Spartan32

I actually have not had the ALCAT test done yet. I have been planning on getting it done for a while, but I always put it off. Going to college and working takes a lot of time, so I just never seem to get to it. My tic goes from mild to moderate a lot, so I keep changing my mind about it because I can live with it when it is mild. I will be ordering the test in the coming weeks though. Thanks for that information, I appreciate it a lot. I am actually thinking of ditching both the weight gainer and whey protein. I have a few friends who would buy them so it would not be a total loss. That information just makes to much sense for me to continue taking it with the garbage that is in it. My decision now is whether to continue trying to gain weight. I am not totally clear if the lifting itself is causing the tics (because of reasons stated above such as increased testosterone and androgens) or if the main cause is the food. I could definately get bigger by eating 100 percent quacker oats, natural chicken and ground beef without the use of supplemenet. Another observation that makes sense. My tics began at age 10 and lasted about a year. This was only a vocal tic. At age 14, I started my only tic to this day, which is a head nodding tic. This began when I really got into puberty. Along this same exact time, my acne started to become an issue. I noticed over the years a correlation between how much acne I have and the amount that I tic. It seems as though when I have less acne, I tic less and when I have more acne, I tic more.

Chemar, thanks for that article. Very interesting and I was not aware of androgens and cortisol. I was actually taking 10 fish oil pills a day, spread over a couple servings a day, each at 1000mg. This equaled about 3 g of EPA and DHA's combined. I read on the acne.org forum that dose level has been known to help many people. For the supplements, I am using Optimum 100% Whey Protein and Universal real gains. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/whey.html http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/real.html The whey says it is mainly an isolate, but does contain whey concentrate. I have used it before, and my tics were not that bad. I also used the weight gainer before, but in more of an isolated state. I weight trained before, but I did not really go to hard and work to fatigue. It seems as though when I upped my calorie intake, protein intake, weight gainer intake, started fish oil, and started lifting to fatigue, that my tics and acne blew up. It is a catch-22 because I can either gain the weight and strength that I want but have acne and tics, or give up the lifting and have mild to tics and acne. Kim, I am drawn to a lot of foods. Even though I have a very fast metabolism, I am always hungry. I crave peanut butter and milk which I try and cut back on. Also a lot of fried foods and fast food items. In terms of zinc, how much would be safe for a 19 yr old, 160-165 lb male? I actually have a zinc bottle called optizinc which contains copper, so that could eliminate any chances of copper deficiancy. They are 30mg pills. Thanks

I recently started a bulk about a month ago (Trying to gain weight. I want to gain about 20 or so pounds of muscle). I went to bodybuilding.com and got a diet. I am taking in about 3500 calories a day now. I am a skinny guy (6 foot, 160 pounds) and have always had trouble gaining weight even with weight training. In addition to the foods in the diet, I am having weight gainer and whey protein. I have also added fish oil because I heard that is good for your skin. (My acne has also increased dramatically). Well now my tics are worse than ever. I can not stop ticcing. I am gaining strength and lean muscle mass and look better than ever, but my tics are out of control This just proves to me that diet has a huge impact on tics, whether it be a sensitivity to them or the hormonal changes that they cause. I was wondering if anyone knew of any evidence that gaining weight can increase tics, or is it maybe the food chocies that I am eating? I have eaten all of these foods before (even the weight gainer and whey protein) but they did not cause this reaction. My testosterone levels are probably are there highest now also which asks more questions. Thanks

I was thinking of buying an air purifier for my room and maybe actually cleaning it for once . I was wondering if this one looks good.. http://www.oreck.com/air-purifiers/xl_air_...er_tabletop.cfm Also, I want to find a magnesium, calcium, zinc supplement all in one. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks

