Chemar

oh Irena...how I can sympathize with your feelings!! I think most of us can. I guess the only concilation is that there are growing numbers of doctors who are taking the trouble to fully educate themselves on these issues, tho they are sadly still very much a tiny minority I dont know if you can get MONOLAURIN there. It is lauric acid supplement (capsules...coconut derived) made by Ecological Formulas and is IMO the best antimicrobial one can get I get mine at http://www.vitaminshoppe.com Not only will it help with whatever viral/bacterial issues Stas is facing, but also is antifungal and so will boost the candida treatment Monolaurin, olive leaf extract and garlic are IMO the very best combo of natural antimicrobial supplements to fight infections etc when regular antibiotics are contra indicated

Spartan have you ever had PANDAS testing done to see if you are possibly still carrying strep, which could be an explanation for the pattern of the tics if it relates to the strep being active or not during those times? honestly, the way you describe things it really does sound like a tic disorder more than actual TS, and as you have likely learned by reading around here, tic disorders can be induced by everything from strep to allergies, pyroluria, photosensitivity, metals, candida, diet, stress/anxiety and a whole lot more. There is also the "transient tic disorders" that may or may not have a root cause beyond some internal changes in biochemistry (eg puberty, growth, etc) so you could work your way thru checking and treating for these things and see if you find the tics go into remission with you mentioning strep...that sure would be a good place to start IMO

hmmmmmm ok I reposted it and tested and it is working now http://www.consumerhealth.org/articles/dis...=20001118214326

Carolyn why do you need the tetanus shot? honestly, unless it is needed because of potential exposure then I wouldnt have it (ie if it is just routine) my son had his last tetanus booster on entering middle school and I know it was not good for him and will not do it again Irena, many here do not vaccinate anymore...did you read that article on vaccines/ASD that I posted yesterday It is a difficult issue but I personally will not go near anymore vaccinations...neither for my family or our pets, It isnt just the mercury/aluminum etc that bothers me...it is the actual vaccination process that I feel is still seriously flawed I guess it is easier for me at this point as my kids are grown up now and no vaccines are mandated for them Obviously this is a case of each person deciding for themself which danger is greatest...the potential of the disease or the toxins in the vaccine

although this is from 2000, yet I found it to be a fascinating read, and realised with shock that inspite of testimony like this, vaccination of bablies and kids is still occurring at the same rate without warning or caution http://www.consumerhealth.org/articles/dis...=20001118214326

Hi Deanna we are currently using a lot of special liquid supplements but the combo we used was Country Life Target Mins Calcium Magnesium Zinc and i order it at iherb.com

CP dental work and any tooth issues have always been a rather big tic trigger for my son so it is hard to advise on this we now have a dentist who is specialised in working with kids who have neuro issues and who need special precautions and accomodations during dental work I absolutely agree with faith that you should not have the fluoride treatment or pills! do be sure that the dentist knows about the tics and sensitivities beforehand and yes, do not allow any mercury/metal amalgams if fillings are needed good idea also to boost your son's anti-oxidant intake before the visit so his immune system is strong

Dear Mary I am so glad you are seeing improvement! truly, for kids who have photosensitive induced tics,IMO there is no better way to approach this than what you are doing I remember some years ago when Claire first began posting her suspicions about the flicker effect and then her results with her son. Here on Latitudes, her posts were received with enthusiasm as other parents with photosensitive children discovered the link in their kids too. However, she received a lot of scorn and ridicule on another forum that we were both members of, and was accused of "punishing" her child's tics by "depriving" him of the TV, games etc She handled herself with dignity in the face of the unwarranted attacks and continued to share her experience. So many parents are now thankful for her courage in speaking out as both she and they have seen the positive effects. One of the things I always try to stress about treating tics and tourettes is that individuals are unique and no-one really knows better than they themselves or those closest to them as to what the best options are for them As caring parents we frequently have to make tough decisions for our childrens' health and welfare, and that is why having this kind of forum, where people can exchange ideas and experiences is so very valuable....because we can read through everything, do our own research and therefore make knowledgable choices. I have the greatest respect and admiration for all who are here and who have the courage to learn and to try and so make a real change in their lives and those of their kids

Hi Deavyin and welcome to Latitudes/ACN I read your post with great interest as my son is now 17yo and has lived with a TS/OCD etc diagnosis singe age 10, tho in retrospect, we feel his tics and OCD were there at a much younger age...we just didnt recognise them as such Anyway, my son developed very severe TS and OCD and by age 10 he and we were very concerned. However, after a short but intense period trying prescription meds that produced side effects worse than the tics and OCD etc........we were truly blessed to find the natural ways to approach treating him and things have gone very well. Although my son has become a partner in his own healthcare, and from a very early point, realised the importance of diet and supplements to his overall health and TS symptoms in particular and so it has been relatively smooth for him to transition into this regimin. However, when it came to his computer/videogames etc....for him the stress of even experimenting with them off for a bit was not worth it. Intsead he has come to recognise the kinds of games or TV viewing that sets his tics off and so he self limits his time on more explosive games etc and always plays with a daylight lamp on to reduce flicker effect Interestingly, so far he finds the Wii to be the best system to play on as the use of these different styled controllers plus the numchucks have a different impact on him and he does not tic as much with this as with other more traditional systems. He also attributes the standing and frequent motion that accompanies playing the Wii with being more suitable So I guess my son would understand where you are coming from Deavyin...being a rather ardent gamer himself But then again, he isnt dealing with photosensitivity in quite the way that some other people do..........and there, the flicker effect can have really unpleasant reactions. So I can really see the dilemma that parents with photosensitive kids face....and why they would choose restriction (albeit gently enforced) than to see something clearly hurting their child's health We did the same with junk food and additives, and although my son was unwilling at first, (he was only 11 then) yet he soon came to see for himself that if he had "blue raspberry" slurpees he ticced up a storm and had such a flareup of his OCD that it wasnt worth the blue tongue! And, in fact, our whole family has benefitted in overall health improvement and none of us miss the convenience foods and artificial stuff and have come to really appreciate food as it was intended to be...pure and natural and wholesome and nourishing! So, for all of us, we have to make the choices that will best suit our families. It is very important for a child with tics to never feel that they are being punished for ticcing, nomatter how good the motives Acceptance is an essential part of living with TS! It doesnt mean we dont continue trying to make life better.....it just means we do so with a more relaxed and focussed perspective I can sense you have walked a very insightful path in your Tourette journey Deavyin, and I am really pleased to welcome you here. I always appreciate when adults with TS join here as I do feel it gives us a different perspective to consider. we look forward to getting to know you better and having you be part of our forum Cheri

