Where to start with my son's Tic?

[molly b]

Hi,

I really don't know where to start, so I guess I'll start at the beginning. My son is 21 years old, and is experiencing a 'facial tic' that has us quite baffled and concerned.

 

Looking back, I now see this 'tic' began around his Jr. or Sr. year of high school. His 'tic' involves a biting motion of the mouth. Often times, you can clearly hear his teeth choming together. Sometimes, his jaw trembles on the downward biting motion, as if it gets momentarily stuck. He emits no verbal sounds other than the sound of his teeth coming together.

 

I took him to our family doctor while in high school who said he believed it was just a "bad habit" . We took that news as great relief. And after a while (I really can't remember how long) the tic seemed to us to almost disappear, but once in a while emerge. I don't know if he actually stopped with the tics altogether or if we just stopped paying attention to them.

 

Anyway, off to college he went. Out of sight, but never out of mind, we didn't see him as often, so we didn't know if the 'tics' were there or not.

 

This past Thanksgiving he was home for a week. The 'tics', if that's what they are, were most certainly there!

He was chomping like crazy. He has asked for medical help with the tics now, recognizing that he can't control them. He said he can't "not do them". That he feels a build up of frustration that only eases after he tics. We'll be taking him to a neurologist in the next few weeks to see if we can get some answers.

 

In the meantime, I've started researching on the internet and came upon Sheila Roger's Tics and Tourette's book. I'm about 1/3 way through it. I'm beginning to think my son has a Chronic Tic that may be attributed to allergies. He used to get weekly allergy shots in high school for an allergy to dust and dust mites. He also spends alot of time in front of the computer playing video games. He'll be home in December for good. I've been busy de-dustifying his room and our house as best as I can. I 'm also planning on taking him back to the Allergist to be re-tested.

 

Suggestions and comments are needed and appreciated!

[Sydsmom]

It sounds like you are completely on the right track - especially in reading Sheila's book. One thing that popped out to me (who by the way is no expert just a mom like you trying to find my way through all of this) is that you mentioned he spends a lot of time in front of the computer. Ask him if he would be open to do an experiment and stay away from the computer/video games for a week and see if he notices a reduction in the tics. I know when my daughter spends a lot of time on computer or playing her gameboy, her tics increase. There are past posts on this forum explaining it and I'm sure one of the others can better explain why it happens. Also, have him do experiments with foods. Does he seem to tic more when eating a certain food. Things like this are easy ways to start to sort through it all. Chemar wrote up a post that is entitled Things that have helped my son. Maybe you can find that here. Again, you are off to a good start and as overwhelming as it all is, trust me, it does get better. Goodluck to you.

 

Lisa

[Chemar]

Hi Molly and welcome

 

I agree that you have started at such a good place by reading Sheila's book

 

For our family, nutrition has been key in keeping my son's TS tics manageable!

 

here is my thread on what has helped him (his story is also in Sheila's book)

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=687

 

I dont have much time to post now, but hope you will keep reading here and asking questions....we have a wonderfully supportive group of members who have a wealth of exeperience and knowledge to share

 

Cheri

[molly b]

My apologies to all. I'm trying to learn my way around the forum controls. I'm feeling my way around replying to you all. I don't know what I did to copy my original post and replies on the forum. I'm usually very good with directions, but I'm having a hard time with figuring this one out.

 

Any helpful hints as to making a simple relpy?

[Guest]

Hi Molly b,

 

I also feel that your on the right track.

 

I just wanted to mention that for me allergies are a big cause of tics for me. I'm 21 with tics, originally severe, but allergy shots help me tremendously. I currently take dust/molds, pollens, and food shots. When first starting the shots a couple years ago, I noticed right away that the dust/molds shots gave me great benefits.

 

I don't play video games that often, but I do tic more when I play them. I think for me it's the stress of trying to get through the course sucessfully within the amount of time allowed. Time limits stress me out a lot. I haven't been able to do the no screens experiement because my life is so centered around computers. I only watch about 1-2 hours of TV a week.

 

Carolyn

[molly b]

Hi Molly b,

 

I also feel that your on the right track.

 

I just wanted to mention that for me allergies are a big cause of tics for me. I'm 21 with tics, originally severe, but allergy shots help me tremendously. I currently take dust/molds, pollens, and food shots. When first starting the shots a couple years ago, I noticed right away that the dust/molds shots gave me great benefits.

 

I don't play video games that often, but I do tic more when I play them. I think for me it's the stress of trying to get through the course sucessfully within the amount of time allowed. Time limits stress me out a lot. I haven't been able to do the no screens experiement because my life is so centered around computers. I only watch about 1-2 hours of TV a week.

 

Carolyn

 

 

Thanks for your input Carolyn. My son is coming home tomorrow, a little earlier than we expected. I don't have nearly as much done around the house as I'd hoped, but I know from reading, it's going to be a long process.

 

Thanks for your insight into the video games. I'm going to share this info with my son as soon as he gets settled in. I really hope cutting down on computer use will ease his tics. We'll see. Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your input Carolyn. My son is coming home tomorrow, a little earlier than we expected. I don't have nearly as much done around the house as I'd hoped, but I know from reading, it's going to be a long process.

 

Thanks for your insight into the video games. I'm going to share this info with my son as soon as he gets settled in. I really hope cutting down on computer use will ease his tics. We'll see. Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

Molly b

[kim]

Molly b,

 

Look on the bottom right side of the page, where it says, ADD REPLY or NEW TOPIC. It's further down than the one that you're using at the bottom of the post. Use the Add reply option, and you'll be all set.

Lot's of people have this problem, including myself, when they first join.

 

I have two sons with tics. We have seen many benefits using the alternatives that are discussed here.

 

Allergies, are an issue here too. Another thing you might want to try, if you can convince your son to do it, is start removing artificial colors and preservatives, particularly MSG from his diet.

 

This is an article that you might want to read on MSG.

 

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:6OAfs1...=3&ie=UTF-8

 

I would also suggest that you read through this site http://www.bonniegr.com/Interview%20with%20Bonnie.htm

 

It gives a good explaination of some of the chemicals involved in TS/tic disorders. I use her products for my boys.