Is my Son Herxing?

[TeamTyrion]

So, my son is still really reactive right now - unbelievable mood swings and OCD. I'm just wondering if this has something to do with the new probiotic (Natren green box) we are using, which we started last week.

 

Is the yeast die-off causing this reaction? And more importantly, do I stop or do I continue using it? Is it ultimately a good thing since it is getting rid of all the bad stuff, and we just need to buckle down and wait for this awful reaction to end? Is there anything I can do to help him out while he detoxes? (Epsom salt baths are not an option since he has CBS probs).

 

Thanks everyone.

[TeamTyrion]

Just got back from vacation and was surprised that no one has chimed in on this, and my other post. Things are better now and I just took him off the probiotic completely. I know that probiotics are pretty important though, especially with the gut stuff that is essential for detox. On the one hand I'm pretty happy that things have calmed down; however, I can't help thinking, was I supposed to keep going? Was it essentially doing a GOOD thing for his body by killing off the bacteria? If I had stayed the course would things have eventually gotten better?

 

I never seem to know what to do with all these supplements. The moment he starts to react I just stop the supplement. I feel this is right but maybe it's not. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Chemar]

Hi

yes a probiotic can cause herxing and yes that is a good thing as it means the bad flora in the gut are dying off and releasing the toxins. It is worth persevering as it will soon level out and then start improving. I should mention that some people just don't tolerate probiotic supplements...my son is one of them...he does much better with probiotic foods like kefir.

 

There is often a "worse before it gets better" reaction to a new supplement, but if there is a really adverse reaction then yes, it may be wise to stop.

[TeamTyrion]

Thanks chemar,

His reaction was that his OCD went through the roof. It was so hard for him, and hard for us too.

 

Do you mind sharing what you mean by "not tolerating" probiotics. Does that mean they just had a bad belly and it wouldn't stay down, or that they reacted SO adversely that even the idea of 'staying the course to let the toxins be released' was not worth it. Just wondering because I guess it's a subjective call isn't it, in terms of when to give up on a supplement. It would be nice to have some concrete markers to help a parent make that decision.

 

For instance, my Son's OCD went from being every 15 - 30 minutes (calmly having to do it), to every minute (desperately needing to do it)....for days. I just couldn't take it anymore.

[Chemar]

Yes, OCD is often the area that really ramps up during herxing. Probiotics shouldnt cause too severe herxing though( ie not as much as when an active ingredient is actually killing the bad bugs as opposed to the good ones rather outnumbering them and so causing them to die off

 

My son's reactions to supplemental probiotics was multi problematic...gut, tics,OCD, Crohn's...everything ramped up nomatter which ones we tried.

But using natural kefir and probiotic foods like saurkraut etc were fine.....provided in small doses

My son has been taking kefir for years now with great benefit. (we use the natural Lifeway brand as it is also ok for dairy sensitive people as it is made from Type A2 casein milk that comes from Guernsey cows

 

I do think too that many of the probiotc supps are just in way too high doses!

We avoid most "mega" dose supplements, vitamins etc

[TeamTyrion]

I have never even considered kefir. Now I'm going to look into it! His Alcat test came back as positive for being casein intolerant though. BUT, at the time he really had a leaky gut. That was almost a year ago now so I hope he's healed a bit and can tolerate some kefir. I will definitely try. I'm sorry but I have no idea why Type A2 casein from Guernsey cows is significant. Could you elaborate? Thanks so much chemar, you always have such good input.

[Chemar]

Here is a detailed explanation re the A2 casein...it is the original found in cows milk, before man started messing with the genetics!

People who are casein intolerant are frequently Type A1 intolerant, but handle type A2 in cows milk that still has the highest % of it (as in Guernsey cows) or goats milk

 

http://www.snowvillecreamery.com/a1-and-a2-beta-casein-in-cow-milk.html

 

this is the Lifeway kefir we use http://lifeway.net/Products/Kefir/OriginalKefir/Original.aspx

[TeamTyrion]

hi chemar,

Have been adding cows kefir to our pancakes for a couple of days now. So far so good. (although it's just occurred to me that cooking might kill off probiotics??)

 

Anyway, I have also been adding Inositol to my son's supplements for the past 5 days and so far it hasn't helped with the OCD. I have been using 1.5 grams/day and my son is about 72 lbs.

 

Does it take some time to work? Should I up the dosage?

 

I definitely want to add 5HTP to his supplements (for his OCD) one day but for now I am going very slowly to keep an eye out on things. I am definitely finding that the OCD is the hardest part of all of this. In fact, his tics (throat clearing/humming) are really not that noticeable anymore. The OCD has become front and centre now.

 

Thanks,

Lisa

[Chemar]

yes you are not supposed to cook with kefir as that will destroy the probiotics, It is taken cold from the fridge and if you like you can make fruit smoothies with it. It is also great poured over a bowl of cereal, oatmeal and/or chopped fruit

 

Inositol can be gradually increased in dose. Some people go as high as 10-14 grams a day short term (never for sustained use that high!) just till the OCD calms and then gradually go back down to around 1 -2 gm a day for maintenance.