sgu94928 Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 My 9 year old twins have been chewing their clothes since 6 months ago. they both were diagnosied as Tics last year. they had several Tics from time to time. However, they are talented and are gifted chiildren in school. They like sports and reading. At the very beginning, I thought Chewing is Tics but later I read the book written by Sheila J. Rogers and didn't find any related symptoms. So I need to know is this a bad habit or is one of the Tics. After reading the book, I noticed that they are very sensitive to the food such as colored additives etc. We don't have the family history for the Tics. It was very frustrated to see their clothes and I can't continue to buy the new ones for them since after two days the clothes are not look nice. They are biting the collars. Any help or suggestions? Great thanks, Frustrated mom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolynN Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Hello, I know exactly what you are referring to. My son, who has tics, would chew his clothes horrible. He would also chew pillow or other cloth items. Dr. Fiengold stated that chewing on cloth is directly related to reaction to food dyes. I have to tell you that is exactly the pattern I have found to be true. The more Daniel would be exposed to food dyes the more tics but also chewing on cloth he would do. Since we have figured this out and added a bunch of different supplements for him, for example Bonnie Grimaldi's TS-Plus, additional magnesium, NAC, Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitamin C, his tics are almost completely gone and he no longer chews on cloth. One of my neighbors sons chewed his clothing to and I told her about the link to food dyes. As soon as she cut back on the food dyes the chewing stopped. It is all how it effects the nervous system. The supplements help the nervous system and help the body process the chemicals of the dyes out of the body. Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolynN Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Sorry I accidently posted twice the same message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgu94928 Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 Dear Carolyn, Thanks a lot for your kind help. It will be greatly appreciated if you can give me some lists for the food supplement. I talked to my son's doctor regarding the Tics but she said there is no way to resolve the issue the the problem will disappear when the boys are getting older. I might need to find the nutrition specialist or the environment specialist locally. We are in Silicon Valley California. Thanks again, Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbe Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Carolyn, I was wondering how Dan was doing. Do you use enzymes with him??? abbe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom md Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 My son started chewing collars about 6 months ago. His brother has PANDAS so my first thought was "oh no, i can't handle another!!!!" That appears to be his only issue though. The doctor said it was a habit and not to worry. It will pass. He tends to do it when he is working on something or focusing on the computer. He did LOVE his pacifier until 3 when we took it so it may be a oral thing. I went and bought some sugar free gum to see if I can re-direct the chewing from his shirt. I agree he has ruined many. I will try to take out food dyes but he really doesn't eat many if any at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolynN Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 Hello, Here is a list of the supplements Daniel is currently taking... * Bonnie Grimaldi's TS-Plus (12 a day. I break them up in two doses morning and night) * additional Magnesium Taurate 125 mg a day (when tics are really going). * Glycine 4600 mg a day (Amino acid to help neurotransmitters process better) * additional 500 mg of vitamin C a day *Omega 3 (Nordic Naturals Junior) * Phosphatidylserine (this one my Naturopathic doctor really thinks is beneficial to the brain. He said he has seen tremendous results for all kinds of things with brain function. But it is not an overnight result it takes, I believe up to two months to build in the system. Also it is rather $$$$$. I read it also helps counteract the side effects of MSG to a point). * pro-biotic called MindLinx (it also helps with processing gluten and getting the gut healthy). *GABA for anxiety (we have recently not had to use) *B6 50 mg more, (this is on top of what is in the TS-Plus) only when tics or anxiety gets going As a side note a friend of mine told me about a website called Vitacost. In shopping for vitamins for the past 3 years of my life I have to say they have really good pricing. I had mainly been going through the Vitamin Shoppe but the prices on Vitacost seemed to be at least equal but mostly lower then the Vitamin Shoppe. Plus they have a standard shipping fee of $4.99 no matter what you order. You would not be able to by the TS-Plus though anywhere other then Bonnie Grimaldi's website. Here is some information regarding some foods to avoid http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...d&pid=17225 Here is a list of foods I have found that Daniel can eat and not get tics from (he is not sensitive to some other common allergens like wheat or dairy). He is only sensitive to chemical's in foods http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2976 I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any other information. Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolynN Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 Abbe, Thanks for asking about my son. He is doing very well for the most part. The problem I struggle with is I start allowing things back in his diet that I know he should not have and it builds back up in his system. If I completly would keep his diet free of food dyes, high fructose corn syrup, and MSG (I never allow him to have this because it really, really effects him), Daniel would be tic free all the time. But because I allow him things here and there, for example a Sprite at a movie theater, then he still gets tics. But he is WAY, WAY better then he ever was at 5 and he is almost 9 now. I would say easily 95% better. I stopped using the enzymes because he was doing so well and it was one more thing to have him take. He is taking so much already and it is quite the expense. If things start turning south on us, for some reason, then enzymes would certainly be one of the first things I would do to correct the situation. Have a great evening, Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbe Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 [quote name= Carolyn, Could you tell me what enzymes you were using and from where? I ordered one from Houston but didn't try it yet. I know how you feel about the food