Sydsmom

This time last year I got vertigo bad and it lasted a month. It has started again - the same exact time as last year! So, I'm wondering if it's allergies. I've heard it's bad this year on people so that's just a thought that it could be due to allergies. Ask son if he also has some pressure or draining in his head. Goodluck. Lisa

I've shared before the successes with my daughter, but for hope purposes, I'll share again. She is now 13. She also was diagnosed at 10 and the bottom of my world dropped. All the what ifs popped into my head, including going so far as "will she find a great guy who understands her and loves her?". I now don't worry about all those at all. She had major ADD, OCD, depression and tics. Her tics wax and wane and right now, hardly notice anything. We have a pool so this summer with the chlorine and increased screens I'm sure her tics will increase. It doesn't throw me for a loop anymore. The big praise is this, she has all B's in major classes and A's in her electives. AND, last week her math teacher said "I've seen an increase in Syd's focus this last semester." Can I just say that I am still marveling that a teacher used the word focus and Sydnie in the same sentence!! We have a 504 for her but rarely need to take advantage of it anymore. Mostly, she is allowed to turn in homework late because she does it, but loses it. I still want it for when she enters high school. What we have done is diet changes and supplements. My husband and I notice an increase in tics when she doesn't take Taurine. I know for some here, Taurine increases the tics but it seems to help Syd. She has also been taking Learner's Edge for 2 1/2 years and a digestive enzyme. She did the MB12 shots for a year and we definitely noticed an increase while taking those. We stopped a little while ago and all seems to be going well, so....The big decrease in ADD came after the diet changes. Decreased sugar dramatically and food dyes. I went overboard at first and it stressed us all out and now have found some balance. Like weekends, I'm more relaxed. It just seems to work for us. Anyway, I like to share our successes because when I read posts from parents who are just starting out, my heart goes out to you all and I remember the stomach and heart aches that I had. I remember sitting in front of the computer, reading all of the info on here and crying because I didn't know where to start. Find a good DAN doctor or natural doctor - that guidance helped me alot. (We went with a DAN doctor in LA. An hour drive, but it was worth it). Lastly, re: school, I never barged into a meeting with teachers or was hard nosed with them. I always took backup and info describing her disablilites and sometimes had to meet a second time until the "got it". I've been lucky that I haven't been met with resistance from anyone at school. So, I hope some of this helps and again, if you, like me sit and cry please know that it can get better. Just keep walking forward with patience. It may take a few years but now being on the other end, it wasn't as long as it sounds. Lisa

I've been studying and asking God about healings. In the Gospels healings performed by Jesus were followed with these words "It's your faith that has healed you". So NO money doesn't bring about miracles but prayer and our faith can!

I too have learned to just let it roll. The less I focus on them the better for everyone, especially my daughter. She picks up when I'm upset. I've also learned through the last few years that we do have good times and worse times and the worse times don't last forever and we just cruise through them. When I was so focused on them, I was a mess. Now, I try not to notice them and I know it's hard but I'm just able to do it and life goes on and she's doing well. We stay on the program and keep moving forward. Like Chemar said, I say this as a mom who used to over focus on them and have been able to let a lot go. I too pray a lot and ask God to change my heart, take my focus off of it and just continue to guide me on this path. This has caused me to become a much better mom and for that I have to be thankful. Lisa

Yes, thanks so much! I see it as sacrificial love what you do. Your son is doing ok and you don't really "need" to be on here but you come back and give your time and wisdom and help more people than you'll probably ever know. Thanks for your service and your heart! Lisa

Hi John, I dont' have anything more to add other than hang in there and trust that things will get better as you journey through all this. The foods for us were a starting point and a great starting point. There's such great info here. Take each piece one at a time and try not to get overwhelmed and do everything all at once. As I told another mom, I remember crying so much at first and now we hardly notice my daughter's tics. Some days aren't good ones but they go away and bring really good days. Goodluck to you and God bless and lead you too. Lisa

