As a mother you never want to see you child ill or admit that there may be a problem when there is one. Two years ago my son who was 2 at the time was having some behavioral problems and a huge problem going to bed and staying asleep all night. As a first time mother I thought this was a normal thing for a 2 year old to go through, especially being a boy. At our routine check up with our family physician I mentioned my main concern, which was the sleeping issue. Without batting an eye she ultimately asked how I felt about seeing an ADD/ADHD specialist. I took a step back and was taken away to think that my child could have these “possible diagnosis” at the age of 2. But putting my faith into our Dr. I took her advise and away we went to the specialist 1 week later. When we arrived at the clinic I was in a very somber mood listening to the other children run around and not having any self control. It was at that moment I thought to myself, this is not normal 2 year old stuff. He does have a problem. Within 20 min of meeting the new Dr. he drew a conclusion that our son was definitely ADHD and needed medication. At first my husband and I were totally against medicating him at the age of 2 but within a few weeks and lots of thought we decided to give it a try. So he was placed on an ADHD medication in the morning and another medication at night to help his body relax and his mind shut down so he could fall asleep. I am not gonna lie, we noticed a huge difference in about 1 week with him. He was falling asleep easily at night, staying asleep for most of the night and was a much more calm child during the day. Everything seemed to be going smoothly and then I meet Dr. Strauchman.
In conversation one day we starting discussing my son’s condition and medication that he was taking. With in seconds she said to me, “He has a food allergy, not ADHD.” I was taken back again by this conclusion but was listening. She then went into a full explanation as to what your body does when you have a food allergy, but not severe enough to cause hives and a “visible reaction.” So about a month and a half ago we ran the food allergy panel on him and sure enough our son has a major Wheat Allergy. Not only does he have the wheat allergy, he is also allergic to Gluten, Dairy, & Seafood. As well he has a huge sensitivity to almost all fruits and a large portion of vegetables. All of which he consumed on a daily basis. What amazes me is that a Medical Doctor that specializes in ADHD has never mentioned a word about allergies to me.
In the last week I have stressed myself out to the max trying to figure out how in the world I was going to completely change my son’s diet and take away some of his most favorite foods in the world. I took about 2 hours and went to the grocery store and just started reading labels and ingredients. It amazes me how much stuff their is out there that is Wheat and Gluten Free as well as Dairy Free. So my first full dinner meal I attempted, I thought I would make spaghetti. I found a wheat and gluten free pasta, cooked some turkey burger and then it hit me. He couldn’t have spaghetti sauce, Tomato Allergy! “What is the world was I going to do,” I asked myself. Someone suggested Pesto Sauce, but he is allergic to Olive, so no olive oil. I opened my fridge and then it hit me. I took his butter that he can have, melted a little and added a bit of garlic powder , salt, and pepper. Drizzled it over his noodles and meat and before my husband and I could get our plates made he had consumed the entire portion I had made for him and asked for seconds. At that moment I knew that this was a more stressful transition on me than it was him. He was going to be just fine adjusting to his new diet and for me it is a new learning curve about cooking and eating healthier.
By the end of last week I made my first trip to a “Whole Foods Store” buying anything and everything that he can have. I had never realized that there was such a huge variety of foods that are Gluten and Wheat Free. It was like I was a kid in a candy shop for the first time. Realizing that he can be a “normal” kid and eat “normal” foods was a huge relief to me. This whole journey has been such a roller coaster ride for my husband and I. We now feel like we are at the final stretch of the ride. In the next 6 months we are hoping to have our son off of all his medication and only taking a few supplements to help his brain develop and his body heal from all the toxins and allergies it had been exposed to the last 4 years.
I hope that by reading this you will gather that there may be more answers out there beside a “quick” diagnosis and medication. Find out where the problem stems from and how you can uproot it. I thank God everyday for bringing Dr. Strauchman into our lives.
