faith

Calicat, Interesting observation. (but could be coincidence) But, I'm one who kind of leans towards being intolerant of certain foods as a cause of some problems, although I don't know if that kind of intolerance causes immediate reaction. But, have you ever perused the book by Doris Rapp, "Is this your Child"? It deals with food and environmental allergies being possible causes for behavioral problems in some kids. You could probably find it in your library. How is she doing right now? Still ticcing more and the behavior? Brave enough to challenge the ruhbarb again in a few days? You never know, maybe this is something that does not agree with her. (ruhbarb is listed as moderate in salicylates). Faith

Kim, thanks. Okay, just to clarify, his allergy symptom is mostly itching (and you do believe you notice mood changes?). The zyrtec helps with those symptoms? I think what I want to know is if the medication (it is prescription, right?) has any effect on tics--I mean cause more due to whatever is in that allergy med? Did you ever come to feel that even though this helped with the itching, etc., that it blocked histamine response and thus he had less or milder (or none) tics? I'm glad you and Patty were saying on the other thread about your experiences of waxing and waning, namely waxing being milder and shorter lived than before? That is something I constantly worry about. If I see something, I freeze in my tracks and am scared this will be the beginning of something bigger. So its good to hear that, it gives us more confidence and hope that it is possible to just have mild tics here and there and not be worried sick, and start to second guess all we are doing. Now, just to note the method to my madness about this, the other day my son seemed to be making way more sounds than I was used to. And I noticed some eye twitching in the evening. Now, I accompanied his class on that farm trip I mentioned previously, and he was fine the whole time. Didn't observe anything in the tic dept. But after school, he was doing it so much more. (Now I don't think it had anything to do with the farm, although I could be wrong, all they did was learn about planting seeds, and the fields didn't have any corn planted yet.) BUT, I noticed his nose was stuffed up while reading before bed, and it got me thinking that my husband was mowing the lawn just as he was coming home from school, and then a friend was over and they were in and out. (I'm not worried about the stuffy nose, just putting two and two together and thinking that environmental allergies maybe DO increase his tics.) My suspicion is the freshly cut grass kicked up stome stuff? That was Tuesday, and he seems better now. So that's my story, and I'm wondering if some allergy type med would be a good trial for him, but wanted to know others experiences with that. Call me crazy, but he does have a neutralization spray, but I have mentioned before, somehow I don't like it, and was thinking THAT increased the tics, since it does have minute dilution of what he tested allergic to, and my feeling is that it takes time to become immune to it? so I havn't been giving it..............??? Any thoughts? Faith

Just curious about a few things concerning allergies ......... kkver, did you ever start giving the zyrtec again as you stated above that you had stopped? Could you let us know how the allergy situation stands? Itsme, You stated your son tested high on grasses and trees? Does he get any allergy med? And do they seem to work? Kim, does your son still take any allergy meds? How is that going for him? Also, any one who uses zyrtec, claritin, etc.,-- was it prescribed because they had obvious respiratory allergy symptoms, and does it also help with tics? Thanks Faith

Hello Calicat and welcome. I love what you wrote about your daughter. Those are the blessings I try to hold onto when I'm feeling frightened about this tic thing. I think we suffer so much as parents with all this, because we are afraid that all that they are will be overlooked because of the tics. Well, that is our fear, anyway. Thanks for reminding us that our kids are WAY more than that. My son is great at art and loves animals and cats too! (Very verbal too, but sometimes I wish he would shut up! ) We recently found a little bird who must have fell out of a nest and we tried to take care of it but it didn't make it, and he buried it with his dad and decorated a R.I.P. sign and put an old fall wreath he found in the garage on the little grave. I cracked up when I saw it. Let us know how the allergy appointment goes. I'm curious about how the allergies fit in. Faith

