Tics trigger by TV

[Helen]

I know TV is the major trigger for my daughter's tics. I have limited her TV time to almost "no TV" for a month now and she has been doing great! (Along with this, I'm also following the less diary & wheat and more organic food approach.)

 

Two nights ago, I let her watch one episode of Dora the Explorer on tape for testing. She was ok at first but 10 minutes later she started blinking more. I was a little discouraged since she had hardly any tics at all when there's no TV. However, apparently she's still "allergic" to screens. Does anyone know what's causing that? Is it the radiation? the bright color? the fast movements...?

 

I know LCD TV is suggested here on this website. Does it really help? My husband doesn't think this will help since my daughter started tics one time when we took her out for the movie. What makes LCD different from the regular TVs?

 

I notice my daughter is very "into" the TV when it's on. You can be calling her next to her & she won't seem to hear you sometime. That makes me think that may be when she's too focus on something, it makes her tic more. I have originally plan to put her on piano class this year but now I'm kind of holding back. I'm afraid that piano lessons require too much concentration and may turn into another trigger for her tics. Does anyone have any problem with pianos here?

 

Thanks.

[Claire]

Helen,

 

Thanks for checking in again, I am really glad to hear your child is doing so well with no screens and diet change!!

 

Big screen movies have flicker, just like CRT TVs. The normal TV has a light flicker at 60 hz, which the brain can see. They are a big photosensitivity trigger--since the screen is so large the impact is better.

 

LCD screens don't refresh like CRTs. If you will search my old photosensitivity thread, I posted details on the technology difference. If you want to see the difference, then get a video camera and view a normal TV through it, then view an LCD TV (go to a store and try this). You can actually see the flicker that way, normally it isn't visible to the naked eye.

 

I too was skeptical re the LCD being different. It was my husband's idea 2 years ago. Then I researched sites on photosensitive epilepsy and sure enough, the LCD just isn't the same trigger, due to no flicker (even if the naked eye can't see it). In any case, TV's should be viewed from far away in a well-lit room, and the smaller the better (the opposite of a movie theater).

 

It doesn't mean your child can view unlimited LCD. Especially for animation, the graphical movement can be an issue. But it will make life easier while you solve the other immune issues that likely cause the photosensitivity.

 

So, just eliminating TV/computer can help the tics, but the only way I know to get rid of the photosensitivy (eg. the reaction) is to treat the immune system. Heavy metals, yeast, vitamin/antioxidant deficiencies and pyroluria are likely causes. I have put together a summary thread on this which compiles this information.

 

To answer your other thread, Great Smokey Lab's has a blood test called 'elemental analysis' for metals, our doctor likes this better than hair tests, because some kids with problems excreting metals won't have it show in their hair. www.gsdl.com I think your daughter's clear allergies to metals means she is likely to be more sensitive to them if she has too much in her system. I have the same reaction to metal jewelry by the way.

 

Actually people say the more focused kids are on something, the less they tic during it. As for piano, a couple of us had issues when our child was more sensitive/susceptible to tics, and I assumed it was the graphics (lots of black and white) and visual tracking. I see no harm in trying a few lessons.

 

Claire

[Helen]

Thanks Claire for being so patient with me. I sure have learned a lot from this web site! I'm planning to buy a small LCD TV to see if it helps & I'll let you know.

 

My daughter's tics got worse again tonight. I'm not sure if it was caused by the TV from last night or because she's having a cold. One thing I do notice is that she tends to get stuffy nose quite a lot and every time when she complains that she can't breathe, she starts to tic a lot. I have read that strep throat can cause some motor tics and that you may actually have strepA without a sore throat. May be I should take her to the doctor for the test.

 

I feel so tired and I just can't stop worrying about what's going to happen the next day...There seems to be so many possibilities of what could be causing the tics and it's just so overwhelming sometimes as to "ok, what should we try next?" One thing I have to say is that I'm so glad I have found this web site. It helps me to keep on looking for the answer.

 

Thanks again!

