azhorsegal

Claire, I actually tried that bread mix from Gluten-Free Pantry, but I don't think I let the bread rise enough, it was a little to compact if you know what I mean, but it was better than my first attempt when I tried to make the bread from scratch. The bread came out like a brick, lol. But with practice I know I'll get it down, especially if I can get a bread machine, what do you use? My daugther's stomach was hurting again this morning and she had waffles (with homemade syrup). So I'm thinking I'm going to have to try going Gluten free just to see if I can stop the stomach pains she's having. She never had them before, but after going gluten free for about 5 days and then putting her back on gluten, she's been complaining of stomach pains, even though her tics have taken a vacation. So now I'm just scratching my head trying to figure it all out. I feel like as soon as I solve one problem another one pops up.

Ortho and Kim, thanks for the great info. Definitely something I will check into.

Yeah, that was my biggest worry. I was very happy to see her tics go away even while she was eating gluten/wheat. I have noticed today that her tics are back but still not nearly as bad as they were. I'm pretty sure it's the donut, with sprinkles, she ate yesterday given to her by her Sunday School Teacher. I'm going to have to buckle down and tell her school teacher and sunday school teacher, to not give her anything without my approval. Even if she didn't have a problem, at her age I would have never given her a full size donut, but instead give her only half. And to make matters worse it was just before lunch time!!! Thanks for making it harder on me to get my daughter to eat her entire lunch (which she wasn't able to do). I also gave her Kool-aid the day before, on purpose, to see what would happen. That plus the donut I think made her "bucket" overflow, so no more processed sugars for a while, especially since school is starting on Wednesday.

Thanks Jeff, and that sitting on your lap story really hit home. It was heart breaking to feel her little body just jumping all over and her inability to sit still, but I just ignored it best I could, knowing it wasn't her fault. Now, these past two weeks, it's been really nice to hold her and I will feel one tic every once in a while, but her body is at peace compared to just two weeks ago. Thanks for your encouraging words and I also wish your girls the best. Edit: Oh, I found ketchup with NO corn syrup in it, Heinz Organic Ketchup. I know you said one of your daughter's has a reaction to tomatoes, so she probably can't have any, but maybe your other daughter can. My daughter doesn't have a reaction to tomatoes, but does with corn syrup, so I was VERY happy to find this. Just wanted to pass on the info.

LOL, yeah I've had that reaction to, "What, no apples!?" I was not really happy when I picked her up from Sunday School class this morning to find a glazed sprinkled donut in her hand. Teacher had passed one out to every child. She had it pretty much eaten by the time I saw her. So far I haven't seen any effects. I did make the comment that I was trying to keep her away from sugars and you should have seen the looks I got, like I was neglecting my child or something. Funny how the one person that looked at me has a son that to me has ADHD, but the mom has yet to test him, nor has kept him away from sugar, sodas, and all those other foods that is making that poor boy bounce off the walls. My daughter doesn't like mango's so I've allowed her to have strawberry jam with no perservatives, artificial colors, and flavors, and so far she doesn't show any signs of reactions to it. But if I can find pear jam or pomegranit I'll switch. I'll have to try and find that 365 Brand of soda as my daugther loves Sprite, but hasn't had any in about a month, so that would be a nice treat for her. Thanks for getting back, have a great vacation.

