As mentioned in my previous post, Ethan has some pretty heavy treatment coming up. Ethan's 3 main medical problems are yeast, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Step 1= yeast treatment
The nutritional evaluation showed several alarming markers of an overgrowth of yeast. The stool analysis confirmed the presence of yeast. The stool analysis also showed an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut. Ethan has been given an anti-fungal from his pediatrician twice in the past 6 months in an attempt to kill off the yeast. Both times, we saw huge improvements in behavior, compliance, and attention, but it wouldn't last very long. The most resent round of anti-fungals lasted for 20 days. Within a week after being off the medicine, behavioral indicators of the yeast were back. Lack of attention, aggression, laughing for hours and hours, and being carb crazy are a few. In addition, the rashes, most notably on his cheeks began to reappear. Ethan's doctor believes the yeast has been around for so long, it has built up defenses and refuses to leave without a fight. The yeast has put up a shield known as Biofilm. It's basically a mucus membrane that protects the yeast from the antifungals. We will be attacking the yeast with Biofilm Protocol therapy. It is a 3 step process that takes about 3 hours each night for 2 months. First we give him a supplement that will break down the biofilm. Then, we give the antifungal an hour later. After another hour, we end with activated charcoal. Activated charcoal will pick up any dead yeast, bacteria, or biofilm, and discard it with the next B.M. Hopefully, we can keep Ethan going with magnesium. We hope to avoid any constipation which would be a major setback in the treatment.
While this is quite serious and not good news, I could not be more excited. Yeast overgrowth in Ethan is something I whole heartedly believe. I knew shortly after discontinuing the meds this last time that the yeast was back, and these tests confirm it. Shot out to paternal instinct!!!
We started the treatment at bed time today. We will probably see some bad behaviors and possible regression at first. Once we start killing off this yeast, I expect huge improvements. We will treat for 2 months before moving on to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Ethan's BioMedical Update!! The Good News
Some of you know, about a year ago, Heather and I were on the fence regarding biomedical treatment for Ethan. We were all set to stop the diet, but something in our gut kept telling us that quitting was not the right thing to do. We spoke to Ethan's D.A.N. (defeat autism now) doctor, and without even realizing he talked us into staying the course. The latest round of tests are helpful indicators to us that we are definitely doing the right thing for Ethan.
We met with Ethan's doctor today. He spent an hour and a half with us going over the results for 3 different tests. We had a nutritional evaluation, the stool analysis, and the IgG test (food reaction). Ethan had a few victories. Ethan's leaky gut is healing. The IgG test showed the number of foods Ethan reacts to has dramatically decreased. There was so much healing in the gut that the doctor was confident enough to recommend reintroducing the foods that were previously avoided. Wheat, soy, and even dairy are going to be back on the menu!!!! We still need to slowly reintroduce these foods on a rotational basis, but this is exciting news for us. (and for Ethan I'm sure) We will begin to introduce these foods one at a time every week or two. Obviously, we will still be staying away from preservatives, artificial flavors, and heavily processed foods, but this will open up many new food possibilities for Ethan.
The nutritional evaluation showed many of Ethan's severe nutritional deficiencies are on the up swing. Levels of Vitamins A, B1, B7, B9, C, and E, Zinc, CoQ10, and Magnesium are all climbing. A long battle to get the almost non existent Vitamin D level up is finally over. Vitamin D is key to helping the immune system, and Ethan's finally jumped into the normal range. We will go from giving Ethan 20+ different supplements everyday down to 10!!!
The test also had markers indicating Ethan is starting to methylate. The methylation cycle is how your body detoxifies and helps prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been one of Ethan's 3 biggest problems medically. The battle is not over, but it seems we are starting to get a grip on this one.
A popular saying in the autism community is, it's a marathon not a sprint. As we pass each mile, we turn the corner and realize there's still 20 more miles ahead. Ethan still has many roadblocks, and some pretty heavy treatment coming in the near future. I will leave that for another post. Let's enjoy these victories as tomorrow brings us more detours for Ethan's path toward health.
We met with Ethan's doctor today. He spent an hour and a half with us going over the results for 3 different tests. We had a nutritional evaluation, the stool analysis, and the IgG test (food reaction). Ethan had a few victories. Ethan's leaky gut is healing. The IgG test showed the number of foods Ethan reacts to has dramatically decreased. There was so much healing in the gut that the doctor was confident enough to recommend reintroducing the foods that were previously avoided. Wheat, soy, and even dairy are going to be back on the menu!!!! We still need to slowly reintroduce these foods on a rotational basis, but this is exciting news for us. (and for Ethan I'm sure) We will begin to introduce these foods one at a time every week or two. Obviously, we will still be staying away from preservatives, artificial flavors, and heavily processed foods, but this will open up many new food possibilities for Ethan.
The nutritional evaluation showed many of Ethan's severe nutritional deficiencies are on the up swing. Levels of Vitamins A, B1, B7, B9, C, and E, Zinc, CoQ10, and Magnesium are all climbing. A long battle to get the almost non existent Vitamin D level up is finally over. Vitamin D is key to helping the immune system, and Ethan's finally jumped into the normal range. We will go from giving Ethan 20+ different supplements everyday down to 10!!!
The test also had markers indicating Ethan is starting to methylate. The methylation cycle is how your body detoxifies and helps prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been one of Ethan's 3 biggest problems medically. The battle is not over, but it seems we are starting to get a grip on this one.
A popular saying in the autism community is, it's a marathon not a sprint. As we pass each mile, we turn the corner and realize there's still 20 more miles ahead. Ethan still has many roadblocks, and some pretty heavy treatment coming in the near future. I will leave that for another post. Let's enjoy these victories as tomorrow brings us more detours for Ethan's path toward health.
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