sbgrace
-
Posts
7,144 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by sbgrace
-
-
I have one kid with many imaginary friends and I've heard many an argument and "stop it" in his conversations.
-
Thank you. I am on a supplement that includes carnitine as the naturopath has prescribed it.
I'm sorry to bring this back up many pages beyond. Feel free to ignore me. But if your naturopath saw symptoms of (or signs in testing) mitochondrial issues you really should be on tischon corporation coq10 (epic4health is the supplier). It's a huge part of mito support. My boys and I take 200 mg per day. For me this made all the difference in my functioning/health but my coq10 levels were extremely low. Also, if you've got mito issues there is a significant chance she inherited something as well (not a given..but lots of moms pass it along to their kids as I did to mine).
-
Yes, she was always sick (so much so that we were threatened by CPS about her school attendance), her SPD worsened, and developed bladder infections that turned out to be OCD. But, my issues with my mental and physical health could very well be the culprit, not just vaccines. A good naturopath will treat either or both. I just need to do it.
Carmen,
Is there a possibility of metabolic issues (mitochondrial for example) with both of you? Is fatigue part of your picture? I posted a link to information I wrote about signs of metabolics on the special needs carnitine thread. You might look and see if it fits with what's going on w/either of you. If you have questions let me know.
-
In my experience with my son when kids regress (mine did between 18 months and 2 years without vaccines) they regress in multiple areas. It's not just that learning gets harder or doesn't proceed at the same rate.
Lots of regression (including that triggered by vaccines) is actually metabolic in nature. But you'd see physical changes too--especially increased fatigue.
I would wonder about a learning disability. The things she was doing at the younger ages required a different type of thinking and were less complex than what she's doing now. Things have bumped up (I believe third grade is commonly when this happens) and she's struggling. I'm wondering, since you mentioned phonics, if dyslexia might be an issue? It affects math as well. Outside of that there are so many learning disorders that could cause the difficulty you're seeing.
-
Does anyone cut boy hair with weird cowlicks?
I would love to cut hair here. All three of my male folk have identical unruly cowlicks (three to be exact on each head). I took the boys once to walmart and the lady botched them because of those cowlicks and I've been to afraid to even try because of that. I tried to cut my husband's hair when we were first married. It went badly. I took him to my mom who cuts my dad's hair all the time and she couldn't do it either though she did better than me. My husband's is thick and I don't think I'll attempt him again but the boys I'd be willing to try if someone thought it was doable?
Their hair is straight too and one if fine hair on top of it so maybe w/the cowlick they are too complicated?
-
In I'm happy to give information. This is information I put together on another board about signs of mitochondrial/metabolic issues. http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=734501 The mitochondrial specific information is in the middle of my post. See if it fits. Even among those who share the same DNA mutation mito can (and does) present very different and one might be incredibly affected and another seemingly not at all or very mildly. Mito is very variable both in presentation and outcomes/progression.
Formal mitochondrial testing is really complex and there are limited experts to see because of the complexity. Awareness is still spotty too even though this is more common than the metabolic conditions everyone knows. Carnitine is one of the initial tests. http://www.umdf.org/site/c.otJVJ7MMIqE/b.5692885/k.E71C/Getting_a_Diagnosis.htm The ones listed on this page under metabolic screening in blood and urine are the initial labs a metabolic neuro/geneticist/etc. who knows mito would run on a child or adult who appears to have symptoms. Many would run coq10 as well. However, there are few doctors who know enough about mito so most people have to travel to see someone unless they are lucky w/location. Further, a regular doctor could order the labs if they were willing but wouldn't know how to interpret. Metabolics is very complicated in general. Example: a doctor finally ran a really basic metabolic lab that came up abnormal but no doctor he spoke with (at our Children's Hospital...knowledgeable experts) could figure out what it might mean beyond something is wrong with him metabolically. I was put on a wait list of six months to consult w/metabolics. I figured out on my own it might mean mito and went to Cleveland with an, at that time, extremely sick child. Beyond that mitochondrial is complicated and invasive right now to diagnose even with the experts in the field.
If I had it to do over this is what I would do with my son. I would find a doctor who would run a metametrix comprehensive urine test. It will often pick up mitochondrial and other fat metabolism markers. If I got them I would treat according to umdf.org guidelines as if my child had mito. I would probably go ahead and get carnitine checked and coq10 before I started supplementing in case I needed to show that information to someone in the future or if I needed to track response. If my child was sicker than my son ended up being (after we corrected carnitine levels) I would consider going to one of the field experts for complete formal testing and diagnosis. But for mild mitochondrial issues that don't appear to be life threatening I would treat as if without the medical diagnosis following us (and the bills for testing and the invasive nature of it; I've been told that at some point in the future testing will very likely be a blood test that's not invasive or complicated like dx. is now). Most mito doctors use coq10 by tischon corporation sold by epic4health exclusively.