Since my 7 year old daughter's tics started back in April they increased as the summer went on, almost every muscle group and one going just about every second. Looking back they actually started with eye rolling a few years ago, but didn't recognize it until now. I have been trying different diets and this last one, the Feingold diet, taking out all artificial coloring and flavoring, and certain perservatives, and corn syrup, her tics have pretty much gone away. It's still to early though to know if it's the diet or the tics are just on vacation, but I am happy to see my daugther get a few weeks rest from them. I have slid a bit on the diet allowing some things to come in, just to see if it triggers any tics, so far nothing has happened. My heart wants to leap for joy and say "they are gone" but I know that will more than likely NOT be the case. That's probably the most frustrating thing for me as a mom, WHEN are they coming back? Again not "if" but when. My daugther has not been diagnosed with "TS" but instead a "Childhood Motor Tic Disorder", but in reality I don't see much difference, except she has not had it for a full year yet. (She does have verbal tics at times, but those are pretty mild at this point). She starts school on Wednesday, and I'm a little nervous about what might happen, but her teacher is aware of her condition, and is actually a teacher I specifically asked for. She used to be my daughter's kindergarten teacher that is now teaching 2nd grade. I figured if she had a teacher she knew, and liked, then it would be less stressful on her. We also found out on Saturday, during the school's open house, that two of her best friends are in her class, so that should help. She is also moving to a new swim team starting this week and if all works out will probably be with this swim team for a long time. When she's walking around the pool you can tell she has tics (except these past two weeks), but when she starts to swim, you never see them, she's one of the best swimmers there and her coaches are always saying she's very pretty to watch because she really knows how to reach out and stretch. Even though the tics will more than likely be back, her swimming is a time she can get away from them. We are changing swim clubs because she's basically out grown this old program, and the new swim club has swimmer's all the way to adulthood, some have even qualified for the Olympic Trials. My thought is to get her really involved with a club now, so when puberty hits, and her tics may increase, she's around people who already know her and what tics are, hopefully not making a big deal out of it.

Just bumping up to see if Jeff can answer my questions.

Well her last vocal tic was about three weeks ago, so looks like we have a long wait. So what's up with the MMR Booster at age 12? My daughter is 7, should I be concerned about this booster?

Hi Jeff, thanks so much for joining the discussion. And you are right, it's pretty overwhelming at first, but like you said, I'm just taking one step at a time and eventually we will be on the right track. With that said however, I have already noticed a difference in my duaghter's tics, she still has them, but not nearly as bad as she did. It might just be the tics are just in the down cycle at the moment, but I'm pretty sure time will tell that it has in fact made a difference. I do have a question for you though. The hardest part for me is getting rid of apples and berries, and even apricots. I'm finding it hard in finding a fruit spread she can have. I know it says pineapple and pomegranate jelly, but trying to find it is another story. What do you use? The other thing is bread. I have not been able to find any of the breads they list, though I did find one at our Health Food Store (and luckily it's also at my local grocery). It's called Grandma Sycamore's Home-Maid Bread (100% Honey Whole Wheat). It had the least amount of ingredient, but I'd like to share them with you and see if you see anything "bad". Ingredients: Whole Wheat Flour, Water, Soybean Oil, Honey, Sugar, Contains 2% of less of the following: Salt, Yeast, Dough Conditioner (DATEM), Corn Sugar, Soy Oil, Vinegar, Calcium Propionate (Preservative), Calcium Sulfate. I'm thinking maybe the preservative is bad, but I just don't know what else to use. I was happy it didn't have corn syrup in it (but is corn sugar the same?), which is one of the main ingredients I'm trying to avoid, next to artificial food coloring and flavoring. This bread is actually made localy (I think) because it says Packed by Capistrano Bakery, Inc. in Tempe, AZ. Side Note: I did say I was going to go Gluten Free too, but I quickly gave up on that as it's way to hard to do AND do everything in the Feingold Diet. So if this doesn't work after doing it for a month then I'll go Gluten free, still trying to impliment some of the Feingold Diet (maybe by then I'll have a better handle on it). Thanks Jeff, in advance for answering my questions. It's nice to know someone else has found success with this diet and I'm hopeful we will to. If nothing else, I'm happy with the much healthier diet we are eating. I even make homemade syrup now and my kids love it!!!

I second that Kim, Cheri said it very well, what you highlighted in red. I for one have personally found that statement to be true, as depressing as that is. BUT, have found hope by being a part of this forum, and no matter if my daughter as transient tics or TS (Nuero put it in a "over a year" box before he'll give it that diagnosis), she does in fact have tics. Oh, she also has verbal tics at times, so I guess that leaves me out of the article, lol.

