Guest Guest_efgh Posted February 4, 2004 Report Share Posted February 4, 2004 Is this OCD My son INSISTS that I tell him two bed time stories every night before he goes to sleep. (Yes, he is around 9 1/2 years old, yet this is his habit!) This has been the "norm" for years together. Last night, since we were already delayed, I requested him to just go to bed without a story... He cried so much and said that he is getting stressed/pressurised and is just not able to relax or sleep because the thought that he did not get a bed time story was bothering him.. I tried not to yield and just wanted to see if he could come out of it.. He got so upset that he was literally weeping, kicking pillows and finally I HAD to tell him the two stories before he could even get into his "sleep mode". similarly he HAS to play a game of chess with his dad the moment he comes home from work (come what may!)... don't know whether to call it "adamant nature" or OCD or "if he is taking us for a ride".... your thoughts please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 I think the nature vs manipulation question is always difficult. When they are emotional, I assume it is sincere (since my son never threw tantrums, I trusted tears.) In my opinion, for some children bedtime routines are highly important for them to unwind and feel loved and get undivided love and attention. This is true whether they are 9 or 5. I know it can be very inconvenient for the parent, but this is one time that I would probably 'give in'--I think in the end it takes less time. I always had these wonderful Barnes and Noble's Aesop's Fables collection that took 2 minutes or less for each story. Those were for the nights when time was limited. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_Heather Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 I just thought I would add another one of the experiences we have had with the OCD. While leaving our cottage, and getting onto the boat, my son suddenly realized that we were leaving for the weekend and he had not come out the same door that he had gone in at the beginning of the weekend. This started before the tics so we thought it was just a little game he played with himself and we were quite annoyed. He described it as a rope being attached to him and he had to retrace his steps all the time or he didn't feel right. He felt he would get all tangled up in the rope. We were at the dock ready to leave and he was in hysterics wanting to go back up to the cottage that was all locked up at this point. I finally gave in, ran him up the stairs and took him through one door, out the other. He was immediately calmed down and content and the rest of the journey was peaceful. This incident was when I truly started to think that maybe this was something more serious. After the tics started and we realized this was all part of it, I was very thankful that I had given him to him that weekend. The mental anguish these kids suffer is heartbreaking when we know now that it is all unnecessary. By the way, this OCD behaviour which came out on several occasions after that incident is now gone since we have started the supplements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 Heather, Do you attribute specific supplements with helping OCD (like Chemar's comments on St. Johns Wort, and 5HTP, Inisotol and others), or your general program for health? Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 Hello All, We have just made the decision to take our son to a doctor on the DAN list who unfortunatley is out of town, but I think it will be worth while. Though we have done some tests, there are still so many more that need to be done. The doctors we have been working wit in our hometown are not that well versed in ASD so we have come to a point where we need someone knowledgable. From what I have read this isn't just a neurological disorder...it involves so many body systems. We just got a blood chemistry panel back...his kidneys didn't come back normal and there seems to be some sort of a viral presence. This is not uncommon. The doctor that I spoke with told me that they have had many children who's primary diagnosis was ADD when in fact they were suffering from many autistic traits. I was also told that many atutistic children suffer from tics. Sounds like the situation can be pretty complex. Social behavior can be a big clue. Autism is not necessarily extreme there are many children who are high functioning which may make it tricky to recognize. I guess my point is that not just the nervous system is affected. I myself got so hung up on the obvious symptoms (tics and OCD) that had we not done the blood chemistry test we wouldn't have realized the other issues. Another thing that came back low were his nitrogen markers which means his body is not assimilating protein correctly. So I think it is safe to assume that his amino acid levels aren't right either. So this is definately a test that I want to have done. Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 Jennifer, Sheila Rogers is the one that turned me onto the DAN protocol. I was confused at first by the term (autism!) since my son just gets ticks from computer and excema and delayed sleep, but after looking at the protocols and mapping them to our discussions here, it was clear to me that I was tackling this from a hit and miss standpoint. And that if this protocol addressed neurological issues on a spectrum then that was the bottom line. My own DAN doctors says he doesn't try to label the kids on the spectrum--he just looks at their symptom and the initial test results and goes from there. I personally think the labels are unfortunate, since as you say, there is so much overlap. This creates room not just for misdiagnose, but for medicating for the wrong issue! I just shudder to think of all the parents who find doctors whose knee jerk reaction is to medicate the child's symptoms without first seeing if there is some underlying health issue. Though I understand that they just want their child to be comfortable again, as watching them suffer is extraordinary. All my son's preliminary tests are now back and we have an appointment on Tuesday to hear what they are and to go over them. I think it took 4 weeks for them all, but we had to wait a week to get 'wheat' back INTO his system to better assess its impact. I am a little nervous about the meeting, to say the least! I too think there is more going on (the calcium deficiency for all the milk he drinks was a red flag to me). So good luck to you, sorry about the kidney concerns, but we know what this really is all about is finding the path to health. You have acheived a lot on your own already, now onto maybe the last leg. I know you will let us know as you go along--you are very good about this. This information we all share does make a difference in other's lives. