kim

I'm so happy to see this thread! Laurensmom, I'm a lot like you, in that it takes a whole bunch to offend me. I'm sure I have said insensitive things, or posted in a manner that has not been helpful, or offended someone, at times too. If you don't mind me using your apology thread, I would like to add one, to CP. Shortly after she joined, I posted something about a dear neighbor child who had passed away. This was not meant as a comparison, to minimize the heartbreak you were going through CP. What was in my heart was how grateful I was, that my boys were still here, and I was able to keep pursuing knowledge to help improve their health. I'm afraid that's not how it came across. I can think of a few other times, when I posted something, that I regretted, and numerous posts that I have deleted. Anyway, it's great when we can take something negative and turn it around. Just reinforces, what a truly wonderful group of people we have here!

Hudsonsmom, Here are a couple of threads that I was able to find on the forum regarding GABA. http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...513&hl=GABA http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...273&hl=GABA http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...233&hl=GABA

efgh, I was having anxiety about the opposite situation with my oldest son, not long ago. I was afraid that he was going to end up 6 feet tall, in the 8th grade. He grew so rapidly, I was sure it was a growth hormone, out of whack. He is one of the tallest 8th graders, but we have not had to move up on inseam in over a year now. Honestly, unless your son falls right off the growth charts, I would consider what your describing, as normal. I notice, many of the shorter kids, are gaining on my 14 yr. old, this year. Many of them, were not much taller than my 10 year old. So glad to hear that your son is doing so well!

Carolyn, I remember reading one of the DAN Dr.s saying that the "jelly" that cooks out of a beef roast is full of something? It was an amino acid. Do you remember reading anything about that? Again, it caught my attention, because of youngest sons diet issues. I was wondering, if I could ever sneak it into a peanut butter and jelly cracker As has been suggested, I wonder if your recent craving, could be your bodies way of trying to replenish something.

LM, I was sorry to read the comment about your Dad. I had to wonder if the area where he contracted the malaria had been treated with DDT? If I remember right, that was the chemical of choice, to try to control the mosquito population? It has also been implicated in neuro conditions. I have to tell you, that I find it really interesting that your daughter was never vaxed, and you have such strong feelings about things, often discussed here, not being related to her condition. You know, I think what really pushed me in the direction of looking hard at vaccines, was the way my youngest son, just stopped eating normally somewhere btwn 1 yr. and about 15 months. There are some other factors there too, but with two sons, and trying to describe the course of events with each, it gets overwhelming. When I was reading the Simpsonwood transcripts, and came across a graph, listing enuresis, eating disorders, and tics, in relationship to the bolus doses of thimerosal, fully vaxed kids recieved btwn the late 80's, when HIB and HEP B were added to the schedule, and late 2002, when the last vials, should have expired, it was really hard for me to ignore. There was no one who felt more strongly, that the vaccine hoopla was sheer nonsense, than me. If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what made you decide to decline vaccines for your daughter? Is there a family history of adverse reactions, or were you just more informed then I was Documents like this, make my blood pressure rise too. http://www.altcorp.com/DentalInformation/a...numvaccines.htm Safety of Aluminum Added to Vaccines as a Vaccine Adjuvant

Stuart, I loved this statement, in one of the articles that Laurensmom posted. When my second son started exhibiting tics, I thought that I had better start talking to teachers etc., and let them know what he may or may not be responsible for being able to control in the classroom. Guess what, his tics have always been so mild, there never would have been any reason, for me to say anything to anyone. Even when he did have a short course of head shaking, he only did it at home, not in school. He did, do it at baseball games, to the point where it interfered with him being able to pitch, for one season. That was almost 2 years ago. Maybe, just give things some time, before deciding. I think with the advice you have already been given, and only you, really knowing what would be comforting or scary to your daughter, you will do just fine, deciding on what to explain to her. One thing I have noticed with my sons is, at the younger ages, kids do not seem to pay much attention to tics at all. Your daughter may get an occasional "why are you doing that," from another child. I think it's important to give her a way to respond, if it ever happens. The word "tic" at that age, will conjure up images of a bug on a dog (this from experience) so I told my boys, to just tell kids, that an allergy caused it. Once any type of explaination was given, it was just a non issue. I actually got this idea from a Mom who was explaining that her sons excessive blinking and mild facial tics were caused by an allergy, and her Dr. said he would just outgrow it. She had no idea my sons had any tics. As it turned out, both boys do have environmental allergies!