Hi, Yes, we did notice a decrease in tics and more focus while doing the B12 shots. We currently are not doing them only because we were not being consistent with the shots and felt our money was being wasted because the shots expire and only last 3 months. I know, lame but truthful. We did give shots consistently for a year though. Lately, Syd's tics are there but not too noticeable to anyone outside the family. She still takes a lot of supps. When we "cheat" too much with food we notice increase in lots of stuff, tics, focus problems and moodiness. All in all, she is doing amazingly better in the last few years since we went the natural route. So much so that people comment to us on the changes they see in her. She's happier too. I'll praise God for that. And I'm thankful I was led to this site which has been a huge support and aid in all of this. It's so great to know we're not the only family going through this and every victory I read gave me hope! Goodluck!!! Lisa

It sounds like you are completely on the right track - especially in reading Sheila's book. One thing that popped out to me (who by the way is no expert just a mom like you trying to find my way through all of this) is that you mentioned he spends a lot of time in front of the computer. Ask him if he would be open to do an experiment and stay away from the computer/video games for a week and see if he notices a reduction in the tics. I know when my daughter spends a lot of time on computer or playing her gameboy, her tics increase. There are past posts on this forum explaining it and I'm sure one of the others can better explain why it happens. Also, have him do experiments with foods. Does he seem to tic more when eating a certain food. Things like this are easy ways to start to sort through it all. Chemar wrote up a post that is entitled Things that have helped my son. Maybe you can find that here. Again, you are off to a good start and as overwhelming as it all is, trust me, it does get better. Goodluck to you. Lisa

Sydnie who is 12 loves that newsletter from TSA. I print it out for her and she reads it on her own. She's pretty private but I get the feeling she likes reading about kids who are like her and are able to achieve much. At our Girl Scout meeting last week the girls were reading an article and it said, "So, what makes you tic?" And Sydnie looked at me and smiled and said, "Dairy". I thought it was great she could joke about it in front of her friends. She's come a long way. Lisa

That is great news. How hard it must have been to step out of the way and wait for God to answer the prayers. He changes peoples hearts so often and I love when we get to see it!! Hoyt is very lucky to have a mom who is so devoted to him - even if he doesn't realize it right now. Definitely stock up on your kleenex it will be well used! Lisa

What a great poem. It hasn't been by my strength that I'm able to do all this, but by God's. The other blessing is that it has caused me to become a better mom. I wasn't a bad mom before but since all this have found myself becoming more patient and more involved with both of my kids. We started the diet and supplements 2 years ago and now Sydnie is 12 and she still tics but they are not very noticeable. We've relaxed a bit on some things and she sees a difference now when she eats wrong choices and I see her making good decisions on her own. Yeah!! It's a process and it does seem to get a little easier because it becomes the norm. Hang in there and cry out to the Lord for strength and wisdom. Lisa

Love the verses Kim. Proverbs 3:5-6 is my life verse. Had I not had such strong faith the last few years I might have crumbled. I am always reminded that my kids are God's kids first and He allows me to bring them up and love them while they're here on earth. He is in control and I'm so thankful cause on my own, I'd mess things up! Lisa

Try www.gfcfdiet.com It seemed to have lots of tips on there. There's a book called Special Diets for Special Kids by Lisa Lewis, Ph.D. I received it from my DAN doctor. Maybe you can google it and see if it comes up where to buy it. Lots of great recipes in there!! Goodluck.