Sydsmom, thanks for the encouragement. Sounds like my husband will need to see physical proof just like your husband, so hopefully with time he'll be more open minded. Claire, thanks for the additional clarification (lol ). I was going to just do the Feingold Diet and see what happens by avoiding all the food additives, artificial flavors and colors, aspartame, and Natural Salicylates. But maybe I should also go Gluten free and that way, like you said, at the end of the month I can reintroduce something and see what happens. It would be quicker than trying just the Feingold Diet for a month and then go Gluten Free for a month. I'm positive that the combination of the two is a much healthier diet, so it's not like I'm hurting her. The one thing that does make it a lot tougher though, is the Naturopathic doctor said she was also sensative to corn , which makes it even harder to stay gluten free. BUT, I did spend a lot of money two weeks ago on Gluten and corn free products (flour and baking mixes) that I probably have enough things to get by for a month. With that said, her tics are more this morning than the last few days, but still pretty mild compared to prior of starting the diet. She did have her swim club last night though, so maybe it was the chlorine. I'd prefer the gluten and additives to be the culprit though, as she LOVES to swim, she's a fish, and starting on a swim team, so I'm not sure what she'd do if she was told she had to stay out of the water. OK, so it's going to be hard, BUT the only way to get to the bottom of it is to start her on the Feingold/Gluten/Corn free diet now, and in one month, start adding foods, give it one week and see what happens. My head hurts just thinking about it, lol. (It was a good thing I didn't buy that horse last month, and stopped my riding lessons, because this is going to take all my time, lol ) Edit: Oh, KGeorge, thanks for the encouraging words, it really helped.

carolyn_Isc, on the fish oil, I actually have not given it to her in the past week, just been bad in remembering. So not sure if the fish oil was actually helping or not. Kim, no environmental tests were done, just food. So that's certainly a possibility we might need to look at. Chemar, thanks for the clarity between hypersensativity and allergy (didn't realize there was a difference), I will do my own test with food elimination to see what my daugther is truely reacting to. Will just take a little more time, but well worth it once I come to finding out the results. Is anyone familiar with the Feingold Program? It was mentioned in Sheila's book, so I became a member and got my packet today. I will start both my daughters on the program, including no corn syrup and see what happens.

Hi KGoerge, I myself am new to all this. My daughter started showing signs of tics two years ago with eye rolling, but it would go away for months at a time, so we didn't really worry to much about it. Starting this past May she started showing the head tics and now it's pretty much in every muscle group in her body. She has been diagnosed by a Neurologist with having a Motor Tic Disorder, but to early to say if it's Tourette's. Chemar is right, take a deep breath. I know for me it's been an up and down roller coaster and in reading Chemar's message to you just now, I'm reminded I need to slow it down, not get all worked up, and just take it one day at a time. And realize I still have my daugther, and I should not let all these tests and food changes effect her being a kid. After all, I think I'm having a harder time with it than my daughter is. Even though her tics can be very active at times, she doesn't let it get in her way, she's such a trooper. I can't give any better advice than Chemar gave, but to just say welcome, and you are not alone. This sight is great, because you can "vent" and talk to someone who will actually listen, unlike some doctors (at least in my case). God bless and I will pray for your family and your son. (Oh, I would highly recomend getting Sheila's book "Breakthrough Discoveries in Natural Treatments - Tics and Tourette's".)

