Sunday, November 15, 2009

Phenols Strike Again

I can't believe that I didn't mention this in my blog about Brian having a meltdown like I've never seen before at Corbin's birthday party. Maybe I did it subconciously because I knew it deserved it's own post.

On the ride up to Jokers, Brian drank a whole bottle of apple juice.

We stopped at a convenience store on the way up to get all the boys something to drink. I pumped the gas and Josh went in and bought juices. When I got back in the van I noticed he had bought them all apple juice. I mentioned it and he apologized, couldn't believe he didn't even really think about it. For those who haven't followed we have stopped giving Brian items that contain phenols in them- one being apples. Brian was already laughing and drinking and just so excited about his apple juice, I just decided I didn't want the tantrum that would ensue when I took the juice away. Corbin had two friends with us in the van and I didn't want Brian to be "weird" in their eyes.

So we had the huge tantrum at Jokers. Really, it wasn't something like I've seen since he was probably two. He was kicking, screaming, crying huge tears, and didn't even want me to comfort him- which is definitely not like him. He just could NOT come back down.

Not only did he have that tantrum but on the long drive home he fell asleep and then woke up screaming and I couldn't get him to calm down then either. I ended up climbing in the back and holding him on my lap for a little while. (I know not exactly legal but it was the only way we could get him to stop).

It wasn't until the next day when I was talking to Josh about it and it just hit me. He drank all that apple juice!! The first time he had anything apple since our trip to the apple orchard in September. I think we are really on to something here. It's amazing how food can affect people and how individual every single person is.

4 comments:

Christina said...

Well that explains it! That's crazy!

Unknown said...

Hello! I have been following your blog for a few months now. I am a mom with 2 young sons, both severely autistic, and I appreciate your candor and your truthfulness about what mother's in our situation go through on a daily basis.

I recently removed gluten from my younger son's diet after months upon months of GI upset, constipation, and then bouts of horrendous diarrhea. My pediatrician was skeptical telling me that she has yet to have a patient, autistic or not, who removing gluten helped alleviate their GI problems...well, she has 1 now!

Within 3 days Noah's system was almost entirely normalized. No more painful moaning and writhing on the floor, no more diaper rash that ate his skin away.

Not only that he is soooo much happier and at ease than he was before. The meltdowns have mellowed and are now weekly occurrences instead of daily ones.

Problem is...just like your son and phenols, when you take something away that means it has to stay away. Forever!

Relatives seem to not understand that NO gluten means absolutely that...NONE! They think 'just a small piece won't hurt him!'...

Well, next time one of them does that I am going to call them up and tell them to come over and try to hold down a 4 1/2 year old while they change his horrid diaper and then put medication on the resulting rash.

Thanks for sharing your story with a fellow mom just trying to look out for her kids and protect them. You're doing a great job!

Unknown said...

Hugs. I'll have to watch for phenols with Hayden.

Christina said...

Well that explains it! That's crazy!