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Hope2

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  1. wombat140--thanks for replying--this site reminds me of one of the many ways internet is used for "good"--it is SO comforting to feel heard and understood. OK, so the "shiver/shrug" tic has left, lasted about 2 weeks, now he's back to the "heh heh" some times, and a head tilt--just noticed it at his baseball game last night. I had wanted to see Dr. Corbier (mentioned on this site), but he is changing his practice & requires a neurologist to diagnose before treating nutritionally. So I went to the pediatrician for a referral for a neuro (he gave me a referral 2 yrs ago but I didn't go & don't remember the name). BUT, Dr office still hasn't called back from Monday. So I called Dr. O'Connor (also found on this site), and decided maybe we'll pursue environmental/food triggers since I haven't yet. That appt. is next week. I do know that the drug birth mom was taking while pregnant (in additional to alcohol & cig.) was benzodiazapine--so I am curious what led to the "need" for it--perhaps tics (I've read it's sometimes used) or anxiety. OH--and as far as the allergy testing, it sounds like both allergens and in-tolerances can be skin-prick tests, though I'm not 100% sure yet, and not sure that a prick would be better than drawing blood on my son!
  2. Hi, I've been mostly reading & learning from this site for the last several years. My son, now 8, began tics around age 4. His pediatritian thought Tourettes, referred us to a neurologist, but I knew I didn't want meds, so we didn't go. I've used magnesium & other rec. from this site, especially all of Chemar's helpful posts, and he has improved a lot, though the tics are never completely gone for more than a month. Recently they've gotten worse, and friends at school are teasing him. So, I realize it's time for an official diagnosis and I am OVERWHELMED to tears at how to go about that. The tics don't scare me, or him--his heart is amazing and he does well accademically. He does have anxiety issues, but not to the point that he won't go to school or anything, he's just not interested in new foods...and as a baby he was very attached to me. He was also adopted so I do not know medical history. I only know he was exposed to cigarettes, alcohol, and benzodiazapine inutero.The mean comments from others is the only reason I would pursue help, though not meds. But I am overwhelemd at where to begin to get a diagnosis. I do not "think" he fits PANDAS, though we've not tested for that. I haven't tested allergies or an MRI, nothing. I found Dr. Corbier from this site, and called them this morning but they are changing the way they treat and said I have to have a "firm diagnosis" first. They suggested Dr. Wallace in Huntersville, about an hour from me. I'd love a rec. of someone in Charlotte who could diagnose, so that maybe then I could go to Dr. Corbier. Thanks for any help.
  3. Another question, sorry--I have been reading so much but I can't find a simple answer to this, can food intolerance (not allergy) testing be done with urine samples only? One reason I have put off testing is that I know my son will be too anxious for a blood draw. I feel fairly certain it is TS. Definitely not transient, some sort of tics have been present since 4. Today (after my post above) he told me 2 friends made fun of his shrugs at school last week. I haven't tried elimination diets yet either--he LOVES milk, cheese, yogurt--so I know that will be hardest. My son is the sweetest most tender-hearted child I know, and his tics do not bother us (family) or even him--EXCEPT that now friends are teasing--so that is why I am re-looking into finding more help. Thanks.
  4. Thank you for your advice--I am planning to ask my son today if it's bothering him, and then proceed. We have been in the habit for the last year of completely ignoring the tics, because when I used to try to talk about them with him, they increased. I would say the longest we go without is maybe 2-3 months, but I stopped keeping a good record, many of his tics over the summer were mild enough that I didn't bother with it. My son was also adopted, so I do not know if there is a family history of TS, but I do know he was exposed to drugs and smoking in utero. Chemar--I've seen here some about testing neurotransmitters, which I don't think you did with your son, but do you advise it? He is already a very picky eater, so changing his diet would be traumatic, and I can't imagine how we'd get him to do a blood test of any kind. Thanks again.
  5. My son is 8, with mostly mild tics off & on since 4. We can go several months without tics, but never a year. We only saw his pediatrician, who said he thought it was Tourettes, and that he'd likely grow out of it. He gave us a referral to a neurologist, but I didn't go. I (maybe wrongly?) assumed the neuro. would just offer meds, and at this point, I really do not want to try medication. I learned here from Chemar about magnesium, and I think that helped a lot, until recently. He has had seasons of vocal tics, but since starting magnesium supplements a year ago, he has mostly had mild motor tics. He's very smart, and very social, has not struggled with friendships. But recently a boy he was friends with starting acting mean (making fun of him, but not for tics, we don't think at least), and the anxiety brought on a surge of tics. I've upped magnesium, added "tic tamer" this week, but here's my question-- Most of what he's doing now, I'm not sure if it's a tic. He shakes, like he has the shivers--but it's almost tremor-like. His whole upper body shakes in a fine movement, but there isn't repetition to it. It can happen several times in a minute, but unlike his other tics, I can't really count how much he does it, if that makes sense-? I guess I'd also like advice on when do you decide you need to look further--doctors, testing, etc..I know that's a personal decision, but I'd appreciate others' input. So far, I have just used magnesium (and Kids Calm Multi), and his tics had been manageable enough. Before this "shiver" one, he was doing a verbal "heh heh" for a few months. Noticeable enough that a few kids thought he was laughing, but not enough to cause problems. This shiver though seems more extreme than what I've seen in the past.
