NanaLibby

Ruth,
Acknowledge your concerns. I was "diet will fix this" mentality 30 years ago (Feingold.) (I brought up 2 ADHD sons and lived with a bipolar husband for 32 years) However, this child is far more effected than his father was! My theory was not sufficiently helpful for him. So I went the Dr's route and put him on clonidine at age 3 1/2 then tried 4 more drugs over a one year period.

Here's a "progressive" list of the behavior problems (over a 27 day period) presented to the doctor after Gavin started taking Strattera. This list is versus the usual "stubborn and difficult" laced with some of these behaviors on a milder and intermittent basis. This list portrays a constant display of "progressively worstening" behaviors that I added to daily.

Angers easily
Stomache pains
Awake till 10:00 PM
Escalates quickly
Argues over everything
Eats everything in sight
Mean - teases - taunts
Nightmares more like night terrors
Thrashes around in bed - shouts out loud
Hypervigilent - wakes up way too early
Can't go to sleep - up till midnight
Unreasonable - ugly natured
Wild eyed - lashes out
Refuses to follow rules
Laughs at us - says "no way"
Runs away from us - reckless
Refuses to accept bounderies
Negative attitude
Defient - reckless
Inflexible - Determined to do it his way
Wants total control
Kicks-bites-swears-yells-throws things
Hits himself - says he's stupid
Consequences do not matter
Says he doesn't care
Intrusive - insistent - uncooperative
Won't take NO for an answer
Can't control himself
Total "meltdowns"
Wetting the bed (again)
Hypersexual behaviors

(These behaviors lasted for several weeks after I stopped giving him the Strattera.)

Respiridal. (2 days) 2nd night he itched all over. It was like a worm on a hotplate for hours!

Now they want me to give him seriquil. Side effects include neuroleptic malignant syndrome (muscle rigidity), tardive dyskinesia (uncontollable movements). It raises the chance for diabetes, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease. No way, Jose! Done with meds!!! They just made things worse in the long run. (Doctor's comment "Maybe they didn't work because of the bipolar issues in the background". My Lord, they don't even know why these drugs DO WORK, let alone why they DON'T!) This "med only" mentality of these doctors has got to change.

In retrospect: Strattera CAUSED these "psychotic behaviors" so now we should give him yet another drug to control what NOW looks like psychotic behavior! No mention that perhaps the strattera "caused the psychosis!" Absolute insanity!

This is not the first book I've read nor will it be the last, but Rispiridal is the last drug he'll take till he's old enough to monitor his own reactions.

I gave in to their drugging mentality" while still holding strong conviction to a more natural approach. This book goes far deeper into the the why's of the diet than Feingold ever immagined. It explains why the problem exists, how the drugs work and why they don't work or stop working as well as how the foods eaten effect the various bodily functions (chemical reactions of various foods).

I have come to look at ADHD (mood disorders) as a form of diabetes....Consider the effect of insulin on the entire system, including the brain. It is one of the key factors, hence the strong response to sugar for many ADHD kids. This book will tell you so much that you will be exstatically happy you read it even if you continue to medicate your child. This book says that if meds are working for your child, they will work BETTER when you apply this knowledge! No supposition.

Thanks for your response Ruth. I really do appreciate the chance to address your concerns and hope the best for you and your child. We have such battles to fight for these kids. Without us they would be lost and continue in agony. Each battle is as unique as each child. Keep an open mind and realize that there is more than one approach (and opinion) to all circumstances and issues. That's what makes our battles, those won and ost, so important to share. We will hopefully learn from each other and eventually win the war.
Best wishes, and please lets keep in touch on this issue because I'm still learning. Nana Libby

There is a better way and you are right. One book, one try, one viewpoint, one experience will not work. I've tried both sides and realize it is far more complicated than sugar and red dye. T

The "drugging record" for these parents speaks for itself. I've been trying it their (Drs.) way for better than three years. The "list" of psychotic behaviors" has decreased dramatically since this child came off all drugs and has been eating a healthier diet which is high protein and "good carbs".
The diet approach is a great deal more difficult than popping a pill each morning. But the book does not say stop the drugs. It actually supports the drug theory. Don't discount this as just another book. It's not. The info in it is astounding and well worth the read if one is seriously trying to help a child through one of the most difficult alleys in any child's life.
NL

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Nana Libby