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I so agree about the overwhelming feeling. I was so afraid to supplement that I started juicing. We are everyday juicers and I have seen such great things from natural supplementation. All of the issues that I read go hand in hand with tics have disapeared. And issues that were from vitamin defficiencies are gone. I never knew just unhealthy his really was. But yes minor tics remain. This past week is hard for me because we seem to be falling back into ticcing and any set back, no matter how minor is just heart breaking. This is my first experience with the sniffing tic and it is driving me nuts. I am just as afraid right now as I was when this first started. The unknown is the worst. As for now, I would lay off of the screens, TV, movies, etc it seems to promote tics with flickering. Chamomile teas and relaxing epson salt baths are great too. Supplementation is key and Chemar did post about that. I would follow as much as her advise as possible. She is truely educated in this field and your child will benefit. If you look up Claires' postings, she is also very knowledgable. Remember that curing health issues with supplementation is a long term thing and you should not be discouraged if you do not notice improvement immediately. It takes about three months to see improvements. The key is not to over do it when starting. Many, like me, started with a lot of supllements and it was hard to tell which caused a bad reaction, i.e., more tics. So start with the basics and add slowly. The gift of time is best. Now is the time to truely show more love for your child and less fear. They pick up on the fear stuff so much. The no big deal thing is so hard to pass off when all you can do is worry. But it is very important. So I wish you and your son the best and hope that this passes quickly. Be Well Marie

Hi Mommaonamission: I am so sorry to hear about your son. It just sent chills down my spine. You are right Allison is the go to girl for Pandas, but I do know that there is light at the end of the Pandas tunnel. Are you supplementing to increase his auto-immune system? Have you also detoxed him? I also read here that growth spurts and pueberty can cause a spike in tics. I know the crying feeling. I had to time some time for myself today because these tics can drive my crazy. Watching them tic is really so very hard. Take a deep breath and post, post, post. Sometimes in posting and answering others questions you just might reveal some triggers that you were not noticing before. It also helps to get these feeling out through the keyboard. In any event take care of yourself, so you can take him. Be Well, Marie

Hi All; I am in a tial spin that is so hard to get out of. Yes, the holiday candy was the straw the broke the camels back. It opened the door for both me and him. Because there was little to no reaction at first, I made that peak through a 1/2 way open door and allowed him more than I shoud. Today was "sniff day" so much so that I did run for the Clariton and the chamomile tea. DId that work? Yes it did. It took the edge off, but did not make them disappear, just made them mild. For me the fear is back and the anxiety I once thought was something I could handle is now the monkey on my back. I"m sorry to vent like this but things were going so well. I hope to be back there again soon. So here is to positive thinking. Marie

Hi Allsion, Gret to hear from you. Last night I took out the Clariton because he was coughing a whole bunch. Not a tic cough, the real deal. About 1/2 an hour later he finally went to sleep. I know he is fighting off some sort of cold and last week we took him to a hockey game and he ate ice cream, pop corn, crackers, shrimp, you name it he ate it. Funny enough by the time he got in the car he complained that his head and stomache hurt. I guess you can say he was a party animal. I knew that would increase the tics but I was not ready for the walking backward stuff. He also made a new friend on Sunday and oddly enough that child had tics. Add that to the one friend in school that tics and why should I be surprised. So I guess looking back his diet was altered greatly, being around tics promotes it and fighting off a cold. I feel better. Thanks for the reality check. I'm sorry to hear that you had the flu. It seems that even though we have not got hit with winter as of yet, the colds and flu season is stil ever so present. I hope all remains well and we will have to get use to the waxing and waining. I did not pick up Sheila's book yet, but I intend on buying it. Great to hear that you were quoted. You should feel great to know that you are no longer a newbie but one who has helped people here on this board. In particular....me. God Bless and Be Well, Marie