But you are still giving the other supplements still, right? What kind of B12, I forgot--oral or sublingual andhow much? Also, how much B6 are you giving? Is it with any other b-complex formula or alone? Oh, and where were you on the night of ..................................... just kidding! Sorry for so many questions. Faith

have advised via pm. Faith

Yes, I was going to say something like that too. What I got from it is to not rely on one supplement like that long term without balancing other things that could be a problem too. It's just something to note. I remember someone saying here once that it seemed like something seemed good for their child and then it sort of seemed like it stopped working once the balance was corrected. That makes sense, because then you might go to far the other way and cause other imbalances and deficiencies. I would'nt look to far into this. If you think he's better with not so much calcium added, than stay with that. If it looks like you can sneak some in, then you'll try and see how it goes..... What does Nancy Drew have on us?! Faith

Patty, sorry, hope I didn't put you in panic mode! As I mentioned, I don't really know who the author of this info is, but no matter, just use it as info to look into. If you noticed more ticcing when adding the calcium, than maybe that COULD be the reason. I think what they are saying is that some people get lots of calcium in their diet, but if not getting enough magnesium with it, than that's not good. I think the cosensus is that magnesium is a much needed supplement for our kids, but as Chemar points out, one supplement is not the magic bullet. Everyone's biochemistry is unique. Some may do great on a cal/mag combo, but maybe not for all. As I mentioned, I was giving the cal/mag on and off at night, and have since stopped last 4-5 days. Just take it as anecdotal, but things seem better. You know it could be anything (I also added a little B1), but we all watch and take notice. As far as the epsom salts bath, I think someone mentioned a while back about getting itchy while doing the baths, and that could very well be the reason, but if it's not a problem for your child, then I wouldn't give it another thought. Alkaline is not so bad a thing, I think slightly alkaline is what is touted to be optimum ph balance for the body. If one sees a problem, one way or another, than it is good to know what it COULD be, and then we adjust accordingly. My son is 42 lbs and I am usually giving about 100 mg. am and pm. That is the amount of magnesium it indicates is in a quarter teaspoon for our product (Super Mag), it also has vitamin C added in. Right now, I'm feeling things are better with just the magnesium in the amount just stated. (Lenny, if you could comment on your feeling re your above post, that would help too, just for comparison). Remember, as with everything we speak of here, our experiences are all anecdotal, so give and take on discussion is important. Hope that helps Faith

Jeff, (and others) thanks for that reminder about the caffeine. I've been feeling like I am more twitchy than usual and am realizing I'm probably having too much tea. Also, I just want to get a better idea of what "more tics" means in adults. (Because we don't really want to open this discussion with our young ones). When you say you start ticcing more, do you mean the "urge" to do your particular tic increases? And when ticcing "less", I assume you feel calmer and the "urge" is not as strong? All replies welcome. When we see more tics in our kids, we kind of assume it just happens, but what I'm trying to get at is "what" makes it happen--a strong "urge" to complete the movement in an attempt to relieve the tension that is felt? I mean, as an adult, could you control this a little if you had to, I mean ilike if you were talking directly to someone and didn't want to make it obvious (although it would probably be very uncomfortable and tension building)? Don't mean to pry, but just trying to get a sense of what this is like for adults. Thanks Faith

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Patty, sorry, could you check your sentence in first paragraph - just want to make sure I am understanding correctly. Are you saying last two months you only gave magnesium? or did you mean the cal/mag supp? Here is that link I was referring to about calcium being antagonist (about halfway down the page). I came across this about a year ago, and had printed it, so it was in a folder of info I keep. I'm not exactly sure who is the author of this tho. http://www.ctds.info/tics.html Faith

Hi Lenny, Great! I'd really like to hear if things improve while avoiding offending foods. I think I remember you saying you thought eggs were a problem because he ate that on weekends? Was that you who said? Very observant. Had you been avoiding that recently anyway? You are observing things being pretty mild right now too? Think there's any correlation? Also, was he eating those other things on any regular basis besides the soy? (See, re the post by Patty about keeping a log--it would be interesting to note if your son was consuming things he tested high for more often during waxing times.) Just be careful i.e. whole wheat, you never know what kind of flour is used in bakery and bread products. Good Luck, keep us posted, Faith

