otherhealth.com - View Single Post - Sleep problems

bwv11 · #7 (**permalink**) 17th June 2002, 02:07 AM

Dear Rima.

I really have to stop second-guessing myself. After my post, I thought to myself, I was really overreacting, and probably some changes in routine or parenting strategies would handle the problem. Now, of course, I’m quite pleased at my response—even if it had turned out to be a blind alley, it still would have opened up some ideas for review and discussion, never a bad thing. Of course, behavioral interventions may still be advisable, depending.

Anyway, since your son has already shown himself to react to dairy products, it is pretty safe to assume he’s sensitive to other environmental influences as well, especially since his improvement was short-lived after you removed the dairy from his diet. When this happens, it often means that a first layer of the problem has been stripped away, but others have taken the opportunity to step up to the front and cause their own problems. But where do we go next? A number of suggestions/questions:

1) It appears it is about 27 months since you discontinued dairy products (“a year back” beyond 2 years old?). Then his sleep was OK for about 2 + years, until 4 months ago. Is this time line correct? If not, please correct it.

2) When did he start school? Do you monitor the food served at the school? If not, then dairy might be sneaking in through their kitchen.

3) How does he get along with the other kids in school? With the staff?

4) Are there any family stressors that might affect him? Any pertinent family history? Any changes in routine or circumstances over the past several months?

Other possibilities are almost too numerous to contemplate. I strongly urge you to read Doris Rapp’s book, as you might find cases in there that remind you of your son. The ‘Fit for Life’ books by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond are also quite good. A few other suggestions (stabs in the dark):

5) You know, I like 100% cotton fabrics for blankets, sheets, pajamas, pillows, and I like to wash them in biodegradable laundry detergent. Don’t use foam (made with formaldehyde) or other synthetic materials. I would make these replacements right away.

6) Have you placed any new electronics in his room recently: a TV, a computer, a clock radio? If so, especially if they coincide with the onset of his new sleep problems, remove them from the room. Even if they’ve been there a long time, take them out for awhile anyway just to check it out.

7) Does he crave any foods? Cravings can be an indicator of an addictive or allergic reaction. Other, general food categories that can be problematic, include corn, sugar, artificial food colorings. Beef, chicken, fish—animal products in general are high energy foods and harder to digest than fruits and vegetables. Rotation dieting—eliminating one food group at a time for a period of a week at a time—could reveal some sensitivities. You might want to consult a health professional with nutritional credentials to guide this process. If you have him tested for “allergies,” find someone who knows about Clinical Ecology, the branch of medicine to which Doris Rapp contributes, as they tend to do the most comprehensive testing. If you know a homeopathic physician or a good chiropractor or naturopath who does such testing, I’d refer you in that direction first.

8) Has he been prescribed any new allopathic medication lately? Behavior changes can be side effects of medication, even if they are not documented in the PDR.

The world we live in is stuffed full of toxic chemicals and other “stuff.” It can be a daunting task to explore it fully, and to make all the changes that seem advisable. But if our health or the health of a loved one is at stake, then that is the price we need to pay.

Best of luck.