Hey Faith thanks for the reply. I am almost positive I had no tics between 6 and 9 because I remember my parents always telling me to stop when I was younger because they weren't aware of what I had. I asked my mom and she says that she doesn't remember me having any tics between 6 and 9 either. Between like 12 and 15, I was definitely clear from tics. I seemed to hit puberty a bit late (around 15) when they started back up again and have not yet stopped. BTW, thinking back, I remember I got strep throat around December of that year. The tics started up around April. I don't know if that could mean anything but I read that strep may cause tics. I also had strep as a kid a few times. Some more background: I had one of those food allergy tests as a kid, (the immediate result ones where they prick your back) and was allergic to eggs. I have bad allergies that affect me every fall and spring to the point where I feel like I have the flu for a week or so. I also had asthma as a kid and still get tired easy when playing endurance sports. I currently eat fairly "healthy." I try to avoid artificial ingredients, which is pretty tough being in college. I lift weights a lot so I try to eat a lot of oats, peanut butter, almonds, chicken, steak, fish, breads, eggs, organic yogurt. I also eat a lot of different kinds of fruits. It's tough when I'm out with friends and we go to a diner or a fast food place so I usually get something that isn't good for me. The diet restriction is also tough because I am trying to put more weight on since I have a naturally thin, ectomorph build. Now that I am aware a lot of these can cause delayed allergies, I am going to get the Alcat test done that I think you referred to me in another post. For supplements, I take a multivitamin from TwinLabs which is said to have no artificial ingredients or allergens. I also just started taking magnesium taurate, calcium, flax seed oil, and zinc. (Zinc has been really beneficial for my skin too.) Not many people know about my head jerking tic besides my 3 immediate family members, who barely even see me do it because I hide it well. Only issue is that when I am alone, it gets pretty bad. Especially when I am in my room for some reason. Maybe dust mites? I am going to get an air purifier to see if that helps. Anyway, no one else in my immediate family has any signs of tourettes (my mom, dad, and brother). My dad shows signs of OCD but no tics. I am very interested in the getting heavy metal testing in addition to getting that Alcat test done. I have tried elimination diets and failed because it seems like you can be sensitive to just about anything. I'm in the process of also trying to eliminate screens which is almost impossible since I always have to do work for class on my computer.

I have had vaccines my whole life and I think I was just ending my hepatitis vaccines at that time and also had a chicken pox one. I also had a vaccine about a year ago that wad required to start college. If vaccines do play a part, what steps could I follow to treat this? Thanks

Hey, I have had this head shaking tic for the last 3 and a half years. It is the only tic that i consistently suffer from. No vocal tics. On rare occasion, I may do a few other things for a few hours in a day tops (probably OCD related). When I was about 6, I rememeber having a vocal tic where i made a noise in my throat for about 5 months. This went away until I was about 10 and that tic came back until I was about 12. All tics than vanished for 3 years. At about 15, that head shaking tic emerged that I mentioned above, and it still has not gone away. I was interested in what i may have since I read that tics wax and wane and 1 tic replaces another. This isn't really the case with me and was wondering if this was TS or maybe something else like chronic tic disorder? Also, it seems like my head shaking tic is the worst when I am lying in bed at night trying to fall asleep.. Right when I wake up, the tic is more milder than usual. Any ideas on that? Thanks

Hi, I was going to order one of the food allergy tests from directlabs.com. I noticed that there is one that is called IgG Food Antibodies IgG1 & IgG4- Serum and is $250. The description is: The IgG antibody is related to "delayed" food reactions that exacerbate or contribute to many different health problems. The MetaMetrix IgG Food Antibody Profile measures the sum of IgG1 and IgG4 levels in serum that react to 90 different foods, including the most commonly eaten foods corn, milk, egg, and wheat. A 14-day diet plan based on the individual test results is provided with each test result. The other food alergy test is called Delayed Food Allergy (IgG Type II). It is $546 and here is the description: Different foods break down at different speeds, causing different toxic reactions depending on your personal body chemistry. Find out which foods are toxic to your particular system to help you be healthier and more energetic than ever before. TYPE II reactions are not immediate, making them almost impossible to detect without sophisticated testing. ImmunoLabs offers a highly sensitive food allergy test which includes a Doctor consultation. Also includes: 115 foods List of toxic foods to avoid List of foods to enjoy Personalized food and meal plan Toxic Foods Reminder card (wallet-sized laminated) to carry with you Helpful hints for food shopping 20-30 minute Consultation with Dr. Barry Bennett, Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC) with a PhD in clinical nutrition I was wondering which test I should use? Thanks

Hi, I am searching for a new multi-vitamin. I came across the one listed here (http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/adam.html) and was wondering if that looks good. I see that it has magnesium oxide which is not recommended, but I have also ordered magnesium taurate to fill that void. Any opinions would be great. Thanks

