Attn: Anne / Re: Ben

[Guest guest]

Hi Anne,

Not sure if you remember me or not, as I rarely post anymore. I just can't

bring myself to sign off from the list.

I am so sorry to hear that Ben is having seizures again. I know how

difficult that is. I have no words of wisdom, can only share my experience with

you.

Ainsley is 15 years old now has been on the diet for 7-1/2 years. 2-1/2

years ago we we were weaning down on the diet, not with the idea of coming off

the

diet, just hopes of managing her seizures by a modified Atkins. Well, all _

_ _ _ broke loose when we got down to a ratio of 1.4:1. I was devasted. As

well as the seizure activity Ainsley was experiencing psychotic behaviour,

prompting me to act fast to try to " save " her from that awful spiral downward.

It

was terrible. Anyway, you can guess what your choices are going to be . . .

add drugs, OR go up on the ratio. We chose to go up on the ratio to a 3.3:1,

which helped immensely! But, it was more difficult than I expected to take

away some of the foods she was able to eat on the lower ratio. It was so hard.

Ainsley is currently on a 2.8:1 ratio and does have a minor (blip in her day)

seizure about every three weeks or so. Certainly something we can live with

at this time. Part of our problem is dealing with impending puberty.

A key to part of our success (now at least) is maintaining steady weight

gain. Yes, I said weight GAIN. I try to have her gain 1-1/2 to 2 pounds a

month

to keep up with her curve on the chart. She's still only in the 0 %. Take a

peak at your weight/growth chart and see if that offers any clues. I'd be

happy to give you my .02 cents if you'd like

Also, I found I needed to go back and check the nutritional values of some of

the foods I was using. Over this long period of time, some values did indeed

change. I also found that some foods she was able to eat at one point, she

can no longer eat now. Go figure.

If I can help at all, please don't hesitate to ask Anne.

Lori R.