iga deficiency

[njval1]

My son is fourteen years old and has tourettes. He has had a mild

case of tourettes since the third grade. Months will go by with no

tics. He has taken risperdal and is currently on tenex.

 

We recently saw a new neurologist and he has prescribed inderal for

the tics. He also wanted blood work done: total IGG & IGA, ASLO, &

ANTIDNA. He also want throat/stool culture.

 

My son is also seeing a gastroenologist because he has stomach aches

and constant bowel symptons. He also prescribed blood work to be done

and one of the test was also an IGA work up.

 

The gastroenologist called me today to advise me that his IGA levels

from his blood work were low and recommended a biopsy.

 

I just noticed that both the gastroenologist and the neurologist both

requested the IGA work-up. I have not spoken to the neurologist yett.

 

My questions is can the low IGA levels cause his tics? I have done

research and found some information that the low IGA levels can cause

stomach problems. I am just wondering if the stomach problems and

the tics have something in common.

 

Any input or suggestions would be greatly aprreciated. Thanks,

Valerie

[kim]

Valerie,

 

I'm so glad you decided to check this board out! The messages from Gary's site come to my email and I usually scan them. He has a great group for support, but not a lot of the kind of info I was looking for. His was the first TS group I found when I started researching for my boys, and I like to keep track of how he's doing. Occasionally, I will see a parent that looks like they're in the same boat I was and Iwill respond, usually directly and send them the link for this board. Anyway, I sent you a rather lengthly email before I knew you had posted here. I sent it to you directly and not to the group.

 

I so hope you find the help here that I have. There are many people with such excellent knowledge, and really good support too.

 

Again, welcome and I'm so glad someone is looking into medical issues for your son.

 

Kim

[ritapita]

My son is fourteen years old and has tourettes. He has had a mild

case of tourettes since the third grade. Months will go by with no

tics. He has taken risperdal and is currently on tenex.

 

We recently saw a new neurologist and he has prescribed inderal for

the tics. He also wanted blood work done: total IGG & IGA, ASLO, &

ANTIDNA. He also want throat/stool culture.

 

My son is also seeing a gastroenologist because he has stomach aches

and constant bowel symptons. He also prescribed blood work to be done

and one of the test was also an IGA work up.

 

The gastroenologist called me today to advise me that his IGA levels

from his blood work were low and recommended a biopsy.

 

I just noticed that both the gastroenologist and the neurologist both

requested the IGA work-up. I have not spoken to the neurologist yett.

 

My questions is can the low IGA levels cause his tics? I have done

research and found some information that the low IGA levels can cause

stomach problems. I am just wondering if the stomach problems and

the tics have something in common.

 

Any input or suggestions would be greatly aprreciated. Thanks,

Valerie

[lurker]

Valerie,

 

I looked at IGa briefly. It appears that a complete lack of IGa is relatively common in caucasians. It is the immune factor secreted from mucous membrane (saliva, nasal, etc.). Based on that my first recommendation would be to regularly use gargles (If that is not a word, it should be ) and nasal spray. Ironically, we just talked about it in another thread. A company called Xlear markets products containing Xylitol and grapefruit seed extract (These are excellent antifungal/antiviral/antibacterial agents). My son's pediatrician put him on their nasal spray for some slight (she thought allergic) nasal inflammation.

 

I would definitely try to protect all of his orifices with antibacterial, antiviral products since his body is not manufacturing enough on its own. (Yes, I know how bad that sounds, but there was really no other way to put it!)

 

As far as causing tics, I would assume he is more prone to viral and bacterial infection. It is widely assumed that immune dysfunction plays some part in the onset of tic disorders as many kids acquire them after infections, viruses, and vaccines. Can you think of any specific illness that preceded his onset? or exacerbation? Also, have they checked for food allergies yet? That is IGg immunity. I noticed in my Googling (another good word) that some IAg deficient people have overactive or underactive IGg status. That, along with his gastro problems, would lead me to suspect food allergy.

 

Tami