Hey, well I think I am going to go with a flaxseed oil to get my Omega 3's.. How does this look? I wasn't sure if this would be good (only offering Omega 3's) or to get a one that offers Omega 3-6-9's. This is the one only offering the omega 3's. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/flax.html Here is the one offering 3-6-9 http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/now/omega.html Also serving size.. Should I follow what it says or take more than the serving size? Thanks

Hey, I wanted to try and start taking omega 3's and saw controversy over taking flaxseed/evening primose or fish oils. I found this one for cheap at a local store and was wondering if this would bew a good source of omega 3's or be negative and make my tics worse. http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=3558 Thanks

So even at age 19, this could be what is still causing my tics? I wasn't sure as I always thought it was an early childhood condition. Makes sense though that since I never treated it when I was younger, that it could still be around.

Hey I am 19 now and had minor vocal tics for a few months when I was 6. I also had them again for various months from the ages of 10-12. They went away both times. I had strep throat when I was a kid and was prone to sore throats and had my tonsils removed. Anyway when I was 15, I got strep throat which made me sick for a whole week. I felt like I was going to die and the pain of the throat was horrible. I have seasonal allergies which I get every spring and it was april and I got them. Well at that time, I started my first motor tic (head jerking) which I still have to this day. It has been going on for about 4 years straight. I have had strep throat another time in the last 4 years. Both times just took routine pennacillin. Was wondering if my tics could indeed be caused by pandas? My dad and grandfather have no signs of tics nor my brother. I think my dad has OCD though. Anyway, if I sound like a canidate, I will go to my doctor and request tests. Thanks

Thanks for the replies. I am in the process of getting yeast/gluten/wheat free foods too. I was looking at the selection of www.foodforlife.com, but realized you can not order from their site directly. Also, the local stores which it lists, do not have the products that I want either. Any idea if I can order their food online or over the phone? Also, what products on that site are acceptable? Would the wheat, gluten, and yeast free bread be? How about the yeast free tortillas? Thanks

Hey, love the site and information, it is extremely helpful. I am going to attempt a candida diet regimine. I picked up some "NOW Candida Clear" which has Pau D'Arco, Caprylic Acid, Black Walnut, and Oregano Oil. I am going to cut out carbs as much as possible and eat high protein. I also purchased a probiotic with acidophillius, bifidius, and others. I was wondering if using the candida clear at the same time as the probiotic will cancel each other out? Should I cycle them? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I am in the process of taking NOW candida clear along with a probiotic containing 4 billion live organisms. I am noticing that my spit is getting better and my face is also starting to improve (acne). I am having a problem with the diet though. Cutting out most carbs is making me feel drained and tired all of the time. Would eating any types of bread hurt me? I have Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat bread and was wondering if this is bad or If I should try and use the Whole Grain bread that they sell instead. Thanks

I did the candida test this morning. Within about 15 seconds.. I a cloudly trail under the water. After a few minutes the trail was very long and moved with the water when I moved the cup. This is very good news to me and I am going to try the NOW Candida Clear. I am also going to try Chlorella for Mercury.

Hello, I was researching candida on google and on here and realized that it is a big problem for many of us with TS. I know that many people use Nystatin for this problem but I found this while searching for other supplements. It is called Now Candida Clear.. http://www.webvitamins.com/product.aspx?id...id=IN&term=osmx Would this be an alternative to clearing up candida or should I seek a doctor for this. Thanks

Chemar, Thanks a lot for your post. It means a lot to me. I used to have ONLY vocal tics when I was 5 and 12.. They then went away and now I am only left with the head jerking tic. Sometimes when I start thinking about it, I may start doing a vocal tic, but it is not something I have to do. It is only when I start thinking about it. That is definatly in my head. So I would say that I only have this one motor tic now because I may vocal once every 2 weeks. I definatly have allergies. I get sick a few times a year from allergies. I also was allergic to egg nog when I was younger. Don't know where we can go with this. This was 12 years ago when I was 5 though. I have not been checked for candida, metals, etc. I have also never tried accupuncture. Would you be able to explain this for me? Being consistent is very hard for me. When I actually am consistent, my tics actually do get better and I feel that I don't have to take them anymore because I think that I am better. I also am going to try magnesium taurate because I have been using another form. Thanks for the support!!