Hi Patty, First, I'm glad to hear that the status is good for your son, hope it stays that way. I was keeping a log since about October last year and yea, it gets a little tiring, so I kind of stopped writing things down, but now I kind of regret it and started again, because I've seen some "extra ticcing" here and there after being better for several weeks, and wondering if it something in particular. But I keep his regimen fairly consistent, i.e. same type foods, supps, and if he consumes something not really allowed, then I note it, in case of any reaction. I use a daily planner that has a nice size box for each day, like a 5x7 size so it could fit in your purse if you want, and really just jot down the foods, any change in supplement plan and symptoms (how tics seemed that day). If everything is pretty consistent right now, you could just use ditto marks or "same as yesterday". I know what we have to avoid, so his menu is pretty consistent--if he does well, then I'll just note if something is different. Like powerofprayer says, just keep it fairly simple. But I do think its important should something change down the road, then you'll want to see what the formula was for when things were good! Faith

I could be wrong, but something I read suggested that calcium was an antangonist, meaning that too much of it could inhibit the absorbtion of magnesium. When it is suggested to have 1:1 or 2:1 cal/mag, I think the reasoning is that you don't want TOO much more calcium than magnesium, not that you necessarily NEED calcium. Patty, could you try an experement of just giving calcium like before and see how it goes after a couple weeks? I am curious too, for I never give much calcium other than what he gets in food, but I also have this Peter Giliams Natural Calm PLUS calcium, and I was giving that on and off only at night instead of the regular one I usually give. I am thinking now that some other ticcing was poking through and was worried--wondering if this could be a factor now that you mentioned this. I'll try to find where I read this (incidentally they also mentioned wheat or phyates to be an antagonist too). Faith

Ohhhh, you have a front porch? I love porches. Sounds so peaceful..... Duh, you're right, I guess the corn wouldn't be grown right now, huh! The trip is Tuesday, I don't see how I can keep him back, but maybe I can finnagle (sp.) my way in too, just to make sure what they are doing and touching. I'm really seriously thinking about this, especially for fall, since we always go there before Holloween, (as I mentioned about this past fall) and I distinctly remember the first time I saw him twitch, it was early Novemberwhen he was three and a half, so that's twice it cooincides. Faith

Hi JMT, Just wondering if you have found a natural doctor yet? Also, have you tried any dietary strategies or supplements? It is possible that during the times you notice waxing, maybe she is constantly consuming something that is not agreeable to her system? Even tests are not 100%, but you could try a litttle elimination of obvious things like first dairy for a few weeks, then corn products, then wheat/gluten. You never know, you may see an improvement from this type of elimination. Trial and error is really the only way. Did you ever start her on the med? Or no? As I said, it is really alot of experimentation, but go with your gut, and try some different approaches that you read about here, maybe something will resonate. Faith

Hi girls, You know, a light bulb just went off for me. I could just be my totally usual paranoid self, but I was thinking of something and just wanted to run it by you all. C.P. , you gave me food for thought (corn specifically!). What you said about planting corn on the post above, since you brought it up..... My son's class is supposed to go on a class trip to a farm nearby, its like really a pumkin farm in the autumn and has alot of vegetable fields. I know they have this big corn field and some sort of thing that they call a corn maize where the kids have to find their way through the corn fields or something. Oh jeez, do you think THAT could be a problem if he was to hang around this field for a while? I am now remembering that they went to this pumpkin farm in October before holloween, and I have to look at my notes, but yea, that's around the time he started with the head shake (early November, I think) and oh, could you imagine if it had something to do with it.? Because so far, my money is on the removal of corn and the foods he tested high intolerance to (early Feb) as contributing to the improvement of that one. Oh gosh, I am not gonna take a chance. What do they have to go there for? They just HAD a trip planned to a little animal farm, but it was postponed due to rain. (we are not in any farm country, these are just some vegetable farms in the rural areas). Any thoughts? Now I don't know if corn was one of the things on the environmental allergy testing( I dont think so) and he has no respiratory allergies, but since corn is a food that seems to be an enemy right now, I am wondering if this could be a problem to be smack in the middle of a corn field.? Faith

