feeling helpless

[mom2ck]

Thanks Bonnie for your input. How do you know what to give him? How much? Did you have him tested for these minerals to see if he was low. I believe in giving them things they need and not sure how to find this out. Also when I read your statement "tough, I'm the parent and you're the kid and I know what's best for you" I think to myself I don't know what is best. I know he needs meds or supplements to help him. But, I don't really know what it is doing to his little body. Even though there are known side effects, I don't know what will happen to him. I'm just having a hard time coping with all of this and the uncertainty. I thought in a years time we would have this figured out. However, I'm seeing this is going to take a long time and a lot of dedication. I'm not one that likes to play the "wait and see" game. I would rather run some tests and give me some clue as to where to start. I have gotten a lot of great info from this post already. But, where to start? Ok, diet is a must which I think I can do. But, then what? Allergy testing, supplementation or something else? If you do it all at once, how do you know what really worked? Or, is it truly a combination of all the things?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am a thinker and think everything through before making decisions. As you can imagine decision making isn't usually quick for me on important issues.

[ilovedogs]

Thanks Bonnie for your input. How do you know what to give him? How much? Did you have him tested for these minerals to see if he was low. I believe in giving them things they need and not sure how to find this out. Also when I read your statement "tough, I'm the parent and you're the kid and I know what's best for you" I think to myself I don't know what is best. I know he needs meds or supplements to help him. But, I don't really know what it is doing to his little body. Even though there are known side effects, I don't know what will happen to him. I'm just having a hard time coping with all of this and the uncertainty. I thought in a years time we would have this figured out. However, I'm seeing this is going to take a long time and a lot of dedication. I'm not one that likes to play the "wait and see" game. I would rather run some tests and give me some clue as to where to start. I have gotten a lot of great info from this post already. But, where to start? Ok, diet is a must which I think I can do. But, then what? Allergy testing, supplementation or something else? If you do it all at once, how do you know what really worked? Or, is it truly a combination of all the things?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am a thinker and think everything through before making decisions. As you can imagine decision making isn't usually quick for me on important issues.

Well, one thing you'll hear on this board is to just take one step at a time. If you do too much you won't know which part of your plan worked the best or the least. On the magnesium front: check out the essential threads on the top of the boards and you'll probably find more information there. I just give him about 300 mg of magnesium but some parents here give up to 500 mg. I started low and worked our way up and have seen no ill effects. It helps him fall asleep at night and my dh swears it helps him sleep through the night, too. There is a lot of research out there that states most folks are low in magnesium so supplementation is sometimes necessary. I would also start searching out a naturopath or environmental doctor who is versed in neurotransmitters and working with children. I live in Phoenix and found a few docs that would work for us. And, yes, many times you feel like you are on a rabbit trail that goes nowhere and you have to retrace your steps and start all over again! It can be very frustrating!

Allergy testing would also be a good thing to do b/c he may have some food allergies and if you get him off those allergens for a little while you may allow his body to heal. Also, many folks on here give their kids probiotics(Kefir, yogurt, or acidophilus) to improve gut flora and also they give their kids digestive enzymes to help their kids break down proteins like casein, meats, etc. Both those things can help anybody these days with all the processed foods we eat. My whole family takes enzymes and I make sure we all get some sort of probiotic daily. Anyway, I'm sure others will come on here with their wisdom. I'm still a newbie here!

Bonnie

[mom2ck]

I will check that thread and I found a neurologist and allergist at our facility 45 minutes away. I'm going to try to look into that more. Also, need to check insurance and if they will cover.

This site is really helpful and so addictive. I really need to get something else done today. However, I have another question. I see many talk about waxing and waning and tics coming and going. I have to say my ds seems to tic all the time. Since 1 year ago, we haven't been without a tic and have had usually more than 1 tic at a time. Some days are better than others especially since starting the meds.

