Mac/iTunes not recognising iPad

1. Mac OS X , up to date

2. iPad Air , up to date (including ios8)

3. iTunes, up to date

I think it was after I updated iTunes that my mac no longer recognised my iPad. It does't even charge, nor does it show up in iTunes. I don't think that it is anything to do with the USB cable / port because I have checked with other devices int he ports and it works, and when I plug my cable into the plug for the wall it charges just fine. ios8 was downloaded after the problem had occurred so I don't think that this is the problem either. I have restarted so many times, but all attempts were futile.

It would be amazing if someone could respond fast, I don't think I could live without syncing my iPad :'C