Hi Laurie, I've not heard of that one, but it seems it helps with the immune system and stress. Are you planning to use this for your son? Please let us know how it goes. How did you make out with the B vit problem you had re increase in tics? Did you work that out? How is your son doing presently? Faith

Hi Michele, I just wanted to add that as your doctor said, don't get too caught up in the "diagnosis". It is all just a list of criteria that fits into a certain category. Once you know what type of thing you are dealing with it will be a lot easier to handle. When he gets to school, (and possibly on the initial screening they do before kindergarten), they may pick up on certain things and assuredly will advise you on how to proceed. I am glad your doctor agrees to approach this med free until he gets in school and take it from there. Hopefully, once you start implementing some natural health strategies (as I like to call them), that will never become necessary. Believe me, lots of children have these issues you describe, some more, some less, and in my son's school (at least judging by all the moms I talk to) one would think it is the rule rather than the exception! Would you say that right now the ADHD possibility is more prominent than the ticcing? How are the tics going right now? I'm curious if they are practicing for a graduation from pre-school right now and if you think that may factor in? A few months ago I had to deal with having a meeting with teacher and school pyschologist concerning my son's issues (the tics and some procrastination and lollygagging issues). Please take a look at my topics titled "School Info" and "That dreaded meeting" to read of my experience and the wonderful advice of the others on this forum. Hope it helps some. Regards Faith

Hello Marianne, (and all) I just wanted to say welcome too, and glad to hear you have already made a little progress with botth your son AND yourself. Oh yes, I have been there too as the others have described. My son is now eight and even though he has been doing better and better, I believe due to the health strategies learned with the help I found here, I did have a little setback this past weekend that sent me almost back to square one. My son was making his First Communion Saturday, and the night before I saw him doing that eye thing (like looking up into eyebrows) and was heartsick. Even after I thought I had it all together (well, for the most part) I paniced and asked him quite harshly why he was doing that now. I feel terrible, but fear can do awful things to you. I didn't want this to be obvious to my family and friends who would be here for a party afterwards. I suppose stress is a big factor, but how to eliminate that totally from life? Thankfully, yes, he did have some extra blinking, I suppose due to the anxiety of the big day, but it wasn't as pronounced as the night before. I just got him back on track, and along with support and prayer we got through the day and I am grateful it wasn't as bad as I feared. (and I have blamed myself for his condition many times too, even thinking taking him on one of those long tube water slides at Sesame Place when he was three was what triggered it. Could I ask how long ago did he start this eye and shoulder tic? And how long after starting some dietery restrictions and the supplements you mention, did you feel he started to improve? Do you mean it seems less intense or frequent now? Thanks and hope your appt. goes well, although as John said, you may not get much info there, but your son is young and hopefully he will grow out of some of this. Regards Faith

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Spartan, I like your observations. You are beginnng to fit right in with us old folks! Could I ask another question of you? We were recently talking on the board of vaccinations gotten at around age 10 or so and how some believe it to trigger the ticcing. Did you get any vaccines that you know of at that age (10-13)? Could you give us your experience with that? Also, did you ever take antibiotics like tetracycline or any medications prescribed for acne? Thanks Faith

Hi Spartan, Was wondering if you ever did the food sensitivity tests (Igg) that you asked about? If you think your ticcing is more than usual, my bet is on something you are consuming that is not good for you, so you should experiment adding and subtracting to see if it helps (this includes supplements added and the weight training supps as well). I understand about the weight, my son is a lightweight for his age and I would like to get more calories in him, but alot of those types of foods are not good for him and the tic situation. BUT, weight aside, I think its better to be HEALThY than to weight too little or too much. So just opt for health and the rest will fall into place, I feel. Faith

Hello manmont, welcome and thanks for your input. Could you tell us if you have eliminated the highly reactive foods and if it has had any benefit for your daughter so far? Anything else you would like to share about symptoms and treatments employed would be appreciated. Thanks. Faith