My son was extremely sick and declining daily by the time we figured this out. But he is doing well now. I would call him "mildishly" affected at this point. I don't know how it will play out in the future because he was not mild as an infant/toddler/preschooler. In contrast, I have always been lowish tone and that's all (and not even aware of that until I was aware of what that meant because of my son's low tone). I got sick soon after my son was diagnosed--so about age 36. My doctors couldn't figure it out. My carnitine was normal so I felt it wasn't mito since Andrew had been so low in carnitine. My son's geneticist at a regular six month appointment asked me if something was wrong with me. I told him how fatigued I was and the other symptoms I was having. The geneticist told me if I tested he was certain I would have low coq10 and that he felt I had the same condition as my son (hence the low coq10). And my coq10 was extremely low. We tested my seemingly healthy son (not low tone)--carnitine, coq10, metametrix urine. He had markers in that metametrix and normal-like (suboptimal it was termed) coq10, normal carnitine. The geneticist feels he is mito and either not yet triggered or has some protective DNA that's inter-playing via his daddy. So...here we are. I'm following what I suggested above for the rest of us and treating as if. Most mito is only in one kid/spontaneous mutations in my understanding.
My son's geneticist told us the understanding is evolving even in the last six months.
Let me know if you have questions.
-
The vast majority of our time is still free play and reading great books together.
We plan to keep going this summer but it's:
Reading every day (primarily BRI-I See Sam Readers-at this point)
Rightstart
Handwriting (HWOT) or other fine motor
bible (this is fun/active/we start the day there)
LHFHG for literature, history, etc.
It takes us however long it takes us but I'm playing off how it's going. I don't hesitate to take more than a day for a Rightstart lesson if we're just not attentive on a particular day, we might do cutting stuff instead of Handwriting w/out Tears on a day that the concentration is shot, etc.
I don't hit them all boom, boom, boom most days. Oh, we school four days a week year round.
-
My ds has low tone and ADHD. Are you saying that these supplements help with that? And did you dr. diagnose the low carnitine and prescribe the supplements?
Well, low tone is often caused by metabolic stuff (though unless a child is declining and/or shows other symptoms I would not go down that trail). The most common metabolic conditions (still rare in the whole scheme of life) that cause low tone have to do with fat metabolism and carnitine helps with fat metabolism. For us the biggest physical change was in my son's energy/fatigue level.
I remember reading somewhere that ADHD-I might have mitochondrial origins in some kids. I wouldn't be surprised (true in other things like autism where they find mito signs in testing in 25% give or take). OCD is sometimes connected to mito too. So ADHD link (in some) wouldn't surprise me at all. In those kids carnitine is going to be helpful at some level.
Plasma carnitine is a blood test/blood level. Any doctor can order it though they will likely have to look up the code as it's not a common test.
FWIW, the most common metabolic conditions last time I checked (Mitochondrial Disorder and CPTII) involve carnitine. So I wish there was more awareness on this matter. When a child or adult presents with fatigue for example I'd like to see carnitine and coq10 tested along with anemia/b12/thyroid. it should be routine imo. :tongue_smilie: Never mind. I'm going off topic!
-
Thank you for the MFW information. I may try it--just not sure I want to go through the bible start to end again because we've done that in twice HOD (LHTH and LHFHG) and our own home devotional times too--so three times in 1.5 years when we're done and I'm just feeling the need for more. So maybe I need something else for 1st grade.
Or maybe not. I don't know what I want.
Well, I do know what I want. I want a bible/discipleship curriculum (apart from other stuff is fine with me at this point) that makes things come alive and inspires them to incorporate what they learn into their hearts and minds. I'm just thinking it doesn't exist.
Coral, I'll look at the Charlotte Mason stuff--thank you. My kids love literature (the T. Burgess stuff in HOD is their favorite part). That said, I'm wondering if the CM material is hands on enough though for the ages of my boys? Do you think?
-
I did the A kit in case it didn't work for us. I only have one abacus which, so far, has worked fine with my twin boys because I prefer to do math one at a time with them anyway. One is more math inclined than the other but I'm in no rush--I want it solid and so I keep them at the same spot. That's easier for me but I still teach it individually so I can tailor the speed, amount of games, etc. to the child.
-
Dawn,
That is really helpful. Thank you. In looking at MFW 1st grade--is that a journey through the bible starting with the old testament? I can't tell in looking at their samples online. HOD has done that (twice now). At what age would you look at Adventures? My kids are six but just now learning to read so they won't be solid at seven I don't think.
-
I don't know if this exists.
My boys are six. I've got solid core subjects--math, phonics, handwriting for us right now. What I really want is something that helps disciple them in Christ--developing a heart love for God and a seeking heart more than these are the rules/legalistic.
I'm doing HOD right now. In the second half of LHFHG and, as far as I can tell, the next level up as well there isn't daily bible outside of bible memory work. I know faith is infused but I'm finding myself wanting (and adding) much more. I'd like a curriculum that does that for me if it exists?
I can't tell if MFW is that curriculum or if it's much like HOD in that respect and/or if it's all other/mission focused. Are there other options? Would I be better adding in a separate curriculum for the bible/"heart work" area--if so what?
-
We couldn't. But it's because of health care costs (and related extra food costs--we're dealing with a metabolic condition and life threatening food allergies). Without even considering the extra food costs we average $1000 per month in medical expenses. So no way. With our food restrictions I couldn't afford to feed a family of eight on the 49K we live on now I don't think--let alone clothing everyone and paying for even more medicine and tests/appointments. I guess God knew what he was doing when he only gave us two children.
