Lab Results

We have been so busy lately with everything I haven't stopped by in quite a while. Here is what has been going on with us.

A couple of months ago we started a Gluten free Casein free diet and decided to go see Dr. Humphreys ND at Healing Solutions Pediatric Centers. A DAN! Dr. He saw both of our oldest and we only have money right now for the full testing on our son. The first test we did was a Metabolic Analysis Profile. The results showed low lactic acid, an elevated FlGLU or Formiminoglutamic Acid, and high glutaric acid. I am not a doctor so I am just trying to start researching what this all means and going over the lab results here are some explanations: Low

Lactic Acid or lactate: usually a result of reduced pyruvic acid

FlGlu: dietary deficiency of folic acid, severe oxidant stress, vitamin b12 deficient. Children with folate and or b12 deficiencies may be associated with autism, mental retardation, growth failure and seizure. This deficiency can be secondary to gastrointestinal disorders.

Glutaric Acid: associated with general neurological deterioration, spasicity and mental retardation, can lead to hypoglycemia, hypotonia, nausea, poor weight gain, poor weight gain. The second test we did was a blood test.

He ordered a comprehensive metabolic panel, iron binding, TSH CBC panel, strep test, copper serum, lead serum, zinc serum and DNASE. The potassium came back high, CO2 high, low ALT, high hemoglobin and hematocrit, and out of balance zinc. These lab results did not have an explanation attached but the Dr. explained that he may have an acidic gastrointestinal environment and an abnormality in the use of B12 which can lead to anemia. The copper to zinc ration in our system should be 1:1 and he is low on zinc which we will supplement with 30 mg. for 2- 3 months.

The regime to fix it all?
1) Diflucan or fluconazole for 10 days as well as a pro biotic called Maximum GI Health 2) Folic Acid- his need was a nine out of ten right now 3) Child Essence multi-vitamin one capsule a day for 1 week then go to two capsules a day 4) Omega 3's with super EFA (not Omegas 6 or 9) 5) Zinc 30 mg. 6) Go back in one month for B12 injections

In a nutshell...we have real results on paper. Something solid to look at which links with behaviors of autism and sensory integration. The methylation systemis not working properly, the GI has a bacterial issue and the folinic acid B12 is not converting the way it should to be available in his body. I am hopeful we will see results after treatment. We are open for ideas and thoughts...This is all new to me. I wish we had money to get our other children tested. One step at a time.

I have also noticed my son seems to always be cold or hot, no in between. He keeps getting hurt while playing and has a black eye and EAR??? currently. I am wondering if there is a possibile sleep problem. We find him up two or three times a night and during the day he seems like he could use a nap, but never takes one. Ideas?

I Must Be Crazy- What's Going On With Us

This is what is going on here. It's not the best post but I'm really tired and want to get to bed but need to post this.

We are planning a vacation at the end of April to go to Naperville, Illinois, where I grew up. I'm really nervous about how Marshall will handle it. He has been more intense these last few weeks. Yes, it does cycle, but this is out of control. He doesn't sleep well, tries to eat but tells me he has to throw up. He is hitting a lot more and now started licking people and things again. Gross!!! He likes to lay on my arm or just lay on me while I'm sitting up. He touched our feeding therapist in the crotch 2 weeks ago and has tried touching me on the chest a few times too. The hyperactivity is going strong still too. Oh, and he's been a LOT more angry and threatening over the last few weeks. He doesn't seem happy. Who could? I want to take a picure of him so you can see his eyes. They have dark circles under them. I brushed him and did his "tens" (joint compressions), and with Clonidine and Melatonin in him, he went to sleep. I love that time of day. In the mornings, he's a bit snuggly but easily upset. All he wants to do is to play Disney's Toontown Online . He cries a lot, screams a lot, talks a lot (AND LOUDLY!!!!!!), jumps like crazy all over the place, and is more defiant. We are all tired. Really tired. I have more that I need to blog about but I haven't had time to do it yet.

What Is Up With Our System???

Okay, having gone through the special education system here in my county with four children now I am FED UP! It started with our five year old when she was 2. Interestingly enough is in kindergarten not on an IEP despite the fact that her social skills are at a two plus year level. She seeks out adult approval, has trouble making new friends, cries and hides under the table whenever I go in to volunteer and does not want to go to recess, ever! Luckily she had a mommy who is very persistent and found her help in other places when the school system failed her before...but now I have three other children with similar issues.  And I feel like I have to fight to the death to get any help or services.

We had my eight month old evaluated today by Early Intervention and he tested out at cognitive 6 months, Language 4 months, receptive skills 4 months, social emotional 6 months and he still does not qualify for services. WHAT!? Can someone please explain this to me.

They are calling him "mildly" delayed and really did not have many suggestions for me on helping him respond to his own name and his reflection in a mirror. He currently makes no consonant sounds or babbling words and he looks physically like a five month old. The only suggestion they had was that maybe he was sleep deprived and we should give him melatonin like we do the rest of our children. Nice Nice ladies but help!!!! Does anyone have any ideas?

I hope my daughter's pre-school eval this next month goes a little better seeing as how all she wants to do ALL DAY LONG is jump off of our couch or her top bunk...over and over and over. And half the time I find her without any clothes on.  Does anyone else's children not understand why they have to wipe?  or why it is important to wear shoes or a coat in snow?

Why is my heart still breaking every time my four year old son screeches like a dinosaur, covers his ears at music, hits his head with his hands, rubs his head across the carpet with both of his sisters. I thought I would grow in accepting things as they are. Will he go to school next year without any extra help? 

I am asking myself again today after meeting with "experts", how many other children are falling through the cracks because of budget crunches in the system?  How many others are missing help early on and getting worse because they aren't bad enough off? And why in the heck did they repeal the law that allowed tax credits for disabled children?  How much more do they want us to pay out of pocket? ARRRRHHHG.