Improvements shown:-) still more need to be done.

[hkginger]

It has been three weeks since we came back from Hong Kong. My 5 year old son's tics increased a lot during travel- grimaces of all kinds, neck turnings, shoulder shrugging, eyes blinking and itchiness and arms moving.. In HK, my parent's house has mold on wallpaper, dust mites, TV/ipad and eating MSG food every day...

Since we came back, we made many changes and I am glad to say his tics decrease by 50%. Here are the changes we made: 1) 100% dairy free 2) Gluten free except in my organic soy sauce 3) MSG and other artificial additives cut 90% 3) Use dust mite proof casings on pillows and mattress in his bedroom 4) carpet at bedroom was washed at the time we were in HK and I now vacuum three times a week and dust on alternate days and wash all sheets twice a week and install a non-ionized air purifier at bedroom. 5) No use of centralized heat nor A/C (since ducts are not cleaned till October), open window every days. 6) Take papayaenzyme before meals 7) has enough sleep 11 hours a day 8) Cut electronic devices to half an hour every 3 days. As the result, his tics, (esp neck tic, burping and finger drawing in the air tic) when performing tasks like speaking and playing reduces by 60-70%. He still tics a lot when reading quietly and watching ipad and TV and iphone.

We went to see GI, PED and traditional allergist lately. PED ran some blood work since I begged her to and results showed he has high Vitamin B a bit, low on Gamma Vitamin E but good range at other vitamin E. NO deficiency in Magnesium, and shows a bit low globulin, but other proteins are good (PED and allergist didn't think this low globulin is any issue, allergist said it may not be measured correctly in the test). Stool test is not back yet and skin test showed NO allergy at all... My gut is dust mite and dairy really trigger him more tics. I read about the blood test to test for sensitivities and delayed allergy but the allergist said they are NOT valid tests at all... What do you recommend me to do next??? I really think more tests need to be done.

Also, should all bedding be 100% cotton? The dust mite proof duvet cover is not 100% cotton? Sorry, maybe it is not important, I don't know.

Barbara

[Jetocurly4]

Thank you for the good ideas

[Wombat140]

I would have thought (just off the top of my head) that having 100% cotton stuff wasn't that important - certainly I don't remember anyone mentioning it on here. Certainly if dust mites are a problem for your son, then preventing those is more important.

 

Something that might be more relevant about bedding is to make sure to wash new bedding or clothes before he starts using them, as they're usually reeking of dye, fabric dressings etc., and to use unscented washing powder. Artificial fragrances really are something that's often reported as aggravating tics.