mommyfor4

Hi and welcome, A great first step is usually to remove all artificial sweeteners, colours, flavours and preservatives if possible as they seem to be a big trigger for most kids either as tics or ADHD type behaviour etc. We have noticed the keeping the room well lit and using a LCD, LED or Plasma TV has helped some but video games especially ones where they are just sitting and staring at the screen is definately a trigger for both tics and mood swings. The simple act of turning on a light to match the brightness of the TV seems to diminish this some, but we really limit screen time regardless especially videogames. We have a great chiropractor who is also a trained Naturopath and he has been invaluable through this. An elimination diet can be difficult at first but can be a very usefull tool especially if you are charting tics. The one thing many people seem to forget is the everyday triggers...they can be dishwasher soaps, laundry detergents candles, cleaners etc. The more natural the better. I wish you the best... Megan

Hi Everyone, it's been some time since I've posted. Things continue to go really well. We have even been able to get ds to do acupuncture (my child with huge needle anxiety!!!!) So far it seems to be really positive for him, he feels more focused and even looks more relaxed. He even enjoys going now and will ask when his next appt. is. We had a rise over the last full moon, seems to be par for the course for him, but nothing to send us into the old panic. We are continuing with the Progressive Multi and Natural Calm and of course his diet, we are using freshly ground flax in the mornings...when I remember for Omega's. His food sensitivities seem to be less reactive and shorter lived, although we are not prepared to change his diet. He is not totally tic free, but he is no longer so anxious, and many days we almost have to look for his tics. He still has definate periods of waxing but they seem to be mostly around the full moon and if not we already knew they were coming due to a food exposure etc. All I can say: there is hope, this is not the same child as when I first began this journey and he's 10, according to research shouldn't he be on the rise as prepubescence creeps in? I am so grateful to everyone who ever gave advice or just an "I know what your feeling". Thank you all. Megan

Hi Guy I think we may be misunderstanding each other. I think it is his discomfort or lack of trust that causes him to suppress his tics. I have seen him time and time again ticcing like crazy before an appt. but upon entering the office he seems to contain them until we leave, the same is true if we have company over that he is not really close to. As far as our family dr. goes though: I was just pointing out that because he really trusts and likes this particular dr. we don't see the same disappearing tics as when he is seeing another less known dr. Megan

Hi Guy, I'm not quite sure why this is but I do have to say that if my son is comfortable with the dr. he is seeing, he allows himself to tic or can at least "show" the dr. what we mean. I think for him it is a defensive thing, if he doesn't trust, know or like the dr. he will fight the tics or be so distracted by the other things that are going on that he "forgets" about them until we are safely back in the vehicle. That's all I've got unless you just want to call it Murphy's law... Megan

I have seen too many negative reactions in my children to chance it, I think I'd rather risk the flu at least that is temporary...

Hey Lynn, You're not alone, it seems quite a few of us have been seeing seeminly unexplainable rise in tics over the last several weeks. Check out my thread regarding that, it may help. A friend of mine also pointed out the high allergens and it's apple spraying season! I didn't even consider that!!! Just this past few days we are seeing a decline, although he does have a cold so come throat clearing ones are more obvious. Keep up with what has been working, maybe up the epsom baths and loads of water? Don't panic, this too shall...there's no other way to put it, it really sucks when there is waxing after a long period of calm. I wish you the best. Megan

It does appear to be a tic and we also find the TV is a big trigger and try to keep it limited. She also has the same look in her eyes as when my son watches TV, it's like they are totally absorbed with it, wide eyed and unaware of other things around them. I wish you the best, hang in there... Megan

Our kids started last week as well. It is a possibility but I'm not fully convinced, can't explain it...it just doesn't feel like that's his cause. Seasonal inhalants are definately a possibility here as well but again the tics don't sound like his usual allergy tics, although his sister is suffering from some allergy type symptoms and even I find I am clearing my throat more over the last weeks or so, who knows???? Please keep me posted, it would be very curious if they also decline around the same time, sigh-just when I think I've almost got it all figured out, how arrogant of me Best wishes as well and hopes for quick waning, Megan

Hi all, just a curiousity. After some amazing progress over the last year or more we are seeing an increase over the last two to three weeks in tics. They seem unexplained as foods etc haven't really changed. I was curious after reading other posts as to how many others are seeing a similar increase. I wonder if it may be lunar or even a reaction to weather patterns ie. Irene. Would love to hear if anyone has thoughts etc. Megan

Well done Chris! This is such a nice clear and concise summary of your evolving to manage his tics and with it your stress...good to hear things are still in a good place. At some point maybe I will add our journey's summary too For others reading though I completely agree with your main positive changes...they are the same for us 1)great multi 2)Natural Calm (original) and the others are used more as needed, but the clean diet etc. can not be denied for us no matter what traditional dr's say I found with everything the more simple and natural, the better...easier to keep your sanity too! We also have had some rises this summer, but video games at friends and chlorine exposure do have their impact for him, heat can still be a trigger as well but all in all he and we are in a good place as well. Hard to believe we're here now when reading back to our original posts!!!! Megan