I think my cravings are worse than my kids'!! The one thing I've noticed is that since it's not around they don't seem to "crave" it too much. They both do indulge maybe once a week or every 10 days depending on what's going on. The school district made a decision this year to take sugar out of the teachers' treats, the school lunches and no more holiday parties with sugar or birthday sugary treats are allowed to be brought in. I was jumping up and down when I heard this!! That was one place my kids would cheat and I had little control over it. I know myself too, when I can get passed a few days, the craving isn't as strong. Caroline, if you can just get passed a few days and try hard to not bring it home or buy it, maybe that will help? When I have a sugar craving I try to replace it with something, sometimes a cup of coffee or a cup of green tea. It takes my mind off of it. Yesterday I had such a huge craving but I just decided to NOT give in and by the end of the day I had succeeded. It's now after lunch and I'm craving it again but I'm deciding to NOT give in again. It's a discipline and it take practice. I hope this encourages you in some way. You are such a strong person - in all you've accomplished on your own that I know you can overcome this sugar thing too. Lisa

Hello, I received in the mail a catalog from a company that sells gluten free and casein free products. It's formerly Miss Roben's and sells many of those products. Just wanted to pass along the info. On their website it had a recipe place but I didn't check that out yet. Here's the site: www.allergygrocer.com I also haven't ordered anything yet but maybe someone else has?? Have a blessed day! Lisa Sorry, I spelled grocer wrong in the title!

Hi, I don't know much about caffeine being a trigger but I do know that some places sell half decaf/ half caf for you to drink as you ween yourself off of it. Goodluck to you. Lisa

We give my daughter the MB12 shots and hers have never stung. We started over a year ago and I don't remember if the tics got worse but I do know we ran out months ago and I was slow to order and I noticed a change in her tics and behavior. After we started up again things were better. She hasn't had any in the last two weeks due to being at camp and she's a little moodier. Plus she happily informed me when she came home that she had dairy and sugar everyday while at camp. She's 12 and very strong willed. She came home with more tics than when she left and a bit sullen though she'll never admit it. Anyway, we like the MB12 and the affect it seems to have on her on top of all the supps and diet restrictions we do. I hope you see some positive changes too. Lisa

Caroline, That is good news! Thanks so much for sharing. I often worry about Syd getting through school - especially in math and your testimony gives me hope that all will be ok with her. Thanks again for the post and congratulations to you!! Lisa

I had a question about fish and mercury too. Actually it about fish oil supplements. Are they able to take the mercury out? I'm taking a supp that has fish oil and was wondering about that. Anyone know? Lisa

I think everyone answered well and just wanted to add that I knew my daughter had some food sensitivities and my husband also made me take her to allergist. Of course, nothing came up and my husband said, "Now let her eat dairy again". Ok fine I said, seething inside but praying he would come to his senses and trust me. 3 days later he humbly came to me and said, "I see it now. Take her off the dairy ASAP" She rages big time and has wild mood swings when on dairy. Hopefully, your husband will come to understand it all in time too. It all sounds so crazy until you try it and see the results. Goodluck to you!

I just wanted to encourage you to keep searching. The neurologist we took my daughter to said much the same as yours did. At first I was devasted but decided not to listen to him and find help through diet and supplements. This site helped immensely. I don't even remember how I found it - but thank God I did. Our daughter is doing so, so, SO much better. It's been almost 2 years but boy are we seeing the fruits of our labor and hers. So keep going. You'll run up against opposition from many (even possible family members) but keep going. Goodluck to you and your family. Lisa

Taurine is suppose to help with tics and seizures. My daughter takes Taurine (along with many others) but maybe you'd like to try that one. Lisa

kirkmanlabs.com has vitamins and supplements that are "clean". A lot of the autistic parents use those as do I for my daughter's tics. Taurine seems to have helped greatly since we added it 3 months ago. People can't even notice my daughter's tics anymore. We do but they are slight. Hope this helps. Lisa

I live in Orange County, Southern Ca. and my husband's aunt who's very involved in the autism community found me a DAN doctor who was highly recommended. She is in Los Angeles and so we travel about an hour (or more depending on traffic) to see her. She knew exactly what to give my daughter. I would think that any good DAN doctor, after running some blood tests, should know what to prescribe for you. I think there is a link here on how to find a DAN doctor, right?? I hope you find one. Lisa

What about almond butter? Or natural peanut butter?