Tess'mom, Just wanted to tell you, that the sense of doom you describe, lifted shortly after I joined this forum. Almost everything else, in the above statement still applies somedays, x's two around here. I have two sons, ages 10 and 14 and they are both "absolutely beautiful, bright, vibrant, loud, sweet, and manipulative," (at times). That cracked me up! I bet there are very few parents, who have not suspected that they are being played every now and then. I vote the Merlot Welcome aboard, Kim

mommaonamission, Thank you so much for coming back to share your progress. What wonderful news! It sounds like the things that you had the most success with, were things that were mostly focused on gut healing? Could you tell us, what kind of enzymes you were using? Also, I'm wondering if you used any vitamins/minerals? Kim

Thanks terabeara. We have a freezer full of venison, and I hate it. My oldest son likes it, but if you overcook it, it gets tough, and I don't like to see him eat it pink/undercooked. Maybe this would work.

Patty, Here is a link for exemption info. http://909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm I really do hope, that you will do some reading about the diseases that the vaccines are supposed to help prevent, so you can make the most informed choice as possible, for your particular child. The decision not to vax, was one I made, over many hours of reading.

Patty, I forgot about this, on Bonnie's site; http://www.bonniegr.com/Interview%20with%20Bonnie.htm Certain drugs and conditions that can cause magnesium imbalance and that have been reported to potentially cause or worsen tics are stimulant meds, corticosteroids, and stress. If you have a little spare time (lol, like a year) you might want to visit this site for vaccine info. A poster there by the name of Long Island, has every bit of info, that you would ever want to know about exemptions. http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=47 I will post a link tomorrow, where you can find what exemptions are avilable in your state. I'm going to have to go to work like this tomorrow, if I don't get to sleep!

laurensmom, I see, a little better where you're coming from, after you mentioned the low oxygen, during your daughters birth. If I only had one son, with symptoms of tics, I would be SO inclined to think, that it had something to do with their birth, as both had some circumstances that make me shudder now. Any thoughts on any of this? http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic680.htm Such innocent genetic changes were called polymorphisms. Similar harmless polymorphisms were discovered in other proteins as soon as analyses of their substructures became easy and work could be done with samples from various populations. Diseases occurred only if the amino acid substitution in a particular protein or peptide was of a particular kind and at a particular place in the peptide chain. The polymorphism had to interfere with function and it had to interfere to such a degree that the body could not compensate readily. Only then would the gene change lead to disease. The fact that the mutation leading to Wilson disease would be a harmless polymorphism on a planet with little or no copper was pointed out in the 1970s and 1980s. Refsum disease would not exist in a society that did not consume phytanic acid. Favism would not be recognized if fava beans did not exist. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis would not manifest itself if an affected individual never consumed a meal high in sugar. Individuals with mild forms of fructose intolerance would not have symptoms if they never ate foods containing fructose. The relation between polymorphism and disease can be even more complex. In a number of instances, two or more things must go wrong for a disease to appear. ********** Causes: Causes of TS may be genetic, nongenetic, related to streptococcal infection, or other. Lesion studies Several cases of tics beginning after a focal brain lesion have been reported. These suffer the difficulties of all case reports, yet in general one may say that prefrontal, basal ganglia, and thalamic lesions are especially common. One interesting series described 6 patients who suddenly developed tics, obsessions, or compulsions after anaphylactic reaction to wasp stings produced bilateral globus pallidus lesions (Laplane, 1981; Laplane, 1994). ************** Evaluation of tics secondary to encephalitis or degenerative illnesses Motor and vocal tics and compulsions frequently were reported in patients who survived the encephalitis lethargica epidemic in the 1910s and 1920s. Similar symptoms also occur in some patients with Huntington disease, Wilson disease, neuroacanthocytosis, or frontal lobe degeneration (Jankovic, 2004). None of these illnesses cause pure, circumscribed lesions. Still, together these observations confirm the impression that the basal ganglia and frontal cortex may be involved in the tics of idiopathic TS. And...Thank you too! It is nice to have someone to bounce this stuff off of. Also, just wanted to mention, the inability to utilize B12 can be genetic, as Bonnie hypothesis, a possible gene involved in magnesium wasting, a genetic problem with detox pathways etc........

