Body BioTest Results Back

[Jennifer]

Hi all,

 

Just met with our local doc today re: the Body bio tests. His fatty acids are within normal range, however, something in the test indicated an impairment of his body to utilize them. He is not breaking down protein, has impaired oxygenation, high ammonia levels, viral presence, liver and kidney not functioning optimally and through some things like albumin and Bun (I think, I can't remember) they can tell that he may not have enough serotonin which is not a big surprise and sulfation is an issue. Seems to be the typical imbalances found in ASD children. There were other things too, but I can't remember it all.

 

I know that I was really looking forward to these test, but I feel a bit overwhelmed tonight. I guess you always hope that some things won't be an issue. We meet with the new doctor April, 2nd so I'll know more then. I'll keep you posted as new things come to light.

 

 

Jennifer

[Claire]

Jennifer,

 

I have heard that many kids with tics or compulsions (?) who can't properly utilize the Omega 3s in fatty acids do well with fish oil. At least this is what our DAN doctor said.

 

I know how you feel. You want to find the problem so that you can correct the underlying health issue. But some of the problems seem sooooo complex to correct, that you wish they weren't there to deal with.

 

Good luck

 

Claire

[Guest Guest_efgh]

I know that tics and compulsions are pretty inter related. But in a way its confusing for me...

Its always said that one should not ask the kid to stop doing the "tic". BUT, What about compulsion? for example, if a kid has a "touching compulsion" or fidgetting compulsion, can we ask the kid to "stop touching " repeatedly??

 

thanks .

[Chemar]

In a word, efgh, "NO" because most often they CANT stop...it is a compulsion which means they HAVE TO DO IT.

Asking them to stop causes the same reaction that asking someone to supress a tic causes.....it is gonna come out some way, often worse.

 

Dr Dunc from Life's a Twitch has done some very informative discussions and seminars and articles on this.

 

If the compulsive action (or a tic) is such that it is causinf injury or somehow interfering with another person, it is best to try to help the child develop a coping skill that still allows them to perform the action or tic, but in a less injurious or offensive etc way

 

To give an example,when my son was in severe phase he had tics and compulsions intertwined that were causing him self injury. He, with my help, devised ways to cushion the parts that were being impacted. So, he could still get the "have to do it" out, and so not build up stress by suppressing...but the cushioning (with gloves, bandaids,bandages and other padding) prevented injury.

 

If the compulsive touching, or tic, is not causing anyone a problem....best just let it be.

The more you focus on it, the worse it will get and the longer it will last.

 

Believe me, i speak from bitter experience here and sure wish i had known about Dr Dunc's teaching on this when my son needed it. I freaked out so about one particular compulsive tic that it turned into something serious enough to hospitalize my precious boy.

I am not trying to be alarmistic, but this really is something that parents need to understand about compulsive tics. The child CANNOT stop just because you tell them to, and asking them to causes them torment as they are trying to be obedient and please the parent, but inside they are being ripped apart by the NEED to do the tic or compulsive action.

 

just remember that analogy of the stoppered soda pop....suppression is like shaking the bottle...so the end result is that either the stopper will burst out or the bottle will explode from the built up internal pressure !!!

[Claire]

Chemar/efgh

 

Not to be controversial, but most books on OCD say that stopping a compulsion (vs a tic) helps change the brain chemistry in a positive way and improve the OCD over time. This is a part of cognitive therapy, ie there is a belief system that it helps. It sounds like others disagree--I haven't read those directly.

 

However, 'books' aside, I agree with Chemar on my own personal situation. In any case, I never tried to stop my son's touching compulsions because he says it is too tramatic and stressful for him to attempt to do so. I think that when a child has tics and compulsions, it is too difficult to differentiate between them--so even if the OCD books I read are correct, I think it is too risky.

 

However, while this may be the case with touching compulsions, I absolutely think that constraints must be put in place for other compulsions. Otherwise think about it: A 'hoarding' child would have the house filled with paper, a handwasher would never leave for school. This management required incredible parenting skills to help the child though this--my heart bleeds for those parents.

 

Claire

[Chemar]

Hi Claire

that is why I stressed "coping mechanisms" and just used my son's period with the injurious stuff as an example......there is nothing wrong with recognising a compulsion that is causing a problem and trying to find ways to improve the problem.....that aspect of cognitive therapy is very beneficial.

 

However, efgh asked a very specific question

if a kid has a "touching compulsion" or fidgetting compulsion, can we ask the kid to "stop touching " repeatedly??

 

and THAT is what I was replying too.

 

I feel it is wrong to either try to FORCE a stop or to continuously harp on about it.

That puts enormous stress and trauma on the child. There are other ways to use cognitive therapy in a more positive and less stressful way.

 

And yes, my feelings are based only on personal bitter experiences of stressing my son out by trying to get him to stop things that he could not

and

based also on the very detailed info acculmulated by Dr Dunc on this.

 

I would rather have a room overflowing with hoarded junk than EVER again have to sit in an ambulance and then by the bedside of my son in hospital .... all because I couldnt handle what he couldnt help!

 

I stress again, just personal experience speaking here, and i am sure that other s have different views, which I fully respect.

[Chemar]

Hi Jennifer......just wanted to say sorry we hijacked your thread and got off topic.....we all have a tendency to jump around with our topics dont we

Shows again what a great place this is for open converstaion and shared experiences and info

 

back to Body Bio....I know there are many people following your progress there

[Claire]

Chemar, I agree with you. Claire

[Jennifer]

Claire and Chemar,

 

Thanks for your kind responses. I feel better today. I've had a couple of days to let all the info. sink in and adjust my attititude. I started our son on 5htp again, in the past he took 50mg. every night (per recomendation of one of the doctors we went to see locally) from what I have read I think that may have been too much for him........his moods were great, but it had the effect of making him feel wired.

Last night I gave him 50mg to get it in his system and from now on I'll cut the dose in half. He was in a much better mood today, not sure if it was the 5htp, but I kind of think it was.

 

Jennifer