Tourette Syndrome Metal allergy?

[Guest Hollie]

Hi,

Thank you for your time. I have an 8 year old son who has been diagnosed with TS. I didn't really believe it at first and just hoped it would go away. It started with eye blinking, clearing the throat, some humming sound, and head jerking. I had no idea what was happening to him and I thought he was doing this for attention. I got on to him each time he did these things. He would be confused and acted like he did not know what I was talking about.

When I realized something was really wrong was at my mom's house and I noticed everyone was watching him and it was very noticable. I called him aside and began showing him what he was doing and replaying his actions. My 18 year old brother at the time quickly came to his rescue and stopped me in my selfish act towards my precious son and said "STOP IT HOLLIE HE CAN NOT HELP IT." He took me into the computer room and showed me on the internet. Tourettes syndrome. I was shocked. It was real and he really couldn't help it. I had to ask forgiveness for unknowingly being so cruel. I took him to a specialist and he was diagnosed. I refused meds and still do. We gently talked him through it and it helped him tremendously. It all stopped for several months. I was so relieved and thought it might be over. Well a month or more ago new tics erupted along with more vocal tics. nose twitching and something with the eyes, shoulder shrugging and a strange walk. My main question is... Could this be related to a metal allergy? He is allergic to nickel. He breaks out around the navel where his buttons touch or a belt touches. I got rid of the jeans and still the rash comes and goes. He has rashes on his elbows and sometimes knees like psoriasis. He seems to have so many little problems. He has no problem with school. He excells. Very musically inclined. Good piano player. Anyone have any advice?

Hollie

[Chemar]

Hello Hollie and a big welcome to you.

 

I am so glad that your brother was able to guide you in understanding about TS and tics.

 

Yes, metals have been shown to have a very big effect on tics and can sometimes be the number one issue causing the tics.

 

Many kids with tics test high for metals in the blood, with mercury being a big offender because it is used in certain vaccines.

 

You can have blood tests run to check for heavy metal levels and there is also a hair analysis test.

 

your child may also have a Candida overgrowth (yeast infection) as this is frequently found along with metal toxicity.

 

If you bnegin reading thru the info here you will find a lot of stuff on metals yeast and other tic triggers along with the treatments that many of us have found helpful.

At the top of this forum there is also a list of doctors who are specialised in treating these things naturally. from personal experience with my son I can tell you that medications often just make things worse.

 

here is also a good article on tic triggers

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

 

I hope you will find the solutions to help your child and dont hesitate to ask any questions here. there are many wonderful folks willing to share their experiences to help one another.

 

[Guest mommy2111]

Hi,

Thank you for your time. I have an 8 year old son who has been diagnosed with TS. I didn't really believe it at first and just hoped it would go away. It started with eye blinking, clearing the throat, some humming sound, and head jerking. I had no idea what was happening to him and I thought he was doing this for attention. I got on to him each time he did these things. He would be confused and acted like he did not know what I was talking about.

When I realized something was really wrong was at my mom's house and I noticed everyone was watching him and it was very noticable. I called him aside and began showing him what he was doing and replaying his actions. My 18 year old brother at the time quickly came to his rescue and stopped me in my selfish act towards my precious son and said "STOP IT HOLLIE HE CAN NOT HELP IT." He took me into the computer room and showed me on the internet. Tourettes syndrome. I was shocked. It was real and he really couldn't help it. I had to ask forgiveness for unknowingly being so cruel. I took him to a specialist and he was diagnosed. I refused meds and still do. We gently talked him through it and it helped him tremendously. It all stopped for several months. I was so relieved and thought it might be over. Well a month or more ago new tics erupted along with more vocal tics. nose twitching and something with the eyes, shoulder shrugging and a strange walk. My main question is... Could this be related to a metal allergy? He is allergic to nickel. He breaks out around the navel where his buttons touch or a belt touches. I got rid of the jeans and still the rash comes and goes. He has rashes on his elbows and sometimes knees like psoriasis. He seems to have so many little problems. He has no problem with school. He excells. Very musically inclined. Good piano player. Anyone have any advice?

Hollie

Hollie,

 

Your story was one I could relate to. I have a 7 year old boy with tourettes. I remember showing him what he was doing one day before I knew his diagnosis. I felt so guilty once I knew. I really do believe that there are triggers (stress, anxiety, regular mental maturing), but for the most part tics follow a waxing and wanning cycle. I can not tell you how many times my sons tics have stopped and I will attribute it to something more than just a wanning cycle. I know most people on the boards would disagree so I am actually a bit nervous to post this, but it is my opinion.

 

I wish you lots of luck. My son has started many new vocal tics the past few weeks after month's of nothing at all. it really helps me to look on these boards and read things that click with me. My son is a wonderful sweet gentle kid his tics sound identical to those that your son has. I will look forward to your posts as time goes on to see how things go.

 

Hang in there!

[Claire]

mommy2111

 

Never hesitate to post your opinion, whether or now it agrees with a few or many of us. Some experts think there may be an underlying viral element that adds to waxing and waning --at least for a subgroup of those with tics. Others think there is an unexplained waxing and waning. As I am sure you know, I think for many it is often triggers not identified.

 

In any case, we are all figuring this out, and I have never seen anyone in this group criticize anyone for disagreeing with them.

 

Claire

[Claire]

Hi Holly,

 

My son had excema for well over a year Then we discovered he had a wheat allergy. Chemar has hit on two important things to look into. If you have elevated metals, or yeast, they can contribute to other allergies.

 

I read that 80% of childhood excema (rashes) were cause by food allergies. The most common ones are wheat, milk, peanuts, soy and I forget the last one.

 

You can run blood tests for IgG sensitivities, or you can do an elimination diet. We did this and found many food allergies. In his case, wheat, corn, milk, peanuts and eggs were big ones. Wetook away wheat, and most of it cleared up. Then we took away corn and he was down to half a patch that stayed for months. Then we added zinc (to a whole host of other vitamins including fish oil and probiotics), and the last of his excema is now gone. Excema is just one indicator of metabolic issues or reactions. In my opinion, and the opinion of many here, so are tics. Sure the tendency may be there genetically, but environmental 'assaults' contribute. For my son, the elimination of computers and TV (never gameboy) completely eliminated his tics. For others, it is artificial colors. As Chemar says, watch for triggers when they are worse.

 

As for your mistakes, we have ALL made them. Almost everyone here feels guilty for something that we did out of ignorance with our child. You are not alone. More importantly, on this board we believe we CAN make a difference. There is a lot you can do, please read the threads for ideas--or go to the doctor list that Chemar suggested. THe literature on TS makes it seem inevitable and without help, but we have found differently.

 

Every single one of the regulars who has been posting for 9 months or so and tried different things (methodically) has seen substantial improvement. Others are just beginning their journeys. It will take a lot of time and effort though--that's why most of us have a specialist guiding us. Not a mainstream neurologist, but MDs and naturopaths who look to heal metabolic issues. Clearly your son has some with the excema--in fact, that has been a huge indicator to me of my son's healing.

 

Here is the doctor's link. Be sure to ask questions before making an appointment.

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?...p?showtopic=565

 

 

Claire