Questions and tests we should ask about

[Pamela Kay]

Hi I am new here and just want to give a bit of a background. My son Keegan is seven. When he was five he started to develop tics and according to his doctors this was "normal". Well I was not about to accept that. He would do this head jerking thing. At the same time his teacher was questioning whether or not she thought we should hold him back in Ktgn. With much research on both I found that food allergies and intolerances could cause both learning problems and tics. With elimination I found out that he is allergic to corn. Once that was eliminated his tics stopped. His school work become much better as well. I had him tested for allergies and found that he was officially allergic to corn along with Cats, some dogs, grass, and dust mites. I really don't give him any allergy meds since they all contain corn products but I do give him extra vit. C, fish oil, animal parade vitamins, and I just started him on magnesium thanks to this board.

 

So here we are now and his tics started again. Now I must admit that I let him have pie and a hot dog at a picnic and I am sure there was corn products in it some how. Then a few days later he went to a bday party and had ice cream with corn syrup in it. His tics came back with the head jerking and now they morphed into more of a neck stretching thing. I think it is still a tic but not sure. It has been three weeks now since he has had any corn products. Today he said his neck hurts and I asked him if that is why he stretches his neck and if he knows he does it. He said yes he did and that if feels good. I have been taking him to the chiropractor as well since his tics started again.

 

Now I remember last year around this time we were picking blueberries and he had them then too. I am wondering if maybe it is just caused by something being grown now. Maybe even corn crops?

 

I originally made an appt with his regular ped. but decided to try an Intergrative Doctor instead. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on questions I should ask or tests I should request. I am kind of nervous going to a new doctor and having them think I am crazy! He still wets the bed too which I know is another sign of allergies. He did do something weird a couple weeks ago while sleeping. I heard him kind of gasp for air then he coughed this deep cough. I was wondering if maybe he has sleep apnea. He does not snore though but he does ALWAYS sleep with his mouth open. As a matter of fact he always breathes with his mouth open.

 

One last thing is he can get very emotional and impulsive. For instance today he just scratched up his brothers face because he was being annoyed.

 

Does anyone have any thoughts? Unfortunatly I have found the best information from boards like this and the internet rather than doctors. Thank goodness for this board!

[faith]

Hello Pamela and welcome,

When you say he was "officially" allergic to the corn, did you mean he had an environmental allergy test done, or a food sensitivity? I am not clear on how long ago you started eliminated the corn and started supplementation? Was it when he was five, or recently? Because I am wondering how long the head tic he had has been gone as you said it went away once you eliminated the corn? Were you doing that for a long time? Perhaps there are some foods that have that as an ingredient that you are not aware of, such as some cereal, breads, even lunch meats can have them. Could you brainstorm on what it might be? We (and several others here) are eliminating corn for our kids too, and we all agree, it is NOT easy. I find it interesting that you say the head tic went away after you eliminated corn? I am of the impression that is the way it was for my son too. Although we have cheated here and there and I am trying to see the consequences, if any.

 

Also, how long have you been give fish oil? (I suppose you've read here that this is a problem for some?) Are you eliminating other things like colors and perservatives?

 

As far as the integrative doctor goes, I think the best is to just go over your concerns and give a good picture of what you have been doing so far, and I think they will take it from there. You could ask about alternative allergy treatments -- I do not know how much allergies play a role in my sons tics, but I do have a suspicion about it that I am working on, and I want to try something alternative too. If you want to ask if they do heavy metal testing, that is also something that could play a role. Does your son have any other issues aside from the tics and behavior you described?

 

thanks

Faith

[Pamela Kay]

Thanks for your input.

 

Keegan had the Scratch testing done for his allergies. We went to a regular allergist.

 

We have pretty much eliminated all corn and corn products since he was five. I don't go as far as cleaners but he does have corn free shampoo and toothpaste. All his foods are corn free except maybe citric acid, as that can sometimes be derived from corn. Nothing has changed in his diet except for the two times for probably at least six months. We have been giving him the fish oil and vitamins for well over a year. We started the vit c about 4-6 months ago. We pretty much just give him organic if it is premade such as in cereals or mac and cheese or whatever. So no we do not give him anything with food colors or artificial flavors. If I bake I use corn free everything including baking powder. So yes I know it is VERY difficult to eliminate corn. So very frustrating too.

 

I don't think he has any other issues besides the bed wetting and emotions. I know in my heart it is all connected. I just have to find the key to it all.

 

Thanks again!

