Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I think most kids on the diet act that way for 1-2 weeks while their little bodies are adjusting to the changes. Keto really does completely change the way their bodies process energy, so it has a big impact on them. My daughter never readjusted and recovered her pre-keto energy or happiness. We were told it was just one of the side effects of keto. Only after changing neuros and a few ER trips did we learn that it was much more for our daughter. She was actually in severe metabolic acidosis, which was the cause of her lethargy and unhappiness. If we had not changed neuros, we may have never learned that. For most kids on keto, metabolic acidosis can be treated and controlled while on the diet. For my daughter, unfortunately, it could not. Therefore, we are no longer on keto. All that to say that I would give your son a few more days. If the symptoms continue, I would talk to your neuro about getting his bicarbs checked. Keto kids have lower bicarb levels than people not on the diet, but it should still at least be in the higher teens. If it is lower than that, they need to treat the acidosis so that he can regain his energy level. (My daughter's bicarbs were apparently at 10 for several months, although our neuro never bothered to tell us, and they dipped down to 8 at one of our ER trips). Our current doctor said someone with bicarbs that low would feel like a chemo patient at the height of treatment- not a pleasant thought to know that my daughter felt that way for months with no relief, so I make it a goal to make sure that keto parents who see similar symptoms don't make our mistake. I hope Denis is feeling better soon. Please keep us posted. , mom to Langan, 2 yrs old and keto kid 11/03 to 9/7/04, weaned due to severe and persistent metabolic acidosis, but keto kid at heart forever > > My Denis started the keto diet about 12 days ago. He went into > ketosis easily and his levels seem to be fine. However, the child > has absolutely no energy. When I put him on the floor, he just lays > there and doesn't try to move. He's also fussy and seems to be > constantly dissatisfied. Other than that. however, he eats and > drinks well and doesn't seem to show any health problems. > > Can anyone tell me if this is normal at the start of the diet? Will > he eventually get more energy? If so, how long does it take? if this > is not normal, does anyone have any ideas as to why? We are happy > with the diet as so far we haven't seen any seizures but the lack of > energy worries me. > > Thanks so much. > > --Kasey, mother of Denis, 2.5 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I think most kids on the diet act that way for 1-2 weeks while their little bodies are adjusting to the changes. Keto really does completely change the way their bodies process energy, so it has a big impact on them. My daughter never readjusted and recovered her pre-keto energy or happiness. We were told it was just one of the side effects of keto. Only after changing neuros and a few ER trips did we learn that it was much more for our daughter. She was actually in severe metabolic acidosis, which was the cause of her lethargy and unhappiness. If we had not changed neuros, we may have never learned that. For most kids on keto, metabolic acidosis can be treated and controlled while on the diet. For my daughter, unfortunately, it could not. Therefore, we are no longer on keto. All that to say that I would give your son a few more days. If the symptoms continue, I would talk to your neuro about getting his bicarbs checked. Keto kids have lower bicarb levels than people not on the diet, but it should still at least be in the higher teens. If it is lower than that, they need to treat the acidosis so that he can regain his energy level. (My daughter's bicarbs were apparently at 10 for several months, although our neuro never bothered to tell us, and they dipped down to 8 at one of our ER trips). Our current doctor said someone with bicarbs that low would feel like a chemo patient at the height of treatment- not a pleasant thought to know that my daughter felt that way for months with no relief, so I make it a goal to make sure that keto parents who see similar symptoms don't make our mistake. I hope Denis is feeling better soon. Please keep us posted. , mom to Langan, 2 yrs old and keto kid 11/03 to 9/7/04, weaned due to severe and persistent metabolic acidosis, but keto kid at heart forever > > My Denis started the keto diet about 12 days ago. He went into > ketosis easily and his levels seem to be fine. However, the child > has absolutely no energy. When I put him on the floor, he just lays > there and doesn't try to move. He's also fussy and seems to be > constantly dissatisfied. Other than that. however, he eats and > drinks well and doesn't seem to show any health problems. > > Can anyone tell me if this is normal at the start of the diet? Will > he eventually get more energy? If so, how long does it take? if this > is not normal, does anyone have any ideas as to why? We are happy > with the diet as so