Gwen

Thanks for the replies. It is really helpful to hear what other people have done. I'm still mulling this over. It's so new and I'm having a hard time with it. I want to take action, but there is still the part of me that wants to pretend it just doesn't exist. Difficult to do on the days it sounds like there is seagull in my living room, though! If nothing else, we can start eliminating dairy tomorrow. That one will be easier than gluten, I think. My son likes milk, (and, of course, ice cream!), but cheese, yogurt and the rest, he really does not care for much. He's started sniffing today, though. So maybe that is not considered vocal (?) and it won't help. I'm pretty much willing to do anything at this point, though. I can pay out of pocket if I have to, but given that I have insurance, I prefer to use those resources first, if possible. I just don't want to go that route only to be told there is nothing to be done.

I have read the book, I've read the post, I've gone to a TS support group and talked to other families in my area. But I'm still somewhat flummoxed. My son's tics (mainly vocal chirping, some hissing) started in earnest in late June. He'd do minor noise things before that would last a very short time and he seemed to be able to stop so I thought they were just weird childhood things. I didn't even think to mention at his well-child appointment in February. After they escalated, I found this website, ordered the book, researched environmental doctors and talked to other Tourette's families. I got names of neurologists that were liked and disliked and thought I'd make an appointment, but nearly every family said that, given my son seems to have no co-morbidities (although he does tend to want to wash his hands more than necessary, I think, but not to any obsessive degree, so who knows?) the neurologists would pretty much say "your son has TS or tic disorder, here's some info on it, if it gets debilitating we can medicate, see you next time." So that led me down the environmental doc path, but they, of course, require payment in advance and I'm not sure about reimbursement from my insurance company. Which is fine, whatever, I'll pay out of pocket if I have to. But then I started reading about PANDAS and such and I wonder about testing for it and general allergy testing. Who does the strep tests? A regular doctor? The neurologist? The environmental doc? Should I go to a regular allergist first to rule out the big stuff? A regular doc/neurologist if they will do the strep tests? Because, honestly, I would prefer to get any tests that will be covered by insurance done by a provider which is covered by our insurance. Meanwhile, while we already eat a pretty natural diet, we're trying gluten free and not allowing treats or anything with artificial anything or preservatives. (And gluten is the hard one, because the other stuff was already a once in a while treat.) We have yet to give up dairy. The tics themselves have waxed and waned. Anyway, thoughts, advice and suggestions would be appreciated.

Me, too, Steviegirl. New here (this is my first post). Son with vocal tics. So minor in the past I thought it was just little habits. At the end of this school year they expolded and I have been reading and researching and freaking myself out, as well. And then after recently reading about PITANDS I realize there was a case of strep in his classroom towards the end of the school year, so that is causing me anxiety as well. And I don't know where to start. I've purchased the ACN book and we're trying gluten free right now and I am going to make an appointment with an environmental doctor, I guess, but then I wonder if I should have him tested with a regular allergist first, etc. etc. Sorry to say, we are in the same boat. I have to run but will post more later. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone.