Monster's favorite phrase these days is "OK, don' worrties", his version of saying "don't worry" or "no worries", not sure which.
We've only been gluten free for the past 4 days, so I wouldn't think his recent chattiness is due to that, but we have been doing the cod liver oil, calcium/mag supplements and a digestive enzyme for about a month or so, and they may be having an impact. The largest impact I've seen has been in his sleep. Except for the past few nights, which may be because of the gluten removal, he has not been fighting me or sleep nearly as much as he use to. Rather than bedtime taking hours (and resulting in tears, bruises and/or blood), it takes about 5-10 minutes after his movie is done, and for those nights we watch Cars, he's asleep before the end of the movie.
I'm not sure which is the biggest impact on his sleep, treatment wise, but it is definitely related to his GI problems diminishing. In general, his bad nights corresponded to tummy problems-gas, bloating, cramps. We made one change to his diet (besides the gluten free this past saturday/sunday) and that was the removal of all artificial preservatives and colors (sodium/potassium benzoates, nitrates, etc.). Basically, nothing we can't pronounce or identify. The major problem was cutting sodas-Monster loved his diet coke (yes, that's my fault).
Since he is doing fairly well, and it seems like we are definitely on the right tract to treating a lot of his physical issues, I'm now turning my worry to the upcoming move. We've been in this house since Monster's diagnosis-the past 5 years. He knows this area, these people. I'm not sure how he is going to deal with a new location, a new house, new climate. He was going to be starting a new school this fall anyway, and maybe even a new teacher, so that challenge was going to happen regardless of our living location. I sincerely hope this new school is 1/2 of what we are hoping for. Given California's budget crisis, things around here are going to get even worse. More kids, more needs, fewer people.
Don't worrties, I love it! I'm glad to hear the diet has helped his bedtime issues, a good night's sleep goes a long way to helping everyone in the family.
ReplyDeleteI can understand your anxiety about the move, but as you said, every year will bring changes, even if you'd stayed.
You should record him saying that if you haven't already. Sounds very sweet. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear his tummy problems are improving and his sleep going with it.
Wish you the best for the move. I'm sure it will be really challenging, but hopefully things will settle back down and be even better for y'all!