Lynn777

Thanks Everyone, It does help to know I'm not alone. I just don't know how to live the rest of my life feeling like this, it's so very hard to watch your child tic. Yes, I know he could have something much worse, but that doesn't really make what he does have any easier. I just feel like running away, not from him, but from the stupid tics! I ended up taking him to the doctor and he said that he has post nasal drip and a cold. So, I guess it wasn't a tic after all, but this is just my life now -- always, always, always wondering and like caring mom said "trying to figure things out". I did bring some tea and honey to the beach house, so I'll give him that and hope it helps him. As I type this he's sitting at the table eating his dinner, doing his little hand movements and as sweet and adorable as he is, I too am eyeing up the balcony. (sigh) I have so much respect for all of you that have been dealing with this for years & I'm sure many of you have endured worse that I'm dealing with. I truly admire your strength... thanks again, lynn

So my son started with a cough yesterday, I figured he was getting sick. This morning he woke up and it almost sounded like croup. As the day progressed it sounded better, but he is coughing like every 2-3 seconds and now I'm worrying it's a tic. The only thing is he took a nap today and the cough was still there, he doesn't typically tic in his sleep. I am just so very exhausted of worrying about every cough, hum, hiccup, hand movement, etc., etc., etc. Does the hyper-focus ever, ever, ever end? We are leaving for the beach tomorrow and I feel so bad for him & as usual I'm a mess... thanks, Lynn

That's fantastic!

Thanks all, I'm keeping him on the Omega's for now. It's just a very low hum that returned, so I'm not sure it warrants blaming the pill just yet. Unfortunately, although DS is a great eater, he does not like seafood. So, getting his Omega 3's from actual fish is just not going to happen right now <sigh>. Therefore, I'm going to give the Nordic Naturals a few more weeks and if it seems he is truly sensitive I'll switch to flaxseed or borage. ~Lynn

Hi all, I just started my son on the Omega 3's and have read on here that some people have positive results and some have negative results. The first two weeks he seemed better (I had him on 1/2 the recommended dose). This week I started him on the full dose and I'm noticing his verbal is creeping back. So I'm wondering what specific effects people have seen and how long it took? Don't know how to tell if the verbal is from the supplement or just life with a tic disorder... Thanks, Lynn

Hi Melinda, You have come to a great place for information and support. My son started excessive eye blinking in August of 2009, it went away after about two weeks only to return in February of 2010. In April of this year he started having additional tics. Through this site and the book by Shelia Rogers "Natural Treatments for Tics & Tourettes" we learned many alternative ways to treat the tics without medication. Although my sons tics are technically mild too, it is always troubling to watch your child make these movements, but as others said try not to worry - I know it's hard. I started my son on specialized supplements that include magnesium, which tends to help kids with tics and TS, in addition we have gone totally organic and removed all artificial colors, flavors, preservatives. It seems overwhelming at first, but once you get used to it it's manageable. I truly believe it is helping him. Also, Epson salts baths help for calming tics too, 2 cups dissolved in the tub for 20 minutes. Lastly, my son had some anxiety and mild OCD issues at onset and we immediately hooked him up with a cognitive therapist. Not to control the tics, but to help with possible stress. The therapist told us that play therapy is slow, but we are already seeing results after 6-8 weeks. Again, your son seems mild at this point, but it's something to consider. I am a firm believer in early intervention and they might be able to give you some suggestions on dealing with separation anxiety and his nervousness. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask or come here with questions. It's all about support! Hang in there! ~Lynn

Sorry about that, I must have seen the ADD part at some point in your history/posts and that stuck out in my head. Anyway, thanks for the reply, I might actually look into the ginkgo biloba, since his main issue right now is attention & focus. I've never heard of borage oil, so I'll do some research on that too! Thanks again, ~Lynn

Hi Cheri, This is slightly off topic, but I'm pretty sure your son had ADHD issues along with his tics, correct? My son that tics does not exhibit signs of ADD/ADHD, but my older son does. He was on Strattera for many years and it helped him with minimal to no side effects. However, as he approached puberty he started to feel edgy and unhappy on the meds, so we weaned him off of them. His ADHD is better now then it was when he was younger, but he still has trouble concentrating and focusing in school. Anyway, since we are all changing our lifestyle and I am now tuned in to supplements I'd like to start my older son on supplements too. I bought him Nordic Naturals multi, Nordic Naturals Junior Omega 3's. I know you are not a doctor, but anything else you would recommend? He is 13 and 115 pounds. Thanks! ~Lynn

Thank you Caryn, I actually really needed to hear that! My sons tics and behavior have improved since starting the diet and supplements. Of course there's always the little voice that says "you're wasting your time and energy because he's just waning". Plus, he seems to have a few "main" tics that are stubborn. So, there are some days I feel like if he bops his head one more time I'm trashing the supplements and giving him the stupid Sunny D and batman gushers! However, deep down I know I have to stick with it and that it takes time. Also, we are going to an integrative/environmental doctor in August and he plans on doing all the allergy testing for us, which his regular pediatrician finds unecessary. So, hopefully we'll know even more in a few months. I appreciate the encouragement to keep going...

