Getting worse

[hudsonsmom]

Well, hum, I don't have much time anymore to post on here, but I do spend some time reading. I have TS, self diagnosed, only becuase I feel like I can't talk to my doctor about it, he laughed at me when I round about brought it up, and don't seem to be near any alternative dr.s to go to. My problem is, I've went into business for myself, after being a stay at home mom for 3 years. Now, (I'm assuming) with the added stress my tics are getting worse. I am on suppliments, (I can list if anyone would like to know) which did seem to help quite a bit before. I have been on the same doses for approx. 1.5 years now, maybe I should increase somehting? My business has grown ridiculously fast, much more than I expected (I'm a photographer) and am about to enter into my first huge wedding season! I'm sure the stress is the cause of the increase of tics, haven't changed my diet or eaten anything that I've previously cut out, red 40, yellow 5, refined sugars. Any ideas on how to help me control the increase. Are there any suppliments that are good for reduction if I increase the dose just for the day or weeks of my busiest time. Most of my tics I'm pretty good at hiding while talking to clients, but I did notice a bride watching me the other day, maybe I'm being paranoid, but once I thought she was watching me of course I got nervous and (I feel like) the tics got worse. I also did try nicotine gum for awhile as a treatment (have never been a smoker) and it did really calm me down and the tics go away. I'm thinking of maybe using it only a few minutes before a big meeting, just to help me calm down a little. But, can't decide if the health negatives are really that bad with occasional use. I'm not an addictive person at all, so I'm not worried about that aspect. Before i used it before an exam or anything stressful to help calm. I'm just not sure where to go from here, but also don't want to get the rep of the photog... who tics. I love what I do and am nervous that these stupid tics might hold me back.

 

Well, I just had a light bulb go off~ maybe this makes sense maybe it doesn't. I know tics can increase from allergies or intolerables to things, for me REd 40,. yellow 5 etc. Some how I guess I assumed tics were linked to food allergies, not outdoor and pollen. I do have horriable outdoor allergies to pollens, grass dust you name it. I normally take Claritin every day as a preventive, but decide about a week ago that I didn't want to take it any longer and my allergies didn't seem to be bad this year. There's bulb number 1~~ Maybe since I cut out the allergy meds my tics are reacting to the outdoor allergy problems. Can any verify if pollen allergy reaction's might increase tics? Also, bulb #2, at a local farmers market last week I picked up some "dried bee pollen". My son and I usually eat unprocessed honey comb, for the allergy benefits. (ask if you'd like to know more, I'd rather not go into details now) The bee keeper said this year has been really bad for the honey combs, and suggested bee pollen instead. She said it was the same idea just in a different (higher concentrate) form. So, I got some and have started eating it. After doing research, and seeing only positive healthful reports. It actually has tons of amino acids and lots of minerals I already take (mag, calc., b stuff) in small doses. It's straight pollen, dropped from the bees legs. Maybe the increase in the pollen in my body is causing the tic reaction. Compounded with the fact that I stopped taking Claritin (did this about a week before the pollen). Any thoughts on this stuff? Any ideas or suggestions on the relationship or do you think it's more stress related, and I should increase some type of suppliment.

[faith]

hi hudsonsmom,

well I think you have done a very good job of troubleshooting yourself, your observations could certainly be right. Try to get back on that previous regimen concerning the allergies, i.e. the claritan and the honey, and see how that goes. Perhaps the bee pollen contains some b's and aminos that are not agreeing with you.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing what supps you are on. may I ask your symptoms (tics). Also, I forget, does your son have tics as well, or just you?

 

good luck with your photog business.

 

Faith

[hudsonsmom]

