ADD/ADHD alternative treatments

[mamalc]

So, I'm a bit confused, I thought I'd already posted this, but now I can't find it. Apologies if you have to read similar messages from me twice. I'm new here ;)

Anyway, my 9 yo son has officially undiagnosed ADD/ADHA. That is, Me and DH are fairly sure that's what he's got. We've been researching for ages, reading books, the net etc. We're not too keen on him taking drugs, but realise that they work for lots of children and may be a solution for him. First we'd like to try herbal/homeopathy/etc solutions though. I've found lots of recommendations from different sources e.g. ginko bilboa, Focus Brightspark, fishoils and Chinese herbs. Please could somebody share what works for them? Any advice at all is very much appreciated. Thank you

i would speak to your GP about your concerns so they can do some assessments. Some medical conditions have similar signs to ADD/ADHD. My son (5yo) has di-george syndrome and adhd could be part of it (although he is borderline at most). My son is alot more "hyper" and uncontrollable when he has eaten alot of sugary drinks, eg cola, fruitshoot or eaten sugary foods like chocolate, sweets so we minimise these and swop the drinks for dialuted down pure orange.

It may come back that your son has lots of energy to use up! Wish I had that problem!

Never heard of di-george syndrome. Off to google it now!

We've used herbs as part of autism treatment (our ds has recovered from early onset autism).

Most were to treat infections - we did a variety of testing to be more sure about what infections they were and we also took them ourselves first to learn more about them.
Also we didn't start with herbs - we started with diet (SCD) + epsom salt baths and digestive enzymes. We learnt it was importnat to go very low and slow with our sensitive children.
Then vitamins and minerals (when tests showed deficiencies) and cultured foods and then herbs like oregano oil and artemesia.
Now we understand the importance of herns we are using them in our meals more and more (hoping to grow more this year).

This sounds fascinating Sandy, could you provide some more info, links etc?

Hi. My son is 6.5 and has dx of ADHD. He is not medicated and we have managed the condition with diet and supplements. I have also researched homeopathic alternatives. You have probably logged on to:

www.trusthomeopathy.org

and searched on ADHD. They have a few interesting articles. They have a women doctor who works out of Gt. Ormand St - can't remember her name but it sounds Greek, will try and find it. Be careful with any medication purchased through websites, including any natural remedy website. I know about the focus and bright spark tablets you are referring to and have done research on the South African lady who developed it. I would not buy anything this way and feed to my child. You must meet and discuss your child with an approved practitioner. The British Homeopathic Association has a great booklet including their details.

I am interested to know why you have not seeked a formal dx.

Her name is Marysia Kratimenos ... here is her article:

www.trusthomeopathy.org/export/sites/bha_site/hh_article_bank/conditions_a_to_e/spring_2 001.2_ADHD.pdf

Sandy, that sounds very interesting. I'd like to know more as well, if you've got any links Although the treatment for ADHD might not be the same as for autism...? Still, it's great that he's recovered, I've never heard of that happening before.

Icandothat, no I wouldn't buy anything from an unknown source on the Internet, I just wasn't sure if perhaps you could get Brightspark from other "approved" sources. I'll contact the homeopathic society, thank you.

About not seeing doctor about it :We've only just started realising that he might actually have ADHD and not just be an awkward child ;) I don't know what to tell my son if/when I take him to the doctor's. I don't want to say that there might be something "wrong" with him, take him to the doctors only to be told that there's nothing wrong at all. Because if that happens then what do I say to my son? That he's just naughty? Not sure what to do for the best.

Oh thanks. You posted that link while I was typing Off to have a look now.

What are his symptoms and what do his teachers say? He would have to have been like it since a little one (if you see what i mean). Bright Sparks are only available on-line, I've researched masses on these products - FYI, the BHS do not know of it or the woman who developed it.

what do epsom salt baths do?
what is a SCD diet?

thanks

Hi people
We too do a variation of scd. It stands for Specific carbohydrate diet. if you google it there's loads of info online.
Epsom salts help with sulfation - rosemary waring has written some papers on it in relation to asd. The magnesium component has been really useful in helping our ds (4 years old - with autism) become calm and helps him sleep.
Take a look at www.treatingautism.co.uk for more info on diets for autism.
My son has done really well since we cleaned up his diet. He sleeps better, his constipation is gone, his pallor has diminished and he generally seems happier and calmer. He used to 'hump' all day and did this froom a very young age. That's gone too!

j
x

thanks. will have a look at this.