Hi Guys, It has been a while since I was on and posted. Mostly because we were doing so well. But this week was/is a hard one. I don't know if it is because I am coming upon a one year anniversary of tics and I am looking harder for tics or that he is ticcing more. Anyway, we are still juicing and supplementing and we were actually tic free for quite some time. School and a new schedule proved not to trigger anything. I know there are two loose front teeth and a molar popping up, so I think that might be the cause for some things. But these new tics are strange. Walking backwards this weekend was a biggie. Not all day, just a few times while shopping but it was a must do. And shuffling feet. Is that ticcing? Or is it part of being 6? Either way I ignored it and it is seeming to subside. Any thoughts? Oh, I am glad to hear of the great progress from many of you and Claire I did read your post about not posting for a while. Be sure to tell your son that I think he is a hero. If it was not for him and you I just don't know here my son and I would be. So he needs to know just how wonderful he is. God Bless and Be Well, Marie

Hey Allison. Yes I do read from time to time but time is the real issue lately. Between work and school and after school activities...I am exhausted. But you know for the first time in a long time this family is functioning normal. My little one has very minor tics and I guess that I am the only ones that actually notices. He continues to drink his juice daily and instead of morning juice I do it in the afternoon. As much as he says he rather not "juice" to everyone else, he drinks it down and smacks his lips. It is amazing to see just how much energy it gives him. So with that in mind he is now doing cross country. He runs 1/2 mile three days a week. He ran his first race Sunday and came in 6th place out of 17 schools running. There must have been over 60 kids there. So he is doing well. He does Cub Scouts and some after school science classes. So he is really busy. My older one is also doing cross country and awaiting full healing of his arm before he can play hockey again. I remember one of your posts that you said that there are more good days then bad and I am so glad for you that this still remains. For me this journey has taught me to be a better mother to my children. A tired, thinner, grayer mother but a better one nontheless. This site was/is a blessing and for all that read it take the advise of the elders here. Although your childs program will not mimick to an exact to anyone here, but the blend of programs, the knowledge of testing and the much needed support will be yours for the reading. I thank this site for all it has done for me and my family. And Allison....you go girl! Be Well Marie

Hi All; Well since we were exposed to strep a couple of times last week and the throat clearing tic is worsening, I made my way to get my little one swabbed. The test came back negative, but the doc told me that children with chronic tics are sensitive and that a small alergery that would bring with it say...itchy eyes or post nasal drip would not be bothersome for many, but would attribute to tics in these sensitive people. She suggested the use of clariton to see what may come of it. Has anyone heard of this? Marie

Hey Allison: Great to hear that you have found another piece of the puzzle. I never did have my little one tested for that, but he did have all of the symptoms. As of today we are squiggle free. Socks do not seem to bother him anymore and he acctually can wear shoes that fit instead of being a size to big. Loud sounds don't seem to bother him anymore and his pants can be worn on the waist instead of the hips. He has dream recall now and so many other things that seemed to be an issue are no longer. Tics are way down, even when we took a mini vacation. There was no juicing nor were we keeping watch on the diet. Just no junk, other than that it was eat what you want. He did real well. I finally felt normal for a change. I hope that this lasts. Although the downs days are not as frequent, when they hit they seem to hit even harder. But I have to admit that jucing, although time consuming, has made a world of difference for the entire family. FYI, this is the first year for me that I actually got a tan. Usually I would burn and my skin would peel. I read about the reaction of your body to environmental issues like the sun and how beta carotine helps your body protect itself from these elements and WOW what I read and followed did work. There is a lot to be said for good nutrition and there are so many little things that I have noticed that make for a bigger picture. I know in my heart of hearts that my sons tics will be apart of him and that we will batlle his triggers just like my other son and husband battle their allergies to pollen. But if what we do here makes a difference to the degree of which he has to endoure than it is so worth it. So any new readers who have come across this site/post, please know that we are what we eat and how we live. Even if what you try does not immediately fix your issues, stick with them for nutrition does take time and that what you start today can and will alter what you have to endoure in the future. Allison, I know that we started our journey at the same time and that we were the newbies trying everything that came down the pike. I remember our wishing that there would be one day that we would be able to read past posts and realize just how far we have come. I did re-read some old posts and I am really proud of the things that we all have learned and are truely blessed that I have found people like you to help me through this journey. Andy, I am so happy that things are finally going well and I pray that they continue for you. Kim, I am also happy for your good results and hope things continue for you as well. Chemar- thanks for all that you do and keep sending those HUGS. Claire- where are you? You are missed very mcuh. May God Bless and be well. Marie

