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Hi Kim: FYI, I have family who work for the big pharm. companies and the more scripts the docs write the more free stuff they get i.e., vacations, show tickets, etc. So they have to write something or they'll just get the offie visit $$$ and nothing else. I am a bit suspicious of all scripts written. When I took my little one in for tics I left with a script for pulmacort (an asthma steriod). My little one doesn't have ashtma and he had the croup 2 months prior to the onset of tics- why was I to put him on a steriod? I used my common sense and threw out the script. No free $$$ for him at my childs expense. Claire once told me to be a "mother bear" when I had to and I am doing just that. So for you Kim, please "Mother Bear" and do your due diligence prior to doing Zantac or anyother med- sometimes these meds interfere with much needed vitamin absorbtion. Calling you DAN doc is a smart move. Remember the medical community is given only one tool to fix everything and we all know that a hammer is only good at banging nails and not cutting wood. Marie

EFG; Here is the thread on enzymes Marie

Hi All, From what I read in my juicing books enyzmes are very important to the body. Without them your body cannot breakdown foods and absorb vitamins and minerals. I do not supplement with OTC enzymes, I use the natural source spinach, carrots, cucumbers and celery- juices and drank immedialtely for better absorbtion. Spinach and carrots are what I use daily with the adding of the later as to add a different taste every now and again. The enzymes in the fresh veggies go right to work breaking down the foods. You can see and feel the difference with juicing ASAP for your body will start to eliminate all stored wastes within a day or two and if you continue drinking a glass daily, your body will eliminate twice daily. So if your body is not eliminating daily, your body is reabsorbing its waste and cannot benefit from all of the supplements and good dietary things you are working so hard in doing. These enzymes are so important to the breakig down of your foods and although supplements are good, I do find that the natural veggies (juiced) are the best. I know I am the only one on the forum who is committed (or should be ) to jucing, but the benefits are worth while. I wish I had more info on this. I think Claire did start a thread on enzymes a few weeks back. I'll try to look it up later and bring it up. Claire and Chemar...where are you? You are missed! Marie

Thanks Kim: Juicing is really paying off, I see such great results. But I have to admit I was worried about the round of meds screwing things up. I understand the importance of digestive enzymes and the way I see it is that if you are sensitive to something these enzymes toegether with a healthy digestive track will eliminate it quickly as not to aggrevate the body as a whole. Insead of sitting in the toxins it just gets rid of it. On the other side, it also breaks down your food for better absorbtion of vit/minerals. Just a quick note on juicing. My mother had growths on her kidneys and blood in her urine. He tests were loooking pretty scary. They scheduled her from more invasive testing and that was about three weeks away. Her ultrasound showed these growths. So anyway we juiced her for 3 weeks. Spinach, carrots, parsley,watercress and beets. 2 gallons every day for 3 weeks. She went for her dye imaging tests- bladder tests and more blood work. The doc called her in and told her that what she had "disappeared". There is only a small spot that was probably where the growth sat but other than that it was gone. The doc was amazed. My mother told the doc she was juicing and the doc told her that keep juicing but it was likely that this diappeared on its own. I think it was the 600 pounds of carrots she drank. Cheers and a glass to good health:) Mare

Hi Everyone, I just have to tell you all how much I missed you. It really was a long few days for me. But anyway I"m at day 10 on the antibiotics and overall he is doing very well. I thought that the meds would bring on tics, but rather seemed to lessened them further. I am so happy about this but is that possible that it would have such an affect? Marie

Ditto for me too! Marie

Hi Kim, I too use Animal Parade but not the one from Twinn Lab. The Twinn Lab Animal Parade seemed low on a whole bunch of stuff. So I switched to another brand called "Animal Parade" (I'll check the manufacturer) but this one I liked because it has Choline and Inositol. I also do lethicin and of course juicing. The amount of vitamins, minerals and enzymes within the juice provide the vitamins needed daily and as a boost I do the vitamins twice daily. But check to see if your AP is from Twinn Lab or not. I know what you are feeling. I too am on the strep/virus thing and have noticed an increase of tics. Last night the eye thing came back and the throat clearing thing is still present. He started with that croupie cough again so I guess he has some post nasal drip. I have to keep reminding myself that all that moves is not a tic. Marie

Okay, so he now developed that barky cough that he had in October when they hit him with injectable steriods. He woke this morning with in and I sat him outside for a while until it lessened. Any thought? Marie

