Marianne

Hi Everyone!! Geez, it's been a while since i've been on the forum. Just to update everyone on the progress of my son. Since controlling his diet, i have managed to minimise his tic's. Once in a while we have our bad days depending if we have attended a party or some sort where junk food is nearby. His tic's are no where near as bad as it use to be before. I have even reduced his intake of magnesium to just once a day. I no longer need to give him the EPO, nor Vit B complex. He is thank god so much better:), it's nice to see him the way he use to be:)

Hi Faith, Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, i replied back the day after you sent me a message, but as i went to send it, my internet went down. Since then i've been having problems getting into this website. Finally i got in today. Anyway to answer you question. I have been giving my son fish oil for about a year and a half. I was thinking that maybe that is the reason he was ticcing in the first place. I basically took him off all junk foods, fresh milk and other Dairy products. I noticed a difference straight away. He was much more calm and his ticcing reduced. Milk really affects him in a big way. If i give him just one glass of milk, he can tic for 2 days straight. The best way for me to test and see what was making him tic was by giving him one thing at a time. With my son, if i give him something his body can't handle, he will tic almost straight away. It's amazing because it's like a switch for him. I know how you feel when you say you are scared of the flare ups. I felt the same way too, but i just really wanted to see what triggered his tic's. My son has been on Evening Primrose Oil for a month now with positive results. It has really helped him to calm down. He hasen't had a nightmare since, nor sleepwalked. its really helped him to sleep at night. I think the combination of vitamins he is taking along with eliminating the foods that make him tic, has made a huge improvement with not just his tics but also his behaviour in general. You mentioned that when you give your son fish oil it seems to make him tic. I think your son is like mine, he probably can't tolerate it. Have you tried Flaxseed oil?, thats suppose to be rich in omega, 3,6 and 9 oils and is plant derived. Why don't you try that. Or you can just give him EPO. It only contains Omega 6. Though it still has a good affect on my son. See how you go and let me know. Hope things get better for you too. Thanks a heap again Marianne

Hi Floridamom, I know exactly what you are going through. It's scary seeing your child doing those strange things. My son has been suffering from tics for about a year and a half now, he started off with just rolling is eyes, then just about a month ago, he started rolling his eyes and then shrugging his shoulders at the same time. I then found this forum. Everyone here gave me so much advice. I now have to say that, its only been a month and i can see a big improvement. The first thing i did was eliminate all the junk food. I had him on Efalex fish oil for about 2 years and found that to be a tic trigger. He was also taking vitamins and minerals with colouring. At the moment, i just have him on twice a day Magnesium and Evening Primrose Oil, and Vitamin B complex once a day. He also cannot tolerate Fresh Milk, so now i have him on Lactose free milk. I can really see a big improvement with him. Like everyone says, its trial and error. I think just monitor everything your daughter eats. Does she like to watch tv or play the computer alot?, i found that too much tv and computer also triggers tics for my son. Stress is also a big trigger, do you think there could be anything at all that is worrying your daughter? Anyway, don't stress too much about it, you will see that it will get better in time. I will pray for you and your daughter Remember that we are always here for you!! Regards Marianne

Hi Everyone!! It's been a while. I've been so busy with my son!, spending quality time with him. I gotta say that the Ped appt was a waste of time. I was basically in there for like not even 10 minutes. She was a real B*tch to my son. I just found her so rude and totally not interested at all. She only weighed him, Measured his height and checked his blood pressure. At the time of the appt, i have to say that my son had improved from his tics about 95% better. He hardly did it at all at the time. She did not recommend medication on my son which was probably a good thing. When i asked her about natural therapy, she just said that nothing works. I then told her that i have him on Natural Supplements and she just thinks its other things that is making him better, like me spending more time with him. I totally believe that the vitamins he is taking is working, i hardly see a tic at all now. Like you said John, not to get my hopes up when i go there. I just kept thinking about what you said. It's so true how they just brush you off the topic. She told me that if he doesn't improve within the next few weeks, then to consider puting him on medication. I guess it's their easy way out! Anyway, i think i have my son's tic's under control. Its been a month now that i have been monitoring what he eats. I now know the certain things that trigger it. He cannot tolerate Full Cream Milk. Even just a little bit will trigger tics for the next few days. Baked Bean is another tic trigger for him. I feel so bad for him coz he loves baked beans so much. Other things with any colouring will also tirgger it too. It's funny though, when i give him chocolate, it doesn't affect him at all. So i've just been really careful with what he eats now. I always check the ingredients with everything he eats. It's a hard job, but it's worth it! For the first time last week he did his news for school, i got him to practice at home and you know what, he didn't tic not even once. Even though he was really nervous, he never did not one tic. His school even got him to do public speaking at their school assembly, he did really well. At the moment i'm really happy!, i can see such a big improvement with my little boy already. Thankyou to all of you for your great advice, i would have not gotten this far if it werent for all of you, so THANKYOU AGAIN!!

