Frank_Sm1th

All of this makes me think about the winter cold season coming up. We don't give our son (w/PANDAS) echinacea because everyone says it's an "immune booster". But I wonder if golden seal's ok? Or astragalus? I'm not sure golden seal even affects the immune system; I take it for its effect of drying me up when I have the sniffles, much as an OTC antihistamine would. And I'm not sure if astragalus is a "booster" or a "balancer" or what. Any thoughts, observations, opinions anyone? Frank

Dear B_N123- Lack of sleep usually worsens tics, doesn't it? Frank

Jean, VOC means Volatiile Organic Content. I paint a lot in my home-based business (signs and art) and we have a few air filters around the place. They protect us from dust, molds, etc. They also do a fair job on paint vapors if they have a charcoal filter layer. We use HEPA filters, which cost quite a bit, so the charcoal part is usually part of their system. They all seem to work pretty well- Hunter, Honeywell, etc... Good luck, Frank

Heather, We've only been on Feingold for 1 year, so it's hard to be sure how much salicylates contribute to my older son's tics. In order of importance, I'm estimating the prime cause is strep antibodies, followed by stress, TV & computer screens, then maybe salicylates. We noticed the salicylates also cause ADHD and general bad behavior in him. He is sensitive to maltodextrin and corn syrup and the artificial colors and flavors, but haven't noticed them causing ticcing. They might, but we eliminated all the grossest foods and additives first and his attention & behavior improved FAST. The tics are almost non-existent now, but experience has shown us that by far the greatest threat is strep and other infections. The Irlen light threrapy has helped a lot; he LOVES to read now and I suspect that may have helped in OCD and tics. We've discovered all this over just the past year; add in fish oil and various supplements and garlic and it's hard to directly identify every cause and effect. But overall, he's dramatically better balanced and I'm thinking a summer of exercise will help immeasurably. I don't see enough discussion of EXERCISE on this board. Exercise obviously contributes to better sleep. Exercise has been proven to improve immune function. It's a lot to keep track of and I'm grateful for this board; wish I could be more help, but it'll take time to learn more. Frank

kimwal- Do you know if your son has P.A.N.D.A.S. ? Frank

Hi Heather, I'm not Jeff, but am on the Feingold diet. Grapes and strawberries contain salicylates. They are neither extremely high nor low as fruits go. I believe the riper a fruit is, the lower the salicylate level is. Also the salicylates tend to be in the skin. Perhaps he'd feel like peeling the grapes?... For my boys, grapes and strawberries are a real treat to be eaten in great moderation. Bananas and pears are the lowest salicylate fruits, I think. Apples vary a lot, golden delicious being the lowest. Good luck, Frank

Dear KDW- Yes. The Feingold book "Why Can't My Child Behave?" got us on the right path. I'm not sensitive to salicylates, but my wife & sons are. The Feingold program has helped all of us, though. Looking back, the change in the whole family is miraculous and we can't believe intelligent folks like us could have eaten what we used to, considering the obvious effects the food additives had on us. Are you or your loved ones sensitive to salicylates? Additives? Frank

Hi all- I finally found the time to do a Google search on goat's milk and found absolutely NOTHING to back up what I'd heard against goat's milk years ago when chronic fatigue was a "new" disorder. Now that I've learned about how goat's milk/cheese is probably better than cow products, we will probably be enjoying some goat products around our house real soon. I think that people with chronic fatigue often have dietary problems; the goat's milk connection may have been part of their efforts to avoid cow's milk allergies/intollerance. Frank

Hi efgh- There's probably nothing to this, but about 10 years ago I heard that goat's milk and chronic fatigue syndrome were somehow related. Not that many goat's milk drinkers were suffering fom chronic fatigue, but that many chronic fatigue sufferers had consumed goat's milk. I don't remember any of the details, but it made enough of an impression on me that I've never touched goat's milk or cheese. I've not heard about this in years; if there's really truth in it, there've been years to research it. I don't think it's even called chronic fatigue syndrome anymore; fibromyalgia is either the new term or it's a similar condition. If I were you, I'd do a Google search to see if anyone anywhere thinks there's anything wrong with goat's milk. Good luck, Frank