[Claire]

Hi Helen,

 

I do know exactly how you feel, this is hard work, there is no doubt about it. The fact that you have had such success this month is so encouraging, isn't it?

As tricky as figuring this out is, now that you have somewhat of a baseline, it will become clearer and clearer.

 

By the way, I was scare to try the LCD because my son's tics used to linger for a week after a CRT exposure. So I did it 20 minutes or so (that was enough for a half hour show since we skipped commercials, which are a waste anyway) every other day, then when he had no reaction, went to every day.

 

By the way, I would like to add your success to the 'no screens' thread (I will mention the diet changes too of course). Can you comment whether the improvement in tics was 'major 'or 'significant'? (I know it must be at least somewhat significant for you to be so pleased). Can you judge it right before you reintroduces TV? Also, about how long from when you started till you saw noticeable improvement? Was it within the week, and after about how long did it take until the improvement seemed to stabilize? Usually people just go a week before trying TV again and I am very curious whether improvements continued past then or not (for us, it just took the week for all symptoms to stabilize). Did you start the diet change at exactly the same time? How did your child react to both changes? Advice to others on how to make it not seem punitive? And sorry, but I forgot how old your daughter is?

 

I would really appreciate the feedback--as you know from experience, having that thread (and the food thread etc...) really helps new posters to have ideas of where to start where the odds are best for seeing fast results, so you will really be helping others. (Though in the end, the healing will take time, I had to accept that!).

 

Thanks,

Claire

[susanna]

Helen

 

I would definitely take your daughter in to see the doctor and insist on a throat swab for strep even if she doesn't have the classic symptoms. My son's tics were initially also brought on by strep. A few months ago he started ticcing again after having been virtually tic free for months. On a hunch I took him in for a culture...the doctor did it just to appease me since his throat looked fine and the doc thought it wasn't strep....sure enough it came back positive, much to the doc's surprise! (luckily, this doc knows about PANDAS) Within a few days of starting the antibiotics the tics subsided. I should also mention that we also had been eliminating fooods he tested as sensitive to (dairy, wheat, soy, yeast, citrus, eggs) and have eliminated artificial "junk"....but when the tics reaapeared I was pretty sure he hadn't cheated on his diet, thus the hunch it was strep.

 

Susanna

[Helen]

Claire,

 

Here're my comments on "NO TV" findings:

 

- no TV for a month/ significant improvement seen after two weeks/ diet change at about the same time - no artificial color/flavor, no diary and almost no wheat, more organic fruits and vegitables.

 

- started with only 1/2 hr TV time after school in the afternoon; it wasn't too bad since her 4 y.o. brother always keeps her busy playing with him. Then, I simply unplugged the TV and announced "TV is broken!" (the rest of us only watched TV after they were asleep.) I guess the most important thing is to make sure everyone in your family works together to reinforce this. ( I had hard time in the beginning since I'm not home during the day and my in-laws always turn the TV on to keep the kids quiet. What I did was I called everyday to check on them so that eventually my in-laws got the message that it's important to shut it off.) If you're firm with no/less TV, your child will get the message! My kids don't really bug me to turn the TV on for them anymore!

 

- my daughter is 6 y.o.

 

I hope that helps.

 

 

 

Susanna,

 

I had wanted to take her to her doctor for the culture but then she got better and I was hoping that she'd been completely fine. I guess I should do it just to be sure.

 

Thanks for your response!

[Claire]

Hi Helen,

 

Thanks! I found the same issue when he was at other people's houses.

 

I like the plug pulling...must have saved a lot of arguing in the beginning!

 

Glad to hear she is better again.

