lynnie1264

Hi. Does anyone have any idea if getting a pretty bad stomache ache a while after eating eggs {doesn't matter how they're cooked} could be an allergy or sensitivity? I can have eggs in cakes etc, doesn't matter, just happens if they're fried, poached, boiled, scrambled. I try to avoid them as much as possible but every now and then I have a tiny bit and the same thing happens. It pretty much has to be digested before the pain goes. Sometimes I can feel quite sick with it too. Just curious as I know some things like this get passed onto kids. Lyn

Chemar, Thanks. I'm not sure if you have them there, but I'm referring to the pillows and mattresses that have magnetic discs sewn into them. I know they help alot of people with back pain, arthritis etc. People swear by them for those purposes. Wonder how they'd go with TS considering your son was advised magnets. Interesting. Might have to look into that a little more. Thanks again for your reply. You just never know what could help... Lyn.

Hi. I've read in a couple of places how some are saying how those magnetic pillows/ mattresses could help with tourettes? I'm wondering if anyone here has used them {maybe even for other reasons} and seen any difference either way? Thanks, Lyn

Hi Guy, I don't know alot about this but I've heard Vanillin is something to stay away from, also in alot of my early research I found that caramel colouring and flavour was bad for TS. But then I guess you've probably had that in other stuff, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Also if you google up "maganese" there's quite a bit there that says it aggravates TS. Hope this helps, Lyn.

Hi Amyg... Welcome, you sure have found a good site here. I'm not one of the one's with valuable info, I'm still learning, but you will find so much great advice here. It's really hard to know where to start, as there seems to be so many different triggers in different kids. My son was diagnosed in May, but I already knew. He's had little tics for a few yrs now. I just never put the whole picture together til the head jerking started last April. After reading here how it helps to get rid of all artificial stuff, that's what I did. I can say he was very mild after that. However I got slack. He's just coming down off an increase in tics since New Year. Most will say that a magnesium supp is beneficial. Can't really go wrong there. Some go good with Fish oil, others don't. It's pretty much trial and error, but it's helpful to know that you can do something. Then if it is TS, there's always the wax and wane to consider, and there's not always a recognisable time frame. So when you find something may be working then you see an increase, it could just be a waxing. Don';t be put off either by Dr's who say the natural approach is of no use. It can be a great help. Either way , getting rid of the junk from their diets sure can't hurt. They say artificial sweeteners are a HUGE no no. Along with other things, {not sure where I read it} caramel colouring and flavouring is also not good. {read that on quite a few sites, including this one I think} So, to help there are those basics you could start with before trying to eliminate further. As I said, I'm an amatuer at this, but I sure wish you the very best. And, things will get better. Once you get your head around things a bit more you won't feel so overwhelmed by it. Lyn.

Thank you Faith, That post was very helpful. I've noticed these things with him for a long time really, his "ways". When he was much younger I put it down to how some people are just a certain way. Homework here is always a struggle, if he can't understand the question and asks me for help... well my answer is very rarely right as far as he's concerned. "That's not right.!!" Then he gets very upset like the world has just caved in. There were so many nights he just never did homework because it got too much. He LOVES sports... watches it all the time. He feels he has to tell me everything he hears, who's been knocked out who's winning etc. He just keeps on telling us... to the point of making us all very frustrated. He focusses on his likings to a point where it becomes all there is. I've explained to him that people have different interests and that not everyone wants to hear this stuff all the time. He doesn't care, he'll either get cranky or smile and keep telling you anyway. I'm not sure what he goes through at school but the teacher has said she has no problems with him. She told me he sets high standards for himself and does his very best to achieve that. He is a bright child, however the need to be GOOD at everything is going to lead to failure sooner or later. He gets so upset if he doesn't achieve "the best". He's like that in soccer also. He's very talented in that area, but if he lets a goal through he loses confidence and feels he's let everyone down. Personally I think he feels he's let himself down. Y'day afternoon we walked down to the fish shop to get dinner, and he just ran around like someone had wound him up a thousand times... not in the shop, at least he went outside to do it. He started doing that stupid deep laugh because he knows it annoys his sister, so he just kept doing it... and doing it, and laughing when she got angry. I'll write more later, my older girl has come for a visit, thanks again for your help. Lyn.