Hi John, Thanks for sharing that experience with me. It breaks my heart at any time when i know that any child is suffering from any kind of illness, because they are so innocent and it saddens me that they are afflicted with illness. The poor girl, everyone was staring at her. My heart goes out to her and her mother as well. I have a friend who has a daughter with the same problem. Luckily she has outgrown it. It's already been a rollercoaster ride for my little boy and i, on and off for the last year and a half. I think yesterday was our best day. He hardly did any tic's at all. I didn't give him any Centrum Multi for kids or Fish oil. It seems everytime i give him either, it really triggers his ticcing alot. So far so good, i will probably give the fish oil in about a weeks time to see what happens. If he starts ticcing bad again, then it's probably that. I have been monitoring his food everyday for the last 2 weeks as well. I have also been doing relaxation with him by breathing and body massage everynight before bedtime. I think that has helped in alot of ways. I truly believe that this tic problem that our children have is just temporary and is something they will outgrow. I have read through your thread and am shocked how your doctor was reluctant to do any testing. At least you were firm with him and he agreed to do them anyway. I wonder how our Ped will be. When i took my son to our local GP, he was not helpful at all. We were probably in there for less than 5 minutes. The only questions he asked me was, how long has he been doing it and are there any verbal tics as well. That's it. It just seemed to me that he was so uninterested. This Sunday i am going to take him to another doctor just to get another opinion before the appt with the Ped this Wednesday. I am trying my hardest to keep my chin up. I will let you and all know how it goes. Thanks heaps again Marianne

Hi Patty, Thanks for the comment. This forum is a great source of information regarding tic's. People are so helpful and caring. I try so hard not to watch him, but i think as a mother it just comes naturally when there is something wrong with your child. The last few days that i have been chatting with you and others on this forum has really helped me pick myself up again. I feel more positve now, and like you i totally believe that he will outgrow it as well. I'm glad to hear that your son's asthma is gone. My son also suffers from asthma ocassionally depending with the weather here in Australia. Pollen levels are very high here. Thank goodness he has only had one bad experience with it and it is under control at the moment. Thanks again Marianne

Hi Caryn/Chemar, Thanks for the great advice. I never gave my son Centrum today and the ticcing wasn't as bad as yesterday when i gave it to him. I think i will definately ask the dr for a food intolerance test. At least that way i will know what is triggering it. Caryn, i think America is just like Australia when it comes to food products. Almost everything here has corn and Wheat in it as well. How do i know what multi's are not synthetic ingredients?, do any of you know what products i can purchase from here in Australia that do not contain those ingredients?. I don't think i can purchase Bontech Products as that is only based in the US. John, thanks for the link, i have been reading and still am. There is alot to take in like you said. I'm just reading it slowly. Thanks heaps you guys, i wouldn't know what i would do without you all Marianne

