A few questions (TS)

[Guest Chris]

Hi everyone.

 

I have a few more questions regarding TS. I'm 15, and I don't really want to go to a doctor about my problem because I'll probably end up going to a neurologist who will put me on some sort of medication. From what I've read, there are many side effects!

Is it OK if I don't go to a doctor etc..? and just wait and see?

 

What are the chances of TS/tics dissapearing, or getting better before I'm 18/19? When I finish school I want to go to film school & univeristy, become a film director. I'm worried that I might not be able to live my dream because of my eye/facial tics. (emplyoment issues maybe). It's not actually that bad...I live a normal life, no-one has ever talked to me about it...it's like no-one notices.

 

I'm going to do the no-screens test for 1-2 weeks like Claire suggested. What I'm really worried about though, is this. I don't see how it can go away. It's like blinking. Hard to imagine what life would be like without blinking. You feel you HAVE to do it. And if you didnt need to, you probably would anyway after doing it for x amount of years.

 

Thank you,

 

-Chris

[Chris]

Sorry to bump the topic, I have registered now - when I look at most Tic/TS posts, it's about young children. Is it not normal for me to have this problem? it started just as a simple nose twitch thing when I was 9 and only got like it is now over the last few years.

 

-Chris

[Claire]

Hi Chris,

 

I understand your fear of neurologists, of course you can try some things on your own. The doctors above aren't neurologists anyway. Most of us here avoid drugs for our kids.

 

That urge to tic absolutely can go away, yes! Or minimally be greatly reduced in frequency and intensity, making you much more comfortable. This site has young children discussed for a very good reason: tic syndromes usually start at a young age (typically 7-9 or so, though it can start earlier), and given how the internet is such a great resource these days (less so when you were that age), these parents are immediately getting on the internet and doing their own research.

 

I am really glad you are trying no screens--this seems to get some immediate results for most people who try it. Given the unofficial 'stats' you have a great chance of feeling and seeing some improvement.

 

Anyway I don't want to overwhelm you with a list of other things to try, and I think one step at a time gives you much more information and can be more manageable. Ultimately it makes sense to look at a supplement program, and I think some of us here worry that people will megadose on vitamins--that's why we encourage finding a doctor. But if you keep close to daily requirements, you should do fine. But I would wait until after the no screens test, since sometimes people actually tic worse from certain vitamins, and it could offset the improvements from no screens and you would have done your test week for nothing.

 

While you are doing no screens, why don't you post:

 

-Vitamins you currently take, if any

-Typical foods eaten, including junk foods (be honest, okay? Some of our kids ate toast for breakfast lunch and dinner and craved junk food--it often goes hand in hand with tic syndromes... You can always delete the post later). Look at labels for artificial ingredients --they can be tic triggers for many people.

-Are there foods you 'crave'? (healthy or otherwise)

 

I am glad you registered--with so many posters, we need to go back through old posts sometimes to remember what your history way.

 

Re the job, some of us fear the same thing for our kids, thus our intense dedication to natural methods to help them. Certainly clear talent will rise to the top though... Hey, maybe your first film can be a documentary on tic syndromes before and after natural methods! Anyway, I think you will be much better well before then.

 

Keep us posted, we will help you as much as possible. And please let us know either way if no screens worked, we are logging this info for newcomers like you and the more who try it, the more we will see how much this helps. I bet it does help, but either way, we will have more ideas.

 

Claire

[Chris]

I think I'll start the no-screens test now, and see how it goes. I'll write down all the foods I eat etc.. and post my results in about a weeks time. About the job, I think since film is a mostly outdoor thing (for directing anyway), and you don't get hired the same way you do with an office job, I won't have to worry so much, but I'm hoping this will go away! Even if it's milder that will be better.

 

Thanks for all your help Claire, I'm glad I found this forum.

 

-Chris

[Claire]

Great Chris, I hope to not 'see' you for a week then! (I realize I contradicted myself on posting during no screens, ha, ha)

 

Claire

[Chemar]

Hi Chris

 

just wanted to welcome you to Latitudes and hope you find lots of good and helpful info here.

 

My son is 15 and first manifested tics clearly around 10yo, tho he did have eyerolling and blinking earlier.

 

using the natural treatments and good diet etc has helped him so much that he has gone from pretty severe TS to very mild.

 

Do you actually have a TS diagnosis or do you have undefined tics?

 

With TS, the urge to tic is very much like blinking and my son says that even tho his tics are now so very mild, yet, if he tried to suppress them, he finds that tic urge intensifies.

 

We are all here to help and guide you as much as you need.

Just take one thing at a time and see what helps most and dont become too overwhelmed with all the info.

 

You really have no need to be concerned for your desire to enter a film career....there are many very successful people in the film industry who have full blown TS, and in many cases, find it an asset to their work

 

I dont know if you saw the thread on BrainTalk about Positive Things Associated with TS......here is the link....much to be encouraged about

 

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showth...thread.php?t=93

 

hope you will stay in touch and keep us posted on your progress, and feel free to ask questions whenever you have them There are so many folks here who have great experience in a number of areas so there will always be someone who can offer advice or support.

 

bye now