SLEEP & SEIZURES

It happened again. Another seizure:( It has been a difficult weekend. Friday morning, Noah had another seizure just before waking. April 27th, 2007, February 21st, 2008 & April 18, 2008 - Noah's last 3 seizures. It 's great for him to have had only 3 in the past year. BUT, 2 of those were in the past 8 weeks. I'm not happy about that.

Looking over my notes, the only pattern I can see is a lack of sleep the previous 3 nights & illness on the day of the seizure. He was up about 1 1/2 hrs later than normal the 3 nights prior to his seizure this past week and the same type of situation in February. It's the only thing I can pin down. He's had other illnesses without seizures this past winter so, I'm not going to give into to the "It's just the illness" reason.

Sleep is incredibly important for all kids but especially for epileptic kids. My girlfriend, Kirstin guards her son Nikko's sleep too. Nikko is 2 years seizure free on the diet!! Happy 2 Year Seizure Free Birthday Nikko!!!

Guard their sleep! I'm tightening my reigns on his sleep habits. If I know he'll be up a little later one day, he has to nap that afternoon. It has to happen!! I don't want him to slip back to where he was a year ago. The diet has been awesome for Noah. Please pray for him & us. We are pretty freaked right now.

I love my KetoKid
Cathy

J*E*L*L*O

Sugar Free Jello is one of Noah's favorite treats. I dish some up for him and myself too. Noah chooses the flavors at the store. We enjoy making it together. I let him open the package and poor it into the pan. The best part about Jello is that it's straight Protein. I calculate about 50 grams into his meals that incorporate Jello. Anymore is too much. Too much? That's a foreign concept in Ketogenics. Another yummy Jello treat is to use whipping cream and Jello - freeze into pops. Anyway, we love Jello and now is the perfect time to change up some menus and spring into Summer.

Supplementation

Noah is not only on the Ketogenic Diet, he is heavily supplemented too. Here is his typical daily routine:

• 8:00 am
  
• Breakfast
• 3 - 45 mg. Capsules Topomax
• 1 - Nano VM - Vitamin Packet (vitamin supp)
  
• 2 tsp. Polycitra (helps w/acidosis. Keeps him more alkaline)
• 1 tablet LevoCarnitine (protein supp)
• 11:45 am
• Snack
  
• 3:00 pm
• Lunch
• 3 - 45 mg. Capsules Topomax
• 1 - Nano VM
  
• 6:30 pm
• Dinner
• 3 - 45 mg. Capsules Topomax
• 1 - Nano VM - Vitamin Packet (vitamin supp)
  
• 2 tsp. Polycitra (helps w/acidosis. Keeps him more alkaline)
• 1 tablet LevoCarnitine (protein supp)
• 8:00 pm
• Snack

We began using the Nano VM vitamin/minerals powder in January 08. It replaced the following supplements; Magnesium, Caltrate, Selenium, B6, Bugs Bunny Sugar Free Multi Vit and KPhos.
Be careful with too much supplementation. All of those separate supplements could be too much for their little bodies. Check with your Dietician, Neurologist & Pharmacist about supplementing your Keto Kid. Even vitamins can have a negative affect when used in large doses or when interacting with too many other vitamins.

Nano VM has worked well for Noah. The powder packets are typically mixed with water to make an orange drink. Noah hated the drink and flat out refused it. I tried to explain how important it was for him to take the Vitamin. He came up with the idea to eat the powder right off of the spoon and chase it with 4 oz. of water. That stuff does not taste good powdery but Noah's surprised me! In January, he also began tossing the entire Topomax capsule into his mouth and swallowing them with water. Prior to taking the capsules with water, I opened the capsule and poured the sprinkles into his mouth. But this is much easier. I'm still surprised that he is a great medicine taker. Never underestimate your Keto Kid!!