OK, most of you know that my daugther saw a Naturopathic doctor and we were told she was allergic to gluten, corn, and Equal. Well, with my husband's request I took her to an allergist and had a scratch test done, and his finding is that she is NOT allergic to those foods. She had a slight reaction to egg white, but the allergist said it wasn't big enough to keep her away from it. The week earlier she tested negative for Celiac Disease. With that said about a week ago I took her off the gluten free diet and the avoidence of artificial colors and flavoring (including corn syrup) and the last two days her tics have been really bad, pretty much all muscle groups have been involved. When my daugther is "active" her tics are going on pretty much every second. Yesterday she would avoid standing because she would just bounce from the tics in her legs. Today she doesn't seem to be as bad, but she still has tics every 5-45 seconds. So I'm not sure if it's the artificial coloring and flavoring and corn syrup, or the gluten back in her diet. What I was thinking I could do now is take the next two weeks and avoid all artificial coloring and flavoring and also avoid corn syrup. Then give her a tall glass of Kool-aid and see what happens. During this time I won't worry about the gluten free diet. If I don't see any results then I'll take two weeks and give her a gluten free diet and then at the end of those two week give her wheat and see what happens. I'm not sure what else to do, after going to the allergist I've been a little discouraged. Not that I WANT her to be allergic to those things, especially wheat, but I feel like I've come to another dead end on what could be causing my daughter's tics. Has anyone out there experience what I'm going through, Naturopathic doctor tells you one thing and an allergist tells you another. I'm pretty sure once the report gets back to my daughter's pediatrician he's going to think I'm a crazy mother, putting her daughter through all these tests, and probably wasting my money. I for one don't think spending time and money on my daughter is a waste, but it's still hard knowing someone probably thinks that of you.

Claire, no offense taken here. I've learned a long time ago on forums things can get misunderstood SO easily, that a person really shouldn't taken offense to anything. If you feel you've been misunderstood then just try and re-explain youself, without getting all upset that the other person didn't understand the way you thought they should, especially when we can't hear each other's tone of voice, which I think is a real BIG disadvantage to email and on-line chatting. BUT, with that said, I'm VERY grateful to this forum, as without it I'd really be at a loss as what to do and how to help my daugther. So I'll definitley take being misunderstood a few times over not having this info at all. You sound like a great person Claire, thanks for understanding.

THANKS!!!

Hi Claire, I must have said something to make you think different . I did understand what Kim was saying and I do understand that you can have glunten intolerance and NOT have Celiac, which is why I'm having several tests done. We did the test for Celiac yesterday and next week we are going to an allergist to test for any food allergies, including gluten, wheat, corn and other foods, including milk, which I don't think she's allergic to but will still have her tested just in case. I for one agree that if a naturopathic doctor works for a person then that's what they should go with. I for one DO believe the Naturopathic's findings, however, because I live with some people who DO NOT consider it "real" medicine, I feel getting blood test will make everyone happy and that way the family will be more willing to go along with my daugther's new diet change, that in reality is going to effect everyone, including her grandparents when she's there. I also agree that the tics can be from a food allergy and the eczema can be from IgE, which is actually what my NMD suggested. I hope I cleared things up, lol. But, of course I probably muddy them up more . I do appreciate EVERYONE'S testimonies on what helped them. It definitley makes it easier for those of us coming on board not knowing where to start. I for one, feel this site is a God send and it give me hope for my daugther.

Hi Jen, my 7 year old daughter was just diagnosed with "Childhood Motor Tic Disorder", her Neurologist said he would not classify it as TS, as insurance companies frown at any treatment for TS. But that's about the only helpful thing he did. Pretty much said nothing we can do, if it got worse (and would during adolesence)then bring her in and he'd stick her on Topamax (he did say all other medications have side effects that are worse than the tic disorder). I for one don't want her on drugs if I can help it so in my search for answers I found this website (a God send!!!) I would also say ditto to getting Sheila's book, I'm just about done reading it and it's been a WEALTH OF INFO! Definitely a must have for anyone dealing with Tics or TS. I would suggest having your son tested for any food allergies, seems to be a big help to those with tics, even though Neurologists will say there is no connection. Many on this forum will say otherwise. My daugther just got tested for Celiac and she's going in next week for conventional testing for food allergies. Our Naturopathic MD has already tested her and she was positive for gluten intolerance, AND corn, which makes it even harder. I'm having the blood work done just to be sure (and to satisfy my sceptic family members). Good luck and my prayers go out to you and your family. I know how unsettled and concerned you are and it sounds like to me you are searching for a better way, so your son is lucky to have you as a mom.

