Chemar

Hi airbucket honestly I would question whether a a TS dx is correct if you were seeing such a long period of remission of the tics. TS tics typically wax and wane but usually dont go away for that long in kids and then suddenly come back sounds to me like something else apart from TS may be triggering tics but I also know that TS is often uniquely manifest in different people so not saying your dx is wrong...just that it bears some further questions

Hi CP the Epstein Barr virus test is one that measures antibodies in blood to show if one has ever been exposed to it http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003513.htm IMHO it is always possible that those with a genetic predisposition for TS might be triggered to manifest it after any microbial infection, just as likely as by any of the other triggers we discuss here

Hi Faith I think perhaps it is because the probiotic in high dose may trigger mor of the autoimmune response IN THE GIT of those who have CROHN's. Not sure how it impacts other autoimmune illnesses that are not GIT related. My son still takes probiotic in the form of plain no fat Stoneyfield farm yoghurt once daily, but he seems not to be able to tolerate anything stronger ie kefir and culturelle, both of which he tolerated well some years back, before the crohn's symptoms started

Michele this "dirty talk" actually can be tic manifestation, pretty much like the coprolalia ie cussing tic often involves saying inappropriate things these also can involve tourettic OCD where the tics and OCD are morphing I agree with Faith that there is also the kids being kids and boys at certain ages component...but there is also recognized tic/OCD stuff in this area I remember it all too well!!

Hi Bev NO! you did not misunderstand before Omega 3 is GOOD!!! in fact it is *essential* some people just dont tolerate the FISHOIL form for them flaxseed oil is better flaxseed also contains some omega 6 & 9 but the balance of 3 is highset, hence it is an excellent substitute for those who are fishoil intolerant fluoride however is known to be a major tic trigger!!

Hi some have had much success with NAET. Patty can tell you a lot about it too. you are absolutely correct to be cautious with the way the DAN doc is handling the testing as some alternative practitioners are not necessarily as good, or cost effective as others. this is true of all branches of healthcare but sadly especially so in alternative therapy where often people are desperate for results and there is less regulation on charges etc. It doesnt sound like the DAN doc is being careful at keeping you informed or in staying informed herself on your child's files

Hi for kids over 6 and under 12 it is usually 1/2 adult dose on any supp

Trg girl have you tried her on flaxseed oil for omega 3? my son reacts with more tics to all other forms, especially fishoil, but responds very well to flaxseed oil

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is very valuable for OCD and tics but Habit Reversal therapy for tics is IMHO not a good idea tics are *not* habits, at least not TS tics they are INVOLUNTARY motor or vocal neurological reactions and trying to suppress them can actually result in negative psychological results. However, Behavioral Therapy that helps to modify tics can be very helpful. But the habit reversal techniques that I am aware of are more about trying to "force" a person with TS tics to stop or "control" them, and that is detrimental

Hi Bev great that Laurena can give you input from the perspective of diabetes as I would think that truly is far more important to have under correct control My husband and son have TS and tho my son has never had clonidine, my husband did with rather alarming side effects. The doctor gave it to him for the dual purpose of helping his tics, which had waxed after many years of being very minor, as well as to bring down his high blood pressure(which is the main use of clonidine medically) my husband became totally psychotic while on the clonidine and it was very scary. Thankfully those symptoms went away as soon as he came off it. I wonder if there is cause for concern about the impact of its blood pressure lowering and heavy sedative effect given the fact that you son has diabetes to deal with too

I believe at least 3 hours

there have been some concerns about Threelac here is just one of many sites about this http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/is-threel...-and-effective/ I have always used plain kefir as a probiotic

we keep monolaurin here as our "all purpose" natural antibiotic, along with olive leaf extract, and also have coconut oil for external use, tho it does taste good with a small blob on veggies instead of butter But for candida specifically, I personally still feel candida clear is best...but as Michael pointed out, it may not work fully for everyone my son totally avoids all corn products now in any form...hard as it is as they seem to stick it into almost everything around in some form or other

Hi and welcome if you are dealing with PANDAS, it doesnt surprise me that you wouldnt be seeing improvement with Bonnie's supps as they are specifically designed for Tourette Syndrome, and would not be addressing the main issues related to PANDAS (infection/inflammation) You are wise to hold off on additional tic medications until you are sure what is actually causing the tics. you may want to also post on our PANDAS forum to get input from parents there http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=17