Hi Decorah and welcome. I read your post and have experienced the pain, hurt and the anxiety that everyone here has felt. The ups and downs that pain us all is as vast as the universe. However, these feelings are normal for any parent who truely cares for their child. We all want that "perfect child" and when the realization ocurs that they are not perfect, it is painful. The difference on this forum is that our children have outward known imperfections. They are the ones that strangers see or stare at from time to time. Or perhaps we notice to much and plainly think people stare when they are not. I see more or notice more than anyone and it drives me nuts sometimes, and other times I am more accepting that it will waine. Other children have quite imperfections that are life threatenting or debilitating, while others appear perfect but life can and will alter them in otherways. So you see none of us are perfect and that realization does help us become better parents. One girl's boyfirend wrote on this forum a while back that her parents did not support her with her tics and years later she sufferes from low self esteem and he fears her to be suicidal. He/she blamed her parents for not helping her and not accpeting her for her problem. I read that post and took that one to heart. If my child was born with a huge nose or some other imperfection what lengths would I go to help him. Would I seek plastic surgery or would I teach him to love himself? THere are no difenitive answers. Every child is different and some can handle issues better than others. But as parents we have to be supportive and help minimize their issues without being extreme. I belive in mind, body and spirit and when all three are in balance we live healthy balanced lives. The western diet is horrible and I agree with everyone here on this forum that the artificial ingredients are killing us all. The lack of raw foods within our diet is damaging and nutrients are missing that our bodies require. You sound like a loving mother who is accepting of your child and will seek out every avenue to aid him. God Bless you on this journey. Just remember to take care of yourself from time to time. Be Well; Marie

Hi Everyone, Things are going well here. My older one got his cast on Monday and it should be about 4 weeks of healing. The little one started camp and I am allowing him to act like all of the kids eating cookies and junk food (just for snack at camp only). I have increased the juicing and noticed that he is stable as far as tics. The happiness he is experiencing from being with friends is like a drug for him and he is the happy camper. I do think a lot of his issues come from within. He tends to keep things in. Perhaps the tooth, diet and just plain hatred of having nothing fun to do while mom was at work was a receipe for tics. But anyway things are well today and thanks for all the well wishes. Be Well. Maire

Hey Allsion; This is really the first op that I had to reply. My older son took a spill on his motorcycle and broke one arm and sprained the other. It looks likely that they will be able to set it in a cast by Monday. So things are coming around. The little one is doing much better. By Friday night he hit his peak and was a mess. I was so worried. By Saturday he was fine and Sunday not a tic to be had. Oddly enough another tooth has loosened. It seems that the two before this tooth caused tics or so I thought. Perhaps this is all related. I did read somewhere that sometimes tooth loss/growth can cause tics. We shall see. So things that could have made it worse before better is the reintroduction of acidopholis, abstaining from pasta AGAIN or teeth. None the less things are better and thank God for that. Again, I do thank you for your support. I think I count on you more than some of my closest friends. I will be quite busy the next few days by being the arms for my older son, so I may not have time to write. But I will check in and post when I can. Be Well everyone and God Bless. Marie

