Re: MEDS/STEVIA-- Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi Gretchen,

We go to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. (We live

approximately 40-45 miles north of Pittsburgh) Our dietician at CHP

has not yet given me her opinion of the Stevia. My keto coach is

the one who said the powdered form contains hidden carbs. Neelam

(the dietician) has been in India for a month, so I haven't had much

communication with her. We spoke briefly before she left, but that

was way before I really knew much about the diet and was still

trying to get " the book " , and get connected to a fabulous group like

this! She is supposed to be back in her office today so I will be

calling her soon. I'll let you know what she says.

While we are on the subject.... The only liquid form I can find of

Stevia has grapefruit seed extract which I know causes problems with

some meds. Do you know if Lamictal or Zonegran are one of them??

We've never been told Adrielle couldn't have grapefruit, so I'm

guessing no, but I'd like to be sure!

As far as what we've both been told about meds and seizure increase,

I'm wondering if this is just what all neuros are taught in med

school?? It certainly is frustrating from a parent's perspective

when we are the ones who know our children better than anyone, and

we are with them 24/7! I try not to go to far off the " deep end "

when I discuss these issues and I pick my battles. I want to

maintain a good relationship with our neuro and I want her to know

that I am a level headed parent who is great to work with. So I try

to keep my attitude in check! I've learned how to handle it really

well at this point! I'm sure you can relate!! It's just

frustrating when so many parents say the same things.... you would

think that eventually someone out there would pick up on it and

maybe look into it a little closer?? Oh well, there's always hope!

Take care,

> >

> > I was wondering if someone could give me info on Stevia? We

have

> > used the powdered form of stevia for a long time now with

> Adrielle,

> > but was told that it could not be used on the diet. They said

> that

> > anything made into a powdered form has carbs in it. Even though

> it

> > says 0 carbs on the label I was told that they just weren't

> listing

> > the carb amount because it is less than 1 gram.

> >

> > In my welcome email it said that a lot of parents on this list

use

> > stevia. So is there a liquid form, or is the person I'm talking

> to

> > just not informed enough?? I've never seen a liquid form where I

> > purchase it.

> >

> > thanks for the help!

> >

> > , mom to Princess Adrielle, starting the diet on 10/31/04

[Guest guest]

HI,

I didn't realize liquid Stevia has grapefruit extract in it. Ask

about grapefruit and meds, I think she knows all about it. I

might be wrong, but I don't think it interacts with lamictal. I

don't know about zonagran. I think it interferes with klonipin.

But, like I said, I might have the meds mixed up. Superior Source

puts out a pure powdered stevia, and it is potent! It has got to be

lower in trace carbs than the grocery store SweetLeaf brand. I find

the pure stuff hard to use, because you use such a tiny bit. But, I

am trying to make the change. YOur dietician might not give you the

go ahead on Stevia, ours never did; but don't let that stop you

making the decision for yourself. Lots of families use it.

I try to stay positive about past experiences, too. And I'm not

even all that angry at our old nuero. I think he had my son's best

interest in mind; it's just that what he thought was best was not!

I should have followed my gut. Also, keto was very difficult for my

son to start; and I think knowing that we had no other options was

important in our steadfastness those first 3 months. It really

helped knowing that there were no drugs at all that would help him,

or maybe I would have given up.

Gretchen mom to Ethan 11 keto since Feb 04, med free since May 04

siezure free since June 04

> > >

> > > I was wondering if someone could give me info on Stevia? We

> have

> > > used the powdered form of stevia for a long time now with

> > Adrielle,

> > > but was told that it could not be used on the diet. They said

> > that

> > > anything made into a powdered form has carbs in it. Even

though

> > it

> > > says 0 carbs on the label I was told that they just weren't

> > listing

> > > the carb amount because it is less than 1 gram.

> > >

> > > In my welcome email it said that a lot of parents on this list

> use

> > > stevia. So is there a liquid form, or is the person I'm

talking

> > to

> > > just not informed enough?? I've never seen a liquid form where

I

> > > purchase it.

> > >

> > > thanks for the help!

> > >

> > > , mom to Princess Adrielle, starting the diet on 10/31/04