Before Evie started on the ketogenic diet I had my doubts. It all sounded very complicated and thought it would just take over and going out and away would be a nightmare. In the build, up to starting the diet the information came in fast and the papers built up and I talked myself into not being able to do it. I didn’t really understand it and I didn’t know anyone else who had tried it.
It turned out I was making it seem a lot worse than it actually is. When we went for the first appointment my mind was put at ease. The dieticians for me were great, explaining things well so I can understand it and so could my family who I took with me, I thought in the case the more ears the better and also for when they would look after Evie they would have more of an understanding. I just told myself it would be like getting up to prep bottles like I did when Evie was born except I would be getting up and weighing out her meals for the day, it would soon become way of life which it has. I am a very organised person, which I think with this kind of diet really helps.
Evie has never been a fussy eater and would always try new things which helped, in the lead up to starting I tried a few meals out on Evie to see what she would and wouldn’t like.
When we started the diet GOSH where great, they were always at the end of the phone or email.
For the first 2 months, I think I spoke to them nearly every day one way or another! They initially said to give the diet a go for 3 months, check her blood keto levels every day with a finger prick test (which I hated, still do) and we will find a ratio which suits her best. 3+ months went past and there was no change, she was still having tonic-clonic seizures, they said to give it another few months but I said I would give it another month and that would be it.
I remember being out shopping with Evie and she suddenly had a really bad seizure, luckily before rescue meds was needed she came out of it. That was it for me; I was ringing the hospital and coming up with a new plan.
But after that seizure there were no more tonic-clonics, so we monitored her and things did improve, yes she has absences and spasms but to me that is better than the tonic-clonics.
So we continued on with the diet, regular checks at GOSH, regular weighs in and blood checks and it became way of life pretty quickly. She does pretty much have the same meals everyday but she doesn’t complain and she always eats them.
As I said before I am organised, once you are established on the diet you can cook and freeze meals and I prep what I can for the week ahead especially with Evie being at school now. School are also extremely good and only give her what I take in and they keep her own squash at school.
There are things that seem extreme, like certain toothpastes, squashes and certain double creams but you soon get used it. And then there’s the pots! You will have more plastic pots than you could ever imagine!
Evie has now been on the diet for 2 ½ years and I feel it’s time to wean her off. Why? Because over the last 2 ½ Evie has changed so much and I want to see that the diet I still the right way forward for her.
Yes there is a chance of some bad seizures coming back and she has had the odd one here and there but if they come back then the diet will also come back in play. I feel she is missing out on different textures, flavours and the opportunity to try and chew.
She will be weaned off the diet like she was weaned on,
gradually, slowly and will be monitored by weight and keto blood levels. We are currently on the first stages on coming off so fingers crossed it goes smoothly.
If you are thinking of trying the ketogenic diet but you are unsure then I personally would say give it a go but that’s because it worked for us. At least you would have tried it and if doesn’t work you can cross it off, like any of the epileptic drugs out there, they don’t work for everyone. Its finding what’s best for your little fighter.
