Update on DD and Getting Her Help Plus a Couple Questions

[Indianamom2]

I posted a few days ago about all the issues we've had with DD (8) and that we were really struggling to find her appropriate help, particularly regarding trying to find a psychiatrist so that we can get a prescription for anti-anxiety meds. Originally, the earliest we could be seen was June, despite having been actively seeking help for her and jumping through ALL the hoops for a good two years now, including a TON of expensive testing (sometimes duplicates as we had to switch providers).

Anyhow, long story a bit shorter, the psychiatrists' office called us a couple of days ago and said that they had a cancellation and could get us in this week....so we went yesterday afternoon. We did a video conference with her ( I believe she was in California and we're in Indiana. She's apparently only physically here one week a month). We talked and she took our history and all that jazz and told us that she wants DD to take these three vitamins for a month:

500 mg Omega 3's
Vitamin D3 (we've already been doing that as we are all deficient)
Magnesium malate (no idea the dosage, will have to check)

If after a month we don't see significant improvement, then we have a Rx for Zoloft and for Xanax if needed, as she also diagnosed DD with panic disorder in addition to the previous diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. We will follow up with her in 8 weeks.

Today we start our first family CBT counseling session. I will have to be there and I think Dh is going to try to come for at least a few sessions, which will be really good for him too. It will all just depend on work for him, which I understand.

Here are the questions:

Anyone know where I can find a gummy or very very small liquid gel capsule of 500mg of Omega 3? I'm striking out so far.

Anyone here take Magnesium malate? Any major side effects? I would assume diarrhea as I know regular mag can cause that, but as DD tends toward a lot of constipation, it might be ok for her.

So all in all, things went as well as they could have and we'll try the vitamins for a month and then go from there. I think we're maybe finally headed in the right direction, but we've still got a long road ahead of us as we learn to live with all this anxiety. Last night we had a relatively minor thunderstorm and DD LOST it. I mean screaming/crying/totally panicking. Definitely not a normal kid reaction. That caused Ds to get really upset and the dog of course was already a mess...because she always is in any storm. It was quite a night. More storms are on tap for today, some of which could be severe, so it should be interesting. At least it gives us a good starting point for therapy today!

[anamika]

Christina, I am so glad you were able to speak to the specialist sooner than June.
I hope this is the start of things getting much better for your DD.
I think TJs makes an omega gummy. I know I bought some a while back and it is sitting in my fridge.
Good luck and hope you see improvements soon.

[brittone2]

I've taken magnesium malate before with no ill effects. If the dosing is high, she might have some loose stools. I know I sleep a bit better with it. I've never had bowel issues from it with the dosing I've used. Totally a YMMV, but yeah, if she's constipated, it may help a bit with that, depending.

[Gena]

I'm glad you were able to get an earlier appointment.

Did the doctor give any additional guidance on the Omega 3s, like the ratio of DHA to EPA that you should look for?

DS takes MorEPA Mini. It's actaully 624mg of Omega 3s in a high EPA low DHA formula. They're a softgel capsule (1 dose = 2 capsules). DS isn't able to swallow them, so he chews them - it's like biting into a grape tomato. I used to get them from The Vitamin Shop, but lately Amazon has had a better price.
http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Minami-Strawberry-Softgels/dp/B0019LT6AY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366305785&sr=8-1&keywords=morepa+mini+junior
(I know it says "Teen Formula". That's a recent packaging chance. The same formula used to be labeled for ages 5 and up. DS has been taking it for several years.)

[Indianamom2]

I'm glad you were able to get an earlier appointment.

Did the doctor give any additional guidance on the Omega 3s, like the ratio of DHA to EPA that you should look for?

DS takes MorEPA Mini. It's actaully 624mg of Omega 3s in a high EPA low DHA formula. They're a softgel capsule (1 dose = 2 capsules). DS isn't able to swallow them, so he chews them - it's like biting into a grape tomato. I used to get them from The Vitamin Shop, but lately Amazon has had a better price.
http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Minami-Strawberry-Softgels/dp/B0019LT6AY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366305785&sr=8-1&keywords=morepa+mini+junior
(I know it says "Teen Formula". That's a recent packaging chance. The same formula used to be labeled for ages 5 and up. DS has been taking it for several years.)