bumping up per request of some who are new here

Mary many of the medications prescribed for ADHD have a side effect that induces tics...this may be why you are noticing tics in those other kids. I was also wondering about the fluoride that your son takes? Honestly, you need to read up a bit about the problems for kids with neurological issues and fluoride and also the general info on why, despite what the dental recommendations are, we should all be staying away from fluoride additives If your son showed previous allergy to milk, you may well want to check on whether this is again problematic. We have had parents here who have seen a dramatic reduction in tics just by eliminating allergens from foods that the child is sensitive to.

Hi Mary and welcome to Latitudes/ACN yes, photosensitive reactions from the flicker on the TV could be triggering the tics (if you have a CRT and not LCD TV screen) and yes, the only way to determine if this is the cause would be to stop any exposure to flicker (TV or Computer unless it is an LCD screen) that may be easier said than done huh!! MANY other things can cause eye blinking in a young child so you have no reason at this point to suspect TS, especially as TS involves both motor and vocal tics, and yes, in a vast majority of cases it does diminish in intensity and frequency as kids get past the hormonal years

CP Kefir is a true health gift! We use it, as well as the Stoneyfield farms natural yoghurt as our source of probiotics and yes, I do feel it will have helped to heal the worts and many other things too! re raw Milk...I honestly have no knowledge of whether it would impact tics unless of course there is a dairy allergy I personally dont use raw milk as I dont know the source and that would trouble me Instead we again use only Stoneyfield farms organic whole milk

Lottie I want to welcome you and also encourage you to know that this is not something "crazy" you are doing It does sound like a form of OCD and the best way to get help is to see a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (a specially trained psychologist) who can help you work thru these feelings and actions to help you cope with them and understand more of where they are coming from Yes, trauma and even severe illness, especially viral or bacterial, can set these things off Our board here is filled with many caring members, but we dont have anyone really qualified to help here...which is why I frequently refer members here to also visit the forums at PsychCentral.com because they are very active and have people who will be able to support you. But best of all the admin there is a psychologist, Dr John Grohol who also does FREE Live Chat sessions there every Friday afternoon to help people Here is the main website www.psychcentral.com and here is a link to their forums PsychCentral Community Forums

re the tryptophan my son has been able to use 5HTP without any problems for some years now, but I decided (silly me) to see how he liked the tryptophan now that it is available again....bad move! He did not react well to the tryptophan at all...left him sleepless and he also had a small flareup of his crohn's symptoms.

well, no big surprise to many of us that conventional docs are sadly lacking in proper education on nutrition!! http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=42226

deanna yes the Bach's is fine for everyday use the magnesium I use is a combination of gluconate and citrate citrate tends to have a more laxative effect I have been told that magnesium lactate is excellent but havent been able to find a source yet

Lenny from my limited knowledge on the subject, enlarged tonsils are usually a sign of something irritating the imune system no need to have them out, but a possible upping of his antioxidant foods and supplements as well as natural antimicrobials like honey, garlic, and possibly olive leaf extract, monolaurin etc Do you have him on natural yoghurt and /or a probiotic?

Faith my son's tics always seem to increase if he gets a B Complex, whereas he can tolerate Bs in his multi and some of them individually ( but we give no extra B12, folic acid or niacin above what is in the multi as he tics more with these as with a B complex)

hi Deanna I take a calcium/magnesium/zinc combo at 1000:500:50 Remember too to avoid magnesium oxide as it is poorly absorbed and therefore packs less of a magnesium punch than the other forms of magnesium Have you tried the Bach's Rescue Remedy (available at health stores) it is remarkable how a few drops under the tongue of this homeopathic flower remedy can be so effective in calming one!

Carolyn I think Claire posted about a "safe" paint once....

Hi Rubber and welcome I dont know of doctors in your area, tho hopefully one of our members may....I seem to recall that Giselle is in southern California? you can also try to locate on thru the helpful link that is at the top here http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=565 hope that helps

hello I am not sure if children with autism have the same issue but my son has sensory integration dysfunction co-morbid with his ADD/Tourette Syndrome A book that really helped us cope with the sensory issues was The Out Of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz here is her website http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/

Hi Deanna I am not sure whether the Reveal bulbs are as good for true photosensitivity as the more expensive full spectrum incandescent bulbs (there are many fluorescent full spectrum available but they are not suitable for people who tic) the Reveal as well as Sylvania Daylight range are neodymium coated and so have a closer to "daylight" light......many other brands of neodymium coated bulbs available.......they are generally considered to be full spectrum from my understanding

Irena forgive me for not remembering if you have mentioned this before, but why are you planning to give amino acids? Has he tested low on specific ones? the only amino acids that appear to have direct benefit for tics are taurine and carnitine, altho even there, one must be careful as not all people can tolerate them well because the amino acids have such a dramatic influence on neurology, it is really advisable to use them with great caution and only as directed by a physician