Was I born with TS?
 

Parents started noticing my Tics when I was about 5 years. It wasn't too bad when I was in my teens. It got worse with when I got on SSRI's. I also have OCD. I am not worried about my tics but I am for my OCD.

Is there surgery for TS and/or OCD?

Hi

if there is a history of tics, OCD or Tourette in your family then yes, you may have been born with TS genetic predisposition

there are other conditions that result in tics and OCD, not just TS

do you have a history of strep? ever had a tick bite? any known food or environmental allergies?

extreme cases of TS may be considered for deep brain surgery (DBS) but it is a rather drastic measure.

There are medications as well as natural supplements and even dietary modifications that can help reduce tics and OCD

I've had OCD since childhood also. This also includes Anxiety.

No one else has TS in my family. Not sure about OCD.

What is genetic predisposition?

No strep.

Tick bite?

No food allergies but environemental allergies

I just had a prick test on my arms and discovered that I was allergic to most trees, ragweed and grasses. Currently on Allergy meds and shots.

I have to research DBS.

Which dietary supps?

Tourette Syndrome is generally considered to be an inherited disorder so to have TS from birth, you would need to have inherited the genes from one or both parents

There are other illnesses that can mimic TS, including some infections eg strep, including Rheumatic fever and Sydenham's Chorea, as well as Lyme Disease from tick bites, amongst others. These often manifest with rapid onset tics and OCD

Some people have been misdx with TS when they in fact have food or environmental allergies triggering the symptoms.

Magnesium can be very helpful for tics.
Inositol (a B vitamin) is often used for OCD successfully

but it really is most important to try to determine what is causing the tics/OCD as then the correct treatment protocol can be followed

Parents have no TS. No one in the family or extended family has TS.
B12 would not be good for TS and OCD right?

Hi

yes B12 can be helpful IF you are deficient in it.
B6 seems important too as well as the B8 - Inositol.
B5 (pantothenic acid) seems to help teeth/jaw tics

most people with TS do benefit from all the B vitamins but many find it better to take them separately or as part of a general multivitamin, rather than as B-complex. Some people like to get their Bs from bees (ie honeybees) by taking Royal Jelly as a supplement. It is an excellent source of other nutrients too

there is a thread stickied here where I have outlined my son's initial treatment plan.
We started that in 2001 so he is has adjusted it a lot since. Mainly gets the nutrients from food and teas now rather than as capsules/tablets. I need to update it again.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1145.html

The magnesium form that seems to get most positive reports from TSers is the plain Natural Calm that is ionic magnesium citrate (we get ours at iherb.com as usually least expensive, altho the Vitamin Shoppe stores sometimes have it on sale as well)

another helpful way to get tic relief is via Epsom Salts, used as a full body bath (2 cups in warm water tub, soak 20min) or footbaths (1/2 to 1 cup epsom in warm water) depending on size of foot spa or basin

there is a very good book discussing natural ways to treat TS
http://www.latitudes.org/book.html


http://www.petergillham.com/wp/2009/11/natural-calm/

Sugar and Caffine is not good either.

Low carb diet would work.

be careful of a low carb diet!!!

that lowers serotonin which you do *not* want to do
healthy carbs help boost serotonin which in turn helps OCD

eliminating "refined" carbs is a better idea than going low carb

Oh ok. I eat Complex Carbs like Wheat Bread.

Have you heard of Animal Pak Vitamins?