Giselle

Hi Carolyn, until about 6 years ago being around my parents reduced me to at best a 12 year old. I'm 42. It took a long time for me to stop struggling for their approval, understanding and acceptance. I really don't know what changed other than all of a sudden it really didn't matter what they thought of me - it just happened. The last time I saw them I totally saw them as real people and not my high and mighty parents - it was weird and a little sad because they are getting old and their foibles are so transparent and I can't believe that some of the stuff they were saying would have had such an effect on me - what they say kinda makes me chuckle now. I think that part of the reason your Mom fights your remedies is because she feels guilty. Guilty that perhaps she didn't do all she could for you. Or she feels defensive because she thinks that you think that she didn't do all she could for you. Your finding these remedies/allergies/metals, and them helping, points a finger at her that she didn't do all she could, hence her insistance on what she thought worked - the meds. Perhaps you can asuage her guilt by explaining that you are so glad that there is so much more out there now than when she was first looking for solutions - that you know she did the best she could given what most doctors knew about TS. Because deep down she did do the best she could do - she didn't go out of her way to try to find the least likely thing to help - she thought she was doing what was right because that's what the doctors thought (and unfortunately still do). And believe it or not it isn't until relatively recently people even questioned doctors - they saw them as highly educated and Godlike. Well actually you have encountered the vestiges of that era - that psychiatrist who gets his back up with all your questions - no one questioned him and he doesn't like loosing his diety status - the dinosaurs are still around, the newer docs are much better with this type of thing. I had a similar situation with my mother-in-law who fought tooth and nail about me breast feeding my son for so long (thank God I did, I can't imagine where he'd be allergy wise had I not!). It turns out the doctors told her she didn't have enough milk to feed her baby and to stop (there are certain periods of time when all the baby does is suckle and doesn't stop, like they aren't getting enough milk when in fact the demand - the suckling- increases the milk flow, but you have to go through that period of time, usually a few days at each juncture). But they know that now, they didn't then. At first I totally had my back up - gosh she made me so MAD!!! But I used this tactic about her failure - explaining that she'd only done what the doctors told her, that they didn't know and now they do. It totally diffused the situation and she layed off (at least about that! HA) and started to tell me of how she wished she could have nursed them and that she envied me the closeness. It was an amazing trasformation - I guess she thought I was judging HER for NOT nursing. Anyway, stick to your guns (I know you will) and think of all of us who KNOW you are right. When you walk into a room with her know we are all standing beside you! Good luck! Giselle

I wish I could give you a hug! I totally know how you feel. The learning curve on all of this could kill a horse! But it does get easier. And I agree setbacks are the WORST! My son is going through one of the worst periods he has ever had. It just sucks sometimes but. . . I think having had three years of ups and downs I know that it will pass - something is going on in his little body and it WILL pass (I actually think it's his teeth - he's getting a new one soon). You are doing an amazing job, you're being so progressive and strong. I agree, perhaps sit tight on what you know so that you can recoop, when you feel better look up something new, until then rotate the different recipes with the easy stuff (for us that's brown rice, steak, a steamed veggy and a salad - he seems to never get bored with that). As to presents- everyone will understand and appreciate gift cards - one stop shop at someplace like Target. Little little kids still like presents but I see my son and his friends squeal with glee when they get a Toys 'R Us gift card - they love spending their own money. And take some extra B12! That is such a stress buster for me - I even found some gumlet B12 by Solgar - tastes awesome. I don't know where you live but try to get a little sun light - winter bogs people down. I know when I'm blue I go sit outside or take a short walk and soak up some light - it really seems to help . I hope you feel less overwhelmed tomorrow and that each day gets better and better and easier and easier - keep it up girlfriend, you're doing great! Giselle

Hi everyone, thanks for all your comments, words of support, and urgings. I keep thinking how sad it is - if it's true that he sings as well as he does (still haven't heard him - at least compared to others) then that is a God given gift - but God also gave him his TS (well I debate long and hard about vaccines, etc. but that's on another thread ). The one thing I am going to do when we return to school (we have the whole week off) is remind her that even if he's not singing a solo he will still be standing up there the WHOLE time anyway as that is what the chorus does - so she'll have him up there either way - and at least if he's doing his solo he WON'T be ticcing as he doesn't when he's talking, singing, doing something active versus passive. She's an older lady who truly has very few social skills herself (although she means well) and truly doesn't even realize that in most places she could get fired for saying things like this. I will keep you posted! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Giselle

