What should I change?

[Shananigan]

Hi everyone,

You've been so helpful in getting us started, I thought maybe you could give us some suggestions about what to do now. We'e been taking supplements for 6 weeks, and so far have seen no change. Here is what my kids are taking: (ds is 10, dd is 8, both weigh 60 lbs.)

Rx Omega 400 EPA, 200 DHA 2 in a.m. 1 in p.m.
Vitamin E natural mixed, 100mg in a.m. 100mg in p.m.
Magnesium Chelate, 200 mg in a.m. 100 mg in p.m.
Evening Primrose Oil GLA 90 in a.m. GLA 45 in p.m.
Multi Vitamin

Both kids are inattentive. Both use anger as a focus tool. DD talks hyperactively, especially in contradictory ways--i.e. with anger. Other than that, she's the typical daydreamer, head in the clouds all the time. Ritalin helps her to some degree for 4 hours in the morning while we're doing schoolwork. I'd sure like to see the whole day go so well!

DS can not tolerate sudden change, and is extremely frustrated with the unexpected. DS has an IEP because of memory issues--he has terrible recall. Much of his life is unexpected, because he forgets much of what he is told. So he is often frustrated, and feels like a failure. He's taking Adderall, but it decreases his appetite, and since growth has always been an issue for him, I hate the drug. On the flip side, his school performance has improved 100%, and for 4 hours a day he feels good about himself.

Overall, their behavior is pleasant--they aren't bad kids--and most people (besides me) never see the negative side of them. We homeschool, so I see it ALL the time. My biggest concern is the inattentiveness, and of course, the self image issues.

So, my question is this: What would you add or subtract from what we're doing? I know we need to keep at it a lot longer before I can make any real conclusions about the effectiveness of the supplements.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[DenverSarah]

Have you looked into dietary elimination? The Feingold program has done wonders for us. Here is the web-site to check it out:
www.feingold.org

[DenverSarah]

Oh, your supplements look good by the way. I wouldn't change a thing about them unless the multi has artificial colors/flavors in it. Let me try one more time on that web link so all you have to do is click:

or

[DenverSarah]

Ok I'm not having much luck inserting stuff so you will have to cut and paste.
When you get to the website go to "resources" and read the first chapter of "Why can't my child behave?" It describes the program, how to do it and why it works. Good luck!

[Shananigan]

Thanks, Sarah,

To be honest, I'm resisting Feingold. I'm not ready to go that route until I'm really desparate. Also, I've heard that it doesn't really address the inattentiveness issue. Has that been your experience? Inattentiveness is our main concern. Yes, the kids have their outbursts, but they are predictable; over the same kinds of things each time. They don't seem to be better or worse depending on what they've eaten. Perhaps I'm not thinking about it correctly, maybe someone can straighten me out.

Thanks again.

[catatonic]

Shananigan -

I would second DenverSarah's recommendation to investigate the Feingold diet. ( www.feingold.org )

Even now, with my son's behavior largely under control (attentiveness at school remains a problem) none of it would mean a thing without Feingold in place. The fact that you can't connect behavior with specific foods right now doesn't necessarily mean the foods aren't responsible. If they have numerous toxins in their bodies at any given time, they are perpetually reacting to something. The only way to determine what affects them is to withdraw EVERYTHING (that is, all items prohibited by Feingold Stage 1) for a 6-week period to give their systems time to eliminate all the junk and settle down to a new behavioral baseline.

Attentiveness is our most difficult issue here, too. (At least since Feingold etc removed most of the negative acting-out behaviors). Some of the things I've found contribute:

1.) Food allergy. Food allergies are a pain in the neck to uncover. The most reliable way is to eliminate suspect foods for a week and then test them. If you're lucky, you'll hit the bad one early on...not unreasonable to hope for, since if it's affecting behavior daily, then it has to be something eaten with high frequency.

2.) Conventional seasonal allergies.

3.) Amino acids. 5-HTP is involved in production of serotonin. Tyrosine makes up dopamine. Some kids need one or the other, some need both. Amino acids have helped my son with attentiveness, although not enough yet, so we're still experimenting.

On your supplement list, it looks good. Good products, appropriate amounts, everything looks great and I wouldn't think you need to change anything there.

You might want to look at adding lecithin. This is soy-derived phospholipid...a substance that makes up the brain's protective fatty sheath as well as helping to form the neurotransmitter choline. I buy an enormous jar of lecithin granules and give my son a scoop every morning (approximately 2 Tbsp). Since it doesn't taste at all bad, you don't have to worry too much about how to disguise it. Dump it in cereal if you have to. I make a breakfast shake and blend it into that. Even if I didn't notice any behavioral impact from lecithin I would continue to use it because it's essential for brain health. However, it also seems to have a calming effect on my son. I don't really know how to describe it except that it prevents that "no one is home" look in his eyes.

And I just can't recommend Feingold enough. Try it - VERY STRICTLY - for 6 weeks and see what happens. You can stand 6 weeks, right?

[Shananigan]

You're right, Catatonic, 6 weeks would be no big deal. But the real problem is that I'm afraid of the consequences of finding out that the kids react to something major--like dairy or wheat--that would be hard to do without. Those consequences would have to be lived out for a lot longer than 6 weeks. But then again, I ask myself if I really want the kids to get better and feel better about themselves? I guess I've got to get my priorities straight.

Thanks for the input. I guess I've got some decisions to make.

[catatonic]

Shananigan, I can relate to your uneasiness. It is really difficult to think about making a major dietary change that you'll have to deal with for a long time. I won't kid you, it can be a hassle. My boy is allergic to corn. He's even allergic to things that are MADE FROM corn like ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and "modified food starch". (I'm glad it's not dairy, because I could NOT live without cheese!!!!!!) It is a pain in the you-know-what to live without a common food. Especially at first. You get used to it, though, and your habits change. That's when you realize it really isn't so difficult after all.

Don't put the cart ahead of the horse, though. Your kids may not have an allergy to a major food. And you don't want to rush into anything like diet changes until you're ready. If you're not 100% commited when you start, you probably won't have the motivation to stick with it so it probably won't work. Do it when you feel comfortable. Summer vacation is very easy to monitor (and control) everything your kids eat. You'll find it really isn't as hard as you worry it will be. And if it works, it is sooooooooo worth it.