What do you think?
We have always tried to limit certain items from our diets, or rather our children’s diets. Artificial colorings, artificial flavors, artificial sweetners, preservatives and on and on. It just makes sense not to introduce these man-made, often byproducts into their little bodies.
Whole foods, whole grains – that’s what we strive to eat. We limit medications and use alternative solutions wherever possible. I’m well on my way to being a crunchy mama. But the road is long.
So I read a great book that deals with a certain condition and so many people made great strides by eliminating “environmental allergies”. I never did really figure out what “environmental allergies” were, but based on the name, I’m going with cleaning products, outgassing from furniture, carpeting and paints and such. To include outdoor sources like grass, pollen, pollution.
We decided to have Pete tested for allergies because it seemed the next logical step. BN has allergies as do I. Today, I gooped up his arms with Lydocaine and took him in. 66 “tests” later and he’s allergic to all the grass tests and some dog allergies. Glad he wasn’t allergic to cats. I’d hate to have to get rid of Kubi girl because I’m not sold on long-term allergy shots. Next week we go back for another 20-some “tests”.
So I asked this allergist about food testing. Did he do these? He knows my concerns about Pete from our consultation. He said he doesn’t do food testing unless the patient presents with hives or similar physical reactions. I think if I fork over $550, he should test for whatever I want. However, HE doesn’t believe behavior problems or other such conditions are caused by foods.
Well, allrighty then. Guess we are on our own for this portion of our journey.
~R
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A health professional who doesn’t think food is linked to behavior? Those of us on the front lines (ie., moms) beg to differ…
BTW, thanks for the glimmer of hope about maybe having clean socks in my sock basket someday…I’ve suspected that once the little ‘uns aren’t so little things might be different, so it’s very good to hear that this might actually be true…
find an allergist who WILL test?
i’m sure there is one out there.
I found out that some things used to make my daughter, um, grumpy. Until she was about eight or nine, for example, I could not let her eat Capn’ Crunch with Crunchberries. I know that’s awful stuff by the way, and haven’t bought it for years… but OMG even in someone else’s comment section I digress!!
ANYWAY.
Hub and I used to joke out of her hearing that the makers of the cereal must add a good portion of a$$hole powder, because within half an hour of consuming a bowl, she was a raving a$$hole.
I have a friend or three who have not had kids tested, but have removed foods with dyes (particularly red dyes) from their children’s diet and found a huge difference.
I do think different things affect them. No doubts here. I know things affect me, so why should my kids be any different. Intolerances are a big pain!
The allergist only claims foods aren’t linked to behavior because there haven’t been enough studies done, and not enough people have complained about it. Think of how long it took for even doctors to admit cigarettes were bad. They’ll come around someday, and the good news is you don’t have to wait for their official opinion to change in order for you to change how your family eats. (Although it would make the search for safe foods easier.)
And like asbestos, one day I imagine it will be common knowledge that formaldehyde in carpets was a bad idea. We are slowly, ever so slowly, working our way into a safe home “environment,” replacing pillows and carpets with safer alternatives. Mattresses are the next step. It’s just all so expensive, and unfair that choosing the healthier (meaning not poisonous, imagine that!) alternative should cost more.
GAH! You did leave me a note which I filed away, got sick, and promptly forgot. So sorry!
Knitting:
So, I started off by watching someone else and getting shown how. Didn’t take the first time or 2nd or 3rd… Finally, I tried again last year and it stuck. I watched videos online from Knitting Help dot com (fabulous!). I chatted with friends online when I got stuck.
I started with something smaller and rectangular. I would recommend getting some easy yarn to work with and trying something like a dishcloth. Small and doable. For needles, I got some at Wal-Mart and Jo-Anns to start with. Now that I love it, I am springing for the better needles like the Addi Turbos.
For a size to start with, kind of depends on the yarn that you get. If you want to email me, I can hook you up with a lot of links and stuff. I’d be happy to help.
Sorry it took so long. Mini-self-crises and illness here derailed me. I am coming back though.
That’s ridiculous! I can’t believe there is an allergist who believes that!
I have a cousin and an aunt who are both highly allergic to corn. The cousin also is highly allergic to red dyes. Guess how the allergy manifests itself? Extreme hyperactivity and downright bizarre behavior. Sometimes they will get red splotches (though not exactly hives) too, but not always. Cutting the corn and red dye out of their diets helped dramatically. I think my cousin also has a problem with cow’s milk.
There’s a place in Wichita that does this type of testing. Here’s the link:
http://www.brightspot.org/
They are the ones who did my aunt’s and cousin’s allergy testing. They came up from Texas just to go to this place.
And HELL YEAH $550 should get you the whole set of tests!
Have you read Is This Your Child by Dolores Rapp? That book may be helpful.
I’m really blown away that your allergist said that because I have met quite a few families who have their children on special diets because of ADD/ADHD. They have discovered that their children have certain foods which trigger the behavior. I figured this was getting to be pretty widely accepted. Unfortunately it isn’t as easy as keeping them away from artificial colors and sweetners or too much sugar. Some of these kids are allergic to common foods like corn, wheat, and milk.
Jenni – let it all out girl!
Actually, we are not concerned due to ADHD or ADD. Something else. But same difference.
Maybe we can swing by this office on our trip to CO. haha
And the corn, wheat, milk part is what I was really interested in.
yeah I mentioned this on plurk didn’t I? I forgot about corn but that is one we are wondering if it triggers our oldest. I have also read that if the kids LOVE it, CRAVE it then it may just be the culprit. He LOVES corn. I need to do some more looking into this too.
Thanks Jenni for that link. Seeings how it is only 30 minutes from my hometown I think I will have the oldest tested next time I am in town! Oh shit! I just went to the site and My MOM has gone there before!!! Doh’!
We had a family over for supper one night and they’re concerned their son is autistic as well as ADD. Guess what they were juicing him up all night with? Coca Cola! Can after can. Then they were wondering as the night wore on why he was misbehaving.
A good book to read it “The Food Allergy Cure” by someone, I can’t remember right now. The book not only talks about food allergies that would show up on tests, but other foods that wouldn’t show up as a true allergy but that will cause different reactions because a person doesn’t digest it right or has an intolerance. Excellent book.
I believe it’s all the crap and additives that are in what once was food.
Also, caffeine drinks and sugary drinks are like pumping kids full of adrenalin and wearing their poor little bodies out.
Lots of people are allergic to wheat gluten… milk products… corn. I have a friend who gets leg cramps whenever she eats anything that has potato starch or flour in it.
I know I’m allergic to everything. My body is all round and puffed out. bwaa ha ha ha ha. (oops, I guess that is caused by eating tooooooooooo much.)
I sure hope you find an answer.