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Post by pratima on Sept 25, 2005 10:35:26 GMT -5
3 years ago, we finally broke down and had our eldest son diagnosed with ADHD. We knew from birth that he had this condition, but until kindergarten, we tried to manage the symptoms naturally. It wasn't easy & it was often very miserable at home. We tried a number of treatments, so many that I can't remember them all. Some were recommended at the health food stores, some were tried based on my own research, but none were making any significant progress. So we went to meds. First he tried focalin, which caused him to hypertalk. I mean HYPERTALK then entire time it was in his system. He could barely stop to breathe. So then Strattera was released and we tried it. It worked wonderfully. Thought we'd found a winner. Now, after almost 3 years on Strattera, we are facing a dilemna. He's no longer responding at a dose that is higher than what's recommended for his weight. His pediatrician will probably recommend increasing again, but given the dangers to the liver, I'm not excited about increasing. I'm leary of natural remedies, since we've not been able to find anything that works. I've wanted to try bio-feedback, but cannot afford it. So now what? Can any of you recommend a supplement routine that's easy to find & afford? He can take pills easily (big ones) I've been getting Omega supplements at Walmart & they seem to help some, but we need more. He's 8 yrs old, weighs about 50 pounds and suffers from inabbility to stay focused & on task. He frequently day dreams, his eyes glass over, he rarely can make eye contact in conversation, and he often sings (especially when he's about to get into trouble). He can't seem to put his heart into things he says he's interested in. Except in rare cases he'll hyperfocus on his legos. All classic symptoms, from what I've read. He's gone from straight A's in 2nd grade, to failing test scores in 3rd (did I mention he's facing Florida's FCAT this year?) He's having particular difficulty in reading comprehension despite the fact he reads on a 5th grade level. I'm at a loss. Please help.
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Post by Linda on Sept 25, 2005 11:01:29 GMT -5
 and welcome to our family  You are in the right section so read and ask questions. Some members have had great success with diet and supplements. It is not my expertise but I am sure someone will give you a helping hand. Welcome again and I hope you stick around.
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Post by catatonic on Sept 25, 2005 11:59:36 GMT -5
Welcome pratima. I would suggest that you visit the Natural Alternatives section for some input on what others have found successful. I know that for us, the Feingold diet eliminated virtually all of my son's "acting out" type behaviors, particularly once we removed corn syrup from his diet as well. Focus, organization, and impulse control remained problems, but thanks to the diet my son is normally pleasant, active but not unbearably hyper, no longer tantrums, doesn't break the house up in his rages, and his brothers and sister don't have to be afraid of him. More info at: www.feingold.orgThere are a number of supplements that ought to help with focus issues. They have heped my son. There's a fair amount of information on them in the Natural section. The most useful for us have been: Omega-3 magnesium pro-biotics 5-htp Best of luck to you. You've found the right place for understanding, support, and help. |
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Post by pratima on Sept 25, 2005 15:38:35 GMT -5
We did try the Feingold diet, but had little success. We eat pretty healthy anyway, so we decided to keep to the idea of moderation. The kids get very little processed & sugary foods. We avoid gluten, when possible, and preservatives. I try to make sure he gets snacks at school, which his teachers have all been very good. So as to keep his blood sugar in check (which we also had checked - came back normal). We try to make sure he gets lots of protein (he loves dry roasted edamame), and behavior is not bad at school. He saves that for home. He doesn't lash out or rage half as much as he did in younger years. Now it's mostly anxiety and zoning out into his own little world. The doctors think that his condition is probably more likely to be somewhere in the depression, or sensory integration, or obsesive compulsive area. I don't know, diagnosis's are so vague with these things. We had him off the strattera for the summer & honestly, I noticed little difference in his overall behavior. Of course it takes 2 months for it to clear itself from they system.
Anyway, I printed out a post with guidelines for supplements from this message board and brought it to walmart today. I couldn't find vitamin E supplements in less than 200IU, and they didn't have any Omega's containing the levels mentioned. So I guess I'll have to trek to the health food store and see what they have. I'm not particular with our local store, since the staff is really arrogant & they always try to sell me things that I know to be dangerous. Like vitamins containing St. John's Wart.
What is 5-htp?
Pratima
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Post by Kaiti on Sept 25, 2005 21:35:40 GMT -5
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Post by catseye on Sept 26, 2005 7:54:23 GMT -5
Kaiti your link isnt working... I tried to fix it but it still isnt working...
If you want to get to kaiti's link, highlight it and copy (right click go down to copy) it to another internet window... Hope it works I was able to get there that way, but not by clicking on kaiti's link for some reason...
cat
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Post by pratima on Sept 26, 2005 16:53:14 GMT -5
Well the doctor's appt went ok I guess. He didn't recommend raising the dosage of the Strattera, I would have refused anyway. He gave me a business card for a nutritional supplement distributorship called Reliv. He says his son uses it, and he's put a few patients on it, and had good response. I'm a little leary. He did suggest to step up the vitamin/mineral/efa's to help support the Strattera. He wants to keep Sean at the same dose alongside. Does anyone have any experience with Reliv? It's a nutritional shake. I looked it up on the company's website www.reliv.com & I don't see anything special about it. I'd like to hear a few other opinions though. I don't know that Sean would drink it. He much prefers to swallow a pill, than drink a shake. Less to taste & he's sensitive to tastes and textures. He gags on food alot (a sensory integration issue). I did look up the 5-htp & I'm not sure that it's something Sean needs. Pratima |
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Post by catatonic on Sept 27, 2005 0:49:55 GMT -5
5-HTP will increase serotonin. For those who do well on SSRI anti-depressants or ADHD meds that act on serotinin, this is a good choice. It also improves sleep quality dramatically. As a terrible insomniac, I can tell you it makes a real difference in how refreshed you feel when you awake, and helps you get to sleep and sleep very restfully.
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