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_efgh Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 Jennifer goodluck to you with your tests. keep us posted. Did the blood test detect the viral presence in the kidney ? Was it a normal blood test - any specific name? Can you please explain to me more on this, if you don't mind.. Have you started fish oil for your son or are you still on Body bio? Is your son totally tic (ocd) free these days? Your determination to find out the root cause of the problem really amazes me. Claire I liked the way you responded to my son's bed time story "ritual". you are right, there is no harm giving in as long as it does not take too much of our time whether its ocd or not! please keep us posted about your son's tests. curious to know about his calcium deficiency cause. my son hardly takes milk/dairy due to the stupid milk allergy and i am worried how much his calcium deficiency may be!! Claire, finally ordered the allergy sheets for the mattresses, pillows, quilts etc today.. LEts hope it makes some difference! Heather If I have got it right the supplements that you give your son are the multivit, threelac, NDF, fatty acid (omega 3) ... Do you give anything more than this? Of these, which do you think seems to help your son's tics the most? did you ask your doctor about the iron content in the multivit? Does your son not take any milk, potatoes and corn??? Does he take cheese or yoghurt? I am asking this because my son too does not take dairy and I am apprehensive to start it even on a trial basis due to his tics..Just wanted to know if you tried giving him milk once in a while - if so, any adverse reaction ?? Also , is there TS in your family?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 EFGH, In my opinion the supplement that worked the most for my son was the Threelac to get rid of the yeast. I think the yeast was his main problem. Now, I am giving him the NDF during the day and the multivitamin and threelac with dinner. When using NDF, all other supplements are to be given only after second urination following the drops in the morning. He does not have any corn, potatioes or milk at this point but does drink coral calcium water from Kingway which is a source of calcium for him. He drinks about 1 litre per day which is supposed to be a sufficient calcium dose. It also contains magnesium and many other trace elements that are said to be missing from our diet. My whole family drinks this water daily. There isn't any tourettes in my family that we know of but other related disorders (some depression, anxiety, etc.) Jennifer, It was interesting to hear about the kidney test. I am a little concerned about other issues besides the tics as well since my son seems to be always hungry but doesn't gain weight and seems to feel cold all the time more so than any other winter. He has never complained of the cold before but now says he doesn't want to go out for recess because he is cold. I have read this may be related to kidney problems. Does your son show any symptoms like this? Heather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 EFGH, I just saw a couple of questions I missed. We have never really given our son milk on any occasion or cheese. He sometimes has some yoghurt and I have never noticed anything significant happening as far as a tic reaction. He has also had potatoes once in awhile with no significant reaction. Also, we have not been back to the N.D. as of yet, but I definitely will ask her about the iron. Heather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_efgh Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 Heather thanks for your interesting info. does your son feel more hungry after the tics began or was it in general? What is his weight and height? and has he not been gaining weight ONLY after the onset of tics?? I also noticed that my son has not been putting on weight ever since his tics started though his appetite is good and he eats well ... Would appreciate your sharing on this weight/appetite aspect.. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 EFGH, My son is about 50 lb. and am not sure of his height but I will check it after school today. He is not noticeably thin but just average wieght I would say. It is since the tics started that he seems to have this enormous appetite. He has grown a lot in height over the past few months so maybe it is just a growing spurt and he needs more food. He has gained some weight with his growth in height but I am just thinking that for the amount he is eating now he should be a little heavier than he is. Maybe since he is not drinking milk or eating cheese he just needs more to fill him up. It is always a guessing game!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 efgh and Heather, My son eats non stop as well, for as much as eats he should be kind of chubby, but he's not. Also, I always have to have snacks for him because when he is hungry he becomes emotional and completely unreasonable. He has been tested for blood sugar levels and it came back normal, but I have read that many times blod sugar problems are not detected by blood tests unless they are pretty severe. The best way to pin point it is through symptoms. If there are blood sugar problems the adrenal glands are usually involved. Pantothenic acid is critical for adrenal function. Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted February 7, 2004 Report Share Posted February 7, 2004 Thanks for the info Jennifer, Is Pantothenic Acid something you buy in the form of a supplement? I think I am going to get some blood tests done now to check for blood sugar levels. Heather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_efgh Posted February 8, 2004 Report Share Posted February 8, 2004 Jennifer, what are the symptoms wherein adrenal glands are involved? Can you give me some suggestions.. Heather Exactly the same thoughts. My son's appetite too increased after the onset of tics and he has grown SO much in height but NOT in weight. may be a growth spurt or due to lack of milk/cheese. I told myself to just wait and watch. suprised about the similarity between our kids.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 efgh and Heather, Pantothienic acid can be found at any health food store (it is one of the B vitamins) The adrenal glands are affected by stress. It can be physical stress or emotional. I think that most kids on ASD are stressed. Their body systems aren't functioning correctly. And the fact that they know something is wrong contributes to more stress. One of the primary symptoms of adrenal fatigue is blood sugar problems. Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now