Our ADHD Journey: One Year Later

Our ADHD Journey: One Year Later

by Rochelle Griffin

It was a year ago that I wrote about my son’s ADHD and our decision as a family to take him off of his medications due to the many side effects plaguing him. I want to update you because I’ve been asked many times how he’s doing. (If you haven’t read the initial article, you can find it at http://www.rochellegriffin.com/winding-road-adhd/.)

The past year has been one with ups and downs. There have been days that have been absolutely wonderful. Then again, there have been days where I just wanted to crawl back in bed and pull the blanket over my head. Hey just being brutally honest.

Once we made the decision to stop his medications, we discovered that our son was dealing with yeast, bacteria (H-pylori,) and a parasite (thru testing that we initiated,  not our physician.) Over the course of several months, we were able to heal his body naturally…totally eradicating the pathogens. We worked on healing his leaky gut and food sensitivities as well.

It hasn’t been easy road. It’s hard enough to get an adult to change habits…try telling a 12-year old that he has to eat different than his friends…there’s going to be some backlash. Promise. There’s also going to be some oops moments (or days,) especially when he goes to summer camp for the week and has the ability to make his own decisions. Just saying. Wink. Wink.

His appetite has been waning the past few months again (not like on the meds however when it was non-existent) and I have a suspicion that he’s dealing with yeast again. The cravings for watermelon and bread give me a good indicator. This doesn’t freak me out because now I know how to handle the situation. This is something we’ll tackle in the next month or so, once homeschool is underway and a good schedule is in place.

So yes, nutrition remains something that we’re working on.

On the other hand, his behavior has definitely improved. Don’t get me wrong…he definitely has some pre-teen meltdowns. Thank you, hormones. But he’s been able to get his schoolwork done. He can focus better. He’s had zero panic attacks (this is what prompted us to finally relent to medications a few years ago.)

He remains off of ALL medication. He remains on a gluten-free diet. He remains as chemical free as we can manage in today’s society.

Next week our son graduates from pre-teen to teens. He’s a God-loving boy with a crazy sense of humor that cracks me up daily. He’s kind, considerate, and sees the best in everyone. He’s no longer being numbed with medication that alters his brain chemistry.

I know that so many other families are dealing with the same issues that we were. Please know that there’s hope. Do the research. Ask the questions. Get the testing done that you feel is appropriate for your situation. Don’t allow anyone to tell you that you have to do this or that. Don’t give away your power. You are your child’s best advocate. Never forget that.

To Living Your Best Life,

Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P

Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.

She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.

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