newby questions

[zinto]

HI there,

I am just starting out down the road of working out where my children fit on what I suspect is the TS spectrum ... I myself was never diagnosed but think I have had TS all my life - very mild but didnt disappear over time like many cases seem to do.

My brother also had it rather mildly and his seems to have disappeared. Other than he and I we can not trace it back on either side of the family at all, which is strange.

I always feared that I would pass it onto my children, although my case is mild certain tics were obvious and I remember being teased for these at school. I really dont want my children to suffer in any way or deal with having to suppress tics for their whole lives.

 

So I am quite despairing at present to have discovered in recent months that both of my older children ( ages 5 and 7) are having mild tics. My baby is only 8 months old so time will tell with her.

I have spent every spare minute reading online recently and have ordered sheila rogers book of natural alternatives.

My childrens tics are unnoticeable to others at present so I feel I have time to work out what I am going to do, although I do realise there is no complete cure. I just want to work out the plan of attack for if/when their symptoms progress.

if anyone would be so kind as to answer my questions below I would be hugely appreciative....

 

1) despite no formal diagnoses I am fairly certain my own case is TS...so does this mean my kids will have TS too or could it be chronic/transient tics ? can it show up in children in milder ways ?

 

2) likewise, despite my case being mild, could my children get it much more severely than me ? is there any link between parent/child severity ?

 

3) if it is TS that they/I have, will natural therapies be worth a go ? I see on the forums that the approaches vary according to whether tics are triggered by illness/TS/environment etc.....if it is TS are the approaches worth trying or do TS Sufferers accept that this is just how their brains are wired and put up with it or opt for medication?

 

4) is it worth being diagnosed?

 

5) where do I find good brands for supplements ? I know lots of them avaiable are inferior quality...how do I find out what/which brands etc to give my children as a starting point ?

 

6) annnddd how do I stop thinking about this every.waking.moment ? it is affecting my parenting at the moment as it is stressing me out so much...I just cannot cope with the thought of their symptoms getting so much worse and becoming a huge deal.....

 

thanks so much in advance.

[Chemar]

Hi

I will try to post more later but would encourage you to also take a look at our Helpful Threads pinned to the top of this forum

 

In my signature at the bottom of this post I have a link to what helped my son, who has genetic TS inherited from his father/grandfather etc

You'll see that there are many things that can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of TS tics....for us and many others, giving extra magnesium supplement and doing the Epsom Salts baths was a major turning point!

Bonnie Grimaldi's research backs this up

 

Remember most conventional doctors scoff at the idea that anything other than medications can help so if you are going to see doctors, I would suggest finding an Integrative one.

 

Also, re how you feel...it is natural to be distressed when we know something is "wrong" with our kids but do take heart....as you know if you suspect you have TS...it is not a terminal illness!

Try to focus on enjoying your children and see beyond the tics. It will be ok!

[Cj60]

Hi,

 

I found that the first step toward feeling better (and I sure did feel depressed about things!) was doing something. That is, getting on this forum, getting Sheila's book, finding a supportive dr., starting meaningful dietary changes and supplements, etc. all helped me get back on my feet. So it looks like you are on your way to feeling better! Hang in!!

 

Chris

[zinto]

thanks so much to both of you, it is good to get some reassurance.

Chemar, great to hear that alternative therapies have made a difference with your son with genetic TS, that is a huge relief as I really dont want to start trialling things only to discover there was no chance of them having any effect. I am going to read your link as soon as I get time. It is a little overwhelming at this point and I am just a mess of nerves watching my kids ...now that I think it is both of them instead of just the one I suspected the last few months it just feels a little out of my capacity to cope with.

 

I am just so anxious that they are going to get suddenly worse and be defined by this...such bright talented awesome little kids who cant help this at all and to think they have to put up with their body suddenly ruling them like this. My son seems to have got the anxiety side of things happening as well, so we are dealing with lots there at present. My daughter has always had a slight social awkwardness...nothing too major but I couldnt put my finger on it....and now I see it can be related to tourettes. Then I am questioning is she actually slightly aspergers...as I see they can tic too and they are related conditions. Then I look at my baby girl and think well thats 2 out of 3 so far so she is next

 

Needless to say I have stayed up way too late reading reading reading, but now I am just more confused and overwhelmed than ever. It is great to have some support here and people who have lived to tell the story thanks

[blakes_mom]

thanks so much to both of you, it is good to get some reassurance.

Chemar, great to hear that alternative therapies have made a difference with your son with genetic TS, that is a huge relief as I really dont want to start trialling things only to discover there was no chance of them having any effect. I am going to read your link as soon as I get time. It is a little overwhelming at this point and I am just a mess of nerves watching my kids ...now that I think it is both of them instead of just the one I suspected the last few months it just feels a little out of my capacity to cope with.

 

I am just so anxious that they are going to get suddenly worse and be defined by this...such bright talented awesome little kids who cant help this at all and to think they have to put up with their body suddenly ruling them like this. My son seems to have got the anxiety side of things happening as well, so we are dealing with lots there at present. My daughter has always had a slight social awkwardness...nothing too major but I couldnt put my finger on it....and now I see it can be related to tourettes. Then I am questioning is she actually slightly aspergers...as I see they can tic too and they are related conditions. Then I look at my baby girl and think well thats 2 out of 3 so far so she is next

 

Needless to say I have stayed up way too late reading reading reading, but now I am just more confused and overwhelmed than ever. It is great to have some support here and people who have lived to tell the story thanks

Zinto, I have a son that started having tics quite suddenly.He has been diagnosed with pandas.Im not sure if you are familiar with this disorder but pandas network.org has some good information. My sons tics have disappeared with antibiotics and a t & a.

[Belky]

thanks so much to both of you, it is good to get some reassurance.

Chemar, great to hear that alternative therapies have made a difference with your son with genetic TS, that is a huge relief as I really dont want to start trialling things only to discover there was no chance of them having any effect. I am going to read your link as soon as I get time. It is a little overwhelming at this point and I am just a mess of nerves watching my kids ...now that I think it is both of them instead of just the one I suspected the last few months it just feels a little out of my capacity to cope with.

 

I am just so anxious that they are going to get suddenly worse and be defined by this...such bright talented awesome little kids who cant help this at all and to think they have to put up with their body suddenly ruling them like this. My son seems to have got the anxiety side of things happening as well, so we are dealing with lots there at present. My daughter has always had a slight social awkwardness...nothing too major but I couldnt put my finger on it....and now I see it can be related to tourettes. Then I am questioning is she actually slightly aspergers...as I see they can tic too and they are related conditions. Then I look at my baby girl and think well thats 2 out of 3 so far so she is next

 

Needless to say I have stayed up way too late reading reading reading, but now I am just more confused and overwhelmed than ever. It is great to have some support here and people who have lived to tell the story thanks

Zinto, I have a son that started having tics quite suddenly.He has been diagnosed with pandas.Im not sure if you are familiar with this disorder but pandas network.org has some good information. My sons tics have disappeared with antibiotics and a t & a.