 

Claire

[ad_ccl]

Hi Helen,

 

Just thought I would add my experience with an LCD monitor. I have included my experience in my New Here post as well. My son would immediately tic when watching a regular tv - the tics would be worse if he was watching an action/japanimation show - so the graphics were at play as well. We then discovered he was also reacting to florescent lights. We decided to go ahead and buy the LCD tv - we had done no screens for about 2.5 weeks prior to getting the tv. The day we got the tv my son did see a regular tv for a few minutes ( he had come downstairs and it was on, I stood back to watch how he reacted) he did tic immediately and the tics included both motor and vocal tics. Previous to the no screens it was painful for me to watch him watch tv, I would have to leave the room it was so upsetting, he would tic by the second. So...with the LCD tv we have found that he does do some minor eye squints that stop as soon as the tv is off. He has been watching "boring baby shows" as he calls them and I am sworn to secrecy not to tell his friends. We have not put on his favorite YuGiOh so I am not sure how he would react to that. We have continued to limit the tv for one show a day, often he does not even ask to watch tv (because of the boring channel he is only allowed to watch). I am happy with the purchase as I feel that at least he is being limited in exposure to the flicker effect. The tics he has when watching are minimal and would not be noticeable to others, whereas before anyone in the room would have been aware of them. Throughout the day his tics are close to non existent if not non existent. No one would classify anything he has right now as a tic, although as his mom I notice every little thing. A few weeks ago he was pretty much convulsing coming out of school - and his tics were obvious. The other change we have made which I feel has been a huge contributing factor to how well things are going is cutting out milk. Never in million years would I have thought of this until reading the thread here on food sensitivities. I just thought milk was good for him.

One thing I have found interesting in reading other's experiences is that once they cut out certain problem foods then their child is able to manage the trigger of tv much better. We were at the blood lab last week and a tv was on in the waiting room, it was a decorating show so not so exciting for him, but he was of course drawn to the tv and probably watched a total of 10 minutes. His tics increased a little but nothing significant. So, maybe I could have started back on our regular tv but from reading the research on photosensitivity and the recommendations of the LCD tv, I do feel better about having him watch an LCD tv.

Sorry if I am talking in circles, not sure if I have even answered any of your questions.

 

About the throat swab - I agree you should get it done if she still seems sick or continues to have more tics. There are also blood tests that can show if the body is fighting a strep infection as the throat swab does not always come up positive. My son has PANDAS, his tics now also increase with any viral infection, he would show no signs of illness ( never has since age 2) not one runny nose! but his tics now increase when the rest of the family is sick. I really think the key in all of this is building the immune system. We should be getting the results of our blood work this week and heavy metal testing.

[Helen]

Alison,

 

Thanks for your comments. For the LCD TV, we're planning to get one, we'll probably get like a 20" for her. I'm definitely going to take her to the doctor this week since she continues to complain about her stuffy nose & of course, as she tries to breathe hard, she starts all kinds of facial tics! I also want to do the IgG test. I actually asked her neurologist last time but I don't think he's too familiar with this. He asked me if this is a regualar blood test? I know Claire has mentioned there's a lab that does the IgG test for about $300. Do I have to ask the doctor to send the blood to those special labs for the test? What kind of doctor is your son seeing? A naturopath? or a DAN doctor?

 

Helen

[Claire]

Helen,

 

I strongly suggest getting a 15" LCD TV, not a 20". Believe me, you do get used to the smaller size--our whole family watches the small one, especially after no TV for a while. The photosensitive epilepsy sites (the experts on this trigger, though a different symptom) says that the smaller monitors greatly reduce the impact.

 

As for the tests, they are at www.elisaact.com. Yes it is a blood test and your general practitioner/pediatrician won't know about it. But he can still order it.

 

You just need to have your doctor (or a local lab/hospital willing to draw blood and ship it out of state). Be sure to line them up before having your child fast in the am and taking them in, we wasted a trip that way. They must have a centrifuge--the blood is processed after drawing it. Also, only do it MTW, in the am (fasting) so they can overnight it. No antihistamines or steroids before--don't worry, it is all in the instructions.

 

Claire

[ad_ccl]

YIKES - I was not told about fasting before the food sensitivity test. We should be getting our results back today - fingers crossed ( hope the results are accurate without the fasting).