Faith' Hi again. sorry but there were a couple of other things I forgot to mention. Attention issues? Well, yes, at home if he's aked you a question he cuts you off halfway with his own answers, and he is always butting in to others conversations. Very annoying. OCD; possibly. He says he sometimes has to do a tap with his fingers 9 times. He's never heard anything like that discussed so he can't be copying. Not sure if that's a tic or OCD. Ther line blurs with much of that, doesn't it? He seems to like routine and gets stressed if it changes without notice, or even WITH notice. Like, he leaves for school at 8am every morning, if it's 8.05 he gets very agitated. It's a 2 minute walk to his school, so it's not like he'll be late. He'll throw his bag down in desperation and get all red in the face. Don't quite know how to handle all of this stuff, and I'd focussed more on his tics. If you can offer any suggestions that would be great. Lyn.

Rysmom & CSP... Thanks for your replies. It really is a hard one which our Dr will review in a few weeks. Trying different vitamins now, and a calming pill. If I feel I need to go the med route I will, but only for his sake. I'd much rather not. Rysmom, I'm so glad it's working and no side effects, everyone's dream really. So I'm hoping what vitamins he's on now will help. I don't care if he still tics a bit, I just don't want him to be affected by it. To me mild tics would be fine. It is possible the fish oil increased the tics, so we'll see. Dr said even after only taking it for 9 days it could still take a little while to get rid of it from the system. School starts in 11 days, I'd like to have a handle on it by then. However, I will keep my options open. In the end we all want what's best for our kids, don't we? So thanks again for your help. It's much appreciated believe me. Lyn.

Hi Faith... Brendan behaviour can be good to extreme. I know boys can be boys so to speak but he can go right off. He'll scream and yell and seem to have no control over it. There's like a weird look in his eyes like he's possesed. {ofcourse that's not true, but you know what I mean?} Sometimes it's pretty bad anger, other times it's being REALLY annoying and seeming to enjoy it. He at times will say things that he's well aware will set someone else off. {usually me or his sisters... not the step dad lol } He talks so much, and even when you're giving him a hint to stop or he'll be in trouble it seems like he HAS to finish it. He was always a fairly easy going kid. Having said all these seemingly horrible things about him, he is a sensitive kid {not overly} and has a really good heart. He's always on the side of the underdog. I have been in tears at times when he just won't stop. Then he just suddenly calms down like nothing happened. HOWEVER, it seems he can control this at school. Excellent student, a role model is what his report cards say. I find this amazing. His grades are fine too. He excells at all sports too. He seems to be an old soul. Much older than his years. I'd appreciate any help. thank you, Lyn. ... he's in the lounge room right now stealing his sisters mobile phone... just for the reaction he knows he'll get. ARGH!!!!

Hi. Just an update. Went to the Dr this morning, he said it was a good idea to stop the fish oil. I took along the Efalex bottle to show him and he sort of shook his head. He said Efalex was supposed to be "the great thing" a few yrs ago but there's been alot of bad things said since then. He does deal a bit with TS kids & adults and says fish oil can have a very neg impact, and he steers clear of recommending it. He advised a multi B complex... which I've seen advised here also... he said B6 is great as are all of the B's. I showed him the magnesium Tissue Salts he's having and he said that dose is fine. He's going to review the need for a low dose med in about 7 weeks. So as of today Brendan's new regime is: B Complex Forte x 1 daily. {Nature's Own brand} Schuessler Tissue Salts Musc relaxant {mag phos} half tablet 4 times daily Kidz Minerals "Be Calm" Tissue Salts 1 tablet x 4 daily. The ingredients in the Be Calm tissue salts are: 250 grams each of the following: Potassium Phosphate ; Mag Phosphate ; Ferric Pyrophophate & SiliconeDioxide. So here's hoping I guess. Thank you for your help. Interesting that yet another DR feels that way about Fish Oil with TS. Yet I'm sure it has extreme benefits in many other cases. What made me feel good was that the DR actually complimented me on what I'm doing for my boy. He said "You're obviously heading in the right direction and really trying." It was nice not to get that "You're so stupid" look when mentioning the natural approach. Lyn

