The Winding Road of ADHD

by Rochelle Griffin

About a month ago, I wrote an article announcing the journey we were about to undertake with our son, ADHD, and medications. Quite a bit has occurred in the past month, and I want to bring you up to speed. It’s my hope to bring encouragement to other families in similar situations.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working on having our son eat a gluten-free/dairy-free diet. Not an easy feat, but overall, he had been doing well on it…meaning he was willing to eat the foods but…

…he was still eating like a bird (thank you, Adderall.)

The mommy in me had been very concerned ever since the pediatrician visit where we learned he was only in the 1 percentile on the growth chart. It was hard to watch him eat.

Anyways, fast forward to last week.

I’m pleased to say that the stomach flu hit the Griffin home last week. Yep, you read that correctly…pleased. Actually it only affected our son…for 6 days straight, and I wasn’t happy about it at the time, but now looking back…I’m thankful.

You see, during that time, he wasn’t able to take his medications. Granted he also wasn’t eating, but he couldn’t bear to attempt to swallow pills. I don’t blame him.

In the past I had been afraid to stop his mediations because of the ramifications, but the flu didn’t leave me with a choice.

Our son was ill for 6 days, so on Day 7, we decided as a family to keep going sans medications. I mean, why not?

It took a few days for him to get his footing again after being ill, but then some aMAZing things happened!

1. He began to eat like I imagine a pre-teen boy does. As in constantly hungry…going to the fridge…asking for seconds…and the BEST part? He’s choosing healthy foods to put into his body! He gets a weekly flex meal to eat whatever he wants. Last night he chose a DOUBLE hamburger and ate it! I thought I’d fall off my chair. I’ve NEVER seen him eat something that big.

2. Incredibly he’s been able to concentrate and do his schoolwork. Because we homeschool, I’m able to observe him and I swear, he’s been working faster and MORE accurately since stopping the medications.

During this time, aside from his flex meal, he’s been eating gluten, dairy, and chemical free, plus taking supplements to support his body. We are still in the midst of testing his urine, stool, and hair for clues in other areas of his body that may need to be supported as well.

This is literally the most encouraged that I’ve been in years. It brings me to tears as I write because the journey has been a long, hard road. I know that others on the same path will understand.

I read something very interesting the other day on the web. Leon Eisenberg, the person who “discovered” ADHD, said in his last interview before his death “ADHD is a prime example of a fictitious disease.” Hello!

Promise that I’m not trying to open up a debate on the reality of ADHD nor am I telling you to stop your child’s medications. Not at all. It’s imperative that you continue to work with your child’s professional. I’m just telling you our experience, and personally I’m seeing a huge correlation between nutrition, my son’s ability to concentrate, and his behavior.

I encourage you to do your homework as well to make the best decisions for your child and your family. It’s a journey that doesn’t travel down a straight path. There are lots of detours, curves, and hills. Don’t be afraid to chance course as you see fit.

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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