Reply #1: A bit of good news

[htuttle]

The story has spread elsewhere, and they are getting some (at least temporary) help.

Here's a link to the story from a Kansas City TV channel:

http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/health/2388601/detail.html

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., is working directly with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of the family.

UPDATE: After the story about the Tracy family was published, a pharmacist arranged for a case of Ketocal -- at no cost to the family.

The pharmacist, who wishes to remain unidentified, is just one of many viewers who e-mailed and called to offer help.

He is trying to find more formula for Tyler Tracy while the family looks for a long-term solution to the problem.

BTW: something odd at first -- the video on the kansas city site is directly from WISC-TV in Madison, WI (I recognize it -- I live here). For moment, I was worried that this was a canned feature (as seen in Toxic Sludge is Good for You), and there may have been another motivation for the same feature story being on two local channels. It does seem to be a genuine local story, however, and it just seems that Kansas City picked the story up from WISC-TV, Madison.

(on edit...later)

Here's something else weird. I've been trying to figure out why Ketocal is no longer available here in the US.

I found this document from the Iowa WIC office, which states:

Week ending February 14, 2003 Issue 2003-17
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/wic/frifacts/2003/facts021403.htm

New WIC Medical Food Approved: KetoCal
The state WIC office recently approved the medical food, KetoCal. This product is manufactured by Scientific Hospital Supply (SHS). It contains a 4 to1 ratio (fat: carbohydrate+protein) enabling an individual to achieve and maintain a high level of ketosis. The product is intended to provide complete or supplemental nutrition support for individuals over the age of one with intractable epilepsy. It is available only in the powdered form.

It's disappearance must be very recent. IA WIC just started approving it for WIC last February.