Hi Skyler, I am glad you have such courage to ask questions and seek advice. I have developed a few tics just recently and I am 38. It's not a fun thing to have to deal with. I have been suffering from tics such as "hard" blinking, sudden twitching and throat tics. Don't know what I would do without the internet as just being able to identify with other and knowing I am not going it alone is helpful, but I would like to share a few things that I have found interesting as well as some things that have helped me. Firstly, I contracted mono a few years ago, and my tics seem to have started soon afterword. I really didn't link the two events together until recently as I have heard mono can trigger tics as well as strep. PANDAS or PANS as it is now called (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediatric_acute-onset_neuropsychiatric_syndrome_(PANS))is a syndrome that leads to rapid onset of tics due to strep or other immune responses. I have read that mono and many other diseases such as Lyme disease can lead to PANS later in life as well. Here is a link to a short article about tourette's or PANS symptonms appearing in a group of teenage girls and some study done around the case: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=could-infection-cause-tourettes-like-symptoms-teenage-girls .
Strep apparently often is present in those with ongoing tonsillitis and can lead to syndromes such as PANS. From what I have read, many people have treated tics with antibiotics or more intense treatment such as IVIG(Google it). The infection basically affects the Basil Ganglia area of the brain. As disturbing as the symptoms are, it's nice knowing the symptoms are not my fault, and they are treatable. Having been interested in natural health for some time, I have applied some concepts to my struggle with these tics and have found great relief by using some techniques I will share with you. I am assuming my success is due to the fact that I am strengthening my immune system and eliminating sources of stress which seem to increase my susceptibility to tics. I try to follow an alkaline diet(Google it). It basically centers around eating a diet full of veggies and eliminating refined food, especially sugar. Certain foods like greens keep you alkaline and really help your immune system do it's job, which in this case is fighting an infection. I really notice when I have been craving chocolate or sugar and cave to my cravings for a while, my symptoms usually follow within a few days. Also, I have eliminated coffee and other sources of caffeine from my diet. This was not easy. I really like coffee. But it doesn't like me. Nothing sets me off quicker. I don't want to go on a lot about coffee, but I can say I sleep a lot better and my stress is so much lower and my tics are drastically reduced. Not sure why really as it doesn't seem to be related as far as the research I have seen goes, but it works. But I still miss it. I am not expert Skyler, and I hope you take comfort that whatever is causing your symptoms, it's not your fault and it could happen to any normal person. I personally like the idea of treating my symptoms naturally instead of filling my body with drugs, some, not all, of which are used to treat the symptoms, not the disease. If it is a virus or bacteria causing my brain to misfire, I like the idea of getting rid of the cause, and not living with someone telling me I need to work on my behavior. I now believe my tonsils combined with mono is responsible for these tics. From the research (looks legit), many other immune attacking viruses can lead to the same problems. I do believe that this has been a chance God gave me to improve my health, a wake up call, and however I overcome it, whether it be by natual methods or by getting my tonsils removed and downing an whole lotta antibiotics or other meds, I will be healthier than I was before the tics began. I hope this points you in a useful direction and know that you are supported and being prayed for as well Skyler.
John
