I'm really in need of guidance here. My son was hit with tailend current, indirectly, coming down through a tree into the root and up one leg and down another. This occurred 6/19/02. To look at him he appears fine (no burn holes, and all major organs were doing fine) He was medicated for the first week and half w vicoden, phenergen to help keep him resting. He had great difficulty walking and sitting up. He can walk now, but tires easily. When taken to his pediatrician, the following day, I really thought he would have referred me on to a neurologist for continued evaluation. He didn't . . . this baffled me. He indicated there was no need and that what Joe was suffering from was normal effects of lightening and that it would take time. It's been 3 weeks now. Joe gets irratible for easily now, He can go from laughing to crying and happy to angry. He's 13. I also believe that recently he may have passed a kidney stone, but upon a urine test, nothing was detected. Yet, he had never experienced such pain before in his life. I'm truly concerned about long term effects, eventhough his dr has dismissed this injury under the normal symptoms category. I feel Joe may need some medical attention w mood swings, major musclar cramping in his legs, and joints in the legs, ears ringing, depression, anxiety. I don't know what to do and where to go from here, and Im really looking for some guidance, and knowledge and where to get it. This is where I've chosen to start, thanks to a concerned co-worker who referred me to Mensana. Any assistance is appreciated

Hi Traci,
Sorry to hear about your son. This is the best place for you to turn. We all know what you and your son are going through. Sometimes it may take us awhile to respond. You can always write to us individually.

I have a son that is 11 and is Bipolar. It is a mood disorder with with the highs and lows.

My electrical injury was almost 3 years ago.

Your son's symptoms are normal and I know that does not help because it is scary to see someone suffer like this. I sure wish I could tell you that he will get better but I don't know anyone who has healed from this type of injury.

He will probably go through many stages. He might feel like he is getting better and then all of a sudden he is getting worse again. This is normal. By normal I don't mean ignore which is what most doctors do. Problem is that most doctors don't know what to do and insurance companies limit what the doctor can do. Please get him help for his depression. That is the first place I would start. I have been going to counseling for a couple years now and it is not a cure but it does help. He has a long life ahead of him. And, get help for yourself too and any other family members because they will need some answers too.
It will be stressful on you and he doesn't need to see that. The more support he can get the better.

I don't know about doctors but Dr. Hendler is probably your best bet. Do what you can to get your son in to see him. As for regular doctors, good luck! From my experiance, they (at most) just treat the symptoms.

part 2

I also want to let you know that there are many symptoms that might not even show up for weeks, months or even years.

I have been to neurologists, gastroentrologists, endrocrinologist, chiropractors, neuropsychologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, physical therapy several times, universities, never ending blood tests, MRI's, bone scans, EMG's EEG's and too many others to list. They do find things on the tests but they don't know what to do once they find things. All kinds of stuff and still looking for the right kind of help and answers. It is just too complicated for one doctor and when you get more than one involved, even less gets accomplished. Communication between doctors does not always happen.

Keep intouch and talk as much as you want, spill it all because it does help.

Look through all the info on the Mensana clinic web site. There is alot of information. Take time to read through all the stories the others has wrote.

I would also recommend the Electrical Trauma Research Program at the U of Chicago. You can also check out their website.

Hope all this helps. Kelly
Remember you are not alone.