The Treatment Approach that Stopped my Son’s Tics (Premium)
Thank you for your book Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourettes, which I purchased last year. It helped me understand what a tic disorder is, and how to recognize various types of triggers.
It has also enabled me develop an approach to help my child to overcome this disorder, using a combination of vitamins/supplements, environmental changes, and eliminating certain foods.
Jeremy, my 9-year-old-son, developed a tic disorder one year ago. We noticed some facial tics which later became quite severe, and he would jolt his head all the way back, and from side to side, many times during the day.
[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’Premium Article Guest Message’ user_error=’Premium Article Basic Message’ ]
My wife and I were very concerned. When we took Jeremy to see doctors, we were always given the same explanation, that it is a motor tic and will resolve itself. Not satisfied with this, we started to do our own research into this condition, what causes it, and how it can be resolved. We were also alarmed to read that some people include tics and Tourettes on the autism spectrum.
Enter your book. I read the 300 or so pages in about a week. I followed up with other reading on the internet, and also decided to seek professional help. We found a local naturopathic doctor experienced in pediatrics and the autism spectrum.
After considerable intervention, I consider my son cured of his tic disorder. I will share the treatment plan we followed under the guidance of our naturopathic doctor.
Here is what we did to stop the tics:
Environmental changes
I bought two good quality air purifiers, one for the home and the other for Jeremy’s room, to remove dust and other airborne allergens from the air.
We eliminated the use of air fresheners, and changed laundry detergent to a natural and fragrance-free brand.
We removed our CRT type television from the home and limited Jeremy’s LCD screen computer time, as we found that both of these made his tics worse.
Testing
Jeremy underwent the following tests:
- IgG and IgE ELISA food antibody panel to screen food allergens. [Result: found reaction to all dairy, wheat, gluten and some red meat.]
- Hair mineral analysis to screen for heavy metals. [Result: found high levels of copper. Some symptoms associated with high copper accumulation are depression, irritability, tremor and behavioral disorders.]
- CBC blood test and ASO Titer PANDAS test. [Result: found ASO Titer level elevated, probably due to a strep infection Jeremy had earlier in the year.]
Treatment — Physical Body
We ensured that Jeremy got regular exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes. We also introduced some relaxation techniques, such as bathing in Epsom salts.
Treatment — Diet efforts included:
- Elimination of foods as identified in the ELISA food antibody panel.
- Implemented a gluten-free diet.
- Removed foods and drinks containing food colorings and processed foods.
- Eliminated take-out food (McDonalds etc.)
- Added more fruit and vegetables as part of his diet and temporarily changed his drinking water from filtered tap water to bottled natural spring water from the supermarket.
Treatment — Supplements
Consisted of a four-phased approach over four months as follows:
Phase 1
- Magnelevures by Unda (Magnesium and Taurine supplement)
- Multi B6 by Thorne
- Genestra Candicin (for Candida and/or parasitic infections)
- Citramins II by Thorne (Calcium, Magnesium and mineral supplement)
- Genestra Super EFA liquid plus (Fish Oil)
- Genestra AMD (Heavy Metal Detox)
- Vitamin D3
- Bee Propolis (Natural Antibiotic to fight any residual Strep Infection)
Phase 2
- Multi B6 by Thorne
- Genestra Candicin (for Candida and/or parasitic infections)
- Citramins II by Thorne (Calcium, Magnesium and mineral supplement)
- Genestra Super EFA liquid plus (Fish Oil)
- Genestra AMD (Heavy Metal Detox)
- Vitamin D3
- Bee Propolis
Phase 3
- Multi B6 by Thorne
- MULTI-ENCAP by Thorne (multi vitamins)
- Genestra Super EFA liquid plus (Fish Oil)
- Genestra AMD (Heavy Metal Detox)
- Genestra Amino L-Glutamine
- Probotic 5 by Pure Encapsulation
- Vitamin D3
- Bee Propolis
Phase 4
- MULTI-ENCAP by Thorne (multi vitamins)
- Genestra Super EFA liquid plus (Fish Oil)
- Probotic 5 by Pure Encapsulation
- Vitamin D3
We implemented this four-phased plan in September last year and by December all motor and facial tics were gone.
He still uses the Phase 4 supplements as his daily maintenance supplements with the probotics only twice a week.
Conclusion
He is doing very well. Over the past three months since January, we have been gradually reintroducing wheat and dairy foods as advised by our naturopath and see no reaction to these foods.
[/am4show]