Bonnie, aloe vera gel is also very soothing to any form of burn lol I remember the lamp story Faith

agreed on it possibly being a reaction to the taurine some just dont seem to handle it well, altho for those that do, it can be very beneficial in reducing tics again comes down to that unique system that each individual has

here is but one of many warnings about threelac http://www.holistichelp.net/blog/is-threel...-and-effective/ as mentioned above we have found candida clear by NOW most effective IF used in conjunction with a proper diet designed to eliminate candida the book I like is The Yeast Syndrome by Walker and Trowbridge as it helps plan the diet and has really good recipes in the back too re coconut if one wants to avoid using the oil, then monolaurin (which is lauric acid made from coconuts) is an excellent general antimicrobial that also has yeast buster properties. I get ours at my local branch of The Vitamin Shoppe(also available via their website)

I think that depends on what one is trying to "heal" if you mean "cure" TS then no, it doesnt do that but a session really does seem to bring a good period of relief for my son when he has been waxing. granted, the combination of acupuncture is likely having an effect as well but when my son was struggling with severe pain, inflammation and bleeding from his Crohn's disease, he experienced significant relief ie "healing" after biofeedback. Similarly with other issues he has dealt with. Healing is a process IMHO and doesnt always happen in one swoop. so yes, I do feel biofeedback has healing properties

Hi Mandy and welcome supplementing magnesium and ensuring a good pure multivitamin/mineral supp is usually the way to start. I have a link in my signature on what helped my TS son. other members have additional supps that they have found helpful, but for TS, magnesium seems to be most important. you can also read up more at Bonnie Grimaldi's website. She has forumulated a specialized product to help with TS that most people respond very well to. Even if you decide not to use BonTech, the ingredients listed there will give you some idea of what is used http://www.bonniegr.com dont hesitate to ask many questions here...it can all be very overwhelming to start, but as you start getting direction, it becomes a lot easier re the magnesium, many find the Natural Calm form (or Kids calm for younger children) very good (it is usually cheapest from iherb.com ) as well as taking epsom salts (mag sulfate) baths

hi Bev here is the wiki article on biofeedback, which isnt comprehensive enough with the many latest applications, but gives the basics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofeedback my son has had biofeedback, done in conjunction with acupuncture, for many years and finds it very beneficial. i do need to stress this is very different from NEUROfeedback, which I personally would not go near!

Hi Michael which supplements were you using to treat the candida? if there wasnt capryllate amongst them then that may be why you werent seeing effect from them. I had very stubborn candida and nothing fully took care of it until I started candida clear. I think my system needed the combination of the various ingredients in it to finally win the yeast war. My son actually responded very well to just diet and capryllate initially (we treated him before candida clear came on the market) and yes, I have heard some reports of unpleasant side effects from nystatin, but primarily in children so your situation may be different being adult. The biggest concern with it is the possible, tho rare, development of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Most reports seem to be of GIT upset, rashes, etc

I think you are wise to avoid nystatin and threelac I am not aware of a liquid treatment for candida but one may exist. oil of oregano is good (tho as you have likely found only minuscule amount can be used diluted becasue it is so very strong) It wont eradicate candida used alone tho, even with probiotic the candida clear has oregano oil in addition to other herbs, but the primary candida buster in it is capryllic acid (capryllate)

if the shot had thimerosal then yes, it is a potential trigger as it contains mercury and yes, a delayed reaction is possible

great to know the clonidine is working well for your son I do just have to add the cautionary note tho that this is *not always* the case and that *some* people, kids and adults, have very unpleasant side effects from clonidine. So just urging everyone to be well informed on the potential for side effects and should you decide to use clonidine, start low and work up slow to be sure there wont be a negative reaction, and so that you can withdraw easier ps clonidine LOWERS blood pressure, and is most often used as an anti hypertension drug, so do also be aware of its bp lowering effects if discussing it with your physician

hi my son has TS and doesnt seem to have a problem with dairy he does react to refined flours, sugar etc so we use mainly whole foods. his system seems well enough balanced now to be able to tolerate the occasional pizza, cake etc made with white flour and sugar, but he does try to really limit that. He totally stays away from ant artificial food additives tho (coloring, nutrasweet/aspartame, sucralose/sugar, carrageenan, MSG, HFCS(high frustose corn syrup), preservatives like sodium benzoate, etc) as these have a dramatic effect on his health/tics/OCD goats milk is another option if you decide to go dairy free as many people seem to tolerate it well, even when cow's milk intolerant