Ronna, You certainly know your strep. Great response! Marie

Hi EFG; Strep can have many different symptons. The obvious of course is a really sore throat. But sometimes its a headache or fever or even a facial rash and/or a cobination of many of thesee symptoms. What really is scarry is that sometimes the symptoms are so mild that left untreated things can get nasty. In my son's case it was just a throat clearing thing that made me look in his mouth to see some little red spots in the back of his throat. With all of his friends on antibiotics for strep I brought him in for a culture. The doc told me to look for the swollen lymph nodes next time, which are present but I didn't notice. It was a shame to keep him home today since he really does not act sick, but no sense in spreading it around. Thanks for all the info... Maire

Hi Cheri, Good advise about the 3 hour deal with the acidophilus, I never thought that the time would be an issue. I have him off of dairy as it promotes his tics so I guess the yogurt is out. But I will push the spinach juice to replace the intesinal flora. The doc has him on Duricef. I read the insert and it comes with a laundry list of sde effects mainly the common ones. I was concerned about the side effect of seizure. Although rare, I am concerned since this neurological stuff is so intertwined. I never gave a script for antibiotics a second thought, but I am having a hard time placing the spoon full in his mouth. I've worked so hard to keep the immune system strong. If not for the throat clearing, you would have never guess he has strep??? As they say here in Jersey "go figure?". Thanks again! Marie

Hi all, For the past week my son was/is clearing his throat. So I said ok its just a tic dujour. But in speaking with other class moms strep was going around. So I checked his throat and found little red spots on the back of his throat and got him swabbed ASAP. Well, it was positive and the tic dujour was really a sore throat. So with script in hand and a yeast issue I need some of that ACN Forum. Is there any advise for better control of the yeast while on antibiotics? Supplementaion while on meds? Any advise? Marie

Hi Gina; What a wonderful child you have who is so warm and loving with disabled children instead of fearing them. You should be, as I'm sure that you are, so proud. When I read you post I kept saying it sounds like she is writing about my kid. Everyone tells me the same things about my little guy. "What an angel. He is so good. It so refreshing to have such a polite and caring boy in my class, etc.." I look at these people dazed and confused and sometimes I think they have me mixed up with the wrong parent Because , just like you, when he gets home I'm was in for it. It's just me, not his brother or father. It is because I am the one that shows the most unconditional love. Yep, the punching bag if you will. He needed to vent. Being happy and good 24/7 is impossible. I think they know the importance of being well behaved in school. I know from work. I have to be chipper, and pleasant and by the time 7 o'clock comes around and I still have dishes, laundry etc., I could just bell tower it. My sons neuro told me that an intelligent boy will bring with it challenges. Defending the point to the utmost is a trait worth having as a sucessful businessman, but as a child it challenges the parent more. She told me not to surpress this for it is a wonderful trait that will take him far in life. So, what I have choosen to do is to keep him busy, so that he is so tired that arguements are few and far between. So we now have track three days a week, cub scouts, school of course and playdates to fill in the gap. His downtime is school work, reading, tub and that wonderful sleep time. This helps with the fidgeting, the TV stuff, that continual "can I please have that one more cookie". These tricks have made our relationship so strong because I am doing things for him to have fun. I'm now his cheerleader and he appreciates it or me more. I know as a parent time is of the essense but I would rather watch him run and eat dinner an hour later than to argue for an hour straight over why the he can't wear black socks with his sandels just like Grandpa I don't think it is a TS trait, just a personality thing. Good Luck and great post! Marie

I got that time beat, I started juicing and introduced Spinach ...natures own laxative. It stregthens the muscles of the intestines and the rest goes down the drain. It took about 2 1/2 weeks. Funny enough he brings in books and since we started this his reading level increase. I know someday his wife will complain about the time he takes in the bathroom, but that's her problem Marie