I know slow wound healing, is another sign, and I believe stunted growth, however, the growth part, sure didn't apply to my boys. One had a zinc level of 76 prior to supplements, and the other was 90, but he was taking Bonnie's vits. at the time the draw was done.

tarabera, Can you tell me how you use the salt, and what kind on the venison?

Patty, Have you checked for white spots, on his fingernails?

Patty, This article talks a little about steroids. Sorry it's in relation to vaccines, but I spend quite a bit of time reading vax messages. I have a totally unvaccinated great niece (8mos old) and I have to file my exemption soon, for my boys. There is also some great info on the immune system, to be found researching vaccines. I don't know that I have read much about magnesium, but the B vitamins are jeopardized, when there is damage to the gut, for sure. Also, I hadn't realized the seratonin/gut connection. http://dietarysupport.com/mmr(art).html But what makes the immune system compromised? What is it in our modern life styles that does this damage? There are a number of factors which play their part in damaging the delicate balance of the immune system, but some major factors deserve particular attention: 1. Gut Dysbiosis. 2. Use of antibiotics, steroids and other drugs. 3. Consumption of sugar and processed foods. 4. Consumption of trans-fatty acids. 5. Food additives. and 2. Antibiotics and steroids, including contraceptive pills, and many other drugs apart from damaging the gut flora have a direct immune suppressing effect. Their wide spread use in mothers before and during pregnancy have a damaging effect on the immune system of the future baby. Antibiotics, taken by the mother during breast feeding, will pass to the baby through the milk and add to the damage of it's gut flora and developing immune system. 3. 4. 5. Consumption of sugar and processed foods have a direct damaging effect on the immune system. On top of that these foods feed abnormal flora in the gut contributing to Gut Dysbiosis and hence to immune imbalance. Processed foods are a very poor source of nutrition and a very rich source of various toxic substances, like preservatives, colours, flavouring, aspartame, MSG, and all those E-numbers. Food additives have been shown in a vast number of studies to have a detrimental effect on the immune system, brain chemistry, liver function, etc.. On top of that processed foods are a rich source of very harmful trans-fatty acids. Trans-fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids with changed chemical structure. They have been shown to have a direct damaging effect on immune system. Children who are routinely fed on crisps, sugary foods, soft drinks and meals out of tins and packets run a great risk of being immune-compromised. Consumption of processed convenience foods, antibiotics, steroids, and the toxic environment are all features of our modern life style. Our children are paying the price for it. It is a fact that we can not afford to ignore!