Hi everyone, I am quite sad, glad the teacher was honest with me but still sad. My son goes to a small private school. They have music two times a week and a gorgeous Christmas musical to showcase the kids. Hoyt is quite shy usually but has started to show interest in getting on stage (performed gloriously at the talent show last spring - he did the cutest magic tricks! and stole the show). The music teacher told me yesterday that as she does every year she asks who would like to audition for the solos. She told me she thought she knew all the "good singers" in Hoyt's class but always gives everyone a chance to audition should they want to. Hoyt asked to do so (I had no idea this was happening as it was in their music class but it kinda shocks me that he volunteered to audition!). Apparently he was so wonderful she started crying (her words). Even Hoyt told me after school "I made Mrs. xxxx cry!" She came to me at pick up and told me she had no idea he could sing that well, that he brought tears to her eyes, blah, blah, blah. That she hasn't decided but she was truly considering him for one of the four solos (the school has 245 students and only four solos, the rest is as a chorus). I was very proud of him and actually had no idea he could sing that well either! Last night the teacher called me and asked if she could be totally honest with me - of course - and that he would have the part slam dunk but her reservation was his tics. This past week he's been fine but two weeks ago he was a mess and no one can be sure what he'll be like at the performance. I told her that I could absolutely guarantee he wouldn't tic DURING his solo (he never does when he's actively doing something) but that without a doubt I couldn't predict what would happen as he was standing up there while others sang - it's that passive listening that gets him going if he's inclined to be ticcing. It makes me quite sad. Of course I'm not telling him. He said he thought he might get the part as she told him he was the best singer in the lower division but I told him that he might not because there are lots of things she has to consider, not just singing, when she doles out the parts - which he understood. And I truly do appreciate her honesty because she could have just gone on an cast someone else and then we wouldn't know how well he sings. I prefer that she told me, I truly do. I worked as a production manager in commercials and there were TONS of people who gave amazing readings or looked great but it was some little thing that lost them the part. That's life. In business there can be wonderful candidates for a job and perhaps they didn't mesh with the person hiring them - that's just facts. It just kinda sucks. I know some of you might say that I should report her to the principal but I'm really glad she told me because as I said before now I know that he "sings like an angel" where if she didn't tell me I would just think whoever got selected was the best. I think that everyone is trying to be so politically correct that they hide their true ideas so that they look better - but I'd rather know what they really think. By not saying what they think doesn't take away what they think. She an older lady and obviously oblivious to the fact that she could probably get in deep doodoo telling me such a thing. Anyhow, the end of our conversation had her really confused - she said she was really torn so I suppose there's a chance. I truly hope she can get past the TS. Keep your fingers and toes crossed! Giselle

Hi Dan, the only time my son wets the bed is when he gets dairy - which also could cause the conjestion and post nasal drip. I guess, from what I understand, a lot of bed wetting stems from dairy. Sorry you are going through this. The drip could also mean he's coming down with a virus and virus' always result in more tics for my son. Good luck and keep us posted. Giselle

Hi again, I amended my earlier post but you'd already replied so wanted to add that it also contains citric acid which is usually made from corn these days - I don't know, I'd give the cleanser a try - I often found that all of a sudden a product stops working for me as my skin changes. Giselle

Hi Carolyn, my guess would be the cleanser - I looked it up and it contains chamomile, lavendar, and CITRUS (isn't that one of your allergies?). I know citrus is a huge trigger for many. It also contains disodium laureth sulfosuccinate - which isn't supposed to be that great for sensitive people. Citric acid is also listed as an ingredient and that can come from corn (and usually does). The antioxidant power might be too harsh for you too. I think if you cut this out and it is the source you'll see that faster than the olive oil - if it doesn't get better then maybe try the olive oil. Unless of course you've been using this product for ages and haven't had anything happen before? Giselle