 

About the tv - we bought a 15 inch and he now watches it across a well lit room with the brightness and contrast down on the tv - it is amazing how he has adjusted - he used to watch a big screen tv and sit a few feet away from it - and watch many hours in a day at times. He is pretty willing to abide by the rules after several weeks of no tv. He still reacts with eye squints but they stop immediately ( much better than previous tics when watching regular tv). He is limited to one show a day and does not complain.

 

Good Luck.

[Guest Guest_efgh]

we bought a 15 inch and he now watches it across a well lit room with the brightness and contrast down on the tv -

 

Alison, what do you mean by "ACROSS" ?

 

Claire, being an expert on this, you may be able to help me too..

[ad_ccl]

Hi efgh,

 

I just mean that he sits on the other side of the room, the LCD is in my bedroom and he is probably sitting 10ft away from the screen. When he was watching tv downstairs he would sit about 3 ft away from the screen. The research I did on the photosensitive epilepsy recommends tv screens less than 14" and to sit 8 ft away ( I think).

[Helen]

Claire,

 

I know it's recommended here to buy just a 15" LCD TV. I also know that I'm going to have a hard time persuading my husband to agree on that since he's a "big screen" lover! I was surprised when he'd actually agreed to buy a 20". I guess I'll have to insist on the 15"!

 

My daughter hasn't been watching TV for 2-3 days now but she continued to have the facial tics. I'm not sure it was from her watching TV last week (I believe you said sometimes it can linger for a week) or the fact that she has a cold. I believe the tics get worse when they are sick, is that correct? Will Tylenol & other over the counter drugs make the tics worse? I gave her some pedia care medicine for her stuffy nose tonight 'cause her congestion is definitely making her tic more. I'm hoping that will help. I'll find out in the morning.

[Claire]

Hi Helen,

 

Yes TV symptoms for us often lasted a week from just one exposure, truly--we had this happen multiple times, it drove me nuts (and him too). You will find out over time if your child's last that long, I hope not

 

Yes colds can make tics worse too. So I am sure your picture isn't clear right now, but I think the cold is a likely factor. In fact, there is PANDAS for strep and PITANDS refers to other upper respiratory illnesses that trigger tics/OCD. This is less studied, but for example not all sore throats are strep and can still cause the same reaction, or so the theory goes.

 

I know that Susanna's child had strep with no strep symptoms--just an increase in tics. I am not the expert there, Susanna, Ronna's and Alison have studied it much more. Strep wasn't a tic trigger for us (it was a fear trigger), so I never looked strep when he ticced more. But for many this is by far the biggest trigger. I wonder if it matters if your child has PANDAS or not?

 

As for over the counter stuff, I know some people react to the artificial colors/flavors in cold medicines, but my son never did. My attitude (not a professional one) is that I focus on my son feeling better and give him over the counter stuff as needed, though I do the herbal things also (we have a thread on this of course). I read that reducing congestion accelerated the end of the cold, so that is what I am doing right now. I will test both mainstream and herbal approaches, and see what is best for him.

 

Good luck--If by some chance things don't resolve in a week (post TV) or with the improvement of the cold), then I would do a swab or look for other changes... I somehow thing she will be fine though.

 

My fingers are crossed for you for tomorrow morning!

 

edited: Regarding the monitor, here is an idea: Can you ask the store what their return/exchange policy is? Then explain re your daughter's neurological reaction to flicker (I did this and they totally got it) and that you want the largest TV she will tolerate, but you don't know what that is. So can you start with a 15" and move to a 17"? I read that a 17" is like a 19" CRT in term of true screen viewing.

The 19" ones are just soooo expensive >$1000, and I would hate to see you waste the money. If they have a great return policy, you can play around with it without risk. Alternatively, can she watch them at the store and see how she reacts or hopefully doesn't? It isn't like it is an absolute good or bad thing. The epilepsy sites say this seems to reduce/eliminate the photosensitivity substantially. Maybe your daughter can tolerate a larger screen even now. It is just that you really need a good return policy if you start with a 20"!

 

My son can now view a 19" LCD from across the room at school with no issues at all-which is lit by daylight. But I don't think he could have done so until we better healed his immune system.

Claire