CP, Both of my boys had to go to a local State Park, and dissect owl poop, in 5th grade. I kept them home that day. I'm just a little skiddish about them inhaling owl poop dust, and playing around with it in general. I think the idea, was to look for skeletal remains, to demonstrate the "food chain." I thought, a better idea, would be, to just read a book I have also worried about the dry erase marker fumes. Hadn't given chemistry class a lot of thought. Thanks for the heads up.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...750C0A96E958260 Alarmed by Meningitis, Rhode Island Tries Mass Inoculation A successful vaccine for Haemophilus influenza, once the primary cause of bacterial meningitis, was introduced in 1990 and is now part of routine childhood immunizations. The current vaccine for meningococcal meningitis is less effective. It does not protect those most likely to become infected, children under age 2, nor is it effective against a strain which causes almost half of infections. It also has a high failure rate of 15 to 20 percent, and the shots are only effective for three years. Because the vaccine's effectiveness is limited, the Centers for Disease Control does not recommend its widespread, routine use. Yet within hours of the Department of Health's Recommendation and the death of the North Providence boy, a sense of panic gripped Rhode Island, with many of its one million residents clamoring for the vaccine.

Mommy2three, For a child 35 to 65 lbs. Bonnie's suggested useage chart shows 10-14 capsules, for the TS Plus Control. On the EPA/DHA it says, for individuals of any weight using TS PLUS CONTROL, 1 to 2 softgels 2 times per day is suggested with meals. We do, split them up.

Well, look at these statements; This sounds like they think that some people never engaged in activities, that resulted in the proper formation of the part of the brain that is involved in "self-regulatory control," or possibly not during the correct time frame? If they were able to see changes in the brain, between people who did certain activities, and people who didn't do these activities, I wish they would have filled us in, on what the differences in activites were! Ok, that makes sense. But again, how might this be applied to TS? and So they kept a mouse in the dark, during a critical period of development, and they saw that it "perturbed the regulation of these age-specific gene sets." If you were to keep a child/baby blind folded, or in a dark room for an equivalent period of time =to 4 days in mouse life, I don't think anyone would be surprised, if it perturbed their gene regulation. I guess what bugs me about this, is it really reminds me of the old theory of "Refrigerator Mom's," in regards to Autism. Faulty gene or faulty parenting. Yea, that must be what happened Laurensmom, I'm right there with you, on leaving no stone untured, but I get frustrated on "studies" that, in my minds eye, miss the mark so badly, in light of what the majority of us seem to see, in our children. I do realise that there are probably subsets of people with tic syndromes. What might apply to one, may not apply to another. Please, do not hesitate to share whatever you find! I have found some of the most interesting/educational threads on message boards to be those, where people had differing opinions!

To be perfectly honest, what speaks to me the loudest in this article is this part The bolded text, is what really interests me. I think if there is one thing, we may be able to do, it's protecting our kids brains from damage to this system. I don't think movement disorders have anything to do with over or understimulation, and the resulting strengthening or pruning of neuronal pathways. I totally relate to the "use it or loss it," way of thinking, I just don't buy it in relationship to tics. Although, the sheer act of neuronal pruning, may inadvertently help? Cum Passus, the speed reading is pretty cool!

This article might help http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:KpeXCZ...t=clnk&cd=1 A child’s brain is changed by experience.The relative influence of genetic versus experiential influences can differ by type of function. For example,the regions of the brain that control breathing and heart rate are relatively hard-wired at birth, whereas higher functions related to learning and memory are sculpted and modified by experience.This yields a picture of the human brain as a plastic and self-organizing organ in which the development and maintenance of nerve connections are based on experiential demands and aren’t strictly predetermined. You might find info. about pruning interesting too. http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:vYQ-NG...t=clnk&cd=4 The scientists, to their surprise, discovered that the teenagebrain undergoes an intense overproduction of gray matter (the brain tissue that does the “thinking”). Then a period of “prun-ing” takes over, during which the brain discards gray matter at arapid rate.2This process is similar to pruning a tree: cutting backbranches stimulates health and growth.In the brain, pruning is accompanied by myelination, aprocess in which white matter develops. White matter is fatty tis-sue that serves as insulation for the brain’s circuitry, making the brain’s operation more precise and efficient.

