Add And Bipolar

[9yroldgirl]

Hi! I'm new. My daughter was diagnosed with ADD, bipolar disorder and low blood sugar problems. Blood tests also reavealed possible celiac. After 3 months on a gluten free diet she was still having problems with stomach cramps. Husband and I tried something different- a holistic doctor who suggested a yeast free diet with a gluten free diet for our 9 year-old daughter. OK, the yeast free diet lasted 2 to 3 weeks, but got rid of the stomach cramps. We continued gluten free. Two months later we took her off of Seroquel (bipolar meds). She was much happier, calmer and spunkier. She still takes Focalin (ADD meds) and her symptoms seem to be improving with time. Hopefully we can eventually take her off that medicine too. We have realized that the less sugar, the fewer hypoglycemic symptoms she has. In first, second and third grade her teachers sat her in an isolated desk either in a corner or away from classmates. Now she's in fourth grade and sits with a group of classmates for the first time.

Any similar struggles?

[confusedks]

This is really interesting. I was actually googling ADHD (which is different than ADD, but kinda similar) because my friends little brother was diagnosed with it and they of course put him on meds for it immediately. The parents are fairly unwilling to try diet changes such as a Gluten-free Casein-free (gluten free, casein free) diet. It is great to hear that you have had improvements. I need to look up the connections between ADHD, ADD and bipolar and a gluten free diet. I know about Autism, but need further research.

Good for you for not taking the typical route and researching it further!

Kassandra

[Ridgewalker]

Our family just brought up the possibility of my 4-year-old being bipolar about a week ago. Celiac runs in my family, so I put him on a gluten-free diet. My husband and I are convinced that he is bipolar. But our doc was supportive of the diet- she said that even if he is bipolar (as opposed to Celiac) the diet may help him. If you're interested in reading about his story, go to Open Original Shared Link

It's very encouraging to hear about your daughter's improvement!!!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I need to look up the connections between ADHD, ADD and bipolar and a gluten free diet. I know about Autism, but need further research.

The connections with ADD/ADHD and autism are identical--ADD/ADHD are considered to be on the "autism spectrum."

[confusedks]

Fiddle-Faddle,

Thanks for that info! I will print out some info about the connection and give it to my friend!

Kassandra

[missy'smom]

If anyone comes across and good resources please pass it on if it's not too much trouble. My son has ADHD and I keep searching.

Confusedks, My kiddo is not on meds for a medical reason but it is a very lonely and difficult road to choose, my decision is NOT respected, even with the medical reason and a doctor advising against it. The pressure to use drugs is ENORMOUS, by school staff at every level and most doctors and psychologists. If you don't put your kid on meds you have to stand up to the entire system, and when you have a kid with ADHD you need the help of that very system. I'm just sharing this to help you understand how to help your friends.

9yroldgirl, let us know how it goes.

[Lizking531]

Yeah, dont you just love how meds are the ONLY way to go with some folks? I went through all sorts of GI stuff & went through all the tests and finally took it upon myself to go gluten-free. When I went in for my follow up appt with my GI specialist - he straight told me that I don't have Celiac Sprue & to stop that diet. I told him that the diet made me feel better & he said "it doens't matter, you dont have Celiac - heres some antibiotics". It took over a month to get my test results back (blood, stool, biopsy, and Breath test) I told him about pains that I'm having (then & now), sharp side pains - kidney area - directly related to when a BM is coming on - and he said "I feel the lump you're talking about, it isn't GI" - thats it, no other info or reason or anything.

So after 45 days on my antibiotic (and off my gluten free diet ) I'm back to where I started & I'm not going to the doctor anymore & I'm going strictly Gluten-Free again. Yeah 45 days on an anitbiotic & my sympstom were better for about a week. Great results.............

I don't want to publicly slander any docs out there, but if anyone is seeking treatment in the Louisville area - send me a message & I'll tell which doctor to avoid.