purplepoodle Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi! I have just found your site tonight....THANK YOU for so much wonderful, interesting information. We have noticed tics and humming from our 12 year old son, which seems to be more and more apparent. We have recently met with our pediatrician, who suggested eliminated any caffienated drinks, which we are doing. Presently, the tics seem to occur when watching tv, video games, or playing video games, and when writing. I am quite anxious to try the NO SCREEN week, though with our two oldest children, it may be difficult. I am totally fascinated by the information about tv and computer screens, I was not aware of any of this. THANKS for all so far, and I would be interested in any further suggestions you may want to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi purple, Welcome! Many here have tried no screens with great success. I would imagine that with a 12 year old it will be especially tricky. I know that a couple of parents had rewards set up. A lot depends on how much your child minds the tics. One parent had a child with such painful tics (a neck jerk) that they easily gave up screens and were very grateful with the fact that the tics went away. Others planned in advance. Based on a recent experience that Marie had, do try to time it when there isn't some movie event at school! If you figure out a way to do this with older siblings, please share so that other newcomers will have ideas. I don't doubt that it will help, especially if you notice the tics worsen during TV/computer. Please explain to your child that the tics stay for days afterwards--for my son 'no screens' was literally a complete cure for the tics. For others it is a big reduction. Only a couple who completed the week saw no improvement But in the end, it will be all the great things you can do to help his immune system, from elminating artificial ingredients, to checking for sensitive foods to solving yeast/metal issues that may exist. From the feedback on this forum, with this healing, even the photosensitivity (to TV/computer) is greatly reduced. And of course, if the no screens test is successful, then you can consider investing in an LCD monitor (no flicker) and watching out for the flashy games and heavy graphics/animation. My son feels no restriction anymore with this. And it has been 14 months with literally zero tics. Before that it was every 6 months due to some CRT exposure--we hadn't really figured out the LCD monitor approach. Lots of threads to read, lots and lots to learn. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmazz Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi Purple, Welcome, I just completed no screens and saw great improvement. No cure, but great improvement. Vitamins, supplements and a balanced makeup is what I have read here for both the mind and body. I have a 12 year old who joined in on the no screen to help out his brother and it yielded a closer family. Changes made from the normal are hard, but can be helpful on a multitude of levels. We introduced board games, card games and models. I have to tell you that you will have to be the one to initiate the motivation and find other activities in a manner that is upbeat, otherwise they will think of it as a punishment. That is what happened to my son when a movie was shown in school and he was not allowed to watch. Oh boy was I the enemy that day! Also, think about anxiety. Because he might not show outter signs that does not mean that something inside has not turned up the heat and normal stimuli just might make it worse. I for one get stuck from time to time and I suffer panic attacks after the stressful situation is resolved. Tics are an outter sign of what is going on inside. Find a good doctor who believes in and is knowledgable in nutrition and keep reading and posting. GOd Bless! Marie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad_ccl Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Hi purple, I am also new to all of this and have found great information and support for this wonderful forum. My son's tics were immediate when he watched tv - I wish I had found this forum sooner and tried the no screens earlier. We have just finished a 3 week no screens with great success as well, Marie is right, the benefits that come from this are far greater than just less tics, I have never spent so much time playing with my kids - whereas when my son was watching tv - I would just sit and watch his every tic until it was too upsetting then I would leave the room - what a waste of time and emotional energy! I found that if I set up different activities for him in the morning or while he was eating lunch he would go to the dining room table and start playing independently. You are at a different stage with a 12 year old so I don't have much advise there, perhaps there are some new games, models etc that would interest him that you could invest in. We also had him listen to stories on the CD - again not sure how that would go over with a 12 year old but Harry Potter etc. is on tape. I also did a reward system, where he got 2$ a day (my son thought he had hit the jackpot! - it may cost you a little more - or maybe instead of by day have a reward at the end of something he really wants) , we marked in on the calendar and he showed all his friend when they came over how much money he had earned, he did not see it as a punishment and neither did his friends. If they asked he would tell them in a matter of fact way that the TV makes his habits worse and bother's his eyes. After one play date my very close friend who has known what we have been going through since our initial diagnosis of PANDAS in late August, said her daughter after the playdate said nothing about his tics ( they had been worse at this time due to a viral illness, a very obvious neck tic) but did ask her mom if she could also stop watching tv so she could earn money. The other major eye opener we had was when we went to ToysRUS to get his reward, he was pretty much tic free then the tics came back to include full body tics while we were in the store, I assumed it was the excitement but Claire pointed out it could have been the lighting. I was not convinced I must admit but a week later when we went to a baby store, nothing exciting in sight, his tics came on the same way as toy'r'us, I looked up and saw all the flourescent lights. Photosensitivity is clearly an issue for my son - and one I would have never recognized had it not been for this forum and for Claire. We bought an LCD tv last night, and his tics increased only when we were opening the box - he was so excited - they stopped when he watched the tv - I was amazed. We have not tried him on his favorite shows yet - as his tics were always worse with them, I am sure excitement was playing a part. So we will take it slowly. Good Luck, and I really recommend trying the no screens especially if that is when his tics come. Keep us posted!