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.
PS. If you found this post to be of any value to you, please COMMENT below!
Hi Rochelle, what a nice surprise when I saw your post as our 13 year old has the similar story. Took him off meds this summer. This was a very trying time in soooo many ways. He was also on a strict diet for the last year for leaky gut that he unfortunately hated and refused to continue with by summertime. I have him on natural supplements that seemed to help but his hyperness and obnoxious behavior became overwhelming and he was tired of being asked to stop or get in trouble so he’s on a small dose of his meds. Feeing good that he is off a huge amount of his meds but still sad he isn’t completely off.
Day at a time, Lee-Ann. I get it. 🙂
Did you decide to homeschool due to behaviorsl issues? My youngest is now 24 and still takes meds when he needs too. He was on meds from 9 onward. We had isued as most do but he succeeded on meds. A student, baseball, football, youthgroup etc. he is still hyper at times but exercises alot (now surfing). Meds have a good place for kids with monitoring and a great physician. Social sucess is just as vital to the kids.
Margee