Feingold diet -- seeking input

[wewillbeatthis]

Hello, all

 

I have spent the last few months reading much of the posting on this site (and on other TS-related sites). It is so very heartening to see such genuine and selfless efforts being made to share information and assist others. Thank you all (and bless you all) for your postings.

 

Before I take my turn to ask for input from any folks out there, some background: My son is 12 and was diagnosed with very mild TS in 1999 -- my wife and I decided to take things very conservatively and slowly with the hope of him "growing out of it." Essentially, we did nothing and watched the tics classically wax and wane (only mild verbal and motor tics) -- we've always told him that the tics didn't bother us and he always said it didn't bother him -- so we agreed that we'd just live our lives and wait until (or if) HE ever said that the TS bothered him -- then we'd sit down and talk about options.

 

Well unfortunately about 3 months ago, he (now in 6th grade) really started to exhibit signs of AD (in school and at home) and the complex tics began to get more pronounced. About 1 month ago, the tics got really bad for him (e.g., standing up and spinning around/constantly looking behind him), to the point where we said it was really bothering him and he was getting quitre depressed.... so, now my wife and I are on a mission, like many of you, to beat this thing (whatever this "thing" is)!!

 

Before we explore the meds options more fully with a pediatric neuro, we want to exhaust alternative options.

 

So, 2 main questions pertain to advice we got from a homeopathic MD, who suggested that we begin with a TRIAD Profile blood test and that, until we get the results back, to get him off of his "classic American diet" (e.g., sugary cereals for breakfast, school lunches, pizza for dinner and, red colored Gatorade after basketball) and onto a "Feingold Program Diet" that focuses on removing all artificial colors and flavors and preservatives and salicylates.

 

Do any folks have experience with these?

 

Ok -- one other question (!!) -- we have timed the recent spike in tics to when he started to use this new body spray that he and his buddies like to wear to dances, etc. called AX -- has anyone had expereince with sudden triggers from such things?

 

Thanks and best to all....

[Chemar]

Hi

we havent used Feingold tho much of what we have learned to avoid in our son's diet is on the Feingold "no" list...eg artificial flavours,colours,sweeteners,preservatives etc etc

 

There are a couple of folks here who have experience and great success on feingold so hopefully they will be along soon to give you details

 

I do want to say that Ax and all similarly perfumed sprays deodorants etc are MAJOR tic triggers for my son!!

This may be related to the sensory integration dysfunction that so frequently accompanies TS

[wewillbeatthis]

Thank you, Chemar

 

We are removing the deodorants, sprays etc and have purchased a few HEPA air purifiers.

 

Another question, though: if these were the offending triggers, how long would you expect before the tics might improve once they are removed? Is there a few day lag in your experience?

 

Happy New year to all

 

Hi

we havent used Feingold tho much of what we have learned to avoid in our son's diet is on the Feingold "no" list...eg artificial flavours,colours,sweeteners,preservatives etc etc

 

There are a couple of folks here who have experience and great success on feingold so hopefully they will be along soon to give you details

 

I do want to say that Ax and all similarly perfumed sprays deodorants etc are MAJOR tic triggers for my son!!

This may be related to the sensory integration dysfunction that so frequently accompanies TS

[Jeff]

Hi, My daughters and I have tics related to TS. The Feingold program has been very helpful for us in reducing the tics. As long as we keep our diets "clean', our tics are so mild that they are not an issue. We don't follow the FG program as closely as some, in that we haven't had to change our cleaning agents, shampoos, toothpastes, etc. We have eliminated foods that have artificial colors and flavors, and certain preservatives. When we deviate from our clean "diet", we do start to see the tics; but if we get back on track, the tics don't last more than a couple of days. When we first started, we saw dramatic results in about 2-3 weeks. For some, it can take longer, and in fact, many see the symptoms worsening at first, before they get better - something like of a "detox" period.

 

An advantage of getting a Feingold membership is that they provide you with an annual Food Guide, which lists thousands of "approved" products. That helps a lot, especially in the beginning. You can look at their website for more info - feingold.org

 

If you want to try on your own, start reading the ingredients of the foods that your child eats. If you see things like "Red #40" or "Yellow #5", etc., then you should get rid of those, and find a replacement. Breakfast cereals can be some of the worst (Trix, Fruit Loops, etc.)

 

Look for foods that are all natural, but still read the labels, as some marketing tactics can be very deceiving. If you have a Whole Foods nearby, you can usually trust most of what they sell. Buying "organic" foods is usually pretty safe, too.

 

Hope this helps. Changing over to "all natural" foods, can be overwhelming at first, but it becomes much easier after a while.

 

Jeff

[wewillbeatthis]

Thanks, Jeff!

 

This is a very very tough time for our whole family and your feedback helps a great deal. Adding to the stress of my son's situation is, of course, having mom/dad now suddenly telling him (and the other children) that some of their favorite things to eat are now off limits... I really hope this is only making things worse for the time being/temporarily, so I hope we have the patience and fortitude to stick with it...

 

Thanks again,

Wewillbeatthis

 

Hi, My daughters and I have tics related to TS. The Feingold program has been very helpful for us in reducing the tics. As long as we keep our diets "clean', our tics are so mild that they are not an issue. We don't follow the FG program as closely as some, in that we haven't had to change our cleaning agents, shampoos, toothpastes, etc. We have eliminated foods that have artificial colors and flavors, and certain preservatives. When we deviate from our clean "diet", we do start to see the tics; but if we get back on track, the tics don't last more than a couple of days. When we first started, we saw dramatic results in about 2-3 weeks. For some, it can take longer, and in fact, many see the symptoms worsening at first, before they get better - something like of a "detox" period.

 

An advantage of getting a Feingold membership is that they provide you with an annual Food Guide, which lists thousands of "approved" products. That helps a lot, especially in the beginning. You can look at their website for more info - feingold.org

 

If you want to try on your own, start reading the ingredients of the foods that your child eats. If you see things like "Red #40" or "Yellow #5", etc., then you should get rid of those, and find a replacement. Breakfast cereals can be some of the worst (Trix, Fruit Loops, etc.)

 

Look for foods that are all natural, but still read the labels, as some marketing tactics can be very deceiving. If you have a Whole Foods nearby, you can usually trust most of what they sell. Buying "organic" foods is usually pretty safe, too.

 

Hope this helps. Changing over to "all natural" foods, can be overwhelming at first, but it becomes much easier after a while.

 

Jeff