  6. This shows my ignorance, but I had not even thought about the Epsom salt bath as a detox, I was just thinking "more magnesium"! You have shared such wisdom here, my eyes honestly have teared up...I think the focus on detoxing his system is great advice. In some ways I have tried to ignore what all he was exposed to in utero-the drugs, alcohol, a terrible lifestyle and no prenatal care...it used to make me so angry. But your words help me see this information can be used as a tool to help me help him--this was very insightful for me Chemar, thank you.
  7. Thank you pilbara for the welcome and understanding--it so helps on this journey. Came up with a few more questions as I read last night--in reading through the definition of TS, I get confused between transient tics and TS. My son's (so far) have not last more than 3-4 months at a time, but then the have recured over the last 3 years--would that be mre definitive of TS? The list of tests to consider was very helpful--I am considering getting the IgG test--would that test for food allergens rather than trying an ellimination diet? My son is really picky as it is and I'd hate to take away his dairy if I didn't have to. When I first started reading about TS in online medical journals, etc..., I thought the "answer" would be to get his neurotransmitter levels (dopamine...) tested. Then I cam here, and it sounds like that isn' really a reliable route--or even possible? I gave him a 2 day trial of L-Theanine after reading that somewhere--and he went what I would call manic. That's when I decided to look here and get educated. I don't see us getting a Dr anytime soon, realistically with finances, but that was scary enough to get me to be more careful and cautious with what I try. I think I could live with, ignore his tics forever--but I do sense it bothers him some, even though I try to convince him we love every bit of him, tics and all. He has prayed at times for God to calm the storm inside him, I pray that too.
  8. Chemar-Thank you so much for your welcome and response. I have been amazed at how helpful all the threads are, from especially you and Claire. Thank you for taking the time to share your own journeys and wisdom--it encourages the rest of us. Off to do more reading
  9. I have lurked this extremely helpful forum for some time, hoping I wouldn't "need" to join, hoping it would all pass, and not really wanting to include myself here (no offense, I trust you all understand what I mean!) My precious son is 7. Spring of 2012, we noticed him tilting his head back and looking through the very lowest part of his eyes (hard to describe). We took him to an eye Dr, he does have an astigmatism, not enough for glasses. He definitely has anxiety too--at that time he was constantly chewing holes in his shirts. After a few months, it went away. Spring of 2013, he started more obvious tics--a yelping sound, some head twitches/slight jerks, whistling, and a shuttering sound like he had the chills (sorry--I don't know the right terms yet!). Kindergarten teacher suggested we go to pediatrician, Ped. suggested Neurologist...I cancelled before going. I still have no plan to consider meds unless he is hurting himself or someone else and we've exhausted other options. I started Kids Calm, didn't know much else then, and by May (after 2-3 mos) they went away. We saw nothing notable until January of this year-mostly yelping with some head movements at times. Started 1 T Kids Calm (120mg magnesium) in the morning; 1/2 t Calm mag (81.25 mg magn.) + vit D3 + 187.5 mcg melatonin (small dose) at night. He's finally sleeping through the night, the "yelps" might be better, but not sure. He has an excellent (public school) teacher this yr in an all boys class and she's noticed the noises, but is OK with them, which I know is a blessing. We teach his Sunday School class and never hear him do it at all. The times he does for sure--at home, transitions, highly excited. As far as other "stuff" he does struggle greatly with transitions and impulse control. He gets angered easily if he doesn't get his way. He always feels remorse and apologizes, in a way that honestly seems to say he doesn't mean or want to be "that way". That sounds like I'm making an excuse, but really his heart is so tender. Last thing--my son was adopted, so I am not sure of genetics. I do know there was heavy alcohol, smoking and some drug use (benzodiazapine was found in his system at birth--which makes me wonder if there were issues). I'm not sure what I'm even asking--maybe just to have someone give me direction-? We haven't done any testing, I don't have a natural Dr or the best insurance. Thanks for reading, listening, any advice! Blessings, Hope
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