Hi Carolyn, perhaps you have developed an allergy or sensitivity to your cleanser - many actually contain wheat, corn or both as well as other things. What are you using? Also the oil that you started before, but have since quit could still be the culprit - I know I started taking in more oil, olive, flax, and black currant and about a month later I saw an increase in oiliness overall (which at 42 was good for me), but it did take a while so I would expect it's effects would take a while to go away too. Giselle

Carolyn, I feel your pain regarding not eating things - when we found out about my son's diet restrictions I almost lost my mind! It was sooooo hard, and as he's all alone in this I decided that I would follow his diet - it has been tough - tougher still because his Dad doesn't (well at least when we are out 'cause he has no choice at home as that's all I make ) It really does suck sometimes - especially when, as you say, I haven't forseen something and I'm not prepared with snacks and the like - you really do have to be prepared don't you? But actually I've seen improvement in my mood, skin, monthly cycles and health in general - who knew you don't have to wake up with a stuffy nose? I did all my life and thought it was normal until I cut out dairy! I've started to look at some of that food like I look at people smoking! Absolutley nuts, vile, horrible! And those foods are for my son! I think you might look at it like this too (rather than the deprivation you feel) if you really think about what the IGg and IGe tests test - your body mounts an immune response to the offending foods - just as it would if it were fighting a cold, typhoid, scarlett fever, the flu, or some other sickness - your body is fighting the food like its an illness! I know I wouldn't gobble down some flu or chicken pox and in fact go out of my way to avoid sickness (take vitamins, get rest, wash my hands, keep a polite distance from sneezy sick people ) I don't know if this is helping, I am trying to, but I just wanted you to know that you aren't alone. We avoid 19 foods and their food families and many we can eat we wouldn't want to - yuck! And peanut butter is one of ours - so I'm jealous of YOU - that is one food I actually miss. Remember the long term goal - you are getting healthier - and think of how far you've come - from only wanting a few foods to trying so many! You go girl! Giselle

Hi Carolyn, I really don't think you should try this on your own - it might not be high testosterone, it could be something else out of whack - if you possibly can, please see someone who can test your hormone levels. My son's Environmental doc does it via a spit test as well as a blood test - perhaps your regular doctor can do it - I wouldn't be surprised also to find that an imbalance in your hormones might contribute to tics? Maybe not but it seems any imbalance seems to set Hoyt off so perhaps you too. Keep us posted please, Giselle

One thing about LOCAL honey - my son's Enviro. doc really wanted us to try honey that is from our local flowers as it really helps with environmental allergies in a homeopathic way. Hoyt still won't eat it as he isn't used to the flavor and actually doesn't really like it (and I'm listening as he hated noodles, pizza and milk and turns out to be allergic to gluten, tomato and dairy! - but now inhales rice noodles so it wasn't the texture or look but the wheat I think) but wanted to let you know the information his doc thought would be helpful. I went to a local farmers market and found some awesome stuff collected from hives situated 2 miles from us. Giselle

That fable was absolutely gorgeous! I am still crying. Thank you for posting that! Giselle

Thank you Kim, I haven't read them all yet but the ones I read made me realize that changing one little thing can cause a whole avalanche of change! I had no idea Vit C could do all that! He hasn't had any today as I backed off on everything but his neurotransmitter support nutritionals and his magnesium bath. He didn't seem any better but he still has all those canker sores so maybe when they dissipate! You are once again my angel!!!! Giselle

Hi everyone, I've brought up canker sores before but wondering if you or your child gets them and if so do they bring about more tics? We use the most amazing product from Oralhealth called Canker Melts - the guy who developed them said that canker sores aren't from virus as previously held but in fact are the mouth's response to allergy (not to be confused with cold sores which are from a virus). They are little discs you put on the actual sore - it looks like a spot of dried maple syrup. Hoyt ate a whole tub of the" Just Organic Raspberries" (organic freeze dried raspberries, they have cherries, blueberries, blackberries, etc) and now his mouth is breaking out in canker sores and now he's ticcing more! Gosh the fires just stopped, the air cleared and he stopped ticcing and then in one afternoon everything changes again! Rollercoaster!!! I used to get canker sores a lot as a child when I ate oranges and to this day I can't stand Orange Juice but I can't tell you the last time I had a canker sore - he gets them all the time! It could also be because his doctor both changed his dosage and type of vitamin C - before he got it buffered with magnesium. Now it's straight Vitamin C and a pretty high dose. It's just a mystery but they are nasty! Giselle

