to:ANDY

[Heather]

Jennifer,

 

First of all, I am glad to hear your son's neck tic has improved. The most heartbreaking tics are the ones in which they are physically hurting themselves. I couldn't bear it when my son was experiencing those.

 

I share your feelings of gratitude regarding Claire's information re the screens as my son definitely showed improvement when we removed the screens as well. He watches very limited amounts these days and we sometimes rent a movie but watch it on the LDC 15" computer screen from across the room (again, thanks to Claire). One thing that you mentioned that appears to be the same for my son is that at the beginning of watching TV his tics worsen and then throughout the movie they will come and go but the worst reaction is within the first 5-10 minutes. This happened at the theatre as well. When watching Scooby Doo 2, his reaction was so bad at the first I was trying to get him to leave the movie but then it subsided and sort of came and went througout the movie. After the movie, it decreased right back to where it was previous to watching. It is sooooo hard to figured out all these triggers.

 

Anyway, regarding the allergies, the following are common food allergies: wheat, corn, peanuts, chocolate, milk products, food colourings and additives...probably a few others I have missed. My son has eliminated milk and food colourings and additives and we have had great success. We are currently using the Feingold Diet, however, haven't been 100% strict with it. It is hard to find some of the brands where I live. We are still testing the corn reaction. He definitely reacts to corn syrup but I am unsure if he reacts to all corn or just the high fructose corn syrup.

 

With regard to the mercury and photosensitivity, an environmental doctor should check the mercury/heavy metals for you. It can be done through a hair analysis or blood test and there are differing opinions as to which is most effective. Personally, we used the hair analysis and my son showed high aluminum, and moderately high lead and mercury. The photosensitivity isn't something you can physically test, other than with trial and error (that is my understanding anyway). But as Claire says, the theory is that the photosensitivity is probably caused by a high mercury level or other heavy metal in the system that is causing an imbalance in the body.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

 

Heather

[Claire]

Hi Jennifer, (and Heather!)

 

Thanks so much for responding--I was out of town for the holidays and not posting myself.

 

I can't remember exactly how long it took my son for his tics to clear on 'no screens. I say one week because I consider it long enough to truly notice a difference--and it is so difficult to get kids to do a test longer than this. I would imagine for some it could take longer than a week to see the full benefit. Of course, the downside is unnecessarily restricting TV, but if your son is game to try it I would try no screens for another week--since his ticcing baseline is lower, I doubt you need to start all over. If they don't improve in that time at all, then you probably have your baseline. If they do continue to improve, then in an ideal world I would extend the trial for 3-4 days at a time until no more improvement is seen over the 3-4 day period. Then you have your son's true baseline and at that point I would reintroduce the LCD monitor. Keep in mind that the effect is cumulative, so if something is still a trigger, it can build over time, so you must keep a close eye on it. (by the way, with my son, tics from big screen movies lingered for up to a week also, but everyone is different....)

 

Are you leaving the room well lit while he watches TV? Did you turn the 'brightness' down (not the contrast). Our brightness is set to 8 (out of 100) and we can see it just fine. As Heather mentioned, he shouldn't sit too close to the TV--as far away as is comfortable. Does your son complain or does he appreciate the reprieve from ticcing so much?

 

As do most of the regulars here, I believe that the true cause of the tics and sensitivity to triggers (such as screens) are underlying immune issues. Ultimately, this is where a potential 'cure' will lie (what that means for each child, I don't know). Here are the tests that our doctor ran...many here have done the same tests, but using different labs (and for example, mercury and metals could be a hair or blood test, depending on the doctor preference).

 

I consider the metals, food sensitivity (including gluten and casein), vitamin deficiency and yeast tests to be the most important. As with screens, eliminating foods your child is sensitive too (be it corn or artificial colors/flavors) can show positive results within a week. My son had no tics, but was still a little fidgety and the removal of the foods took that away completely.

 

Mercury can impair gut function and the rest goes from there...inflammation in the gut leads to yeast and/or food sensitivities which worsen the inflammation and minimize nutrient absorption, creating lots of issues. You don't have to have a mercury/metal issue, yeast and gut inflammation alone can start the cycle.

 

 

-Elisa/ACT blood tests for delayed food allergies (IgG). does one for all sorts of chemicals,preservatives, and molds, in addition to food. They will also test for gluten/casein sensitivities.

-Spectracell blood test for vitamin deficiencies [i think no doctor signature needed. They give recommended supplementation.]

-Great Smokies blood test elemental analysis (mercury, cadmium, etcc..)

-Great Plains urine test (for yeast/casein/gluten issues...)

 

 

-Great Smokies CDSA stool test (yeast parasites intensional inflammation, intenstinal probiotic levels, etc..)

-Great Smokies blood test for Fatty acids (Omegas, etc...)...you can try fishoil/flax oil and borage or primrose oil anyway, without testing for low EFA's.

 

Finally, here is a quick and dirty 'free' yeast overgrowth test for home...not 100% perfect, but if it shows positive, you may have some information. My son and I both flunked recently and we are both positive for elevated yeast issues.

 

http://www.rainbowminerals.net/candidda_test.htm

 

Claire

 

ps, I start a major new project on Monday and may be posting/responding less quickly, but I will still check in...

[Guest Guest_Jennifer]

Claire,

I read your post about your work and you may not get to post as much. I teach 1st grade and have been busy getting ready! I did want to tell you that my son has been viewing only 30 min. to 1 hour or "no" tv each day - on a 15"lcd screen. The improvement in tics is still great. He is still doing "mild" tics-like opening and closing his hands or clicking teeth together, but the frequency and intensity is not as severe. Most people wouldn't even notice.

We do see an envir. allergist tomorrow in Gadsden, Al. We have not seen any specialists other than a neurologist. I hope to find some more answers! Thanks again. Jennifer

[Andy]

Guest_Jennifer, I am happy to hear that your son has decreased his tics to a point that most people would not notice. From here, I am sure you will find the healing measures that led to this issue in the first place. My son's tics are under control again. We credit the supplements of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. We not finished with the issue and if it takes months or years to repair his body at least with everyones input of information and direction here at this site, I know we are heading towards success. Best wishes to you and your family and good luck with the envir. allergist.

[Guest Guest_Marretts]

Just wanted to say there are a few options for Mercury removal from the body and the brain, as mentioned on this site before Chlorella, cilantro (coriander) which I believe there is a product which combines these called NDF, which is unavailable in Australia, my bio-chemist has told me about bio-picton which I think he said is a Farmers brand but not sure this is for the brain removal of mercury, Chlorella is for the body and I believe NDF would do both, all natural products. I have yet to add to my sons vitamins but will be doing so, also it can take 3 months for each new supplement to show effect. My son has been doing great, however just last few days his eyes are rolling again and shrugging mainly at night.