HBOT for Autism

HBOT

HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) is one treatment we have not yet done and are still debating about it. Even if we had the money.....(we don't), it can be risky. Since we have seizure potential in our family (a close family member has been on medicine for seizures for years), I don't want to possibly lower Caleb's threshhold with HBOT thus potentially making seizures more likely. Since Caleb's never had seizures, I don't want to start now or ever! Most people say hbot is helpful in treating seizures, but there are those who claim it has caused them to begin which is why it just isn't on our agenda yet. I have heard MANY success stories, however, which makes it sound great. You be the judge, and feel free to let me know if it worked for you or not. Caleb's doctor had recommended HBOT before our summer started, so I had done some research on it. Here's what I found and feel free to do more research in your state. Michigan has only a few places where we could go that are over 3 hours away, or we could rent one for about $1,500 a month or buy one for $12,000+. HBOT usually requires a commitment of "40 dives" or sessions in an hbot machine. Also, there are 2 types of hbot, but most success I've heard about in autism comes with the mild type or lower pressure.

• Here is the science behind hbot:

The rationale behind using hyperbaric for Autism is that the treatments increase cerebral blood flow and thus oxygen is delivered to areas of the brain, which are thought to be oxygen deficient. Greater amounts of blood and oxygen begin to stimulate cerebral tissues and aid in recovery of idling neurons. HBOT also reduces excess fluids and swelling of brain tissues which aid in neurological function and a less confused state in Autistics. Hyperbaric is also used as a complementary therapy for the treatment of heavy metal detox for such materials as mercury. Hyperbaric assists in the metabolism of heavy metal removal. It can help a patient counteract the effects of heavy metal poisoning and helps body deal with toxins even as noxious as cyanide. It is often used in conjunction with chelation and other detox procedures to help support the body to deal with the impact commonly seen in the removal of heavy metals, mercury, toxins, and other contaminants. (all courtesy of www.hbotreatment.com/Autism.htm)

• Here's some info showing both the good and bad of hbot:

links: http://www.autismstreet.org/weblog/?p=36 http://www.hypertc.com/testimonials/2005_September_Newsletter_email.pdf The Pressure Point; International Hyperbaric Association Newsletter; article on Autism http://www.drneubrander.com/Files/Pressure%20Point%20Autism2006%20Summer%20Special%2 0Newsletter.pdf More on Autism
http://photoninthedarkness.com/?p=131 (negatives of hbot)

• HBOT links including renting/buying/and in MIchigan:

• http://www.spectrumhyperbarics.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=71 (latest hbot research in autism) http://www.hhi-kc.com/whatis.htm
• http://www.tacanow.com/medical/hbot.htm
• http://www.bodyspecific.com/main/services.aspx (hbot rental) http://www.healingwithhbot.com/OxfordStaff.htm (one site in MI)
• http://www.kid-power.org/hbo.html
• MICHIGAN Macomb/Clinton Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, LLC. 43475 Dalcoma Dr. Ste. 150 Clinton Township, MI. 48038 (586) 228-7308 FAX: (586) 228-7315WEBSITE: www.hyperbaricandwoundcare.com Metro Hyperbaric and Wound Healing Center20210 E 9 mile St. Clair Shores, MI PHONE: (586) 772-3403 FAX: (586) 771-1603 EMAIL: info@michiganhyperbaric.com WEBSITE: http://www.michiganhyperbaric.com

• Possible alternatives to HBOT (including perfusion supplements)

supplements: vinpocetine; a-l-carnitine; huperzine; gingko, Oxydrene, nutritional oxygen products http://www.autismweb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=112600&sid=bce9136f4a0e730ded470bcfb49ad814

How to Find a Homeopath that is Knowlegeable in Autism (and other areas as well)

Lately, a lot of attention has been coming back to homeopathy for autism. I've been asked a few times about my experience and recommendations for homeopathy & a good homeopath. Here's my thoughts on that. (Hopefully this will make it to my website eventually).

• My experience with homeopathy and autism:

Pretty much all of my son's initial speech came about with homeopathy. I also credit his normalizing of bowel movements and food absorption to homeopathy. All with one remedy actually! It happened about 2 years ago over the course of about 5 months. Caleb was prescribed lycopodium 6c 3 times daily by a homeopath that we consult with (from England) over the phone/internet. It was based on Caleb's constitution (or his symptoms, personality, responses to food, stimuli, etc., temperment, etc). Anyhow, lycopodium did wonderful things! I would actually know it was time for his next dose when he suddenly got quiet again. After dosing, he would again regain his chattering and new speech. When the remedy began to aggrevate more then help several months later, we tried a few things, then eventually moved on to other remedies, but low and behold the changes in bowel and speech stuck! Since then he's slowly added to his speech and we've tried to again regain that amazing growth, but the growth has been slow and steady with needing to change tactics and remedies every 6 months or so. However, I am completely sold on homeopathy now! If only I could get my friends and family to be so enlightened :)

We've thus far had success with the bowel nosode Morgan Gaertner (because it complements lycopodium), carcinosin, pulsatilla, thuja (one of the first remedies I tried on my own due to it's reputation for healing after vaccines), and also sequential homeopathy to clear vaccines & address miasms through the Hahnemann Center for Heilkunst (Rudi Verspoor).