-
I'm so very, very sorry. I will pray for the entire family.
I know you are all in shock right now and will be for some time but for later, if it might help your sister in law--
I lost a brother in law (though my sister's husband in this case rather than a sibling) several years ago. My sister found support in an online "young" widows forum. http://www.ywbb.org/forums/ubbthreads.php Of course she also needed real life support/help.
-
My son takes carnitine for a metabolic (mitochondrial) issue. He was extremely carnitine deficient--very low plasma levels. His levels did go normal (even high) with supplementation. We saw huge cognitive (and physical) improvement in him but he was very sick when he started. I didn't see any attention improvement in him (he's also ADHD-I) and he's on an extremely high dose. If you're seeing low tone, fatigue, other symptoms of carnitine deficiency/mitochondrial issues I'd certainly try it.
Beyond that it's safe and certainly won't hurt to try. (edited to add: I read up and I see research support. Based on what I read I'd try it and see if it helps. Also, my son is on L-carnitine and a brief look makes me think acetyl-carnitine is being used possibly?)
Edited to add again: When we get too high in fat with my son (he can't metabolize fat) I do possibly see increased attention problems. He's foggy for sure--that's what I meant by cognitive changes. Maybe for him (his body can't metabolize fat at all) the carnitine just isn't enough to correct that at a level that will noticeably decrease his (severe) attention issues. That might not be true in your child. I'd love to know if you see improvement if you do try it.
-
HOD will lay it all out for you. It's truly pick up and go which I needed (sounds as if you do too).
In your OP you said he has a delay and also articulation? Does he speak what he does speak clearly or is he difficult to understand? If he's not articulating (understandable) in the way a six year old should be articulating I would seek professional help. Articulation (beyond developmentally appropriate stuff of course) doesn't just improve with exposure and time. So you end up a with a much older child (or even adult) with speech issues. I would seek an evaluation anyway if you've not had that just to make sure there isn't an underlying reason he's two years behind in speech. If you've got an underlying something identified you've got a much better chance of getting a program to address it well. That's been true here.
-
This evening w/my six year old:
Hubby/Dad: "Andrew, how about you tell mommy some more about the adventures of your chipmunk." (this kiddo makes up stories pretty much 24/7 it seems)
Andrew: "I'll have to do it later. My imagination ran out of gas."
-
The vitamin D council website will have great information for you. You do want D3. It's hard to go toxic in vitamin D. There is no incidences of toxicity at even levels most of us would consider high. A healthy adult can take up to 9,000 IU per day regardless of level. So you can safely do 6,000 IU per day. The rule of thumb is 1,000 IU per 25 pounds to maintain current levels. So to increase you'd need more than that. Most of us are low.
-
I had very low levels--much lower than you--and it caused fatigue, foggy thinking, and pretty severe pain (bone and nerve for me). I did develop asthma and outdoor allergies as an adult and when I corrected my level it went away so I do think it was connected.
I did 9,000 IU per day to get my levels up. That level of supplementation is safe regardless of level and can be done daily indefinitely. I'd do more than double in your situation.
-
E-Euphrates River
-
Celiac! I hadn't thought of that but yes it is possible w/your symptoms. Oh, I hope it is the case OP! Get the D level test too. Celiac is also auto-immune and there is evidence (initial) of a vitamin D connection.
-
:grouphug: My first thought was auto-immune (lupus came to mind). I'd want to see a specialist in that area as soon as I possibly could.
Check your 25 (OH) D levels too (vitamin D). They will likely be low unless you're supplementing high. Supplement D3 at 9,000 IU per day until you get above 50 on the test. I say this because vitamin D helped me w/pain including nerve and joint/bone, most people are low, and there is a link between low vitamin D and autoimmune and hopefully supplementing will help modify the course or prevent other things from occurring. I am not saying I think vitamin D is responsible for your issues, that part sounds auto-immune to me.
-
Well, I would pick HOD because it's short (and fun) and solid then you can do speech specific work with him as well. The readings are also manageable for my kid with attention/listening/very possibly comprehension issues. Beyond that, I picked HOD partly so I could have time to address other weaker areas with my son. None of these programs will adequately address a speech delay and/or articulation issue. Reading the best of books with him/the best LA isn't going to fix it. Have you received speech therapy or are you opposed to it? I can make suggestions of home programs for speech delay but if I were dealing with a six year old with articulation issues I'd want a professional if at all possible. Is that possible? If not, I'd look into programs that specifically address articulation. But I think a therapist--even initially--would help just so you know what exactly you're dealing with and can pick an appropriate intervention.
-
Do you still have the AAS? If you do I'd go back to that personally.
homeschooling with twins?!!!
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
Any hints on the heart training part?
My boys are incredibly different (left brain/auditory and right brain/visual spatial, exact opposite personality types, etc.). I'm already teaching all the core stuff individually. But I'm still getting questions like "Did Andrew have trouble with this too?" "I did this better than he did, right?" etc. and nothing I say or do seems to change that attitude.