Hi all, You know, i have been truly blessed to find great caring people like you all!!!!, THANKYOU, THANKYOU, is all i can say to each one of you . I woke up this morning and was overwhelmed with all your wonderful advice. To answer your questions Faith, My son has been rolling his eyes on and off for the last year and a half. He only started doing it since his younger brother was born. I just thought that it was an insecurity thing. There can be times that he will not do it at all for like 6 months straight. Just last saturday he started rolling his eyes right up and shrugging his shoulders and also doing this thing with his jaw, it really looks scary. I only just started him on these vitamins just on Sunday, so it's been 3 days now that he has been taking it; Magnesium twice a day Evening Primrose Oil Once a day Fish oil twice a day Vitamin B Complex half a tablet a day Centrum Multivitamins and Minerals Once a day It's made a big difference already, his ticcing is less intense. He is not as hypo as before, like i said, he is a very active child. The only thing i'm not sure about is that, everytime i give him the Centrum Multi, he seems to be doing it more. Looking at the ingredients of the Centrum vitamins, it contains, flavouring could that be making him tic more?. Maybe i will try and not give it to him today. He has been on Fish oil for about 3 years already. Do you think maybe that is what is making him tic as well. I have heard that some kids can't take the fish oil and it makes the ticcing worst. Do any of you know if giving a child Evening Primrose Oil for a long period is a bad thing?. Can you all tell how lost i am with this!!!!, geeez, sometimes it's just too much to all take in. But like you all say, one step at a time. Also with his diet, i have taken him off Cows milk and now he is on Lactose free milk. I have taken him off pretty much most of the junk food. It's so hard because he keeps asking if he can have lollies and stuff, i just keep telling him that it's just not good for him. He really doesn't understand. Lenny, its ok!, if it makes you feel better, honestly, you can seriousy tell me anything, i don't mind You know, just today, he told me that there are some kids in his class asking him why he does those things with his eyes and shoulders. What do i tell him?, I'ts just heartbreaking Anyway, i just think today is another day, gotta be positive for him and me. I know that things will get better in time. Also with the love and support you all have given me, it really helps alot, so THANKYOU ALL AGAIN I will keep you all updated with his progress Marianne

Hi Chemar, Thankyou for the reassurance . I feel i have already made alot of progress just from the great information that you and everyone has been giving me. Fortunatley like you say, we have great doctors, but in regards to the treatment given, it is totally up to us as parents to make that decision. Thankyou for the great hug, it's really made me feel like there is hope at the end of the tunnel, THANKYOU AGAIN!!!! Marianne

Hi John, Thank you so much for your advice . Like i was telling C.P, it's so overwhelming that there are so many people out there that care so much!!! and also understand exactly what i am going through. Anyway, how old is your son?, my son is 7 now but he started rolling his eyes last year after his younger brother was born. I am trying so hard not to blame myself, but i know for a fact that the stress levels in our house was just too much at times and i know for sure it is one of the main reasons why he started with the tic's. His tic problem has been on and off for the last year, but this time i actually decided to get information coz he isn't just rolling his eyes now, he also does this thing with his jaw and shoulder at the same time. It really looks scary. I took him straight to our family GP, who just referred me to the Pediatrician. His appt is next wed. I will keep you updated with what happens. I am hoping that this is just a small tic problem and that if i eliminate the stress from him, he will get better. My husband and i did exactly what you did, we would just tell him off for doing it. Silly me, now that i have read about the condition, i realise that he has totally no control over it, that's why i feel so bad. Seriously, for the last week, all that i have been doing is just watching him constantly to see if he is doing it. I try not to let it upset me, but it's just so hard as a parent to see your child doing these things. Anyway, thankyou again, i will look at the website you sent me and i will definately keep you updated with any progress with my son Have a great day and take care Thanks again Marianne

C.P, Thankyou so much for your understanding, it makes me feel better already that you and others care so much about us lost parents. I swear, the last few days have been so unbearable for me to handle. I just feel so bad for my innocent little boy . I just feel so helpless as a mother, it's not like something that i can fix on my own, like if he has a fever, i'll just give him panadol or something, i just feel like this is out of my control, if you know what i mean. I know that stress is also the main cause of his tic's. Because he is so active, he gets into trouble alot from me or his father. So since he has started rolling his eyes again, i realise that if we want him to get better the change has to start from myself and my husband. The last few days, the house has been stress free. I just realise now, "what the ###### was i stressing out so much about before anyway"!. I am hoping that it is just a small tic problem too. I know that TS does not run in our family at all. I will for sure keep you updated on all that happens with my little boy. You take care and thanks again Marianne

