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<p>His job enables his issues. He works at a grocery store and often works until midnight = buys food, brings it home, takes it to his room, all while we are in bed. I’d love for him to have a different job, but that is easier said than done.</p>
<p>He is “between therapists” right now. For about 10 months he was going to a local “Executive Function” expert. But he just told the guy what he thought he wanted to hear, so we finally put an end to it.</p>
<p>No expert here, but all the females in my maternal line suffer GERD. A urologist, of all people, recently mentioned that taking antacids, yes, reduces stomach acid. But, then the brain detects the lower than expected acid levels and…signals to produce more. Hence the cycle. Keyword is brain. It’s not simply about the over-acidity in the digestive system. </p>
<p>But, similarly, sugar overuse can trigger a complex interaction between the endocrine system and the brain, as the master sensor. If he doesn’t, for certain, have diabetes, he could have caused a diabetes-like arc. Sugars are metabolized fastest (glucose production) and cause an energy high, a rush. Then, it’s quickly over and the drop. (Carbs have a slower conversion and longer energy ride; proteins take longest and levels stay smooth longest.) Crave the high, eat sugar, suffer the drop reaction roughly 60 minutes later, crave more. And, as you add body fat, that hoards the hormones most sensitive to all this. </p>
<p>I found lots of good info through the Amer Diabetes Assn- but it’s reports that you have to dig for. I vote for a referral to an endocrinologist- an MD (or osteo) before a nutritionist or other sort. My own understanding may be off a bit, but a specialist can rule out any other endocrine-related issues and answer qustions regarding the cycle he is caught in. And, whether he is uniquely sensitive to Lexapro or something else. </p>
<p>I would imagine, with exec function issues, that this is supremely hard for him to understand and manage alone. EF therapy may take too long for him to grasp the cause-effect of the sugar soon enough and deeply enough . Good luck.</p>
<p>Missypie- You are a good Mom. As a Mom we want to fix everything. You want your son to be healthy, to be emotionally happy and to reach for his dreams. If their is something medically wrong you want him to have medical help.
What does your Son want? Until he wants help you are just going to drive yourself insane. I know I have been there. I researched every illness, searched out therapists,psychiatrists, treatment centers, MD’s and nutrition experts. When my child tried to get well for “me” it didn’t stick. When she decided to get healthy for “her” it worked. She had to want it for herself.
What I did do was- let her know that I would pay for treatment when she was ready. I also told her that I would not ignore unhealthy behavior. I would let her know my concerns and offer help if and when she wanted it. I did have Dr names and numbers and therapist referrals ready.
The biggest thing was I stopped doing for her things that she should have been doing for herself. Small actions can build self esteem. Find something simple that your Son can do for himself. When I did things for her that she could do for herself I sent her the message that I didn’t think she was capable. (I did not think I was doing this)
Maybe it is time for your Son to take the step of renting a room with his earnings.
Regarding sugar addiction- I have a friend staying with me. She calls herself a sugar addict. She takes all kinds of probiotics, I know she drinks something each night that she says helps take away her sugar cravings. I also have a relative who is in recovery from binge and purge eating. Even after 20 yrs she can not have sugar in her house. When she comes to my house she can scent out sweets I didn’t even know I had. She still has unusual eating habits. She also has the habit of bringing huge amounts of sweets as gifts when she visits friends. IN both cases they are very aware of their illness and take care to keep it in check.
Another thought- I think your S takes ADD meds. ADD meds take away both of my ADD kids appetites. When one of them comes off of it she is starved and at that point eats unhealthy foods.</p>
<p>Maybe I’ll try the endocrinologist. Son has elevated antibodies but as of June, was not yet hypothyroid. His younger sister and I already have Hashimotos and his other younger sister is about where he is. But neither of his sisters have eating patterns that are any way similar to his. Among us we have seen three different endocrinologists, but one of them seems like he’d appreciate a diagnostic challenge.</p>
<p>There is a saying among medical specialists: “What this patient needs is a good doctor.” What they generally mean by this is a good internist who can look at the big picture and manage the specialists. An endocrinologist is highly likely to identify endocrine issues (and he may be right). I think you should shop for a really good internist–easier said than done, of course.</p>
<p>mom60, you are wise.</p>
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<p>The first thing I did when he started having eating issues was to think it was psychological. I made him an appointment with an eating disorders specialist, but when it was clear that he didn’t think he had a problem, so I cancelled the appointment.</p>
<p>Here is why I am researching his sugar cravings: at about this time last year, he was eating ice. Lots of it. We were irritated at him for emptying the icemaker on a regular basis. When we found out that he was severely anemic, the doctor said that craving ice is a classic sign of anemia. Before the doctor said that, we thought it was an irritating habit, never guessing that it was a symptom of a physical condition. So I feel like we should rule out possible medical causes of sugar cravings.</p>
<p>He is on lots of pills. Antacids, antidepressants, ADD meds. All prescribed by the PCP. but I feel like we need to see a professional who will step back and look at everything he is taking and figure out if any of the meds are causing problems.</p>
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<p>This doctor has been my H’s PCP for about 20 years. He always thought he was a “good internist.” </p>
<p>But here is what I am noticing. (And yes, I know we have been fortunate health-wise for me to go this long without noticing.) All of our doctors seem to be fine with acute conditions, but do a very poor job at managing chronic conditions. </p>
<p>The PCP will gladly prescibe a pill or order a test for anything. But when that doesn’t help, he’s at a loss. My endocrinologist seems only able to look at numbers on a test and match them up with a dosage of synthrod. When that doesn’t work, she’s at a loss. I’ve even stopped seeing my opthamologist for chronic dry eye because he tried to prescribe Restasis at every single appointment, and every time I told him that he had prescribed it before and it didn’t work. My daughter gets bronchitis several times a year. Z-pack every time but is there no way to prevent it? The only good diagnostician any of us has seen in years has been my allergist, who diagnosed my hypothyroidism.</p>