Thanks Chemar and Andy. I think I'll do the regular dose for about a week or two and double it for a while after. I think the die off will be less intense that way. This morning the attitude is much better but the head bending is still there. I will check into the caprylate acid. I think training my mother is the hard part....any supps for that? I have three more weeks until we are back on a normal schedule and for that I am thankful. So these next few will be grueling. Andy I agree that venting is so healthy, especially when my little one uses me as the punching bag when he is like this. It is so hard to keep cool while on the outside you have to be Mother Teresa and inside you feel like a big mess of hot lava. I'm sure many here know that feeling. Chemar, thanks for the much needed hug. You always know when I need one. Be Well; Marie

Hey guys, Things were going so well but the last strain of strep, summertime hum drum, and the store out of acidopholus has sent us for a tail spin. With battling strep with no acidopholus I thought that things would go ok if I got the acidopholus in him within a week. The product we use is now on back order...its been two weeks +. My mother sits for him while I work and I found that she has been sneaking pasta to him and gives him much more TV than allowed. I guess the bucket got full and he started many things that I did not see since December. I know what I need to do, but I do need to vent because the BAD ATTITUDE is back. The yeast issue is probably at its worst in many months. I picked up another acidopholus in today, not as good but something is better than nothing. Do I hit it hard and double the dose or just do it slowly? Any thoughts? Marie

Hey Allison; I am not sure about spots, but I do get flicks of light from time to time and I was told that it is a blood pressure thing. Did the eye doc have any thoughts? Tonight I'll look up in my vitamin bible about side effects and seeing spots and let you know. Be Well; Marie

Kim, Great news and you sound or read much better today. what a diffence a day makes. Keep plugging away at the diet. I have found so much stuff that is yummy and better for your body at the local healthmart. There actually are cookies that taste like oreos but no trans/hydrodgenated(?) oils, art. colors and flavor and are orgainc. There are potato chips that are organic potatos and fried in peanut oil with sea salt. Three ingredents and that's all..pretty amazing. The eggs bought are DHA eggs, all free range and the deit from the chicken provides extra choline. I also do a teasponn of lethicin granuals daily, this helps with the facial tics. I add it to the PB&J sandwhich and he never notices. Oh, and I just found organic lollies and the colors are from beets and berries and the sugar is not refined, so sugar is the only downfall but for lollies they are excellent and what is amazing is that they taste like lollies. It is a search and recovery expedition on 24-7 but things are out there that are better or even good for us, its just hard to find and costly. I thought I left the diaper bags stage along time ago, but now I travel with a bag of goodies so he can be a kid. I hope things continue to climb upward for you and your family. Be Well; Marie

Hi Sarah; You touched upon an area that I have somewhat experienced. My little one hated to be kissed. Every kiss I gave him was immediately wiped away. Hugging him was much like trying to catch a bear. That I believe was the onset of the sensory issue. As things progress clothes, socks, shoes, and finally lights and Tv's became an issue. All of these things flew under the radar until the tics appeared. So I can assure you that it is not a personality trait or the results of something between you and him. This is my gut feeling. The soy formula once eliminated shown great improvement in out ward tics. So you know the cause or at least one of them. If you are allergic to something and you are sustaining life on it, it compromises your immune system. Once taken away just doesn't do the trick. You now have to fix the twitchy immune system one piece at a time and get the body back to a balance. Once on the right path you may find each little quirk fixed. Now to add insult to injury would be the vaccines. Especially with the milestone issue. Detoxing the body at any age is important. I would recommend a carrot and spinach juice daily for him to build the digestive enzymes and add immediately vit/minerals while detoxing. I know I have recommended this book to all who were interested in juicing "fresh fruits and vegetables" by Norman Walker. Pick up this book, read it to get a better understanding of how the body works and why juicing is so important. My son reactions to juice were huge. Things I did not know that his lifestyle/diet were surpressing came to surfurce. He grew, gained weight, his hair filled in and became shiny. His grades improved, sleep improved, etc. So ther is a lot to be said for juicing. But it is a life style change, it is work and it does take a long, long, long time to treat things nutritionally. With that I wish you luck and my prayers are for you and your little. But remember you are an excellent parent and take pride in yourself. Look at all of these great parents here on this forum then review some of the early posts, all of us here first blamed ourselves for what was happening with our children. I think that it is just human nature to feel that way. But the truth is that we huddled together brought pieces of knowledge here that we could not find traditionally and just look at the results. You are now seeing some of it. Be happy for the small triumphs for you will look back one day and see many small triumphs which will be amazingly large strides. Be Well, Marie Be Well, Marie

