Chemar

Hi all a discussion on another thread reminded me again just how much great info I get from Dr Andrew Weil...both from his website and the daily Newsletter that he sends out. So I thought to share some of the info from his latest newsletters here periodically, specifically the info that is relevant to the issues that many of us deal with His website is at http://www.DrWeil.com and you can subscribe there to get the newsletter. Dr Weil is a Harvard trained physician, and IMHO is the epitomy of an excellent Integrative doctor in that he has complete conventional training and has specialised in alternative medicine. He has a wealth of knowledge and a very balanced outlook, seeing the necessity for conventional medicine when the condition requires it, yet always providing excellent nutritional information to balance all things. There is also a great section on his website called "Ask Dr Weil" so here is some useful info from the latest newsletter on SPRING ALLERGIES and hope this info is useful here

Hi GL&LMOM so sorry your son is having such a bad time with the tics. I know all too well just how stressful it is when the tics are so sever as to overtake every aspect of life! although we ran full spectrum allergy tests, my son only should allergy to dustmite and penicillin, so I dont have much experience with implementing anti allergy programs. If it is any comfort, do take heart that illness really does seem to exascerbate TS symptoms, and, as much anecdotal evidence is suggesting, Spring seems to be a general time for many ailments and disorders to intensify. I do hope things level out for your precious son soon love and (((hugs))) to you

sorry.......didnt remember to put the link to his website http://www.mercola.com you can use the search box to get info there I get his newsletter and there is a lot of very good info, but sometimes his views are so directly in contrast with my favourite health guru, Dr Andrew Weil, that I get confused. I just find Dr Weil having a lot more balance in his approach and his qualifications and experience are glowing credentials. So when in doubt, I tend to defer to Weil. http://www.drweil.com/u/Home/index.html

Hi Kim I have always felt soy was good, and Dr Weil and others also promote it, but I have noticed that Dr mercola is on a major anti Soy bandwagon lately.

Hi Carolyn! and well said!! You have lived with TS for long enough to have come well to terms with coping, and you actually have one of the most postive attitudes! and I sure know you arent alarmist nor "afraid of every little thing" We have all learned a lot from your sensible approach to living with TS. Electro magnetic fields can and do influence our bodies and so I think you are being very intelligent in seeking knowledge as to daily passage thru a metal detector. I am not sure just how they work but would think that there is some form of electromgnetic etc field involved I dont have any informed answers for you, but I do know that our doctor feels that the increased tics that so many people seem to experience in motor vehicles may in some way be related to electromagnetism. My son also found that changing oput his coil spring bed for a wooden slat base and furton helped him sleep better sooooooooo interesting question you have asked and I hope someone with knowledge in this area will have some answers

Hello Lanie this forum is not just for people who have TS and the person who started this thread does not have a child who has TS so the tic here was related to something else.

I seem to keep getting logged out today.......but that was me on that last "guest" post

excellent thread Claire!!! for anyone who may have questions re the thread that details the treatments that helped my son go from very severe to mild TS....please feel free to PM or email me . Just remember that if you want an email reply then you should include a return email address! Here is the thread again http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...p?showtopic=687

oops just noticed I was logged out on that last post...... the "guest" was meeeee Cheri

Just an extra word of caution on amino acids.......especially if you are dealing with Tourette Syndrome. SOME AMINO ACIDS CAN ELEVATE TOURETTE TICS AND CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS. Because amino acids have a very direct impact on the brain it is VERY important to FIRST talk with a knowledgable physician BEFORE supplementing with amino acids, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. Amino Acids can be very beneficial, as we know taurine especially has a very calming effect on tics. But be very careful in just adding amino acids without physician guidance!

Hi Carolyn I honestly dont think that ANY regular herbicides are safe for humans or animals! The best and safest way to get rid of that grass is to dig it up As to fleas.......there is a great natural way to get rid of them that also smells delightful and you can either grow it yourself and just rub the leaves and flowers on your pet or strew them around the house , or you can buy the concentrate at the health store and mix it with water in a spray bottle. (a few drops is usually enough) It is PENNYROYAL a member of the mint family. I have pots of it growing outside and have been using it with great success against fleas and other pests for years. A WORD OF CAUTION THO THAT PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULDNT HANDLE PENNYROYAL AS IT CAN STIMULATE LABOR

Hi Mary I have always been told that Calcium to Magnesium ratio should be 2:1 to be fully balanced. 15mg of Inositol is very low and will likely NOT have a dramatic impact on OCD. I would strongly advise NOT mixing 5HTP and St John's Wort without doctor supervision. First maybe try the 5HTP and keep the Inositol at your low level and see how your child reacts to 5HTP. Some people's metabolism is such that it makes them a bit "wired" and you will notice that immediately if your son is one of them and then just discontinue it and up your Inositol. When it comes to all supplements, I do agree that having a good physician to guide one is really important, especially with a younger child. Do also remember that the subtype of OCD that most freqently occurs with Tourette Syndrome is somewhat different from "classic" OCD, and so needs to be seen more as a co-functioning aspect of the tics. Thus, as we found, it was the overall combination of supplements that truly brought about the successful results. And as an added benefit, the ADD improved as well