[Pamela Kay]

My advice would in the household to just buy foods that are okay. Our whole family eats the same way. That way there is no question as to what your husband can make. What I basically did was tell my kids we were on an experiment and going to eat differently for a while. My boys were six and eight at the time. They were not completely happy but I made sure I had really yummy alternatives. I baked a lot and bought things like breyers Ice cream. Breyers has a bunch without HFCS or artificial colors. I bought organic fruit bars and granola bars, they also have these fruit leather like things that my kids love in place of fruit snacks. They even have organic pasty tarts. I just made sure they did not feel deprived. The m&m trick sounds great and our health food store actually sells a great organic substitute for them. I think they taste better. Actually I think alot of organic substitutes taste better than regular brand. It is hard at first but if you have a health food store they can be your friend. Actually since I started two years ago our Meijer and another grocery store have started to carry a bunch of organic as well.

 

As for going to your parents tell them what you are doing. Just tell them you don't want them to have the junk and take substitutes with you. My mom does not comply with my son's diet at all. I grew up eating fast food a few times a week for dinner. She just does not get it or have the desire to get it. So I usually pack for my kids when they go there. At school he eats cold lunch everyday.

 

Now soon after we started eating better, I asked my son if he felt better. His response was yes. Just remember it will not hurt anything to just experiment. Give it a few weeks but I bet you will see the effects sooner.

 

As for supplements we give fish oil ( I think it is health from the sun A+), animal parade vitamins, animal parade probiotics, occasionally psyllium, and occasionally kids calm. Oh and I give them enzymes for digestion. Since starting enzymes their stomachs are not longer bloated and are much less gassy. My kids are very fussy and the only things they are picky about are the psyllium and kids calm but they will take them.

[mom2ck]

Thanks again for responding. I have tomorrow without kids and husband as kids will be gone with my parents and husband has something going on. So, I think I will make the trip to St. Louis and look for somethings. Also, just spend a day for me. I have so much to do at home, but think this would help me as I never have time for this. My DH asked today if I was going with him tomorrow and I said no I think I am going to spend the day doing things for me...add in a little shopping and scrapbooking and you have the perfect day! Well at least less stressful.

I went to the grocery store today and stocked up on fruits and vegetables. I didn't buy any other snacks. I realized my snack bin which I think is pretty healthy isn't as good as I thought. Raisins, crackers, granola & fruit bars, and graham cracker sticks. I can say it isn't as bad as many households across America, but almost all of them contain food coloring. I even noticed our bread contains high fructose syrup... I would have never thought that as it is Whole Wheat. It was a struggle switching from white to wheat, but we did it. Still not the best as it is Sara Lee soft & smooth. Now, I have to find something else. Everyone who comes to my house and my students already say I'm mean to my kids because I won't regularly give them junk food. But, it will be better for everyones health and sure can't hurt me trying to lose weight either.

[mom2ck]

Ok, I just returned from my trip to St. Louis. I was able to go to a Trader Joes and a Whole Foods store. They're awesome!!! I didn't buy a whole lot as I had a 2 hour home, but it was cool looking through everything. Now, my wheels are really spinning. Thanks for giving me the info on those stores.

Also, I watched my son closely yesterday to see when he was ticcing. He did pretty much all day long. But, after supper it was all the time. Now I don't know if this was due to his meds wearing off or if it was in fact something he ate. He pretty much only ate pickles and corn as he didn't like the other food I was having. No I didn't starve him. When he was hungry later I fixed him some meat. Anyhow, now I want to watch this closer and get him checked for allergies.

[faith]

mom2ck,

Could I offer a suggestionj? I noticed you say he likes fruits and carrots and so eats a lot of fruit? I also see you say he had pickeles and corn one night? For my son, I notice he does better in the tic dept. when not consuming fruits and veg, sounds weird, I know, they are supposed to be healthy, but many fruits and veg are in the category of "salicylates", "phenols", and "amines", (and "leutin"? which was mentioned by another poster recently). See if you can't go fruitless for a week or two (especially the ones he consumes more often) and see what happens. Really I'd give it two to three weeks. I'd be very interested to know if anything positive comes of it. You can read up on salicylates on the Feingold Diet site, and also a site called "Enzymestuff". It's experimental, but I think worth a try. Also, you mention using syrup -- try changing to pure maple syrup instead of the commercial brands which contain high fructos corn syrup. You can use a store brand, its not as expensive.

 

http://enzymestuff.com/conditionsensitivities.htm#10

 

Faith