Thanks Alliosn for your quick reply. It was helpful and it is nice to go to the source for questions. Regardless of the medical degree, if you have not experienced it, it is all heresay. So your opinion is so important. Yes he was tested in Dec. for strep but it was negative. But in the prior April he had strep and that is when the sensitivity stuff realy started to develope. So I think he always had a low lying something. Interesting enough his best friend in school (who he sat next to all year) always had strep and in Dec his tonsils were removed because of the constant strep. And even after surgery he got strep numerous times. So there is the carrier. I'll just keep pumping him with natures stuff and supps and it is the old wait and see. I'm glad to here all is well and my best to you and your family. Be Well, Marie

Hi Susanmom; Just a question, have you tested her urine to indicate what her ph level is? It is a simple litmus paper test done with first mornings urine. To acidic and the yeast issue is extremely hard to control. Getting the your body to become alkaline is extremely important to fight off yeast. Good luck and keep posting. Be Well, Marie

Hi Allison; Just a quick question, you know my little one started ticcing without a strep infection in December. But since then he had two- one in June and again just diagnosed with it yesterday (and pink eye too). But anyway each time he is on antibiotics he does not have any tics. Normally with the course of action we took he would have minimal stuff only I notice, but the first time on the anitbiotics I thought it was a coincidence. Now I am not so sure. So my question is, can strep lie low and undectecable and cause tics? Marie

Kim; Just checked in and oh my, what a week you had. I do not have expeirence with Roseloa or gal. surgery but I do know the fear that emergency health stuff can cause. My heart and prayers are out to you and yours. Oh and remember starting the diet over is mucheasier the second time around. The building blocks of which you stirve to keep healthy with supps are stronger and healthy so rebound is quicker. God Bless and be well. Marie

Hi Sarah; Sorry to here about the doc appointment not going so well. Do not despare. Remember that every doc has his/her own opinion and if you don't like what you hear- there are others out there. Unfortunately you mightl have to kiss a thousand frogs... Since your little one is so little, I strongly suggest supplementing with veggie juice. Home made.. not store bought. I know it is a lot of work but the benefits are amazing. Try to pick up the book from Norman Walker call Fresh fruits and vegetables. It will give you information on the nutrients that everyone needs for their bodies. I believe that if you strengthen the immune system and build a healthy body than your battle is half won. The Norwalk Juicer allows you to make baby food that is second to none. Take a look at their website Nowalk.com (i think). It is informative. My thoughts and prayers are going out to you and your little one. Oh and remember to take care of yourself. Be Well; Marie

Hi Robin; I agree with Chemar. A few weeks ago I thought my son developed a new tic. A throat clearing one. It was very annoying and made my stomache do flops. Long and behold he had strep. There were no other factors just a couple weeks of throat clearing. Oddly enough the antibiotic took care of the strep and throat clearing and since he is doing great. There are so many factors to weed through but sometimes a low lying illness despite the healthy appearance can be the cause. Be Well; Marie

Daniel; Great post! Be Well; Marie

Congrats to your new addition. May God Bless! Be Well; Marie

Hi Kim; The way I read it this is clearly bad science. My interpretation is that they are trying to disprove autism from thimerisol. There is so much bad science out there, but slowly the underground is starting to emerge and once the silient minority is sadly becoming the loud majority due to the increase in neurological disorders. The government, and the pharm companies better listen quick before any other children become harmed. I know for a fact that my children will not be injected again with this poison. Keep up the good work. Be Well; Marie