Hi! Our son who's 10 also has Chronic Vocal Tic Disorder and I too have felt the crushing emotional rollercoaster and the fear as school approaches etc. We have had some really good results with a good multi and eliminating wheat, dairy, ALL artificials, soy and some other foods we have found as triggers along the way...but he still tics, much less and the waxing and waning is less severe but I don't think the fear really ever goes away, it can become dormant in good phases and come roaring back at the first rise of a new tic or waxing period. The only thing that really helps me is remembering that since changing his diet etc. he is in a far better place than he was in 3-4 years ago. Not to mention generally it seems to upset me more than him. You seem to be setting up a good plan of action and I really wish you the best and hang in there...this stage of looking for triggers can feel very overwhelming especially changing food choices but there is a good chance you may see positive results. I think when I stopped expecting big miracles and started recognizing the little steps forward I began moving into a healthier place, that's not to say I don't still have emotional crashes anymore, it's just less and I've learned to not take it so personally, my advice: do your research, try to look for triggers, change what you can, stick to it and then widen your focus again...sometimes we get tunnel vision and all we begin to hear and see are the tics, and everything focuses around the tics, and our moods are controlled by the tics and everything else becomes secondary. I know I've been there but the good days do come too. Short thought I saw your son was 12 is he gaming more because it's summer? I can tell right away with our son when he's been playing longer at a friends because the high pitch squeal or repetition when watching TV later...just a thought. Chlorine in swimming pools can be a big trigger. More easy meals in the summer usually means more wheat and artificials and dairy etc. Just some ideas to consider... Best wishes, megan

Yes, my son(10) does find some relief with Yoga type breathing exercises, as it is particularly hard to have his body relax we try to get him to do these while having his epsom baths or just after the bath and before bed. I have to say we are not super diligent but I should be as his body holds sooo much tension it would be beneficial regardless. His tics are vocal and this seems to sometimes be a good substitute.. even if only temporary. Megan

Hey everyone...haven't really posted in a while. continue to go well here. He is not tic free but they are so minimal that it would be hard to notice unless you were looking for them. He has had the odd rise but it is generally a matter of hours now instead of days. It seems that as long as we keep to his diet he is maintaining really well. For him his food triggers are: Wheat, Dairy, Soy, all artificials and refined sugars (he is fine with Raw honey, maple syrup and raw golden cane sugar), pesticides on foods, tomatoes, grapes, apples (but fine with apple juice), bananas, raisins, orange juice. We try to drink as much water as possible and water any pure fruit juices at least by half. He is still sensitive to perfumes, and chemical based cleaners but because our home is free of these it seems his tolerance is building. Going off town water also seemed to be beneficial as he is sensitive to chlorine. He still takes his Progressive multi's twice a day and Original Natural Calm at night (1 tsp.) And we try to keep up with epsom baths. He is soooo much healthier having only one mild cold all winter even when the household had stomach bugs and bronchial type colds...so in short, things are really looking up Take care all, Megan

We definately have noticed there is a distinct moodiness and restlessness with our ds when tics are waxing. He is far more emotional and says he feels sad and frustrated and easily angered. Megan

Hi, We could only use the original Natural Calm, our ds tics increased with the flavoured versions. Megan

If you look into dyslexia for example you will see there are three categories, one of them being due to exactly what you described...head and body trauma. The cause would not necessarily effect a LD diagnosis. If the school is aware of writing difficulties that is most helpful, also dealing with a Pediatrician and or psychiatrist could help determine a diagnosis. Often you can get guidance through a local social services/family services office as well. I wish you the best, Megan Wow! I just realized how old this post is....

Rick, we just give the recommended two a day, morning and dinner and it has been sufficient. I still supp the Nat. Calm at night 1 tsp. I have found that with our son we can actually see when we have pushed the time between the pills. We have found that morning 7-8 a.m and then 4-5 p.m is "optimal" for him. You may need to go by how you feel and the results. Our son said he could "feel" when he was close to needing his afternoon chewable. I really hope that you get some benefits! Megan

Hey Rick, Most of these are in our son's multi already so for us we don't supplement as addition. For him he does best getting it from the foods he eats, wild salmon, avocadoes, lots of spinach and kale etc. I guess what I'm trying to say is that for us it took starting from scratch with the supps, we removed everything and started the multi and began to see good results, added back the original Natural Calm (no flavoured ones-they increased his tics), for us adding fish oil and D3 did not work, his tics again increased. Although for some they are really beneficial! I think if you can start slow you will have a good base for what is working well and what should be avoided. I wouldn't do this with my son as he is only 9, but maybe a naturopath monitored fast might be beneficial and then start back with the most simple foods with the least chance of sensitivities. But I think you might want guidance from a good nat. dr. on this one. There are case studies of people fasting and tics as much as going away, so it could be beneficial to finding triggers easier as you are unsure that the diet is helping. Yes eating out and vacation is not always easy, and some rules unfortunately are bent slightly, but it becomes easier. Many places are willing to work with the diet if requested and it just means some pre-planning. You may not get organic but can at least avoid other triggers. I really do hope some of this helps! Megan