<p>As I said, what you need is a good doctor. They’re not so easy to find, though. What is the PCP’s specialty, and what kind of patients does he normally see?</p>
<p>I didn’t know that internists had specialties.</p>
<p>Is he in an internest, or is he a family practice doc?</p>
<p>rom822, Thank you for the kind words!</p>
<p>missypie, It sounds like you have autoimmune disorders in your family. With your dry eyes, you might have Sjogren’s. Autoimmune disorders are handled by rheumatologists. It might be worth having your son see one. Forgive me if this has been mentioned, but has he been tested for celiac disease? Even if he doesn’t have it, some people with autoimmune conditions feel better if they avoid wheat, or all grains.</p>
<p>NYmomof2, I have read about Sjogren’s and may well have it. It doesn’t seem important to get an actual diagnosis since there is no cure and the treatment for dry eye due to Sjogren’s seems to be the same as for anything else that causes dry eye.</p>
<p>My son actually was tested for celiac as a part of his endoscopy. He doesn’t have it but I still tried to get him to be gluten free. He cheated. I have been mostly gluten free (pretty much gluten-less - I ate pie at Thanksgiving.) I feel better being gluten free and I’m sure he would too. The rest of the family is not on board with being gluten free although 4/5ths of us have autoimmune issues. It’s a lot more difficult to control the eating of “big kids” than little kids.</p>
<p>I’m just going to throw this out. When it was clear D2 had some serious emotional issues (usual things, but not going to go away on their own,) we got a rec of a very good counselor for her. I loved this woman. When the family visited her together, she was absolutely amazing. Dead on in her comments, assessments, etc. Guess what? What worked for me, was entirely wrong for my child. We switched her to someone who specializes in college and late hs kids. Any chance you husband’s internist isn’t the right guy for your kid? Many docs focus more on issues of adults- getting us to through the adult years. Similarly, when we had to have her checked by a neurologist, we went to a pediatric neurologist, one focused on that age group’s medical and developmental issues. I see your son is 20, but perhaps a doc who has more experience with young adults would be more up on signals, symptoms and ideas.</p>
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<p>How in the world would I find a doctor that specializes in college and late HS kids? As each kid has turned 18, the pediatrician’s office has mailed the kid’s medical records to us. So long, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Our 19 year old currently has no doctor at all.</p>
<p>As long as I am complaining, I’ve been searching for a doctor who specializes in the digestive issues associated with autism. I live in a major metropolitan area and have found only pediatricians with this expertise. I have not found a medical professional that takes insurance in any specialty that focuses on autistic adults. I guess they are just supposed to disappear after they are 18? (I added the “that takes insurance” part because one can find all kind of folks with an “out there” alternative practice. [You know - the folks who “cure” autism.])</p>
<p>Missypie, my post-college kids go to a practice that specializes in adolescent/young adult medicine. It is a fabulous group that is very in tune with the issues and problems of that age (i.e. stress/depression/contraception). My kids feel comfortable emailing the practice with any concerns or questions that they probably don’t want me to know about. The practice sees patients from middle school until age 30, although the majority of the patients are late high school and older. Perhaps there is something like this in your area.</p>
<p>I have looked high and dry for such a practice in my metropolitan area with top-rated health care and hospitals. Not really anything except for emotionally disturbed or under-privileged teens…
I really agree that it is a GREAT IDEA. I have discussed this with several of our doctors, but no one has heard of one in the area.</p>
<p>You are very lucky, those of your with such practices in your area!</p>
<p>From reading the comments, my thought was an endocrinologist and/or psychiatrist with holistic focus might help your son. I googled autism and endocrinology and there were a lot of resources.</p>
<p>After pediatrics, a Family Practice MD would pick up general care. However, an Internist would also work. I think the person who can best relate to your son is more important than the specialty for general care.</p>
<p>You might want to consider interviewing Drs. alone - or doing the opposite - letting your son go to MDs without a parent.</p>
<p>I don’t want to dis family practice, but they are really best for managing the care of mostly healthy people, as opposed to those with a lot of problems requiring specialists. Is there perhaps a university hospital in your area that might have some referral options?</p>
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<p>I really truly honestly don’t mean to be flip or sarcastic, but where do y’all live where you are able to interview doctors and how easy are appointments to get to be able to shop for a doctor in less than a matter of years? Yes, I can choose a doctor and if she is taking new patients, make an appointment…and then when the appointment date arrives pay $200+ for the “initial appointment.” And then if she doesn’t work out, I can start all over again.</p>
<p>Seriously - are some of you able to actually talk to a doctor on the phone or in person free of charge to interview him or her to determine a good fit? I’ve had limited success doing that with psychologists, and I remember meeting the pediatrician before the kids were born. But otherwise, I’ve never been able to interview an MD, free of charge, with my clothes on. Am I saying the wrong things on the phone? Any advice?</p>
<p>Edited to add: Could this be a regional thing? A couple of years ago, I started a thread about finding a psychiatrist, and it was evident that in some parts of the country, NO ONE talks about seeing a psychiatrist, and in others EVERYONE talks about seeing a psychiatrist. Maybe interviewing doctors is regional also?</p>
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<p>I must be dense because several times (for various issues) people have suggested a university hospital but I can’t figure out how one actually gets a referral or any benefit at all from one? I can look up the hospital, look up the department…and then I call the number and get a receptionist or person who makes appointments…and then? Who would I ask for who could listen to my issues and recommend someone? There are probably all kinds of experts tucked away in the university hospitals, but how does one ever find them?</p>