far we haven't seen any seizures but the lack of > energy worries me. > > Thanks so much. > > --Kasey, mother of Denis, 2.5 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 It is a natural reaction to starvation and ketones. The body seems to go into a resting state to conserve. After a few more days there should be an adjustment. Keep accurate records of weight loss or gain. Look out for excess ketosis as lethargy is one of the symptoms. If you give a tablespoon of apple juice and he perks up, that could be a sign that ketones are slightly high for him. The diet can also affect how the meds are working and can often cause lethargy when going on the diet. You can see that in Dr. Freeman's book about the diet as well as many observations by parents here. You are very lucky to have him eating and drinking well, not to mention no seizures. Whatever you are doing you are on the right track. The rest is fine tuning and dealing with side effects of the diet. Bill kcv wrote: > > My Denis started the keto diet about 12 days ago. He went into > ketosis easily and his levels seem to be fine. However, the child > has absolutely no energy. When I put him on the floor, he just lays > there and doesn't try to move. He's also fussy and seems to be > constantly dissatisfied. Other than that. however, he eats and > drinks well and doesn't seem to show any health problems. > > Can anyone tell me if this is normal at the start of the diet? Will > he eventually get more energy? If so, how long does it take? if this > is not normal, does anyone have any ideas as to why? We are happy > with the diet as so far we haven't seen any seizures but the lack of > energy worries me. > > Thanks so much. > > --Kasey, mother of Denis, 2.5 years > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 It is a natural reaction to starvation and ketones. The body seems to go into a resting state to conserve. After a few more days there should be an adjustment. Keep accurate records of weight loss or gain. Look out for excess ketosis as lethargy is one of the symptoms. If you give a tablespoon of apple juice and he perks up, that could be a sign that ketones are slightly high for him. The diet can also affect how the meds are working and can often cause lethargy when going on the diet. You can see that in Dr. Freeman's book about the diet as well as many observations by parents here. You are very lucky to have him eating and drinking well, not to mention no seizures. Whatever you are doing you are on the right track. The rest is fine tuning and dealing with side effects of the diet. Bill kcv wrote: > > My Denis started the keto diet about 12 days ago. He went into > ketosis easily and his levels seem to be fine. However, the child > has absolutely no energy. When I put him on the floor, he just lays > there and doesn't try to move. He's also fussy and seems to be > constantly dissatisfied. Other than that. however, he eats and > drinks well and doesn't seem to show any health problems. > > Can anyone tell me if this is normal at the start of the diet? Will > he eventually get more energy? If so, how long does it take? if this > is not normal, does anyone have any ideas as to why? We are happy > with the diet as so far we haven't seen any seizures but the lack of > energy worries me. > > Thanks so much. > > --Kasey, mother of Denis, 2.5 years > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 Bill and , thanks so much for your replies regarding Denis' low energy. Regarding acidosis, Denis actually experienced this during his first week in the hospital. He went into ketosis fairly quickly but because his neuro and dietician had gone for the day, the nurses insisted on continuing his fast (against my pleas) until the next morning. During the night he began to throw up and sweat. The next morning they put him on an IV and warned us about the importance of getting enough liquids in him. We've been vigilant about his drinking and have not seen anymore vomiting or sweating since then. So I'm hoping acidosis is not the problem right now. But I will ask to have his bi-carbs checked on our next visit for sure. Thanks again for the info and support! --Kasey, mother of Denis 2.5 years > > > > My Denis started the keto diet about 12 days ago. He went into > > ketosis easily and his levels seem to be fine. However, the child > > has absolutely no energy. When I put him on the floor, he just > lays > > there and doesn't try to move. He's also fussy and seems to be > > constantly dissatisfied. Other than that. however, he eats and > > drinks well and doesn't seem to show any health problems. > > > > Can anyone tell me if this is normal at the start of the diet? > Will > > he eventually get more energy? If so, how long does it take? if > this > > is not normal, does anyone have any ideas as to why? We are happy > > with the diet as so far we haven't seen any seizures but the lack > of > > energy worries me. > > > > Thanks so much. > > > > --Kasey, mother of Denis, 2.5 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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