Maryuofs

Thank you very much for your kind responses. Dylan has had a work up though he was not checked for strep... doctor hypothesized that it probably wasn't from strep. He had mild tics when he was 8 but they always moved around and we assumed they were environmental...he is immune deficient but not real bad and has a lot of allergies, is asthmatic too. I have printed both your and Cherri's responses and perhaps it will be a help...we are frantic to get some help for him. In the past year he received 2 commendations from Al Gore, appeared in a feature article in Jacques Cousteau magazine, and has done public presentations. This fall was called to interview to speak before the United Nations. He makes movies, writes poetry, composes and plays 5 instruments… is writing a book… list goes on. He is also heading up a research project on endangered bats. He is very environmentally active… organizes time really well. As I said he is so smart he could save the world. He shows tremendous creative potential so any of the traditional medicines would probably put an end to that creativity. I believe with out the constant development of his brain, he would not get the creativity back when the medicine is stopped… as when children who are not challenged, loose the opportunity to reach their potential… they tend to stagnate … drift toward mediocrity. I am not willing to take the chance with him. I am going to look into your advice and approach it slowly. At this point I don’t have the option to rule out medicine entirely because we can’t go on this way… but I am going to try other options first. He is getting vocal tics as well and one that tends to close his throat, which is the most frightening... he gasps for air. Thank goodness that one has seemed to stop for a bit. I noticed things were much worse when he had a drink with red dye and then one with blue dye... so yes I have changed his diet. I will start him on the baths this evening and try to find those supplements. Thank you so much, you seem very intellegent. I appreciate your time and efforts. Mary

My son age 11 was diagnosed a month ago with Tourettes. Initially it was just facial tics... nothing too serious... we were devastated at the time but in hindsight... I would give anything if he could just have those facial tics rather than the violent seizure like, transient (seem to move all over) full body tics that he now as. They are so scary since that seem to involve every muscle in his body. He is extremely intelligent so we refuse to give his the Nortripteline the doctor (neurologist) ordered with the precaution that his heart could stop anytime on it so he must be constantly monitored. He also ordered behavioral modification of reading the Bible... I offered that he read higher order thinking novels, but doctor said it had to be the Bible???? Pediatrician didn't agree...sending him to CHOPS in Philly. Is there a vitamin supplement or food that reduces tic or has worked for others that might help to reduce tics... his tics are severe... they resemble grand mal seizures except that he is very conscious of what is going on. No set pattern...sometimes only a 3-hour window a day of mild tics. He has been out of school about 3 1/2 weeks now and we are basically homebound... can't go anywhere cause he can't function. Mostly rolls on the floor with arms and legs going every which way swinging violently and trunk, neck and face in spasms. Does any one have any suggestions? Other 2 daughters are in med school; he is so smart he could save the world. I want to protect his brain at all cost.