Thanks everyone. I am sure now that the reaction was from the candy, thankfully the vocal went away the next day. However, it was pretty strong after the candy. The good thing is I get frustrated by the strict diet sometimes, since it hasn't taken away all the tics and some days I just want to throw in the towel. Now I know it's doing something! Halloween should be fun this year! ugh. Deby, my son isn't in therapy for the tics, he sees a CT for his mild OCD. We are always in the room and she never discusses the tics with him. -Lynn

My son started having mild OCD symptoms in April, the same time he started with motor and vocal tics. We immediately found a CT specialist that was trained to work with 0-5 year olds. She explained to us that the therapy is very slow at this age, but the sooner you start the better long term results. That said, we are already seeing improvement after 5-6 weeks. I know from reading the boards there is mixed opinions on trying to control the OCD behaviors, especially when they are accompanied by Tics or Tourettes. However, our therapist thinks it is important to deal with the socially inappropriate OCD behaviors and has coached us in how to discuss this with our son. Again, we have seen improvement. I wouldn't suggest doing it on your own, I think you should seek professional help and I want to reiterate that my sons OCD is very mild, so what is working for him might not work or be the best approach for every child. Best of Luck! ~Lynn

We just started using the All Terrain Natural Herbal Armor and it seems to work fine. However, I will be honest and say we have not tried it in any heavily "buggy" areas. I bought the 2 oz bottle at Whole Foods to try it before spending a lot on a bigger bottle. Have fun in Florida! ~Lynn

Thanks Cheri, I knew it, I just knew it! I had a gut feeling I shouldn't have allowed it, but I just felt so bad because it was already in his hot little hand and he looked so happy! I am going to talk to our therapist about making sure the candy is not offered or even sitting out when we come for appointments. The reaction was exactly what you said "dramatic". I looked at my husband and said "I think it's the candy". It was obvious by the look he gave me that he thought I was being "over the top". But again, I had a gut feeling, so came here to ask the experts. How long does the reaction usually last? Unfortunately, he's already in bed, so I will give him the ES bath tomorrow. Thanks so much for the quick response! ~Lynn

That my son could have a fairly immediate (within a couple hours) reaction to eating something with high fructose corn syrup & artificial colors (which he has not had any of in over two months)? His tics have been better, especially the vocal one. In fact my MIL watched him today and said she didn't notice a single tic. Then we went to therapy and his therapist gave him candy for doing a good job (I almost had a stroke). So then out of nowhere his vocal tic showed up shortly after we came home. I'm just wondering if there can be an immediate reaction to a possible trigger or if it's more likely a coincidence. Thanks, Lynn

I'm sure it depends on the person, but I have used the ipod to calm my sons tics. The music seems to sooth him.

Congratulations to you and your son! I can only imagine how proud you are of him. I think we all have to learn just what you said and that is to "relax enough to let our kid's be who God wants them to be". So happy for your family - ~Lynn

We also hit the wall at dinner time until bath time...

So funny to see this post, I was wondering about this myself. My son is also waxing and as we were taking a family walk I realized the moon was big and full. I said to DH, maybe that explains it! I think he thought I was the one who was a bit crazy, but like Chemar said in an earlier post, I recently read something that said our body fluids are affected by the moon phases similar to how the tides are impacted. I guess we can add the moon as "a trigger".

http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/...cides-allergens

This is about ADHD, but it's interesting nonetheless... http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/...cides-allergens

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to contact Dr. T, his office is less then two hours from where I live.

Thanks for posting these!

Nevermind, I'm a total dope! I just realized as I was typing the above reply that "Diphenhydramine" is the same thing that is in Benadryl which he sometimes takes for his allergies. I NEVER knew, Triaminic cough syrup and Benadryl were the same thing. It's interesting what you find out when you start reading labels...

Thanks, but this isn't the one with the decongestant (Phenylephrine) in it, it's the one just for coughs (Diphenhydramine)?

Anyone have any problems with this medicine and extra ticcing? Thought I'd check before giving it to my son. I know antihistamine's can be a problem, but wasn't sure about the cough suppressants. Thanks!