Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Am I on the right track???
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D.
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
 |
Am I on the right track???
by kj1000, Jan 26, 2005 12:00AM
I have a 5 1/2 year old son, and for several years we've noticed behavioral issues with regards to the food he eats. Issues include hyperactivity, not listening/focusing (but not being defiant), not being able to fall asleep, anxiety attacks, thick speech patterns, etc. When he was 3 we realized that sugar affected his behavior so we reduced the amount of sugar he ate. He continued to get in trouble at daycare and at home for the same problems for the next couple of years with no improvement despite timeouts, behavioral therapy, changes in environment etc. Recently we started the "Feingold Program" which essentially is a program that eliminates certain foods from the diet such as preservatives, food dyes, and certain fruits and vegetables. My son's behavior changed for the better in a drastic way - less hyperactivity, focusing/listening better, falling asleep better, speaking better, etc. - but there was still "something" affecting him. We took the program a step further and eliminated most dairy products and also anything with high fructose corn syrup in it, and his behavior improved even further. But there's still something going on. A couple of months ago, we realized that certain vegetables such as peas and carrots would trigger some of the "old behaviors" to a degree. We have talked to the pediatrician about our concerns about his behavior and food. She did run allergy testing for the standard IGE allergy and they all came back negative so he doesn't have a "true" allergy to anything based on that. She basically kept telling us all this time "he's just a boy". We know that some of his behaviors could be because he's a child, but we also have seen a clear behavioral change due to food as well. When he eats certain foods, it's like a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde situation.
We've finally made an appt to see a pediatric GI doctor to have his digestive system checked out to make sure there are no physical problems. I'm suspecting a possible malabsorption problem specifically with fructose (which would explain the sugar issue) and/or dairy problem. Of course, I'm not a doctor but I've been so frustrated for so long, that I hope we're on the right track.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Stacey
We've finally made an appt to see a pediatric GI doctor to have his digestive system checked out to make sure there are no physical problems. I'm suspecting a possible malabsorption problem specifically with fructose (which would explain the sugar issue) and/or dairy problem. Of course, I'm not a doctor but I've been so frustrated for so long, that I hope we're on the right track.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Stacey
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 26, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 26, 2005 12:00AM
I am not aware of a disease that correlates behavior issues with certain foods. Malabsorption can certainly be considered, and I agree with the GI referral. A blood test for celiac disease, as well as tests for sugar malabsorption can be considered with your pediatric GI physician.
You also can consider another opinion at an academic medical center. I would continue to pursue to behavioral health route.
Again, I cannot guarantee that treating the GI disease will help any behavioral issues since I am not aware of a discrete GI disease linking the two.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
You also can consider another opinion at an academic medical center. I would continue to pursue to behavioral health route.
Again, I cannot guarantee that treating the GI disease will help any behavioral issues since I am not aware of a discrete GI disease linking the two.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Expert Activity
Related Expert Forums
Related Communities
Crohn
Crohn's Disease
Crohns
Digestive Process
Dry Skin
IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Stomach Ach
Sunburn
Ulcerative Colitis
abdominal pain
bowel
colitis
colon
crohn's
crohns disease
diarrhea
gallbladder
irritable
irritable bowel
large intestine
liver
nausea
pain
rectal bleeding
red skin
redness
stomach ache
stool
ulcerative
Communities
Ask a Doctor Forums
Tools and Applications
Personal Information
Medical Information
Doctors and Partners
I went through the same thing first with my son and then my daughter! Please, please go to a book store (like Barnes and Nobel) and check out the book "The Bipolar Child"
I KNOW it sounds strange, but it took till my son was almost 17 to diagnose him with early onset bipolar disorder. THEY DO react differently to different foods. It's very different in children than adults and very different in boys vs girls.
Just check the book out before buying to see if it sounds like this could be the issue. People thought I was crazy telling them my kids had behavioral issues after eating! I KNOW what you are going through. This might not be what is going on with your son, but if you are like I was (at my ropes end trying to help my children) then at least check it out.
Hope this helps,
SusiQ