Hi Caryn, thanks for your reply. So the kind of fish oil my son was using couldn't have the negative effect others on here are talking about? Just wondering. When I read that fish oil can increase tics I was a bit dubious but thought I'd give it a shot. Thanks again, Lyn.

hi all.. I said the other day that I was starting my boy on fish oil, Efalex gel capsules. I was sort of hoping it would be ok, but I'd heard how some react badly... still I was not looking for problems with it. He started taking it 9 days ago.His tics were a bit above usual when he started Efalex. Well apart from one day I'm convinced the tics are much worse. As for his bahaviour... rotten. I even felt like he was very "down" at times. It's almost like someone has wound him up so tight that he has to let of energy. So he had his last one this morning, missed the lunch and tea time one. Tonight before bed he seemed a little calmer... but who knows? Just have to see I suppose. How long would you expect the tfish oil gel caps to get out of his system? Thankyou, Lyn.

Hello... I'm sort of at my wits end right now. Dr appt tomorrow... just wondering who has had success with meds. I'm more in favour of the natural way, but my sons behaviour is all over the place right now. His ticcing has increased also. They go back to school on the 27th January and I'd love to have him alot calmer by then. I think the behaviour seems a bit out of his control at the moment, and I don't think it's fair on him to let it continue. He's been like this before, yet seems to be able to control his actions at school. I feel like crying. It's as if he's trying to push me over the edge. As I mentioned in another post, I will be asking the Dr to do some tests, but is there anything wrong with a small dose of meds if it's really going to help? As I said, it doesn't seem fair to let him continue like this, I feel I'd be letting him down if I ignore it. He's also had a huge disappointment the last few days with his father not showing up, it hurt him. I know this could have something to do with it, but still... Any advice would help, either for or against the meds. Thanks, Lyn.

Thanks Chemar... I was just curious as to the difference because I couldn't imagine having cough medicine helping tics. lol Thanks, Lyn

Hi... Just been reading alot on the benefits of Benadryl. Over here in Australia it is a cough medicine liquid. I'm wondering what it is in America? I get the feeling it's not quite the same thing. I know here that they don't advise people to use it for long periods. Thanks, Lyn.

One other thing... over here in Aust Benadryl is a cough medicine, what does it contain over there? Lyn.

Thanks Carolyn, Is there any tests that would be helpful then? I want to know where to even start instead of guessing. I do think stress is bad for him {as it is for anyone} but like others, I want to know I'm at least going in the right direction. I wish I had your knowledge. Lyn.

Hi everyone. I've been reading this thread and find it helpful. My son has a DR appt tomorrow, and I was going to see about getting more tests done. If I ask to get his dopamaine levels checked, that would be worthwhile? I didn't know you could have that done. Does that result show if it's likely that that is what's causing his tics? I guess that would give a clearer path on which way to go. His original DR only did the rast test, and wasn't too interested in anything else. I know there must be alot more we can do to give us a clue. I'm pretty much going along blindly at this time. His new DR has had TS patients, so does have a clue. Lyn.

Thanks for that. It seems it's actually the other test I'm after, not the one I've had done. It's more the food and envorinmental stuff I was after. The Dr just didn't seem to think there could be any link...mmm!!! Didn't offer anything really, just "yeah, so he has Tourettes, see you later." The actual ped was good though, but even he doesn't believe it has anything to do with food. My new Dr has a few TS patients and believes in the outside stuff affecting it etc, but will also medicate if needed. He's open minded, and will even talk to schools etc on your behalf if that's warranted. And he is just a normal everyday DR... but a sincere and caring one. He used to deal more with kids a few years ago but now just does general. My brother has TS {never diagnosed but obvious} but I know that doesn't mean my son has the same type or anything. Thank you so much, Lyn.

