Advice needed on helping with motor tic

[lizbeth]

Hi

 

My son is now 15; he was diagnosed with Tourette's about 2 years ago. He started out with loud vocal 'grunt' tics, which he has always managed to control fairly well in sensitive situations like school or with friends. However, recently over the last few months he has started more motor tics, and specifically in the last couple of weeks he has started a strong head-jerking (side to side) movement, which can be almost constant. He finds this almost impossible to control, unlike the vocal tics. Also, this is giving him headaches - not surprisingly. The vocal tics are not too bad at the moment.

 

2 years ago I browsed this forum and for about 2 months we did try a mixture of Bonnie Grimaldi's vitamins and something similar sourced from our own local vitamin shops; however we never found it made an obvious difference. Because he was able to keep things under control acceptably himself, we stopped that regime.

 

I would be very interested to hear latest recommendations on things that might help and that other mid- teens have found useful. We are in the UK, so anything UK specific would be very useful, although I'm happy to source things fron the US if necessary. His diet and general circumstances haven't changed recently, and in fact he eats a pretty good 'healthy' diet in general. He weighs about 140lb.

 

This is so difficult for him - his friends are now all noticing his tic and commenting on it, and I would so like to be able to help him at least reduce the symptoms.

 

liz

[Guest]

Hi Liz & Welcome ,

 

For the head jerking tic I would suggest trying one of the following: massage therapy, acupuncture with Chinese cupping, or chiropractic work. I've had experience with both massage therapy and acupuncture that includes Chinese cupping. I currently do only the acupuncture with Chinese cupping because for me it works just as well as the massage therapy. As long as I get regular Chinese cupping or massage therapy, I don't get any head jerking tics. I haven't had one for quite a long time now. That used to be a very troublesome tic for me until I figured out the trick of receiving massage/Chinese cupping.

 

Others here have had experience with chiropractic work.

 

As for the headaches caused by the head jerking, tylenol was never a success for me. It also decreases glutathione levels which affects your ability to get rid of toxins so I wouldn't suggest using it for the headaches.

 

Some of the things I would suggest are epsom salt baths and heat packs on the forehead. Also activities that your son really enjoys and naturally doesn't tic while doing them are always good ways to get relief from tics. Mine was always gymnastics, and when I did gymnastics I naturally didn't tic.

 

Also maybe Bonnie's vitamins are worth another try. Or maybe your son would benefit more from individual vitamins.

 

Carolyn

[lizbeth]

Hi Carolyn

 

Thank you for responding.

 

How regularly do you do the massage therapy or acupuncture? And can you explain a little more to me about the massage therapy - is this the same sort of thing as you would get if you went to a normal beauty parlour for a massage? Is it a head massage only?

 

(I can't see my son being very keen on going to a beauty parlour - but a sports massage would probably be acceptable!).

 

Do you or anyone else find any vitamin supplements especially useful?

 

Liz

 

Hi Liz & Welcome ,

 

For the head jerking tic I would suggest trying one of the following: massage therapy, acupuncture with Chinese cupping, or chiropractic work. I've had experience with both massage therapy and acupuncture that includes Chinese cupping. I currently do only the acupuncture with Chinese cupping because for me it works just as well as the massage therapy. As long as I get regular Chinese cupping or massage therapy, I don't get any head jerking tics. I haven't had one for quite a long time now. That used to be a very troublesome tic for me until I figured out the trick of receiving massage/Chinese cupping.

 

 

 

Others here have had experience with chiropractic work.

 

As for the headaches caused by the head jerking, tylenol was never a success for me. It also decreases glutathione levels which affects your ability to get rid of toxins so I wouldn't suggest using it for the headaches.

 

Some of the things I would suggest are epsom salt baths and heat packs on the forehead. Also activities that your son really enjoys and naturally doesn't tic while doing them are always good ways to get relief from tics. Mine was always gymnastics, and when I did gymnastics I naturally didn't tic.

 

Also maybe Bonnie's vitamins are worth another try. Or maybe your son would benefit more from individual vitamins.

 

Carolyn

[Chemar]

Hi Lizbeth and welcome

 

Just like carolyn, my son benefits very much from the acupuncture therapy. Our therapist does Chinese cupping, massage and reflexology during the session, and, when required, also biofeedback resonance.

 

my son goes once a month now, but whenever he has been in an intensely waxing phase, we have done once a week or twice a month.

 

the massage he gets is a bit more specialised that what i would imagine is given in beauty parlors, as it is specifically designed to compliment the rest of the therapy and to focus on the meridiens that are in need of treatment

 

I have bumped up a thread that I have on which treatments were most beneficial to my son. It gives a comprehensive look at the need to detox and restore balance to the system as well.

 

Supplements (not just vitamins) have been very beneficial for my son and I credit them, along with his acupuncture etc regimin with helping his TS/OCD go from very very severe to very mild.

We got a very dramatic result from the supplements....it may take a little longer for some people.

 

Also do remember that different people have different supplement needs and so, if possible, actual testing to determine just what your child's baseline levels are, would be very beneficial

 

 

here again is the thread on my son's treatments

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

 

 

Cheri

[Guest]

Hi Liz,

 

I do the acupuncture with Chinese cupping once a month.

 

I don't go to the beauty parlour for a massage. I prefer to get theraputic massages (also called deep tissue massages). I think it just depends on what your son prefers. I personally prefer the deeper pressure massages. Light touch really annoys me. You can choose whether you want the massage to be a full body massage or only the back, shoulders, neck, etc.

 

Supplements have been extremely helpful for me. There isn't a one program fits all though. However, supplements, acupuncture, and Chinese cupping haven't been the only things that have brought my tics from severe to mild. Allergy treatment, diet, and detox have also played a major role in this.

 

Carolyn