Re: To in MA

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I could probably write a book to answer your questions but I'll try

to be brief! My son's OCD progressed to severe when he was about 7

years old (I observed " odd " , at times almost " autistic-like " ,

behaviors from a very early age with significant separation anxiety

and sensory integration dysfunction). We were facing hospitalization

when his OCD manifested itself in a fear of choking and he stopped

eating. My son also had severe contamination fears, wouldn't touch

anything, had raw bleeding hands, touching/tapping routines that

could last for an hour or more, and " habits " that took up most of his

day with screaming, crying and throwing himself on the floor or

against the wall when he was prevented from doing his compulsions. I

didn't think my family would survive.

As I desperately tried to find a doctor (psychiatrist, psychologist,

social worker, LMHC, etc) who had experience in pediatric OCD, to no

avail, I began to explore other options until we could find

appropriate help/support. As I was working with families who had

children on the autism spectrum at the time and there was a lot of

discussion on the thimerosal (mercury) connection, I researched this

avenue as a possible link to my son's OCD. Many families were

utilizing dietary interventions (gf/cf, SCD,)with various results

(some significant). Some children improved dramatically after going

through chelation to decrease the heavy metal burden which was

postulated to be as a result of the mercury in the vaccinations

(thimerosal has since been removed from most infant vaccines but

remains in flu shots and boosters and vaccines for older children.

Children born between 1989 and 2001 received higher than acceptable

levels of thimerosal leading to an increase in neurological disorders-

I highly recommend that you read Evidence of Harm by Kirby).

Since we were unable to get (mainstream) supports, I had my son

tested for heavy metals and he came up very high in mercury,

aluminum, arsenic and others. We decided to try to get the mercury

down through use of natural chelating agents (spirulina and

chlorella) and started 5-HTP first (a precursor to serotonin). He

slept through the night for the first time in his 7 year life on the

first night after taking 5-HTP. His OC behaviors didn't show a

marked decrease though. We then gave him a drink with spirulina and

chlorella and added flaxseed oil. With in a week or two there was a

drastic decrease in his OC behaviors and within 6 months or so his

OC's would be considered mild. We were able to get a diagnosis by

this time by participating in a study with Dr. Geller. Dr. Geller

was instrumental in getting us in to see a doctor at Child and Family

Psychological Services who specializes in CBT (although we had to get

a lawyer involved to deal with the insurance company and

reimbursement issues because the doctor was out of network). By the

time we finally got in to see a qualified doctor (two years later!)

my son was considered mild and had little difficulty with his OC

homework (he has not seen his psychologist in over a year as there

was nothing to work on!). Ian has been " sub-clinical " for over 3

years now and continues to take 5-HTP, omega 3 fatty acids in the

form of fish oil capsules (2grams daily), a B-complex and a calcium

magnesium and zinc supplement as well. We have tweaked his regimen a

few times as I become more knowledgeable and have found specialists

to support us in this area. Dr. Stoll's work on omega 3 fatty acids

and especially in the area of bi-polar and depression has been

instrumental in my use of fish oils vs other omega 3 fatty acid

sources.

As I've mentioned on this list before, I am currently completing my

PhD in nutrition to be in a position to better understand

nutritional/dietary interventions in mental health. The more I learn,

the more I realize I don't know! What a facinating area!

I hope I answered your questions. Take care.

in MA

>

> Hi ,

> I am not a frequest poster to the list but read the posts

nonetheless. I have read in the past of your use of Omega 3s and

well as other nutritional supplementation for your son's OCD.

Apparently, you have had success with or without meds and CBT. I

have a couple of questions: 1) Was your son ever moderate to severe

in his OCD or was he always subclinical, and 2) has your experience

supported the nutritional means of beating OCD such as research is

starting to show with other mental illness such as bi-polar, etc.

The reason I am asking is that I have a friend whose daughter has

been symptom free of her bipolar since going on a gluten/cassein free

diet with mega nutrient supplementation.

> Thanks for any info you pass on.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess,

We used Simply Nutritious Mega Green by Knudsen for my son.

in MA

>

> What was the spirulina/chlorella drink that you gave

> your son?

>

> Tess