Bumping up for Mary and anyone else who needs this

Hi Mary my son has the TS/OCD/ADD combo too and went from VERY severe symptoms to mild(hardly noticeable) after we took him off meds and onto a supplement program combined with careful diet free of artificial additives and elimination of heavy metals (sp mercury) and Candida yeast from his system. Although his tics were severe, his OCD/anxiety was totally debilitating and we did find tremendous relief with 5HTP at minimum dose of 50mg per evening after he came off the Luvox It does help with sleep, but doesnt leave grogginess next day. It is a good idea to take it with dinner, and not in the mornings. INOSITOL is really excellent, and we switched to it once his chronic OCD had levelled out. Some people also like to combine Inositol with St John's Wort. Inositol is vitamin B8, and is relatively safe. My son was over 100lb and took the 500mg/day, which is considered a low dose. PLEASE dont give up on the supps......the answer really is to be consistent and also to be sure to leave those artificial colors and sweeteners right out of the diet. Here is the thread that details what we did for my son and I am also going to bump it up for you http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...p?showtopic=687 all the best

Hi again Spartan my son has always found accupuncture to be one of the fastest tic calmers around. You do need a qualified clinical therapist for this to be properly done tho. If you need specific info on the pyroluria etc you can either search the topics here, or just ask here and those with specific knowledge in the various areas will be glad to help answer any questions

Dear Spartan just want to give you a (((big hug))) and say I am so sorry you are having a tough time with your tics. You mention only one tic? a motor tic.....do you have any vocal tics too? I cant remember if you have TS? If not you may well be having the tic because of some other issue.......have you ever had allergy tests? checked for pyroluria and the other things like candida and metals etc The fact that you are seeing this increse now with it being Spring is also interesting as you may well have allergies??? Have you ever tried accupuncture or Chinese herbal therapy? I couldnt help notice that you boldly said you were not consistent with the supplements......honestly, when my son was on his supp program he really diod have to be consistent with it AND with avoiding artificial additives in his food. well, all I really can say is dont give up Spartan......I know it can be so very frustrating when you are doing all the right stuff and not getting results, but somewhere there is a treatment that can help. And vent all you like here. We sure understand. More (((HUGS))))

Hi yes, omega 3 essential fatty acids seem to be very beneficial, although some people have a sensitivity to fish oil and so need to get their omega 3 by eating salmon, mackrel, sardines etc Many find the best results from a blend of omega3 and 6 and 9 The richest sources of omega 6 are flaxseed, borage and evening primrose oil while oleic acid is a good source of omega 9 Once again, as with all supplements, different people have different metabolism etc and so what works for one doesnt always work for another. but overall the response to the omega essential fatty acids is a very positive one hth

thanks to all who have commented and participated in the poll. the poll results show so far that we have a 2:1 representation here of those with a TS diagnosis vs those without. My reason for asking this is that I was challenged on another forum for suggesting that I think there are many people who are given a TS diagnosis when in fact their tics are rooted in some other issue. it is also informative to see the breakdown of TS vs non TS dx just for my own interest. again thanks so much for taking the time to participate. and I welcome further votes on the other thread as well as comments here.

Hi efgh it isnt so much whether you would diagnose it as tourette......I am checking on whether a doctor has dx tourette and how folks feel about that diagnosis based on other issues that they have tested and treated for. so if you havent received a tourette diagnosis for your son you would vote on the other thread that has the poll with a NO vote HTH

hi efgh my son had to get a tetanus booster when he went on his mission trip to Nicaragua 2 yrs ago and it did not increase his tics. However, i truly cant address the diptheria vaccine as that was given when he was tiny??

Someone on BrainTalk has just posted a very interesting article on the research being conducted into the possible viral link to certain neuological conditions http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showth...ead.php?t=76174

thanks Andy......could you vote again on the other thread cos the poll questions on this one didnt work. I am hoping folks will continue to comment here and vote on the other one.........thanks

please vote first before you view the results or it will count as a null vote The poll question didnt come out correctly on my other thread so I am trying again here to take the poll. Hopefully this will work or else I may need to request assistance from admin

PLEASE VOTE ON THE OTHER THREAD AND COMMENT HERE. THIS POLL IS NOT WORKING Hi I am very interested in determining how many of the users of this forum have received a Tourette Syndrome diagnosis for their (or their child-ren's) tics. I welcome comments as well as to whether you feel you have been accurately diagnosed with TS or if you believe that the TS diagnosis is not accurate and that the tics are rooted in some other issue. Also, if you have not been dx with TS, do you believe you should be thanks for participating

Hello Huey my son was 11 and weighed over 100lb when he started the grapeseed extract. He took it daily for almost 4 years. If you check the lable, it should specify the dose for under 12yo To my knowledge it is a very safe supplement