Daniel, Sometimes it is so helpful to look outside of yourself and see what others see. When things started happening here I would look at all of the other children and I was so jealous that everyone had healthy kids who got to eat everything they wanted. I said to myself more times than not how can they eat McDonalds and drink down gallons of Koolaide and my son is deprived. How can I do this to him? Am I being fair to my child? It was around Christmas time and I was visiting with family who flew in. My sister-in-law was there with her four girls and three step children. She was smiling and happy as if she had not a care in the world. I, of course, was a mess. I kept saying to myself look at her, How in the world can she be so happy? You see her husband was being shipped to Iraq and her 14 yr old was in remission from a long bout of cancer. And I was the one who couldn't even breathe. During this time I leaned on my brother who has 4 children who ate everything and were so "healthy". Not before long did he have one diagnosed with arythmia and two with high cholesterol. When I leaned on a girlfriend for support she confided that she herself has TS and so does her daughter...I never knew! Or noticed for that fact. She began to tell me about all of the other children and/or parents of children that I knew through her that would tic. I was amazed. From that point forward I began to notice other people like the woman at Dunkin Donuts, or a close business friend, or some of my childrens schoolmates who all tic to some degree. Oddly enough we all have something. So my advise is love your child and start a new relationship with him. One that you both will enjoy your whole life through. It was on this forum somewhere when a boyfirend wrote about his girlfriend who did not have support from her family and she not only had severe tics but was very depressed. A strong family acceptance is paramount, followed by a healthy diet with allowable treats that you can tradeoff from time to time. A few hidden supps like flax seed or lethicin may help. But he must feel accepted and that both of you cherish his body to keep it healthy instead of fighting him and the end result will be he may eat bad things just to spite you. A balance of mind, body and spirit. We all know you love your son moe than life itself and that you ARE a caring parent. Just give yourself some time to adjust. Things will calm down. I believe it was Chemar who gave me that advise. I didn't believe her at first but she really is a God send. Oh and the big hugs she sends...sometimes you can feel them coming from out of your monitor:) God Bless you and your family and feel welcomed on this joureny. With clarity you will be able to lead. With that your son will do just fine. Marie

Great site Jean. Thanks, Marie

Hi Allsion: I hope all is well. I am so sorry to hear about the horrible experience your son had. I always say to myself that I am soooo going to heaven. I'll save you a place..okay? Do not despair, everything will work itself out,,, it just has to. I don't have any answers for you or ideas but what I do have is that we will keep your son and you too in our prayers. One day we must schedule a latitudes weekend getaway and we all must meet. Maybe at a Barnes and Noble at Sheila's book signing. Anyway keep the faith, it is the only thing we can hang tightly onto. Marie

Hi Frank, I have a similar issue with my older son and video games. After a lengthy period of time on these games, he has this alter-ego. We call it his evil twin. The peronsality change is so noticable and grades drop, etc. Limitation is the key but being a teenager whose whole life revolves around computers, TV and video games limitation is tough. My older son does not tic. And I do not believe in tolerance building. If it is troublesme, testing is an option. But just a question, did you adjust the resolution of the computer screens.? Perhaps with an adjustment he may be able to spend a little more time with less of a mood swing. It seems to help me at work and with my little one that does tic, I have adjusted the LCD TV screen and it does help. Marie

You know fidgetig is what I am noticing with my son. His tics are almost gone, just noticable to me. But the fidgeting when reading a bedtime story or through dinner is noticable. In looking for the cuase, I thought it is perhaps that through supplementation or for me juice theropy I am giving him additional energy. Remember children have a natural high level anyway. When added to the mix additonal B's , etc., they are like us on caffine. I choose not to worry so much on this one. BUt if you do, look through a supplement book and reference what he/she is taking. A good book will list some side effects. Good Luck. Marie

Daniel; I read your un-edited post yesterday and it broke my heart. As a newbie I share your pain and I too experienced the parental differences. I never thought that my husband and I would ever be able to even speak to each other again. We both had different ideas and of course mainstream medicine did not offer us any options. It was my husband who found this site and from there this forum gave me the opportunity to question, vent, cry, have hope and try. My first try was TV and that was tough. Claire, I'm sure she remembers, was my shoulder to cry on when the teacher, upon my direction, told my son he could not watch the movie in school and gave him a book within the same room to read while the other children watched TV. She told him that his mother did not allow him to view. My son hated me that day, and his tics were even severe because of this. I felt horrible. My older son gave me some profound advise and said to let him be him. Albeit hard, but I had to let go of the worrisome of tics and embrace his every move. Once I learned to let go of the that the stress level lessened and the home started to become a happier place. Remember that mind, body and spirit is connected and that family harmony is the best medicine. Discovering the root cause of tics is not a race. THere is much information here and each child is like a fingerprint...all different. You will come to notice what cuases his tics in time..don't drive yourself crazy. We all need a hug and to hear that it will be alright, my husband could not do that for me, not I for him because we were living in fear. Once we realized that tics are not life threatenting and our fear was screwing up our lives, we were able to come to grips and live. Now if you choose to test or not that is your decision, but a healthy diet is a must. But remember middle of the road it. Explain to your son that "treats" are just that. Look through your helath food store and chose healthier snacks. Keep fresh berries washed and out for his little fingers. Chose whole grain breads over wonder bread. Get rid of soda or colored juices and offer fresh juices and water. Make sure your son eliminates his waste daily through eating fiber not OTC meds so that toxins do not build in his body. If you can achieve this, perhaps the treats will be just that ....treats. And you will feel more comfortable giving him healthier treats like soy ice cream or berries in a blender with ice for a yummy slurpie. Your imagination is the limit. Oh and bring him into the kitchen and let him participate. This will bring the two of you closer and give the wife some time to herself..wives need that you know Good luck in whatever you chose to do and remember we are all here for you. GOd Bless, Marie

