St John's wort?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
St John's wort?
5
Sun, 08-12-2007 - 5:28pm
My 9 year old has just been dX with Asperger's. He has some ADD but is able to maintain an A average in school. Handwriting is the only thing he can not get an A in. He is also in the gifted program. His problems in school are from hand flapping (kids making fun of him) and some tantrum's. His teachers have found ways to deal with his behavior to the point that he only got him named moved from the green level (for behavior) to yellow maybe once a month and maybe a red a couple of times the entire year. Since he does not have any learning problems I am thinking of trying some alternative approaches to try to help the anxiety, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. I have started him on fish oil and B complex along with multi-vitamins. I have read that folks have put there kids on zoloft as they get older and was wondering if anyone has had luck with St. john's wort for the anxiety. I have not tried reducing milk or glutin yet. It was very confusing talking to a doctor about it. I think she mentioned kids on about 5 different drugs. One for ADHD, one for depression, and anxiety, etc, etc. It made my head spin I diffenently do not want my child on that many drugs if I can help it. Thank you for your help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 08-13-2007 - 1:35am

Ok, well the problem with using something like st. johns wort is that it is similar effects and side effects as medication but it is not regulated and not followed by a doctor.

I am big on alternative approaches but I would really stay away from herbs such as st. john's wort or similar unless you were under the care of a physician who recommended it because many of them have drug like properties and because it is over the counter and many makers there are problems with quality control as well.

We had no luck with any medications at all for our son who is pretty significantly affected. We have done a couple herbs and such under a doctors care with similar type results. I have found what has worked best for us is omega 3 (fish oil), digestive enzymes, probiotics, a very healthy low sugar/natural food type diet, behavioral interventions, cognitive behavior strategies, sensory integration strategies, a ton of patience, and acceptance that he is going to always be different and adapting his life as such.

My other ASD child (13yo dd) is on a medication for seizures which has also helped all this other stuff as well but I have found an eclectic, whole family, whole body approach works best for us.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2007
Mon, 08-13-2007 - 7:20pm

Ditto to Renne. Also St. Johns wort can trigger mania in some. I know in Ireland you can't even buy it anymore.

Dee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Mon, 08-13-2007 - 9:16pm

Hi, I don't know much about St. John's Wort, so I would also agree with Renee and Dee, but I did want to pipe in about the Handwriting. It's not unlikely that he could have Dysgraphia (a form of Dyslexia, but with writing instead of reading).

Ask your school to test him for Writte Expression. If he tests low enough they can help him with things like giving him an electronic device to use instead of handwriting, or simple things like lessoning homework or excluding copying notes from the board and getting the notes from another student and or the teacher. Just that little bit of help could help him with the writing if you think it's a big problem. My son is going into 6th grade and still makes 1's in writing. Finally they are going to help him this year :).

Lainie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Tue, 08-14-2007 - 1:55pm

hello and welcome to the board.

I looked into St John's wort several years ago when a friend of mine started taking it and the information I learned at the time scared me off the stuff forever.

It can have strange side effects -like mania, -as Dee mentioned. Also, there is a common medicine (I can't remember which one) with which it will interact.

I would steer clear of it.

As to the point about kids being on 5 different medications: I think that is relatively rare. Most sensible doctors only medicate strictly as needed. I know some kids on this board are on one or two meds. Neither of my kids take any meds except a multivitamin. That may change, but I will wait for the need to become obvious before I go that route.

Has your son been evaluated for Occupational Therapy to help with his handwriting? "Our" kids can have weak hand and arm muscles, which will impact their writing.

I hope this helps some.

-Paula

-Paula

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 08-14-2007 - 6:37pm
Thank you for the advice. This is all new for us. I have so many questions. One is has anyone who gives there child ADHD medicine notice less hand movements. I was wondering if the hyperactivity makes the hand movement worse. Since my DS cannot sit without figiting I thought maybe some of the hand rubbing and flapping could be some of this energy he is trying to get rid of. The other question is medicine for anxiety. Could this help the hands since it would calm the anxiety that he may be trying to deal with by moving hands. His hands are really the only thing he does in public that brings attention to his differences. The other question is what type of therapy is usually helpful. We saw a physician and she said that she had a therapist starting in a couple of weeks that will be working with Asperger's children and so I feel gratefull for finding that much out. I am sure she will answer many of these questions when we get to see her. I have also ordered a powder from Shaklee vitamins that you can mix in Orange Juice. It has multi vitamins and also a prebiotic and a probiotic. I am going to give him this each morning along with fish oil. Thank you in advance for all of your advice and support. I have not even tried to figure out how to tell people such as scout leaders since most will have no idea what this is. Do you usually explain that it is a mild form of Autism and it effects him buy letting him get upset easy and the hand movement. Again, thank you for the help. Lisa