Gena...thanks for the info. I am so completely confused about the DHA/EPA ratio. The only thing my take-home sheet said was "500 mg" of Omega-3, which I naively assumed would be simple. Do you have any advice on the ratio? I will call and ask, but I was wondering what others have learned who are taking it.

[marie]

I immediately had the question that Gena did re: ratio. Here is an article explaining the difference between EPA and DHA.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-the-zone/201204/what-are-the-real-differences-between-epa-and-dha

Glad you got the appointment this week!

[BunnyBee]

Omega-3 is available in liquid form. Nordic Naturals and Carlson get great reviews and come in lemon flavor. Whole Foods by me carries both, but they're cheaper online. Coromega is a squeeze packet that's orange flavored. I haven't found it locally, but amazon, VitaCost, etc. have it.

For your pup, look into Bach's Rescue Remedy (it's for people but works on dogs) and Thundershirts.

Good luck!

[crl]

So glad you got in early. Sound like you have some really great positive steps to take now.

:hug:

Catherine

[Gena]

Gena...thanks for the info. I am so completely confused about the DHA/EPA ratio. The only thing my take-home sheet said was "500 mg" of Omega-3, which I naively assumed would be simple. Do you have any advice on the ratio? I will call and ask, but I was wondering what others have learned who are taking it.

Some kids need more EPA and some need more DHA. It depends on the child's age as well as why you are giving the Omegas.

I've discussed the question of ratios quite a bit with DS's doctors, especially his developmental pediatrician. She has always recommended a high EPA / low DHA ratio for DS, due to his symptoms of hyperactivity and mood instability. EPA is supposed to be more effective for these. She told me that in general, high DHA is important in the infant through preschool years and then EPA becomes increasingly important. As an adult DHA is primary during pregnancy/breastfeeding and then again when one reaches a senior age.

Another thing to be aware of is that Omega 3s act as a blood thinner. This is generally not a problem, but some kids get increased nosebleeds or bruise more easily, so it's just something to keep in the back of your mind. Also in a medical emergency you would want to tell medical personnel that she is taking Omega 3 supplements for this reason.

[rlu]

For your pup, look into Bach's Rescue Remedy (it's for people but works on dogs) and Thundershirts.

Good luck!

I know our local PetSmart carries something similar to Thundershirts. It might be worth looking into. They weren't so readily available when we had BBD and I wish they had been since the TX thunderstorms about did him in.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11910783&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

eta: it is the Thundershirt brand petsmart carries.

[sophiesmom03]

Can you put the Omegas into a smoothie? Or some other yummy treat/drink that you know she'll finish?

My DD1 recently started on Prozac (she's 9), after a couple of years of CBT where she made a lot of progress but there were a few things she just didn't seem able to get over...you could tell when she'd lost control and just could not get around it or past it...she felt awful and so did we.

So she started about 3 weeks ago...it apparently tastes awful so she takes it with a couple of chocolate chips or a half a cookie...a little bribery I'm willing to do. I noticed a difference in about a week, and yesterday she said to me, "I think this medicine is really working - right now I can feel where I'd usually be getting really really angry but I was able to catch it myself and I'm OK."

Pretty cool. I hope you have positive results!!!!

[chozen]

We recently bought the ones you chew pp mentioned and our dd can't stand the taste/texture of them, however she is 5 so alittle younger. I know just recently someone posted on here about this and mentioned some made by barley? Brand that she gets on amazon we are going to try those. Getting ones that taste good and have a high EPA seems to be tricky. I know the chewy candy type have very little EPA in them. Just looked it up the brand is barleans.

[Tondi G]

I have heard good things about the Omegas Gena recommended.

As far as anxiety goes ... I would also second the rec for Rescue Remedy... both for your dog and for your DD! I use the spray (as does my DH). It is mild but it takes the edge off ... really good for use when there is a thunder storm etc.

http://www.nelsonsnaturalworld.com/en-us/us/our-brands/rescue-remedy/

[daisymommy]

I put cod liver oil into a shot glass of OJ and my kids all chug it down no problem. Even super picky DS.
I'm also a little surprised that she said mag. malate and not taurate, as it has been studied more for anxiety and depression.

But all in all, I'm so glad for you that you found someone quickly to listen to you, and get your DD help. Hugs, I know what a hard road it is!


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