Kim, below is the message I posted on your bumped post (my neurologist diagnosed her with "Childhood Motor Tic Disorder", said he wouldn't call it TS for that very reason that insurance companies would not want to cover her for treatment). Thanks Kim, My daughter had her blood drawn today for both the IgA tests, and unlike the one post said my pediatrician new exactly what tests were needed for Celiac, even though he thought my Naturopathic doctor's unconventional ways of testing for allergies was a hoax. He still understood the seriousness of making sure my daughter does not have Celiac. We are also scheduled to see an allergist next week to get blood tests to confirm her food allergies. Should here about the Celiac test sometime next week. Thanks for bumping this post up, gave me some more understanding on how this all works. THANKS! I'm so grateful to everyone here, as this tic disorder that my daugther has been diagnosed with doesn't seem as scary as it did, though I still know things might, and probably will get worse before they get better. At least I don't feel alone and if something happens it's nice to have people to talk with that's already been down this road. Thanks to everyone!

Thanks Kim, My daughter had her blood drawn today for both the IgA tests, and unlike the one post said my pediatrician new exactly what tests were needed for Celiac, even though he thought my Naturopathic doctor's unconventional ways of testing for allergies was a hoax. He still understood the seriousness of making sure my daughter does not have Celiac. We are also scheduled to see an allergist next week to get blood tests to confirm her food allergies. Should here about the Celiac test sometime next week. Thanks for bumping this post up, gave me some more understanding on how this all works. THANKS! I'm so grateful to everyone here, as this tic disorder that my daugther has been diagnosed with doesn't seem as scary as it did, though I still know things might, and probably will get worse before they get better. At least I don't feel alone and if something happens it's nice to have people to talk with that's already been down this road. Thanks to everyone!

I do agree, as I do give my children a mulit-vitamine (need to be more consistent though) and I did just start my oldest (the one with the tic disorder) on Omega 3 6 9 (fish oil) to help her with concentration as she seems to be having a little trouble in that area. My friend told me it made a difference in her daughter, so I thought I would try it. I was just saying the Naturopathic didn't try to sell me one of his vitamins. My husband wanted me to go to our duaghter's pediatrician to get a blood test to confirm what the Naturopathic MD had found. Of course when the pediatrician found out how this doctor did his test he gave me this look as if I was crazy , and simply said, "Well, I think all that is a hoax." I said, "Well, that may be, but that's why I'm here, to see if anything of what he said was true, and if it is, then we obviously need to change my daugther's diet and if she has Celiac Disease (which I'm suspicious of) we need to find out now." He was at least very interested in getting her checked out for Celiac, as he said if she does in fact have this she will need to see a specialist, as Celiac can be very disabling, so we did that blood test today. He also gave me a number to an allergist, so I can get blood work done on her for the gluten intolerance. I'm open minded to what the Naturopathic doctor said, and my parents are believers, but my husband and his side of the family think otherwise, and I for one don't want to live with the "well you never really got her tested by a 'real' doctor" from my in-laws. So to make everyone happy I will get the blood test done, and if it does in fact come out the way the Naturopathic doctor said, then that's who I will stick with for any further treatment my daugter may need.

That's the thing that actually made me feel like this doctor was legit, he didn't push vitamins on me at all, as a matter of fact said he really doesn't like someone as young as my daughter (7 years old) taking the suppliments. He said if she can just stay off the certain foods for three weeks, that's feeding the fungus she has it should take care of itself, going back to those foods once the fungus is gone. Though the Glutin and Corn free diet is something long term. I forgot my check book and I owe him $125. He didn't have a credit card machine so he just said to mail him a check. So at this point this doctor has REALLY impressed me.

