Re: re-introduction/Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

Whew! You sound like a woman who has it all together! Bless you

for what you've had to endure! Macie was diagnosed with epilepsy the

same week we found out we were expecting our second child. What a

bundle of mixed up emotions!

Hooray that Atkins seems to be helping! Please know that the

process of changing their metabolism from carb burning to fat burning

can make them tired, moody, etc. for at least a while. I think they

go through carb withdrawal (I'm doing Atkins myself, I know I sure

did!) The tiredness you are seeing may just be a part of that. The

diet does change how they metabolize medicines, too, so you will have

to watch closely for toxicity. Kids on strict keto have issues with

becoming too toxic, even if blood levels indicate a normal range.

Sounds like the neuro is willing to help, so this issue may be

something to take up with the doctor.

I think you've found a great way to start helping your son. Had

I known in the beginning what I know now, that's how I would have

started with my daughter. It may be that some kids need the stricter

keto diet, but this way you'll have a good idea if it will help.

Hoping you'll never see a new med or a scale again! Best

wishes....

Glenna

> Hello All,

> I joined this group back in Sept or so, but life has been quite

> hectic, including my home burning down in the huge Cedar Fire on

> Otober 26th, so I am just re-surfacing with this group. I am also

> expecting a baby in 4 months.

>

> My 7yo son was diagnosed with a seizure disorder in August

> 03. It was unclear what type of seizures he was having, either

> atypical absence or complex partial. He started off with hundreds

> per day, depakote brought them down to about 2-4 per hour. The

> depakote also made my son depressed, actually suicidal, plus took

> away his ability to learn and made me want tranquilizers

>

> has since failed his second drug zarontin. I remember

reading

> that Dr. Freeman recommends starting the keto diet after failing

the

> second drug (of course all my epilepsy books burned so I can't

> reference them any more until I buy more).

>

> 's neuro said that since he failed 2 drugs that he has very

> little chance of any drugs working. I got up the courage to ask

> about the keto diet. The neuro is trained in it, but suggested we

> try atkins instead. So, we are weaning the zarontin and doing

> Atkins. Th neuro said we can wait to start the next drug (which he

> said " might make all hell break out " ) for a few weeks. I hope to

> never start it.

>

> Our first keto day was yesterday and was sz free! He hasn't

> ever been sz free since the szs started! Today he is very

lethargic

> and has had one sz so far today (although he would have normally,

> with drugs, have had about 6 by now). He is also weaning zarontin,

> so the sz could be attributed to that. Whatever, I am pretty

> excited.

>

> I am worried about how I am going to keep up with the diet change

> during all the other re-building/moving/etc upheaval we are in, but

> what a wonderful opportunity we have right now!

>

> My biggest questions right now are:

> 1) how many carbs should I start with. The nuero couldn't

> help me at all. I see that s-Hopkins is starting with

10gms/day

> so that is what we have started with.

>

> 3) If seems too lethargic, should I add more carbs and by

what

> amount should I add or should I just wait in hopes he will adjust

to

> the 10 carbs more?

>

> 2) should we worry about how much protein, or just try to do

> straight Atkins?

>

> I am so glad you all are here!

> keep on keeping on,

> PamMcD