Hi Claire, well our DAN doctor thought that if we got his zinc to copper ratio more in line with normal Hoyt would start eliminating better - which I guess is true as his copper did come down quite a bit and his zinc went up. We did this with loads of P5P, zinc and glutathione (he says it helps with elimination as well) as well as other nutrients and neurotransmitter support (although I doubt the later helped with the lead). We also did some chelation bouts with DMSA which apparently we are starting again - I don't know why I'm so hesitant to start up again - I just feel that the MT therapy sounds so much better for Mercury. I called Pfeiffer today and they are having me fill out the health history form. From your other posts you say they won't let him start unless his zinc is at 90? I just looked at the results from this summer and he had 72. Mind you his Environmental doc doubled his zinc intake so perhaps it's come up some? How did you get your child's up? Thanks, Giselle

Claire, I know! I just saw it on the news the other night and realize that I make Hoyt's pancakes with it and was feeding them the scraps! I could have killed them! I only use one tablespoon in a recipe that makes about 16 pancakes so they were only getting a tiny bit but still! Interesting that they can't process caffeine either! Giselle

Hi again, one other thing that I wanted to mention - I don't think two weeks will be long enough - it will be for the dairy, you'll see improvement with that pretty quickly but Celiac research has found that gluten can stay in the system for up to six months so you might see some improvement early but I think you'd have to try it a bit longer to really get the gains from being GF. Giselle

Yes, excellent suggestion! We use xylitol too - but I use the brand from Whole Foods and only in baking so will order some that you mentioned Claire. Only word of caution about xylitol - apparently it is fatal to dogs - even in tiny amounts - their livers can't process it so no sharing treats with Fido! Giselle

Hi there, have you already done the IGg (delayed food allergy test) to see if your child needs to go on this diet? I'm wondering because when I first started down this road I decided to try the diet but didn't know my son's particular sensitivities/allergies. I just knew a lot of people had tried it and it had worked. Well I tried it and was religious in it's application. If anything he got a little worse! but without a doubt he didn't improve. When I got his delayed food allergy test back I completely saw the reason why! I had taken gluten and casein/dairy out of his diet but I had replaced the wheat/gluten foods with corn and he was allergic to corn. In fact he is more allergic to corn than gluten (or at least tic wise it sets him off more - and instantly!). Here I had been substituting corn flakes instead of wheat puffs, corn tortillas instead of wheat tortillas, etc. Once I got all three (plus a whole lot more) out he was significantly improved. It was like night and day. Another food one might turn to in response to being on the GFCF diet is potato - it is a huge culprit for many as it is part of the nightshade family. Luckily it's not for Hoyt so we eat a lot of potatos, rice, tapioca, amaranth, and others. Also, at first doing this or any of these diets is HARD - harder than anything I've ever done - I too am not a cook. But after a while, and lots of mistakes, it becomes second nature. And miracle of miracles (my Mom still shakes her head) I have actually become a pretty good cook - when it's your kid you'll do anything! Another tip: Do it for everyone - it makes it sooooo much easier not having the temptations and slip ups "I thought I could eat these cookies!" It takes a while to get used to some of the different tastes but you do and then your child won't feel like such an alien. Good luck, Giselle