Well, I just had my first "alternative" doctor visit and it was VERY interesting. His name is Donald Baker, DC, NMD and he's in Mesa, AZ. He tested my daughter for allergies and it was a way I'd never seen or even heard of (maybe some of you can tell me if you've seen it done this way). First he checked her "system" to see if everything was online sort of speak. He did this by having her lay on a table and then tapped a pressure point in her ankle and then tried to move her arm while she tried to hold it against her body. Before he tapped her ankle she was able to hold it strongly against her body, but as soon as he tapped her ankle she could not hold her arm, it became very relaxed (lack of a better word). It only lasted for about five seconds though and then she was able to hold her arm against her body again. He said these are the points that are used in acupuncture. He did a few other things like that and said it looked like her small intestine had a fungus, but it could be cleared up by avoiding certain foods for three weeks. He said she probably got the fungus when she was on the antibiotics for her strep a few months back, but could have gotten it several years ago (when ever she was on antibiotics). No way to tell, but did believe she had a fungus now. Then he checked her for food allergies and the way he did it was very interesting. He held a vile of food over her stomach with a magnet above the food (acting as a conductor). If my daughter was able to hold her arm firmly agains her side (like she did earlier) then her body had no reaction to that food. If her arm all of a sudden went limp (or relaxed) then her body was having a reaction to that food (he was not tapping her ankle at this point). I honestly do not know if I would have believed it, unless I saw it with my own eyes. Come to find out my daughter is allergic to Corn, MSG, Oat, Spelt, Wheat/Flour, Barley, Rye, Kamut (not sure what that is), Equal (Aspartame) and Splenda. We also need to avoid all sugars and other foods, like carrots and cantaloupe to clear up the fungus, but once that's gone she can go back to eating those foods. The hard part is most people that have to avoid Wheat can use corn flour or other things with corn to replace the wheat, but in my daughter's case she's reacting to both. So it's going to be tough to find what she CAN eat. She can have milk and peanuts, so at least those two foods are ok. Does anyone else have a child that's allergic to wheat AND corn? Oh, and she can't have oats either, which means her favorite breakfast, oatmeal, is out. The doctor said he really doesn't like calling it an allergy, because it's really all about the immune system. What is your opinion on how the doctor did the test? My husband is VERY skeptical and doesn't really think this doctor knows what he's talking about . BUT, the neurologist and pediatrician was not helpful at all and didn't give us anything to work with. I was already starting to elimate some foods in her diet and at least now I have a clear target to look at. I for one really liked this doctor and he was recomended to me by a friend who said her friend just couldn't say enough good things about this doctor. So we'll start the diet plan he gave us and see what happens. Like I said, since I've eliminated some of the foods like corn syrup, MSG, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, for the past 5 days, the last 2 days her tics have been VERY mild. Time will tell, but I'm already a believer in what she eats CAN trigger the tics (and her eczema).

Claire, you are SO right. Just got back from the Naturapathic MD and found out some very interesting things. Will post the results of the tests in a new thread titled "Help at last!"

It would be very interesting to know what your allergist says. I know I will post what my daughter's NMD says next week, after he has a chance to do the allergy tests. Maybe it's just that some foods just happen to trigger the tics AND Eczema, so when the food is eliminated it just naturally takes care of both. It's interesting though, how regular MDs will consider a food allergy to trigger Eczema, but have huge doubts about food triggering the tics associated with TS and other disorders. I almost want to stand up and shout to all the doubting MDs out there and say, "OK, so it's true that here in America we have made HUGE strides in the medical field, helping many with cancer, and other diseases. Did we get this way by being closed minded?! NO, you have to consider everything and test each theory that comes up, only then will cures and treatments be found." OK, I'm down off my soap box, after all, I'm just a mom, no title to my name, so what do I know, lol.