Question about keto and illness

[Guest guest]

Hello all. Sorry I have been MIA. We are still on keto, but on the

lower ratio, and are in the " wait and see " mode to see if the

acidosis is controlled at this ratio and if we can still keep some

seizure control. So far, Langan is much happier, stronger AND until

recently the seizures had spread back out to once a week.

Over the weekend, Langan was waking up screaming at night. We

assumed it was seizures and were planning to call the neuro Monday

to stop keto and start the meds. We just needed some sleep and

needed to give Langan some relief! Well, at the peds office on

Monday (for routine bloodwork), I asked the ped to look in Langan's

ears " just in case " . Lo and behold, a " severe ear infection " . So

that is probably what had her up screaming at night. No mother of

the year award coming this direction....

Anyway, she has been in good spirits, except at night, but they put

her on amoxycillin b/c of keto and she is having 6-10 watery BMs a

day. Ugh. And not wanting to eat or drink much, which is a problem

for her acidosis issues. She slept through her afternoon meal, so I

gave it to her a few hours late. Here's my question: Do I give her

the 4th meal and her snack, even though they will not be as spaced

apart as they usually are? Or do I skip one or both? My concern is

not letting her get too acidotic. I am willing to give up some

seizure control during illness as long as the acidosis remains

controlled. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

, mom to Langan, 2 yrs old and keto kid since 11/03; med free

since 4/2/04; almost stopped keto due to metabolic acidosis, but now

on a 3:1 ratio and sticking to it!!

[Guest guest]

WEndy,

Wow... glad to hear that Langan is doing better on a low ratio.

Sorry about the ear infection, though. If it makes you feel any

better, I've done the same thing.

I would try to get as much food into her as possible without a major

struggle. If you can't, you can't. I wouldn't worry as much about

the timing right now. I think your concern about not letting her get

too ketotic while she's sick is more important, especially since

she's been prone to that. Maybe a favorite meal would be appealing

to her? Did your dietician give you a " sick day " drink

suggestion.... diluted pedialyte or gatorade? That worked well for

us when it was hard to eat because the small amount of sugar kept

ketones from going crazy and the liquid kept her at least minimally

hydrated. Banana can be good for watery BMs. I know she can't have

much, but maybe make a smoothie with some cream?

Sometimes the " cure " is as bad as the sickness, eh? I hope things

get back to normal soon!

Cammie

> Hello all. Sorry I have been MIA. We are still on keto, but on

the

> lower ratio, and are in the " wait and see " mode to see if the

> acidosis is controlled at this ratio and if we can still keep some

> seizure control. So far, Langan is much happier, stronger AND

until

> recently the seizures had spread back out to once a week.

>

> Over the weekend, Langan was waking up screaming at night. We

> assumed it was seizures and were planning to call the neuro Monday

> to stop keto and start the meds. We just needed some sleep and

> needed to give Langan some relief! Well, at the peds office on

> Monday (for routine bloodwork), I asked the ped to look in Langan's

> ears " just in case " . Lo and behold, a " severe ear infection " . So

> that is probably what had her up screaming at night. No mother of

> the year award coming this direction....

>

> Anyway, she has been in good spirits, except at night, but they put

> her on amoxycillin b/c of keto and she is having 6-10 watery BMs a

> day. Ugh. And not wanting to eat or drink much, which is a

problem

> for her acidosis issues. She slept through her afternoon meal, so

I

> gave it to her a few hours late. Here's my question: Do I give

her

> the 4th meal and her snack, even though they will not be as spaced

> apart as they usually are? Or do I skip one or both? My concern

is

> not letting her get too acidotic. I am willing to give up some

> seizure control during illness as long as the acidosis remains

> controlled. Any thoughts?

>

> Thanks!

>

> , mom to Langan, 2 yrs old and keto kid since 11/03; med free

> since 4/2/04; almost stopped keto due to metabolic acidosis, but

now

> on a 3:1 ratio and sticking to it!!