Thanks for the ideas Faith, I'm definately going to stop the pollen and see what happens. I just really want to take it, much easier than honey and seems to have tons of health benefits, plus maybe I'm crazy, but I really do think it helps keep my energy up during the day. I try to stay away from too much caffeine becuase of the increase in tics, but I'm just so exhausted with a 3 yo and working, that I do drink some iced tea and coffee on rough days. The pollen seemed to help keep me energized without the caffein(maybe a placebo effect, I read it was supposed to help with energy ) Currently I take calcium/mag, taurine, letchin (only 1/2 the recommended amount, maybe I should up that) B Complex (subling.) b12 subling., daily multi, omega 369, flax, borage, primrose mix, Royal Jelly, L-acetyle , p.s. I'm a horriable speller. My tics are slight when around people, I've grown to hide them very well, when typing on the puter, I have to rest my wrists down, then pull them up a few times before a I can type again, there is slight shoulder shrugging movement, I also tend to push and pull air through my teeth with my tough, which makes a slight whistling and slober noise (drives my husband crazy!), thumb movements and head movement, I don't bob my head, it's almost like a small stretch, but I do it a few times before I feel comfortable again, and twirl my hair alot of the time. As of now I don't know about my son. I've got him off all artificial colors and additives~ he's "prediagnosed" with ADHD, no concrete diagnosis, dr. said he's too young. But during a visit the dr. was observing him, and brought it up to me, not knowing my dh has a family history of adhd. He mentioned that he is showing early signs and to watch for it. His tantrums and behaviour has improved 1000% since he's been off colors, Red 40 makes a huge difference in him. I can tell when someone has accidently given it to him, he's outta control. I also give him a suppliment called "Focus Factor" it's a natural powder you mix with water and has mostly B vitamens and some amino acids. I figure it'll help with both adhd and if he does develop tics. He is also allergic to Milk and any milk product. It causes severe asthma symptoms and attacks. With even the slightest milk anything he'll wheeze for days and sound awful. He's on an asthma preventative inhaler (flovent) He does do some eye blinking, but then I realize I need to trim his bangs, and the blinks (seem) to go away. So, I'm definately watching him closely. It seems that most children are a little older when they start ticcing, so I'm not counting my blessings yet that he seems clear of it.

[hudsonsmom]

I forgot to add, so am I right in the assumption that tics can increase with exposure to air borne allergens as well? I don't know why I assumed it had to be an ingetsted allergen.

[Chemar]

yes sounds like you are right on the mark with potential triggers...stress tho congrats on the biz plus allergies. airborne allergies are a major trigger for many

 

fyi my son can eat honey and take royal jelly but cant tolerate those pollen supps etc.

 

here again is the triggers Article on Latitudes so you can see if maybe any others there

http://www.latitudes.org/articles/finding_triggers.htm

 

are you taking epsom salts baths to help soothe tics etc at night. good way to get that extra magnesium in.

 

re the nicotine patch, I know TSA has research on why nicotine calms tics. if no risk of addiction and only very occasional it may be a benefit

[hudsonsmom]

That's interesting Chemar that your son has the same type of reaction to the pollen. I'm starting to think that is a main problem. I'm definately cutting it out today to see if it helps. I just took an epsom salt bath about 3 hours ago, it does help. But, it's so hard for me to make time for them. I've never been consistant taking them, Just the mag. suppliments. Maybe I'll also try to take one 3 or 4 days a week for a month and see if the extra mag. helps cut the issue too. I went through the list of triggers again, and some I have no contact with and other's on a daily basis. It'll be hard to figure out which is which. Am I correct that you are supposed to cut out all the things listed (within reason) and then add them back in 1 at a time to see if it triggers a reaction? Moving from item to item? Also, I remember some mentioning accupuncture as a treatment, what about accupressure? Also, something along the same lines, Anyone familiar with CranioSacral Therapy? I was reading the paper today and there is a new CranioSacral Therapist office open, the ad. states it can help with central nervous system disorder (amoung other things) After doing some research some people think cst is hoaky, other swear by it. She's in an office with chiropractors~ which I know are supposed to help tics also.

 

Also, should I maybe increase the mag. or b on stressful days instead of nicotine? I wonder if increase helps quickly or I should increase them a day or two before.

[patty]

hudsonsmom,

 

My son's tics are environmentally related. He used to have bad nasal congestion and asthma. After doing NAET for allergy desensitization his asthma is gone and the nasal congestion is so much better he does not use flonanse. And now he is treating with Bioset (which is a spinoff of NAET).

 

CST has been very beneficial for my son's neck tic. Just make sure you get a qualified practitioner. The first 2 CST did not help improve his tics at all.

 

Good luck and welcome!

 

Pat

[faith]

Hudsonsmom,

could we get an update on you re allergies and tics? I am curious if you went back on the claritin? how has the rest of the summer been going?

 

thanks

faith