Found this http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3107.htm Drug Name Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) -- Calcium channel antagonist inhibits calcium transport into myocardial and vascular smooth-muscle cells, resulting in inhibition of excitation contraction coupling and subsequent contraction. Clonidine (Catapres) -- Stimulates alpha2-adrenoreceptors in brain stem, activating an inhibitory neuron, which, in turn, results in reduced sympathetic outflow. These effects result in a decrease in vasomotor tone and heart rate.

Laurensmom, I want to preface this by saying, that I don't really know what I'm taking about here but... I had an interesting conversation with an xray tech, a while back. He started telling me, that he had recently lost a lot of weight, due to a blood pressure medication that he had been taking. He said it caused symptoms of anorexia, and he was unable to eat many foods, that he had previously enjoyed. Since my youngest son, is such a limited eater, my ears perked up. Also, both boys took clonidine (typically used as a BP med) for a period of time. I told him that I had no idea, a blood pressure med, could cause symptoms of anorexia. He said "oh yea, it's a calcium channel blocker." My thought is....I don't believe that it is the lowering of the blood pressure, that helps with tic reduction, but I certainley could be wrong here. It may be that certain types of BP medication work, through a different mechanism. If Mrs. Doubtfyre is around, I would love to know her thoughts. Maybe Chemar or someone else, will have some idea's? I thought this was particularly interesting from an article that I posted on the calcium/magnesium thread;

Just wanted to let everyone know, that I spent about 2 hours yesterday morning, reading about calcium and magnesium. I used google advanced search, and put in "calcium to magnesim ratios." I know my boys serum levels of cal and mag. from blood work that we had done, prior to starting supplements. Calcium in serum, is not a good indicator of anything, because your body will just pull it from bone, if the serum level gets too low. Magnesium, was good to know, because you have an idea, what they are obtaining from diet, but it doesn't tell you, how well they are utilizing it. Since my boys levels, were both near the high end of range, I know that they were at least getting adequate amts. of mag. from their diet, so I have to assume, that the mag taurate, is providing them with a form, that their bodies are better able to use, or they may be "wasting." Also, Dee/Dominique, recently ordered a book written by a popular DAN DR. She said that the book recommends no calcium to start with (not long term), only magnesium. After reading through some of these articles, I suspect that could be because of vitamin B status, along with a few other things (possible low zinc status)? from Bonnie's site; The distinguished OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) website tentatively designates 11q23 as the site for Tourette’s syndrome and is also the site for magnesium wasting. I can see, why, there in no right answer here. There is a lot to consider. I'm just going to put a couple of excerpts out here. http://www.ithyroid.com/ca_and_mg.htm This one has no name and zero references, but I still found it interesting. http://www.enerex.ca/articles/calcium_to_magnesium_ratio.htm NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MAGNESIUM The recommended dietary allowance for magnesium is 300 to 450 mg/day. There are several factors including pregnancy, rapid growth, or a high intake of protein, vitamin D, calcium, fat, carbohydrates or alcohol, that will increase the requirement for magnesium. The traditional ratio of approximately 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium needs to be upgraded to increase magnesium intake in view of the overwhelming beneficial role of magnesium. The ideal ratio for most people's needs is an equal ratio of calcium and magnesium. Many articles can be found, stating the calcium magnesium 2:1 ratio. http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/productshair/141 Here are many studies documenting the use of Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. Mineral Metabolism and Vitamin B6 .....Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is an important co-factor to many minerals, especially magnesium. Many health conditions related to a B6 deficiency are also related to magnesium metabolism. A B6 deficiency leads to alterations in the metabolism, utilization and balance between the minerals calcium and magnesium. This increased requirement for B6 results in excessive calcium retention with a corresponding loss of magnesium from the body. (1) .....Magnesium, in conjunction with B6, is considered Nature's calcium blocker. When either nutrient is lacking, the body will deposit calcium in the soft tissues. This can lead to numerous conditions related to an imbalance or an improper utilization of calcium, some of which are described below.