C.P, It's almost 12am here in Australia. Anyway, just letting you know how my son is going. I think today is the best day he has had since he started doing his tic's. I think the vitamins that i have him on are working in some sort of way already. It's only been 3 days and i can see a big improvement already. I hope that it will get rid of it completely!!!, let's hope so anyway. I'm so glad that i got the internet!!!, i'm able to keep in contact with caring people like you:) Thanks again Marianne

Hi Lenny, You know this forum is great, there are so many nice people like you who make me feel like i am not alone with this tic problem!!!!. I know exactly how you feel with this tic thing!!, it really upsets me too when i see him doing it and he has totally no control over it. I honestly think in alot of ways that i brought this tic on my son. You see, there is an age gap of 6 years between him and his younger brother. When my youngest son was born, it was really hard for him to accept the fact that he had to share the attention. At times i admit that once my youngest son was born, i kind of expected my older son to grow up so quickly. That's when he started rolling his eyes. It's been about 2 years now on and off that he rolls his eyes. But just last week he started doing this thing with his jaw and his neck, then rolling his eyes as far back as possible. I tell yah, it scares the ###### out of me when i see him doing that. I have read alot about childhood tics, and alot of the reasons why they start doing it is because of stress. Maybe somehow with my son, the loss of the attention made him insecure somehow and i guess this is how he handles the stress, by doing his tic. Since i have been giving him more attention, he doesn't really do it as often as before. I don't know, i seriously have been doing my head in just thinking what i have done wrong. At the moment, i just have to wait and see what the Pediatrician says. His appointment is still more than a week away. I will keep you posted in what happens. In the meantime, i'm just glad that i can share my experiences with other people, it really is comforting to know that there are other people that totally understand what i am going through. It's good to hear that your son is almost tic free. It's always hard for any parent to see their child with any problems mainly regarding their health. Just be strong for him, i'm sure that's what has helped him alot already. Anyway, thanks for your comment, it's made me feel alot better, and now i realise that there is still hope at the end of the tunnel!!!! I will definately let you know what happens. Take it easy bye Marianne

Hi CP, Thankyou for your quick response!!. I forgot to add that my son also has alot of nightmares and also sometimes sleepwalks. I don't know if this is all related with his tic problems as well. I guess i just have to wait and see what the Pediatrician says when i see her. But like i said, that is still a week and a half away. It feels like forever waiting for that day to come. Since he started with his tics again, i have taken him off pretty much all junk food, and honestly it has helped alot, he is not as hypo as usual. It is so hard just trying to think what can be causing it. So you had your son tested for allergies. That's definately something i will do. Thankyou for your advice. BTW, are you from America?, i am from Australia. It's already 1am here and i am still searching for any information on tics. It's overwhelming how much information is on this discussion board. Thanks again Marianne

Hi, my name is Marianne, i am new to this board, i came across it when i was doing research for my 7 year old son suffering with a tic problem. I am so glad that i found this forum. There is so much information!. Anyway, to cut a long story short. My 7 year old son started rolling his eyes when his younger brother was born. Not thinking it was anything, i just assumed that it was a habit and that it will go away. After ignoring it, he just stopped doing it. He was clear of the problem for about 1 year. Then just recently he started to do it again, but this time he shruggs his shoulders and does this thing with his jaw, and at the same time he could be rolling his eyes. I feel so bad for him because he doesn't even realise that he is doing it. Since he was little he has always been an active child. His Year one teacher last year suggested that i have him checked for ADHD. My husband and i then spoke about it and just couldn't accept the fact if he did have it so we just ignored it. Then the rolling of the eyes started. I have been doing alot of research on Childhood tics and have come across that he maybe doing it because of insecurity. He only really started doing it after my second son was born. There could be alot of thing that are causing it, i have been doing my head in just thinking what it could be. I am so worried that i took him to see our GP. Fortunately he only referred me to see our Pediatrician. That is still a week and a half away. I have read alot about how TV and computer games can play a major part with Childhood Tics. I have cut back with his TV, taken him off most of the junk food and have put him on Multivitamins, Fish Oil, Magnesium and B vitmains. So far his Tics have reduced, but they are still here. Does anyone have any information or advice for this kind of condition, i have been worried sick about my son in the last week, i actually kinda feel all depressed about it. I just feel so helpless as a mother! Kind Regards Marianne