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Cherrios and ice cream saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here." Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted. This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse. For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T. This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors. And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it. This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens. This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words. This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat. For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time." This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead. This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot. This is for every mother whose head turns automatically w hen a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home-or even away at college. This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away. This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them. This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated! For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green. For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely. This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war. What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying? The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation... And mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers. Mothers with money, mothers without. This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray. Happy Mother's Day Marie

Jan; Hi, I scanned through one of my books and puss-filled pimples in or around his nose might very will be boils. Boils are caused by the impourities in the blood stream resulting in bacterial infection through the sweat glands or the follicles of the hair. The use of sulfa and other drugs may have reprercussions. A boil is not an infection of the skin, it is the bodys own natural defense to eliminate waste matter because the body is impacted with the accumulation of waste. I know most people prefer to use supplementation or OTC remedies, but it is very important that your child has daily or better yet twice daily movements. I juice, but for those who do not ...please have your child eat the green leafy veggies along with enough fruit and nuts for fiber. Once your child starts to properly eliminate waste daily you will see a big change in the skin, hair, mental clarity, etc. This is not an overnight thing and it is a constant keep on top of your childs diet, but the end results do benefit your child and teaches your child the nutritional benefits that will lead to a healthy adult. As for the mouth sores, I'll take a look at my other books but I don't have them with me right now. Good luck. Marie

Hi all and Hapy Mothers Day. Mouth Ulcers are a sign of a vitamin deficiency. I used to get them all of the time, especially when I had all of my mercury fillings removed I must tell you I experienced ulcers from the roof of my mouth down passed my tonsils. They were quite painful and my doc told me seven days from start to finish. My older son would continually have these mouth sores as well. We no longer have them. It is about 4 months since any of these ulcers reared their ugly heads. Since we have used juiced theorpy minor everyday things like this just stopped cold turkey. I'll look within my book about these mouth sores and get back to you about what dificiency it is, but I do remember reading about this and saying to myself "AHHH, that's why and come to think of it -it no longer happens" Allison- I am so sorry to hear about this latest issue with your son. If you remember last Jan., my girlfriend told me that my son might be experiencing seizures. I don't remember if you took your son to the neurologist or not, but if you did not it might be a comfortable move to make the appointment to rule out anything serious. It will be a long wait for the appointment and I am sure that whatever is troublesome now will no longer be there when his appointment comes around, but best to err on the side of caution. Hang in there and remember we are all here for you. Marie

Hi Allison; I'm glad things are going well with you. The baking stuff is going well...if you knew anything about me...Betty Crocker I am NOT. But I guess months without chocolate chip cookies has altered his taste buds. I think he would eat shoe leather if it had chocolate in it I'll take your advise on just being 6 and enjoy the silliness...even though it makes me want to bang my head from time to time. Enjoy the day! Marie

Hi all! Well the last month has shown to be great. I started introducing things back into his like life chocolate chip cookies. Which, by the way, are made from brown rice flour, organic unrefined sugars and all other good stuff and oh yes I baked them. I guess I got jealous of Allison doing all that baking But anyway things were really great and I even allowed a little more TV into the house (LCD) but I noticed that he would do silly things like fall to the floor for no reason or when at Grandma's in front of his cousins he wacked his head on the table on purpose. I mean these things I am noticing are few and far between and when I speak with him he tells me that he just did it because it was funny or just wanted to. I told him that he can hurt himself like that and whatever urge he has to do that he should wait a moment and think about if it will hurt him. He seemed comfortable with that. Because he is just 6 and at 6 you do some silly things I want to believe that it is a part of the growing process. But because of his history with tics can anyone tell me if this is part and parcel of the picture or am I just being a worry wart? Marie