My "tic" has been worsening over this past year. I turned 17 years old in September and thought that 17 would be the age that my symtoms would start to dissappear. All I have is a head jerking tic but it is getting bad. It went from no one at school ever noticing, to people noticing now. I just can't hold it back. It seems as when I've been trying to watch my diet more, the worse they get. When I ate junk food all day over the past few years, it was a lot milder. Right now though, I am willing to try anything to stop this. I am on the computer for a good 3 hours each day. I also usually do get physical activity playing basketball or whatever with friends each day too. I would also definatly say even at age 17, I am still in puberty. While I am 6 feet tall, I still have a baby fash and can not yet grow much facial hair besides some peach fuzz. I am hoping that when I am finally done adolescence, at around 20, my tics will be done or how they were before. The weird thing about my condition is that, NO ONE in my immediate family has tics. My dad only has OCD. My brother has nothing. My uncles have nothing. My grandfather has nothing. His father had nothing. I do not want to go on a prescription medicine because I take pride in my body and like to work out and play sports. I heard that these medicines will cause very bad side effects. I have also noticed that as my tics increased, my motivaiton for school has dropped. As a kid, I was always the straight A student. Now I have trouble. This is so frustrating because I just want to be successful so bad. Sorry this may sound like a rant, but I just need some options. I have taken magnesium, calcium, b-vitamins, zinc, and taurine. I have always been inconsistent though. I may order the Bontech package and try some Omega essential fatty acids. It's terrible not knowing anyone that understands what you are going through but I am determined to get through this. If you can live with this and overcome it, what can't you get through?

Hey, I have tourette's and I believe it may have been caused by strep throat which I had many times as a kid. I am 17 and my "tic" has been fairly managable. I say tic because I only have a head jerking tic. I haven't been sick in over a year. Well 2 days ago, I got a sore throat and all of the strep symtoms. Went to my doctor today, and he has me on penicillin because he thinks it is strep. He did a culture so results will be back soon. If it does turn out to be strep, will this actually worsen my current tic situation. I hope not because I have been doing very well with my tic. Another thing that I have noticed is that since I have been sick these past few days, my tic has also dramatically decreased. It is like it was before I even had it. It's not gone though but it's definatly better. Is this tic going to explode and be a lot worse than ever in a few weeks because of the strep? Thanks.

Yes, it is believed that there well may be a link between testosterone and TS. It is well known that the onset of puberty seems to coincide with the periods of most intense ticcing and that the TS often becomes milder once the "hormonal" years are past. Also, the incidence of TS is MUCH higher in males than females. no clear answers....but lots of interesting theories There seems to be an infinite number of causes that can affect TS. The good thing about it though is you have a lot of options to work with to help yourself.

I was wandering about this. I am the only person in my line that has tourette's syndrome. Well, I am going as far back as my great grandparents and none of them had it. My father, myself, and my brother all have OCD. I have tourette's and neither of them do though.. The thing is, I also have many more allergies than them. I always get sick the same month of the year and had many food allergies as a kid. I also have another question that I haven't heard anything about. I realized that my tourette's were always on growing periods. When I was 6. When I was around 12 starting puberty. Then returned again at the age of 14 when I had a huge growth spurt. I also realized that since I have been lifting weights consistently, my tics have been worse. Could tourettes have anything to do with increased testosterone. It is just a thought since I have read that tourettes often gets milder as you get into your 20's. Isn't this around the time that you start producing less testosterone. This message may be a bit choppy but I have a lot of ideas. Thanks

Thanks alot for your information. Yoy have helped me a lot. Yea my tics are unpredicatble. I thought they were gone after I was 6.. Then I thought they were gone after I was 12... Now I'm stuck. BTW.. I only had vocal at the younger ages. No motor until age 15.. Now I have no vocal.

Yes, I absolutly have OCD. Never have been diagnosed but... I no for a fact lol.. Since I was 8 I had always wanted to repeat things and touch things till they feel right. May have a bit of ADD too because I lose concentration. Thankfully none of this effects my school work since I still somehow manage to get A's and B's. It's tough though. Since I am 17 years old and not a young kid. This treatment will still work for me right?