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Okay, so this syndrome is nuts. I mean nuts. We went through one of the worst tic periods ever about a month ago - right after I did the plug for the vitamins in my previous post. I was starting to become unglued, for while I know there is no magic cure, it was hard to watch him roll his eyes and do this insane head bob I can only describe as "The Woodpecker." 

To make matters worse, we really saw a drop in his focus. 

As many of you know. TS isn't just about tics. It's often combined with either OCD or ADHD. We were seeing the ADHD (inattentive) big time.

What to do? Drugs? NOOOOOO! (Though I would if I had to, but my mama brain wasn't there yet.)

I, once again, braced for the long haul. 

First thing I did was not take him off the vitamins, because in my heart, I knew they weren't the cause. He had no vocals, and I'm convinced those Progressives are the key to helping out there due to the high magnesium content balanced with the calcium.

It did, however, give my husband the push to get back on the gluten free train. This time, instead of arguing with me about it, Rex decided to try it for himself. 

IT ROCKED HIS WORLD. "I have never felt so good and so focused in my entire life" he would say over and over. "I can feel my brain unsqueeze... I am never going back!"

Part of what helped get my husband to even try going gluten free was a book that was recommended by one of Stink's doc's by Dr. Jay Gordon called, "The ADD/ADHD Cure: The Natural Way to Treat Hyperactivity and Refocus Your Child." Its common sense appealed to Rex's logic. (Not that me shrieking like a harpie and obsessing emotionally over Stink's tics and fog brain weren't completely appealing to my dear hubby.)

I read this book little by little over the course of a month to Rex (and I gave him some extra incentive that money can't buy... wink wink...) 

Many of you might say that your child doesn't have ADHD and honestly, until Stink was in second grade, it wasn't that obvious to me either. But even if Stink didn't have ADHD (and he has no diagnosis yet) the book promotes the same kind of eating that any Natural Cure TS book promotes. There are 4 simple steps:

1. No sugar
2. No preservatives, dyes or chemicals
3. No gluten
4. No dairy

We just started the dairy elimination this month.

Good bye Mister Woodpecker! Goodbye eye roll!

Now, to be fair, part of Stink's increase in tics was that, 2 weeks later, he had a bad cold. Clearly his immune system had been down for a few weeks bringing out the tics. I need to remember that! Sickness brings on tics!

But honestly, everything in this book points to what our wonderful naturopath has been saying for years: No gluten, no dairy, no junk.

I highly recommend everyone give this a go. I'll do another post on how to detox simply and make it a lifestyle change all can live with. As Dr. Jay Gordon says, this is not about diet restrictions - it's about an adventure in health.

Four years into this game, I'm not expecting a cure-all. Stink's tics will come back. I know that. He minorly tics now. But it's so livable. 

Stay tuned for some interviews with some inspiring parents I've met who swear that medication did not work for their kids. Finding the triggers and maintaining a healthy diet with supplements did it. 

I'm here for you all! Please post your experiences so you can build a community through these threads!

Today's take-aways


* Diet can make a difference
* Ilness can bring out tics. Just relax. They will pass.
* Tics come and go, so be patient
* There are tons of success stories out there
 and as always...

A confident kid who tics outweighs a boring kid who doesn't, so hug that ticker today!
 


Comments

Melanie Hays
03/14/2011 17:36

I have a son (age 15) with TS. We are considering the Gluten Free diet. Is it still going well for Stink and the family? Just curious to see if you still feel like it is making a difference. Thanks so much for your blog. I crack up every time I read it!
Blessings,
Melanie

Reply
andrea frazer link
03/14/2011 21:28

Hi Melanie - Thanks for reading! Yes, the diet is still going very very well. We cheated this weekend at a friend's house Friday (some candy) and an amusement park today (more food dye candy) and his eyes are bit more side to side, along with some coughing that is normally not there. Overall, I'd say the GFCF diet really calms him down, and the calming down keeps the tics at bay.

I'd like to do acupuncture next or maybe biofeedback. My goal is not to cure this TS stuff, but simply to have him be as comfy as possible without making this the anti-christ. It's not like I hate tics so much anymore. I have totally accepted them (most days) but he deserves to have a more balanced body if he needs it.

Take it easy and stay in touch!

Andrea

Reply
julia
05/06/2012 14:46

Hi there! I stumbled upon this online while researching about tics. My son is 5 and has been having episodes of tics for almost 2 years. One thing I've noticed is sickness and stress seems to bring the tics back. He just recovered from a cold, but then the tics started again.
I am just wondering how your son is doing with the gluten free and dairy free diet? Do you remember how long it took before you see a difference?
Thank you!!!

Reply
andrea paventi link
05/07/2012 13:59

Hi Julia - I write over at www.happilytickedoff.com now, so come over and say hello!

Meanwhile, I'm right with you on the tics. Stress and sickness bring them out in Stink also.

Re: diet, my son does really well on the diet, but he still tics. At your son's age, they were almost non noticeable except with stress and illness. Now I would give him a moderate case of TS. He's almost 10 and I hear it's normal. The good news, though, is he's off any anti-tic meds and still happy, regardless of some tics. We are trying some focus meds for the first time and I don't think they are working sadly, but that's another story.

Talk soon - hope you are okay! All is going to be fine. Promise.

Andrea

Reply



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