Msm

[Klovan]

Hi,
I need information on MSM - bad, good, neutral, protocol etc. etc.
Thanks in advance to all who responded.
Klovan.:idea:

[Dad]

Is this what you are refering to?

http://www.arthritis-msm-supplements.com/

I don't have any information for you, but am curious as to what MSM is and how it ties into autism.

[Klovan]

Yes. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane). Here is a connection to autism: helper to resolve phenolic issues, improper sulfur cycle, boost for immune system, digestive tract healer. Maybe there is more.

[Lisa S]

I bought a book about MSM and tried it for my daughter. Her progress seemed good, but unfortunately she developed an allergy to it(rash, etc), so we had to stop. Did you already try it? If you did try it, how did it work for you? If you still need information on MSM, let me know.
Lisa

[autmom]

Lisa, What kind of progress did you notice?

[Lisa S]

AUTMOM,
She seemed calmer: more focused and less aggressive. If she had not gotten the rash, I would still be giving it to her now. The rash was pretty bad. We took her to her pediatrician who figured out it was the MSM that was causing it. She is allergic to several other things, as well.
Lisa

[autmom]

Lisa, That's too bad about the rash...Have you found anything else to help?

[Lisa S]

AUTMOM,
Not really. We are trying some medications, Abilify and Trileptal are the ones we are trying now. We have also tried Concerta, Strattera, and Tenex. Her child psychiatrist wanted us to try Lithium for the aggression, but the side effects of Lithium scare me too much to give it to an eight year old. I have been reluctant to try the cfgf diet because Catherine is allergic to so many foods, milk and wheat are two she is not allergic to. What is a peptide test? Is it a way to see if the diet would help?

[autmom]

Yes, a peptide test can indicate if the diet may help:
http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/autism-test.html

[Lisa S]

AUTMOM,

Thank you for the link. I examined the site thoroughly. Something you said to another parent started me thinking. What about yeast? Catherine takes an antibiotic every day to prevent a urinary tract infection and she has since she was three weeks old, when she had her first urinary tract infection and they discovered that she has renal reflux. She has to take daily antibiotics or infections would destroy her kidneys. How could I find out how much grapefruit seed extract would be appropriate for a 50 pound eight year old? The site said you should not do the peptide test until you have the yeast in check because you may get a false positive. So I plan to try to talk her pediatrician into signing for the yeast tests. Would I need to permanently alter her diet if she does the GSE treatment? What about probiotics? Is that lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus? Could I just buy the milk with these friendly bacteria? Maybe I could try the GSE even if I can't persuade him to sign for the test. How did you find out about it? Is there a book or a website that you recommend? Sorry for all the questions, but I think this could possibly be Catherine's real problem and I want to find out all I can.

One of the benefits of MSM was that it was supposed to help heal a "leaky gut" without the gfcf diet and it was supposed to detoxify the body to reduce allergic reactions. It is an organic sulfur compound and it is supposed to replenish the sulfur depleted in many on the spectrum and also in those taking sulfa antibiotics, which is what Catherine has taken since she was two months old. Also it helps reduce pain in my trick knee when I do too much climbing. At least one of us can use it, so it won't go to waste.

Lisa

[autmom]

Lisa, I don't have too much time to reply right now, but the folks at Braintalk Communities Autism forum helped me out - Go there and do a search for yeast and you should find a lot.

[autmom]

AUTMOM,

Thank you for the link. I examined the site thoroughly. Something you said to another parent started me thinking. What about yeast? Catherine takes an antibiotic every day to prevent a urinary tract infection and she has since she was three weeks old, when she had her first urinary tract infection and they discovered that she has renal reflux. She has to take daily antibiotics or infections would destroy her kidneys. How could I find out how much grapefruit seed extract would be appropriate for a 50 pound eight year old? The site said you should not do the peptide test until you have the yeast in check because you may get a false positive. So I plan to try to talk her pediatrician into signing for the yeast tests. Would I need to permanently alter her diet if she does the GSE treatment? What about probiotics? Is that lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus? Could I just buy the milk with these friendly bacteria? Maybe I could try the GSE even if I can't persuade him to sign for the test. How did you find out about it? Is there a book or a website that you recommend? Sorry for all the questions, but I think this could possibly be Catherine's real problem and I want to find out all I can.

One of the benefits of MSM was that it was supposed to help heal a "leaky gut" without the gfcf diet and it was supposed to detoxify the body to reduce allergic reactions. It is an organic sulfur compound and it is supposed to replenish the sulfur depleted in many on the spectrum and also in those taking sulfa antibiotics, which is what Catherine has taken since she was two months old. Also it helps reduce pain in my trick knee when I do too much climbing. At least one of us can use it, so it won't go to waste.

Lisa

I printed off some info from the GPL site to show the doc. He wasn't sure what to make of it so I assured him that GPL would send a report and advise (they provide a free phone consult).

I don't feel knowledgable enough to answer some of your questions. My son is an adult, and I wouldn't know what's appropriate for your situation. I had to switch from GSE to OLE because I found out GSE is not good to take w/SSRIs. Even if you didn't try the yeast killers....some find that strong probiotics are enough to help.

Being on antibiotics encourages yeast overgrowth. Yes, there are many strains of probiotics and many products out there. Giving foods with the probiotic in it is not a bad idea but not sure how it compares to supplementing. I open up the probiotic capsules and put them in applesauce for my son. I use Therbiotic Complete from Klaire lab.

Another resource is the yahoo groups. The Mercury-Autism group has lots of information.

Do you do Epsom Salts? We use the Magnesium Sulfate cream from Kirkman's so we don't have to take baths.

How about enzymes? I am just starting to learn about them.
http://www.danasview.net/parent3.htm

http://www.enzymestuff.com/conditionbacteria.htm#2

[autmom]

http://www.danasview.net/yeast.htm

Also, the yahoo group is Autism-Mercury, I wrote it the other way around in my last post.

[Lisa S]

autmom, thank you so much for your response. You have given me much to think about and I appreciate it. I have been trying to find out more before giving Catherine any more supplements or enzymes, but many seem promising. We do epsom salt baths and they do seem to calm her somewhat. She helped me tint and perfume the "bath salts" so they are a treat for her. The cream is an interesting idea. How does it smell? Thank you for all your help.
Lisa

[autmom]

I am fairly sensitive to smell and I can't really notice any smell with the cream. Its actually a bit like a lotion and absorbs fairly quickly. I ordered my 2nd jar. Very convenient.