Hi everyone. I'm just curious as to what they actually test for when they do an initial allergy blood test. Here it's a RAST, not sure if it's the same everywhere. Brendan had his back in May, and all the Dr really said was "Oh well, it's all come back clear." I asked him what he was tested for in particular but he just cast me aside and said "Oh, pollens and grass, that kind of thing." He knew I wanted it done in relation to my son's TS and looked at me like I was stupid, but agreed to do it "anyway". Next week I have an appointment with his new Dr and will be asking for more tests. But i was wondering if you know what type of things they test you on in these RAST tests. Is it just a basic set of a few things, because he never asked me what I thought he could be allergic to. I've tried to find out on google, but they just talk about the test in general, nothing more detailed. Is testing for environmental things, and food 2 totally seperate tests? thanks, Lyn.

Thanks Char I haven't tried vit B6 yet. I set out to try things but when I get to the shop I find there are so many variations and I'm not sure which one I should be using. Same goes for the magnesium, there's so many types mentioned here, esp Taurine... but when I asked about it here is Australia, it seems it's very hard to get it on it's own. The only thing I could get it in also has artificial sweeteners, so there went that idea. I might ask about it again today. As I mentioned I'm currently giving my son mag in tissue salt form, which the naturopath said would be good... but I read on the net last night that Tissue salts would not be enough for someone with TS. There is so much conflicting stuff around. I admire any of you who have found what it is you need. I want to give this Efalex a go, as it has the Primrose oil too... I was just trying to way up the fish oil thing. It seems it's helped many people, and not others. Hopefully it'll be good for my boy. Thankyou very much for your help, and I might check out the Vit B6 today too. {i wonder how many types of that there is lol } Lyn.

Hi again. Been reading alot here... since my son's tics flared up abit I've been looking for something else to help. I know there is a bit of debate about fish oil. I went to talk to a naturapath 2 days ago and she said the magnesium I'm using is good, and that I shoul also try EFALEX. It has : Natural Fish oil {high DHA}........365.7mg Rigel evening primrose oil..........142.2mg dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate......... 7.5mg thyme oil................................... 1.3mg Just wondering if anyone knows anything about these things, as I don't really. He's using Tissue Salts magnesium. I've read here that the Primrose oil is a good idea. Not everyone has a bad reaction to fish oil, do they? I'm really hoping this will help. If the fish oil was to be a problem, would it show soon? Thanks, Lyn.

Hi. Carolyn, your post here is wonderful. I have been wondering the last couple of days what could have triggered my son's increase in tics... when I read all the different names MSG can go under. Amazing. Plus you mentioned chicken patties and nuggetts... well a few days ago while camping my son had a chicken burger, and 2 days ago he had chicken nuggetts and chips. Plus there'd be other bits and pieces there. I was questioning the fluoride in water, which I still wonder about, plus the fact that he'd missed a week of his magnesium wouldn't have helped. {that's if it is helping though} Thanks again, I think everyone needs to know about the MSG in things. It seems to be everywhere. So is it a standard thought that MSG is no good for people with TS? Or is it only if you're sensitive to it? I've also heard that just because you're not sensitive to something doesn't mean it won't harm you or have some effect. Thank you so much for this info, and to Guy for bumping the thread. Lyn.

Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone here has noticed fluoride in water being a trigger? My son is mild but here where we live we've just had fluoride put into our water and I noticed Brendan's tics increase just after. I'm not blaming that but just curious as I was trying to think of things we've been doing differently. {we're in Qld, Aust} Also, I've had him on a magnesium {tissue salts} and he went without them for 8 days... I misplaced them , plus we went camping etc... so I was also wondering if that could've been a big problem too. I know alot of people over here were against the fluoride in water, but I think all the other states in Aust have had it for years. To be honest, I thought we already had it til they started discussing it. Brendan is on his 3rd day of magnesium again now, so I'm hoping to get the tics back to where they were. Any ideas or opinions are welcome. Thanks, Lyn.

Thanks for that Lynsey... I did mean to add that the Dr said they were all entwined with eachother with the inclusion Tourettes.... all being on the same thing. It's funny as my 2 kids with epilepsy don't have one sign of OCD. The 2 with OCD don't have epilepsy. Then my son with TS has the OCD. I'm grateful that none of them ended up with the whole package. That's what made me wonder if they could all have different symptoms coming out from basically the same gene or whatever it is. Each of these conditions are problems on their own and I know you can have one without the other, but knowing they're linked and having so much of it in one family... just makes me wonder more as to why? Thanks again, it's a very interesting article. Lyn.