and treats. I let Nick have things from time to time. He was just telling me last night how his counselor at camp doesn't let him have the cake and candy there ( I told her not to) He gets really angry but I try and tell him that I can get cake and cookies from whole foods when he gets home to make up for it. I just started to put his supps in applesauce because my x was at his house instead of the soy yogurt and Nick was doing so well there. Right now he is 100% tic free like you would never know he has them. Soon enough though something triggers it. Everyother weekend he gets to do minimal video games and sometimes that starts it. I don't want to take everything away I have to keep balanced. Thanks and I appreciate your response abbe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolynN Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 [quote name= Carolyn, Could you tell me what enzymes you were using and from where? I ordered one from Houston but didn't try it yet. I know how you feel about the food and treats. I let Nick have things from time to time. He was just telling me last night how his counselor at camp doesn't let him have the cake and candy there ( I told her not to) He gets really angry but I try and tell him that I can get cake and cookies from whole foods when he gets home to make up for it. I just started to put his supps in applesauce because my x was at his house instead of the soy yogurt and Nick was doing so well there. Right now he is 100% tic free like you would never know he has them. Soon enough though something triggers it. Everyother weekend he gets to do minimal video games and sometimes that starts it. I don't want to take everything away I have to keep balanced. Thanks and I appreciate your response abbe Hi Abbe, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! First can I recommend a wonderful book called "Enzymes for Autism and Other Neurological Disorders" by Karen DeFlice. It is a great resource for Enzymes and what they can do for your body. She has an amazing story to share and very valuable information. There are different enzymes for different needs. There are enzymes for proteins, enzymes for phenols, enzymes for carbs. The question is what enzyme is the body lacking and going from there. For my son he was not digesting protein's well nor food dyes. So I had him on Dr. Houston's AFP for the protein part and the No-Phenol for the food dyes. But I ended up stopping them simply because Daniel has been doing so well with all the other supplements. But I am a BIG believer in using enzymes for the right reasons for, what can be, very good results. Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbe Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Carolyn, Thanks for your response my I brought a bottle of enzymes to my last Dr. apt and he said Nick "blocked" to them which means whatever was in that one is no good for him. At this time I am not sure if I am going to order them and test each one for him or not. My doctor says he believes in taking enzymes if there is a reason or a need not just taking them to take them. I have it under my sleeve for my next step if needed. thanks abbe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lss Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Carolyn, How would I find out what enzymes my son would need and how do I find a "good" naturopath? Also, my son has mostly vocal tics, no motor tics, would the enzymes help for the vocals? Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolynN Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Carolyn, How would I find out what enzymes my son would need and how do I find a "good" naturopath? Also, my son has mostly vocal tics, no motor tics, would the enzymes help for the vocals? Linda Hi Linda, Regarding finding a good naturopath one thing you could do is ask on this forum if anyone knows of anyone in your area. I have seen people start a new thread with "Does anyone know a good Naturopath in x,y,z city" for example. I know one of the members on this forum noticed I was from Arizona and I was able to share with her my Naturopath's name. The only way I know would be from word of mouth. I don't know of any other way. A naturopath can certainly run the tests for what kind of foods are not being processed correctly by the body. Anytime food is not being digested right it then serves up other problems like allergies. Allergies then contribute to high levels of histamine. High levels of histamine in turn effect the neurotransmitters including dopamine. Dopamine is what is thought to drive tics in most cases. Enzymes, themselves are not going to stop vocals, they are designed to help with digestion. What I have found is the body really does work as a whole and you need to address the entire body. That is what frustrates me so much with standard medicine regarding tics. A standard doctor would say that tics is a "brain" issue when for many people, including my son, it completely is driven by his body not being able to process out food chemicals. The food chemicals do not get processed out correctly and it literally is this spill over effect of the neurotransmitters being elevated because of his bodies inability. He has been on many different supplements and it has all worked together as a package. The enzymes are just one part of the picture in getting the intestional system in better working order to help the body do what it is suppose to do with processing out those things the body should not be elevated in. I know some people have found success with certain supplements for vocal tics. But for me B6, Glycine and Magnesium Taurate have been really, really helpful along with the other supplements I already posted on this thread. But again it is because it all feeds into the picture of helping my son's body do what it cannot do on it's own. I hope this makes sense. Let me know if you need me to clarify more. Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faith Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Linda, Wondering if you have ever used GABA for your son? I find that a 500 mg. capsule each morning on an empty stomach (then breakfast about 20 minutes to 1/2 hr. later) helps to take the edge off the vocal. It does not eliminate it, but I do feel like it is less frequent during the day. If you'd like to try it, I'd be interested to know how it works out, you'd have to pay attention to the frequency of the vocals before you start, and then gauge if it seems better after a few days on this. The brand I use is Solgar, and have also used Phytopharmica brand as well. I'd be interested to know if anyone else seems to get the same effect. Faith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lss Posted July 31, 2009 Report Share Posted July 31, 2009 Carolyn and Faith, Thank you for the info. I'll try both of your suggestions. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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