[Toms_Mom]

Hi Pam,

I have an about to be 7 year old son as well who started having tics around 5. This summer he started the head jerking thing and numerous other tics- before it was a very mild tic or two that we didn't even recognize as tics or worry about. I had him tested at an allergist and the only allergy that came up on the scratch test was peaches- he also said that he has nonallergic rhinitis. I have kept a food diary all summer and have really found that dairy is a big problem with him. When we elliminated all dairy products all of his tics have disappeared. I also give him the Kids Calm. When we went back to the allergist he was very skeptical and upset that I was eliminating dairy from his diet, but did the RAST blood test for whey, caisin and soy- we are awaiting the results. My son also wets the bed. Do you know how this is a sign of allergies?

 

We just had a much awaited appointment with a pediatric neurologist( 3 months) and were very disappointed. He wanted to know why I was eliminating artificial colors etc. (feingold) and basically told us tics are something you just live with and medicate if it becomes a big problem. He didn't seem interested in the food allergies at all. I really hate going to doctors now and feeling like the "crazy mom". Our insurance does not cover the environmental doctor in our area, so we are trying to make due with the traditional doctors. Is an intergrative doctor different than an environmental doctor? From what I understand, these doctors should be much more open to your observations and ideas than a regular MD.

 

Thanks, Mary

[Pamela Kay]

Hi Pam,

I have an about to be 7 year old son as well who started having tics around 5. This summer he started the head jerking thing and numerous other tics- before it was a very mild tic or two that we didn't even recognize as tics or worry about. I had him tested at an allergist and the only allergy that came up on the scratch test was peaches- he also said that he has nonallergic rhinitis. I have kept a food diary all summer and have really found that dairy is a big problem with him. When we elliminated all dairy products all of his tics have disappeared. I also give him the Kids Calm. When we went back to the allergist he was very skeptical and upset that I was eliminating dairy from his diet, but did the RAST blood test for whey, caisin and soy- we are awaiting the results. My son also wets the bed. Do you know how this is a sign of allergies?

 

We just had a much awaited appointment with a pediatric neurologist( 3 months) and were very disappointed. He wanted to know why I was eliminating artificial colors etc. (feingold) and basically told us tics are something you just live with and medicate if it becomes a big problem. He didn't seem interested in the food allergies at all. I really hate going to doctors now and feeling like the "crazy mom". Our insurance does not cover the environmental doctor in our area, so we are trying to make due with the traditional doctors. Is an intergrative doctor different than an environmental doctor? From what I understand, these doctors should be much more open to your observations and ideas than a regular MD.

 

Thanks, Mary

 

 

Mary,

 

That is exactly why I am a bit nervous to go to this new doctor but then again I know what I know. I know that his allergies cause tics and behavior issues. I guess if regular doctors just see tics as "something to live with" then they don't know enough! Keegans tics were bad to the point where it was very noticable to others and disturbing to him. His tics are something I am not willing to accept without a fight. It is sad that there are so many people on this board that have seen the connection yet most doctors don't. And it is sad that we have to self diagnose our children when traditional doctors fail.

 

This is the description of an Integrative doctor I found on another site:

It combines conventional Western medicine with alternative or complementary treatments, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, yoga, and stress reduction techniques -- all in the effort to treat the whole person.

 

I found this doctor from our priority health website. Then I just looked at their special interests and integrative health was listed. I am a worried though because I know nothing of this doctor. This is just a stab in the dark really, but insurance does cover it. I have thought about taking him to a regular nutritionist too. I have heard of them finding hidden allergies as well.

 

When I said bed wetting is a sign of allergies. I guess I should have said it can be a sign.

 

If I were you I would continue to eliminate the milk and keep with the feingold diet. You have seen it work and you certainly know your son better than doctors.

 

Good luck!

[Chemar]

sorry to be rushing through here and will try to reply in more detail later, but honestly I would suggest trying to find a different kind of doctor (eg DAN, Integrative etc) as you are likely going to get the same closed minded and IMHO ignorant response from so many conventional doctors

 

It boggles my mind that they are so slow to listen and so quick to dismiss anything they dont understand

 

Diet, nutrition and GIT health is KEY to so many human ailments, yet so few doctors recognize this essential fact and instead function as little more than prescription writers for the Big Pharma companies

 

 

Just keep reading here and elsewhere where you find good info.

 

I hope to have more time later to respond more to your specific concerns

 

welcome to all our new members

[Toms_Mom]

sorry to be rushing through here and will try to reply in more detail later, but honestly I would suggest trying to find a different kind of doctor (eg DAN, Integrative etc) as you are likely going to get the same closed minded and IMHO ignorant response from so many conventional doctors

 

It boggles my mind that they are so slow to listen and so quick to dismiss anything they dont understand

 

Diet, nutrition and GIT health is KEY to so many human ailments, yet so few doctors recognize this essential fact and instead function as little more than prescription writers for the Big Pharma companies

 

 

Just keep reading here and elsewhere where you find good info.

