly more pronounced these days but many factors probably add up to that including age, glucose and energy levels. My work sometimes leaves me wanting to bang my head (like now...)

 

[Deleted member 49306]

Cp not self inflicted
neurological damage is a different topic
lots of causes for neurological damage…. auto accident and numerous broken bones from other mishaps and a couple of burn injuries in my case.
strokes(lack of oxygen), just about any kind of trauma , exposure to extreme temps(frostbite).
and last but not least nerve degeneration due to disease….diabetes , viruses and so on.

 

[caitianx]

In my adult life before the onset of type-2 diabetes, I have been aware of a slight tremor in my right hand and to a lesser extent in my left. My wife thinks that I am over thinking this, but I am not so sure. The symptoms at one web site lists:

• delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
• seeming too stiff or too floppy (hypotonia)
• weak arms or legs
• fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements
• random, uncontrolled movements
• muscle spasms
• shaking hands (tremors)
• walking on tiptoes

And some other symptoms include:

• feeding, drooling and swallowing difficulties
• constipation
• problems with speaking and communication
• seizures or fits (epilepsy)
• difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus (gullet)
• an abnormally curved spine (scoliosis)
• hips that pop out (dislocate) easily
• difficulty controlling the bladder (urinary incontinence)
• a learning disability – about half of children with cerebral palsy have a learning disability
• eye problems – including reduced vision, a squint or uncontrollable eye movements
• hearing loss

In my case, I think only the following applies:

• delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
• problems with speaking and communication
• shaking hands (tremors)
• difficulty controlling the bladder (urinary incontinence)

I know for a fact that I had speaking difficulties until I reached the age of about 5 (delayed development). Even today, I sometimes get tongue tied more easily than most folks, even though I consciously work at overcoming this. I don't know if the IC is related to this, as this started after a couple of decades of diabetes, so nerve damage seems appropriate.

I recall that in the late '80s I was out of work for a short spell and an acquaintance talked me into applying for an insurance sales position. That didn't work out because when they asked me to hold a sheet of paper, it shook somewhat. They said that scares prospective clients off since it seems like the salesperson has something to hide, LOL.

Today, at breakfast time, my spoon shakes as I hold it over my cereal bowl or if I carry a cup of coffee. I think it has progressed a little worse than back in the 80's but it does make me wonder about CP.

I have to confess that this might have been self inflicted from when I was a child. I apparently had a terrible temper in those early years, choosing to bang my head against the wall if I didn't get my way. I remember finally one day my exasperated mother finally said "Fine! Go ahead and bang it some more!" That seems to have cured me of that bad behaviour, LOL.

Anyway, what worries me about that is that I may have done myself some harm. In school I had average grades, except for science and some ofView attachment 80960 the mathematic studies. I typically had to work harder at grades but otherwise did well on things that I was keen about. I was never particularly good at sports and hopeless at basketball. I did play baseball for a few summers but never really accomplished much.

My wife doesn't put much stock in this but I sometimes wonder if I should bring it up with the doc. There is no cure for it so I have to wonder if there is any point to mentioning it.

Does anyone else have mild symptoms that suggest CP but otherwise not confirmed? These are just a few thoughts that keep me up some nights.

I have both mild cerebral palsy and Autism.
A lot of what you described is me.
I am 64.

 

[CheshireCat]

@slimjiminy For many neurological and neuromuscular disorders there may not be a definitive test for an absolute diagnosis. Diagnosis is then based on evaluation of symptoms. I have 14 of the symptoms you listed in your original post, but many of them are intermittent, while others are always present. So, the only questions that truly matter are:
Can I live a better life with a proper diagnosis?
Is there less of a chance that doctors might kill me if I have a proper diagnosis?

I don't have CP (I think). I'm on the spectrum (high functioning). And I have an extremely rare neuromuscular genetic disorder. And I answered yes to both of the questions I posited.

As you are aware that you have neurological issues, I highly recommend that you see a neurologist. You may find out something unique about yourself, or you may not get a diagnosis, but just knowing your baseline is important. And the neurologist might be able to offer a medication to help with the tremors.

 

[slimjiminy]

As you are aware that you have neurological issues, I highly recommend that you see a neurologist. You may find out something unique about yourself, or you may not get a diagnosis, but just knowing your baseline is important. And the neurologist might be able to offer a medication to help with the tremors.

I'll ask my doc about it the next time I see him. Getting appointments to any specialists right now is a long wait. I did get my urologist appointment last year, which was something. The wait is usually about a year and I got in at about 6 months.

 

[Deleted member 39574]

Lots of illneses can include the symptoms you describe. The shaking or tremors I think they called it when I started having it and the epilepsy seizures that I have too indicate that you should see a neuro doctor like I had to do several years ago. It took years of tests and hospital stays and experiments with different med regimes until finally they found out I have a genetic condition that was identified by a blood test. It explained decades of health problems they didnt know the cause of before that. The problem is that lots of these conditions last for your life and some are generative and slowly get worse like I have. So good luck with trying to find out what it is and seeing if you can get treatment for it.

 

[slimjiminy]

.... It took years of tests and hospital stays and experiments with different med regimes until finally they found out I have a genetic condition that was identified by a blood test....

This is something I have to avoid (years of tests and hospital stays). And if my situation was critical in some way, then I would pursue it. I support my wife and son still, and help out an elderly relative who is in a home and no longer drives. Even though I am retired, I still work a partial week. There is no rest for the wicked! Even now as I work a partial week, I don't know how I ever fit it all in before I retired! The appointments, car repairs and other things are endless.