--- In adhdparentssupportgroup@yahoogroups.com, <jenniferchoi@...>
wrote:
> We are taking our boys to a DAN! doctor and have started a GFCF
(and other things) diet months ago and haven't seen much difference.
Maybe I am just not that observant?
>

> Anyway, if anyone in this group had some good experiences with the
DAN! protocol and/or GFCF diet, can you let me know. We are
committed to doing it for a few more months but could use some
cheerleading.
>
> Jenn
>

Hi Jenn,
I'm relatively new to the group and still sorting out whether my DS
actually has ADHD or if something else is going on. However I am
gluten intolerant and my input may be of use. When I was younger I
had a lot of problem behaviors- combative and emotional and a
tendency to "lock in" on issues, even if they weren't particularly
important to me, but in the moment they seemed to be important. I
didn't recognize it as anything abnormal or a symptom of anything at
the time. I was diagnosed with celiac sprue (gluten intolerance) in
my mid-20s though and since going on a GF diet, if I slip up and
ingest gluten I really notice those behaviors. I also noticed
pronounced "brain fog" or difficulty concentrating. It lasts about
half a day. As soon as I notice that it's gluten related, I can
control it through awareness. My DH and I refer to it as me
becoming "wheat crazed" LOL. Also you should know that when I went
on the GF diet, it took at least 6 months to see results. The
specific result I was looking for was hematocrit- my main physical
symptom was anemia. It was probably 9 months before I was able to re-
grow my intestinal lining and flush all the bad stuff out of my
system.

As I said, I'm not sure DS has ADHD but he shows some symptoms (no
impulse control, easily frustrated). I read up on Feingold and
Failsafe diets, and we tried Failsafe for 2 weeks but didn't see any
changes. (Much more restrictive than GFCF, by the way!) I will be
taking DS for gluten antibody testing so he is not currently
observing a GF diet. I'll be interested to see if he is gluten
intolerant, and if so he will immediately join my in my GF diet.

OK I realize I'm rambling now- I hope this helps.
Stephanie in Colorado