Hi there, Bonnie's vitamins helped my son at first but after a few months he started reacting horribly to them. We have broken everything down and it actually makes things a lot easier as if he starts reacting to something it is much easier to decipher the culprit. Sometimes even the actual brand of vitamin makes a huge difference! I would strongly suggest that if you can you find a DAN doctor, Environmental doctor, or Integrative doctor. I know many DAN docs can treat from a distance via phone calls, faxes, and the mail. They send you requisitions for tests, you do the tests, they fly by the results. Also in regards to changing your son's diet to not include the sensitivities: You might want to check online to see if the products you are using are truly free of his sensitivities and see where they might be hiding. This was such a hard thing for us. I thought I found products that were free of corn to find out they weren't. Citric Acid is made from corn. Baking powder, confectioners sugar, etc. all contain corn. Xanthum gum is the husk of a bacteria and used a lot in gluten free products but it is grown in corn sugar! Same with wheat and gluten - so much is made with them. Vanilla usually has a wheat grain alcohol in it. French fries in restaurants are fried with breaded chicken and onion rings so pick up the gluten. Bananas are part of the plantain family so include arrowroot, and latex. My son is so sensitive to wheat and corn he has to have grass fed beef! And soy fed chicken. What are your son's sensitivities? Was the test done through and IGg test? Giselle

I totally believe it! It truly is amazing! I'm sorry your son is having a tough time and I hope this passes soon! I'm just realizing how disconnected Western medicine is - dentist, internist, eyes/ears/nose/throat, etc. When truly the body is so interconnected that what effects one aspect truly effects the whole body. Giselle

Hi there, the only time Hoyt craves sugar is when his yeast is high - although he likes the odd cookies here and there but for the most part he's more of a salt guy. I, on the other hand, crave sugar just before my period! A batch of cookies meant for a YEAR would not be safe around me!!! I am also a bit compulsive and can't buy the stuff or it's eaten until it's gone. I don't usually eat Hoyt's sweets though because I make them from scratch and want them to last for him (read, I don't want to bake any more than I have too!). So I'm not sure if it's a Tourettes thing - maybe it's part of being a gal? Giselle

Carrie, don't beat yourself up - most all of us have done this and feel terrible - and you're right he can't control it. I finally developed a strategy so that I didn't do this anymore. I told my son that I totally understand that he can't help the noise he makes (although right now he's almost perfect now that fire is out finally!) and that I know it doesn't bother him at all so to keep on making it but that I just have to have a Mommy time out - and I do that - I take a very long shower and slather every inch of myself with my aromatherapy body scrub, I shave my arm pits and legs (even my furry toes), and slough away my callouses (gosh I sound all rough and hairy!). It really helps - he knows he's driving me nuts and I think he feels relief when I actually admit it while validating that he can't help it. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm honest with him and when I come back I'm ready to be calm Mama again. I think there must be a certain amount of anxiety for him knowing he's annoying me like "Oh gosh, when is she going to crack, I hope she doesn't crack, gosh I wish this didn't bother her". So by being calm and matter of fact that it does indeed bother me every once and a while and that I need to take a break he knows that when I DON'T take a break I am not going to crack and he's more calm in general. Another great help is I keep a really good book going - I can totally tune out everything when I'm reading so if I need a break I read for a bit, which also helps - I usually have to separate myself out though because if I'm sitting somewhere close I end up getting interupted with a litany of fabricated Star Wars anecdotes! Anyway, find something that works to give yourself a break and if/when you do crack apologize - it helps them to know we aren't perfect either - pobodies nerfect! Good luck, you're a great Mom! Giselle

Hi Kim, will voraciously read this when I get home from. . . taking him to school today! Yeah, first time in 6 days (and truly it should have been three weeks as he's been pretty bad for that long). It is truly amazing - the fires were almost out on Sunday and you could totally tell as he was doing pretty well - then we had an unseasonable rain and it cleaned up our air - just gorgeous - within a couple of hours he was FINE! The fire was out as of last night so off to school we go. I can't believe how much this effected him - just horrible. I keep thinking of that John Travolta movie ages ago "Boy in the Plastic Bubble" - does Target sell those bubbles? Gosh I sure need one sometimes! Thank you for your kind thoughts and I LOVE Mothering Magazine - they have the greatest publication that is actually very unbiased about vaccines - it's how I made my decision to stop vaccinating way back when. Thanks again, Giselle

Well, I'm super serious about this MT therapy - it makes so much sense. I have a message into Pfeiffer and will let you know whether they think it will help Hoyt given his seemingly classic Tourettes biochemistry. We just missed an outpatient clinic in our area in September but there is one in Northern California in October that I would run not walk to - much closer than Chicago. I'll let you know what they say - hopefully will hear from them tomorrow or the next day! Giselle