• Homeopathic Help:

Here are my recommendations if you're looking to try homeopathy:

• First, do some research on what homeopathy is, how dosing works, what types of remedies there are, and find some success stories on using it.
• Second, try to find a homeopath in your area. Here are the most common links to do so, but be sure to check your yellow pages or talk to people living near you.
  

http://nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/resources/practitioners.jsp

http://www.homeopathy.org/directory_entrance.html

• Third, if you're unsuccessful, try some of these well known homeopaths for autism:

www.homeopathy.com (Hahnemann Center of Homeopathy) sequential
www.homeopathyhouston.com (Houston Center of Homeopathy) sequential
www.homeopathysnc.org/deborah_olenev.htm (Deborah Olenev) classical
www.homeopathysnc.org/dr_luc_de_schepper.htm (Dr. Luc De Schepper) classical
www.homepage.ntlworld.com/homeopathy_advice/contact.html or www.homeopathy.expert@googlemail.com (these are both contacts for my homeopath from England--Simon King)

• Other homeopathy resources:

www.abchomeopathy.com
www.hpathy.com (one of my favorite resources)
www.homeopathy-software.net
www.homeopathysnc.org
www.tinussmits.com
www.renresearch.com/autism.html (amy lansky's story)
www.homeopathy-help.net
http://www.recoveredfromautism.com/recoveryplan.htm
http://www.homeopathy-cures.com
http://www.homeopathic.com (educational resources)

July 4th Fireworks

We had a great 4th of July! Caleb had a few mood issues due to late nights, but overall it was a fun time. Our own fireworks were on the 4th, and city fireworks on the 5th.

We've been having great success with a few mood rna products by Amy Yasko. Her products are VERY pricey, but so far they've been WONDERFUL for mood. We're using Nerve Calm and Mood focus. Her websites are : www.ch3nutrigenomics.com (her discussion group), and www.holisticheal.com / www.holistichealth.com (her products & program). I've read that they are homeopathic products, but not sure if that's true. They are helping mood though! So far so good :)

Summer Vacation AT LAST!!

Well this summer has thus far been a great relaxation time for Caleb. He's in much better spirits just from relaxing! We also have implemented selenium (the methionine kind) and valerian root sprinkles (since it doesn't make Caleb tired), and both have been helping with mood. We're also S--L--O--W--L--Y adding in some yeast support. He's responding well to this as long as we also give OLE for bacteria when we give yeast stuff (and vice versa). However, all in all it's starting to look like another good summer with lots of good improvements. If only we could get it to stop raining.....! (**Caleb's the one squinting in the background **)

Scripting.....Oh how tiresome Buzz Lightyear gets!!

These past few days have been nothing but "Buzz Lightyear". My son has been carrying around every Toy Story toy that we have. He frequently says a line that Sid says in the move...."whatever she says, it's not true! Hannah....Hannah..." Believe me, it gets ANNOYING! Now after a search on many yahoo groups, I'm trying folic acid, bacteria fighters, and of course yeast fighters (my last resort since Caleb's yeast has been such an issue).

The folic acid (combined with GABA so to not have to much excitotoxin and/or histamine release) at 800 mcg seemed to do something. The scripting is still there, but Caleb's not thinking only about Toy Story & nothing else. I shall keep you all posted as to what I discover :) Tomorrow I will up the folic dose and possibly add in OLE and a probiotic culturelle to attack some of the bacteria.

If anyone out in cyberland has a suggestion on what to do about scripting or obsessiveness....let me know!

It's GAME DAY!

Caleb had his first t-ball game after being rained out of two (which didn't really disappoint me that much). I helped him when fielding, since there's no way he'd stay put in one spot and pay attention. However, his hitting and throwing improved a lot, much to our amazement. It ended up being a fun time! I've included a few pictures of Game Day. There's one at the very bottom of my blog page, so check that out too :)

We figured out the Screaming!

Well...it's taken a month or so, but we've finally figured out the screaming! Hooray! Come to find out...any yeast fighter is just plain causing Caleb to scream. Prescription or natural...doesn't matter. It all causes screaming. Not sure why, but when I took them all away, life got much easier :) We still see yeast on occasion (marked by silly laughing for no reason, or waving his hands in front of his eyes), and we're still trying to figure out what to do for that...but Caleb's mood has improved TREMENDOUSLY and the yeast clues don't last for long. He's once again getting good reports at school, and he is more fun to be around.

There's still lots to keep working on, such as speech, and social conversation/appropriate behavior. However, I'm really going to try to focus on homeopathy and also a bit of Amy Yasko's approach (www.ch3nutrigenomics.com) as adding in the ammonia RNA at 1 drop twice daily has really helped. I'm wondering if his "yeasty behavior" isn't just a cause of high ammonia or some other gut issue that throws off his yeast/bacteria balance in his intestines. It certainly isn't being helped by yeast meds! Keep in mind (for those who are thinking it might just be die-off), that Caleb's been on different things for yeast for months and years! I truly don't see die-off any more. Also, his BMs are normal, and food is much less of an issue now. I've explored so many things for yeast, that I'm really hoping to find the cause, not just the symptom of how his gut gets so unbalanced.

Anyhow....yay for now :)