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplepoodle Posted January 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Thank you Claire, Marie, and Alison for your empathetic and informative replies. I know I have to involve my older two sons in this no screens week, and plan on discussing this with them over the weekend. Building models is a great idea...something my husband always loved to do as a child, so it could be a nice bonding experience. I will stock up on some books on tape at the library too. I have only recently allowed the boys to have tvs in their bedrooms - bad move. My youngest (the one with the tics) is someone who has an extremely difficult time falling asleep - always did, even as a baby...so I finally caved in, although my 17 year old only just received the privilege in the last month. Is the difficulty falling asleep common? We will continue to look into food and dust as well... I truly appreciate your kindness, and support. Thanks! Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Hi Maureen, Be careful of the toxic glues with some models--these kids don't typically handle fumes well. We did lots of Knex models--some are very sophisticate. Sleep difficulty is quite common. PLUS I posted recently that there was a study showing TV/video before bed definitely interfered with sleep. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad_ccl Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Hi Maureen, My experience is that falling asleep has always been an issue for my son. UNTIL - we started supplements, I did comment on my recent post - under New Here, that the sleep issues have been the most obvious change we have seen since starting supplements - it is now 8pm here and he is pretty much fast asleep, a few weeks ago he would still be up at 9:45 tossing and turning. He is also sleeping longer in the morning - so in general I would say he is getting 2 extra hours of sleep a night. It can only be doing him some good. If I am correct I believe it is the Cal/Mag/Zinc vitamin that is supposed to help with sleep and he gets that after dinner. Chemar , Claire or someone else with more knowledge would be able to confirm this. Good Luck and I look forward to hearing how things go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chemar Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Hi Maureen re the sleep......yes, it seems that generally people with neurological issues seem to have a sleep struggle, especially those with TS and transient tics. we tried a variety of supplements, abd the 5HTP that my son took for his OCD really helped.... and yes, Alison is right about the value of the cal/mag supplement taken in the evenings to help sleep ..but one of the gentlest ways to also help relaxation and sleep (while also aiding in detox and tic reduction) is a warm bath in the evenings with 2 cups of Epsom salts dissolved in the water. If your child would drink some chamomille tea at the same time......that would be great. My son really loved those relaxing soaks and slept very quickly and deeply after them hope that helps a bit Cheri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ad_ccl Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Hi Maureen, Just had to add the epson salts bath is a great idea - this week as my sons tics increased day by day - - - every night he had a bubble bath, I included the epson salts after reading Chemars posts. I have to say tics diminished when he was in the bath - he was so calm. Thanks Claire for the info on the model glue -something I would not have thought of. I think that is one of the best things about this forum - other's pointing out things that you would never have thought of before. KNex was also a great activity that we did with our son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplepoodle Posted January 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Once again, thanks to all for the great info and support. I am trying not to use the computer much myself. We have succeeded with 3 days of No Screens so far. My oldest sons are cooperating with us in this. My son with the tics, said he is not doing them as often, or humming. Of course, he should be having less trouble, since he is not watching tv or playing video games (when he would display the tics and humming the most). I am keeping my fingers crossed, that this will help. He did use the treadmill earlier, and my husband noticed some facial tics then. Other than that, I believe they have been reduced a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Hi Purplepoodle, Thanks for the update. I realize you may not get check on this for a couple of days, but just in case, check that the treadmill doesn't have flashing scores/stats/columns during this no screens week. If so, it is still a flicker. I know it is small, but a small gameboy can set off a seizure (and tics), and the screen is the same size. If so, maybe you can just cover the display with a T-shirt this week, once the programming is set. It is important to have no triggers at all for the week, to get the full effect, and since he was ticcing a little during it, the screen may indeed be a factor. My fingers are crossed for your child! Good for your other children for helping out. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplepoodle Posted January 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 ...just a super quick check in, and Claire - YOU ARE CORRECT! The treadmill does have red flashing lights which show the course, your speed, and so on! Oh My Goodness - it makes sense, doesn't it? THANK YOU GUYS!!!! Day 4!!!! Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplepoodle Posted January 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2005 ...okay, my guy was busy playing legos Wed. nite, and my husband said the tics were extreme....we thought they were really decreasing....we spoke to our pediatrician yesterday, he said continue the no caffeine, and no screens for one more week, and then we'll see...He also mentioned that if the tics are not constant, that he really doesn't feel it is tourettes, and mentioned that it is possible it is OCD behavior. I really don't know what to think. However, my heart broke tonight when my son began to cry that he was so looking forward to the week being over tomorrow morning, and he'd be able to go back to television tomorrow, and a video game or two. (We saw the pediatrician 2 weeks ago, at which time he stopped any chocolatae, or any caffeinated beverages). Right now he is playing legos, and my husband brought home his laptop from work (LCD) screen, for him to begin to use tomorrow... Oh well, sorry to go on so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted January 15, 2005 Report Share Posted January 15, 2005 Sorry to hear it! Did you discuss with your son what occurred during his day that might have triggered the evening tics. We always found something, whether it was some computer/TV exposure at school, for others it could be an emotional upset. Additionally, we found that after we managed the TV/computer exposure properly for a couple of months, he was no longer set off by emotional upsets at all. Please don't worry too much about one day. I think you are smart to try the LCD tomorrow, good luck, and let us know how it goes. Claire ps Are you avoiding artificial ingredients? If not, a party with junk food (or snack sharing) at school affects some kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 Hi Maureen, Are you still checking in? Just would like to know how you are doing, since the last time you posted, you were a little worried. I hope all is well. Claire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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