Hi Rick, we have had great results with Progressive Multi vit/mineral for our son. They do have an adult version although I can only speak for the children's first hand. Chris and Lisa both use Kirkman Spectrum Complete for their kids and have also had good reports as far as I've seen. Good move on the soap to rule out scents etc for triggers. Our son and to a lesser degree my husband definately do better when ALL things are as natural as possible. Dishwasher det., laundry soap, cleaners, even toothpast for our son! It doesn't hurt to go that route regardless so at least your possible triggers are diminished some. Watch for pesticides on food too, if you don't already go organic. The diet changes alone were good but saw much bigger results when we got off town water and went as local and organic as possible for our son. I'll compare the adult Progressive to the kids one just for curiousity when I get a chance. Chris can probably give you more on the Kirkman multi. Best wishes, Megan Just noticed I was repeating myself on the natural cleaners...sorry to be redundant...

Hi Trinnie, The best place to start in my opinion is a good, clean multi. No artificial colours, flavours, or sweeteners. Not always easy to find. We use one called Progressive children's multi/mineral chewable, others have had good results with Kirkman Spectrum complete, someone will correct me on the name if I'm wrong Natural Calm Magnesium has also been beneficial for many on this forum. The most overwhelming step is probably looking for food triggers. You could try an elimination diet looking at the more probable offenders like wheat/gluten, dairy, soy etc. first. Removing all artificials is generally helpful so no artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, sweeteners etc. Look around at some other posts and you'll see unfortunately that the triggers can be as individual as our kids but it has been worth the work for most of us and is an ongoing process. Try removing chemical cleaners, scented products and go as natural as possible to eliminate as much environmental possibilities as possible. It seems really overwhelming, I know, but it does get easier if you persevere. Best of luck Megan

Hi Bonnie, we use an all natural cough/allergy syrup called NIN JIOM. It has amazing beneficial plants, a bit strong flavour but the base is raw honey. Works really well for our family especially our ds when his sniffing, throat clearing tic increases around cold and allergies. My kids ask for it now anytime they have a cold or sore throat etc.-even my three and five year olds! Megan

Hi Rick, I too am sorry to hear you are feeling so much frustration, so much work and no reward!!!! Just curious...have you tried anything other than the BonTech? I have seen that some have great results and others not so much or even increases. If I'm not mistaken they have soy in them, could soy be a trigger for you? Maybe trying just a good clean multi and continuing diet may be helpful as a last ditch attempt. I don't know if it's harder the longer you have had this but stands to reason that getting at our kids young allows more healing and quicker results?! Did you see any results at all from removing any foods? Seems to me the key is getting just the right balance between what the body shouldn't be having and what it isn't getting. So maybe trying a different way of getting vitamins and minerals may be helpful. I think that the multi that Chris uses also has adult version and I know the one my son is on does as well. Could there be an environmental factor that hasn't been found? We can't use anything but all natural cleaners, body washes etc for our son. Our town water was a factor because of the chlorine, no candles or scented products etc. I give you credit for staying with it this long without much result, and I really do hope that you can find SOMETHING to minimalize the tics. My husband's tics decreased into adulthood so they are very minimal but I know that even the one's he still has are frustrating for him and tiring in every sense of the word! Good luck and I hope you can find what you are looking for. Megan

So far so good here as well! We even just came off waxing from a prior weekend away and some bad foods and late nights....interesting...was concerned since it seems to be part of his cycle but this moon is nothing but beautiful Megan

Hi Kevin, I've been mulling this over since I've also been in similar situation. But there are so many variables. The biggest being are the parents even open to the term tic? So many people recoil from this term and it sends fear rushing at them. My husband's mother for one still argues that he did not have tics and if he did they were not anything like our son's. My husband strongly disagrees! A very close friend has a son with tics and a toddler recently diagnosed with autism and SPD issues with all her kids to some extent yet is uncomfortable with labelling tics... There is so much fear involved for many people so you never know the reaction you may get unless you know the person is searching for answers and even then unfortunately in my experience unsolicited advice doesn't always sit well...but what if they are the few who would jump at it and feel relief at an avenue that could work? I just dont' know. Sorry not too helpful...will have to take each case as it presents I guess and go with our guts. Megan

Hi Char, Yep, this was me about two weeks ago! Tics were at an all time low for quite a while and then sudden big increase=tailspin for mom. His ended up being viral and possibly due to full moon, but regardless, I had that fear come creeping back. What if it doesn't wane? What did he have? etc. I guess what's getting me through is that his waning is more obvious and longer lasting and triggers are generally getting easier to find...even after 4 yrs. I find we are still finding the odd one we were unaware of. I would like to think that next time he waxes I will be able to remind myself that he has been doing so well and seems to wane withing a week or so, but that week is usually torture, so I'm sure I won't have any control of the anxiety that follows. So hypocritically, I say remind yourself of how far you've come and expect the bumps but try not to panic (at least for a week or so ) Take care and good to hear from you again! Megan