 

I hope to have more time later to respond more to your specific concerns

 

welcome to all our new members

[Toms_Mom]

Chemar,

Are you saying that the nutritionist might be a waste of time as well? Like Pamela, I was thinking a nutritionist might be of some help, unlike the doctors I have seen so far. I also now plan on checking to see if our insurance will cover any DAN or intergrative doctors within driving distance. We live in South Carolina if anyone has any recommendations. Things seem to be going well with my son right now, but if and when we need to see a doctor again I want to try a nonconventional doctor. Thanks so much for your input and advice!

[Chemar]

Hi Tom's Mom

 

sorry..no...I sure dont think seeing a nutritionist is a waste of time....quite the opposite!

 

I was referring to the comments related to the frustration that was being expressed after appts with some conventional docs, and suggesting that docs with a more open minded protocol may be the solution

[Toms_Mom]

Pamela,

 

Thanks for the info on the intergrative doctor. I am glad I misunderstood about the nutritionist, because that is something I would like to look into fpr my son. Good luck with your doctors app. and I hope you get the help for your son that you are looking for. I agree with you 100%- it is very sad that so many of us have to self-diagnose our children. I don't understand why so many doctors are so closeminded to natural and alternative treatments.

 

By the way, I talked to a friend today who said that when her son was younger he was a bedwetter, and she heard somewhere that too much milk could cause this problem and when she cut back on the milk, he stopped wetting the bed. I have also noticed that my son has not wet the bed since we cut out the dairy. So for what its worth...I don't know if milk is the issue for everyone or if you have to deal with your own childs specific allergies- anyway, like you, I think it's all related!

[Pamela Kay]

I did experiment with milk before and really saw no improvement with bedwetting. A couple weeks ago he went a whole week without wetting. He was getting the same amount as always so really I don't think it is the milk. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

His doctors appt is today. Thanks for the good thoughts.

 

Pam

[Tattoomom]

I did experiment with milk before and really saw no improvement with bedwetting. A couple weeks ago he went a whole week without wetting. He was getting the same amount as always so really I don't think it is the milk. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

His doctors appt is today. Thanks for the good thoughts.

 

Pam

 

My son (6 year old with tics, less than a year) used to wet the bed all.the.time. until we put him on a gf/cf diet. Now, he never wets the bed!

 

Good luck at your appointment today!

[Pamela Kay]

Well I just got back from Keegans appt. We only saw the nurse and this is what she said and I quote "we all want our kids to be perfect" this is something he will probably outgrow. I am so upset and can not stop crying. I have worked so hard to get this far. Both his tics and his bed wetting have been bothering him. I try not to obsess and only talk about it now if he brings it up. The last couple days he told me his neck hurts so then I take the opportunity to talk about it. I am not looking for my son to be "perfect" because he already is. I just don't want him to be made fun of or have a sore neck. I am just so sad.

[Toms_Mom]

Pam,

So sorry to hear things didn't go well. Why didn't you get to see the doctor? I cannot believe the nurse said that to you! Since when did seeking good medical care for your child mean you are looking for perfection? Would she do any less for her own child? Did she say ANYTHING about helping to relieve his sore neck? Hopefully there are some people on this board who have experience with your situation, and will be able to offer some advice. Personally, I still have not found a doctor yet, and it just seems to be something that is going to take some time. So don't give up- I feel sure you will find the right doctor eventually. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Mary

[patty]

Pamela Kay,

 

Welcome! When it comes to treating my son's tic, i stopped seeing the conventional drs. There is a lack of information & interest in this area. The only options are the "wait & see" approach or "medication". However, when i started to seek out alternative drs., you feel like someone actually can help and with much compassion. So don't get despair. Finding the right dr. or drs. is the first step toward healing for you as well as your son.

 

Anyways, i wanted to inquire about your son's neck pain. Is the pain due to the result of the tic or the pain triggers the tic? I am asking because when my son initially started the acute neck tic, it resulted neck pain due to the frequent jerkiness. That was resolved with chiropractic adjustment and acunpuncture. My son' s tics has been mostly mild, infrequent for the most part. Then out of the blue, he had a neck pain that triggered frequent neck tic and also caused him to want to snap his neck for relieve (like self-adjustment).

 

My son's chirop started my son on a neck excercise program, doing only CST and no neck adjustment, and i have been giving my son Kid's Calm magnesium, along with magnesium cream & epsom bath. These changes relieve the neck pain, headache that sometimes come along and reduce tics.

 

I hope this is helpful to you.

 

Pat