So Mamas, I need some support here.
I wrote about my son's tic that got worse in recent weeks, going from a motor tic to a verbal one. We have an appointment set up with the neurologist, but the earliest we can get in is later in September. As I've been talking to friends about this, I had at least two mention kids that went gluten-free that were helped immensely, so I started researching online. Looks like there are a lot of people that have been helped by the switch, and also a lot of people mentioning a correlation between tics and video game usage.
So here's my heartache. Gluten-free will be hard enough - my son's favorite foods EVER are Chips Ahoy cookies, homemade banana bread, and our go-to school lunch is quesadillas made with flour tortillas, among other things (don't get me wrong - we have fruit and veggies and lean meats too, but lots of bread things are what he loves).
As for the video games, my son has NEVER been a sports-kids, and video games was one of the things he really enjoyed. I mean really, really enjoyed.
We will try trial runs with each of the changes to see if it helps, but I am literally sick to my stomach to have to tell him about it this morning. We had planned breakfast at our favorite diner (kids were very excited about it) which is now off because my son's favorite - and only - thing he gets there is pancakes. My husband doesn't get where I am coming from. He said if it helps our son then what's the big deal? Just do it. But it is the disappointment and sadness my son will have hearing about what may be necessary to make him better is killing me. Because to him it WILL be a big deal, even if it seems like a no-brainer to everyone else.
So the video game thing we will muddle through, probably with the incentive of some new Lego sets. But I'm at a loss as to how to go about turning my family gluten-free. Any help with that or just words of encouragement would be appreciated.
Thanks to everyone for "talking me off the cliff." I got my husband to agree to go a bit slower - we will try to start incorporating more GF products into our diet (school starting back up will help us get off the processed-food lunches we got into the habit of eating this summer). I think what really helped rein him in was the people who pointed out we want the neurologist to see him as he is. The only reason we were looking to jump the gun was that we have about three weeks before we can get him seen, and we are SO worried about how hard this new vocal tic is going to be at school that we wanted to do whatever we could to help him out now.
And I did take him for pancakes this morning. And they were good :)
Interested to see if this works. My son with tics is not very athletic and plays video games too. He is not a big gluten eater but we don't limit it. I am leary of this whole gluten free craze anyway. I do know that I grew up with tics and I was not allowed to play video games. I did eat gluten though.
Whatever you decide to do, please only do one thing at a time! If you take away two things and he gets better, how do you know which one was the problem? Just a thought, you could reduce video games prior to MD visit to see if it makes a difference. My son has some mild tics that always get worse before start of school and get better once school starts. Even though I ask if he's worried about school and he says no, I think just the anticipation of school makes a difference. And seasonal allergies do make it worse. Good luck!
Here's my take. Yes, it's possible these changes may help. Possible. But would it really be that terrible to wait to make these changes AFTER your appointment with the neurologist? If it were me, I'd want him to see my child at his "worst" to get a clear diagnosis. If you change things, you won't really know if it's the changes or if it's just shear luck. Get a baseline from the specialist first. Get his input before you drastically change your lifestyle. Let the doctors guide you. Why have a miserable month, when you may learn that diet and video games are completely unrelated to his issues?
Secondly, IF it is suggested to go gluten free, it won't be the end of the world. It will be a change and a big one, but not insurmountable. Lately, there are so many gluten free choices available. I am a cake decorator and make gluten free cakes that taste great. There are so many flour and brand options, you are not closing the doors to his favorites...just changing them slightly. Many restaurants even have gluten free options available.
And yes, it's a little heartbreaking to seemingly take away what he loves. But if it betters his current situation, he'll be better for it in the long run. He'll adapt and so will you. You'll cook differently and he'll eat differently. His hobbies will change. Instead of video games or screen time, he plays legos. Takes a class. Picks up archery. Who knows? The possibilities are endless. Curbing the tics could change many things. Don't look at this as everything ending. It could be a whole new beginning.
There are groceries that have specialized gluten-free foods you can buy, including tasty selections. Start shopping for them.
Look at it like this. If he had diabetes, you'd do anything foodwise to keep him healthy. The same should apply to seeing if you can help him with the tics. Tics won't compromise his physical health, but it sure will compromise his emotional health. Kids are really cruel to a child with tics, and if gluten-free and no video games will eliminate them, then you really need to deal with it.
Start by looking for food online. Go from there. As far as video games are concerned, please remember that before kids played video games, they read books, played tag and marbles and had fun. We don't have to go back to the old days for every child, but IF this will help your son, you have an obligation to do it. HE cannot see the wisdom of it. You will have to do it for him. I hope that you will try and that it will work.
All of a sudden "gluten" is being blamed for every malady. Let your child have his pancakes, please. Before you take away everything your son enjoys, go to the neurology appointment. See what the professional says.
IMO, there will be another sort of craze,in the future and gluten free will just be a thing of the past. It seems the whole world now has gluten issues. A bit odd to me.
Are you sure it's not just school starting up soon nerves?
See what the doctor says but don't make drastic changes right now.
The screen time and bready stuff should have some reasonable limits anyway.
He doesn't have to be an athlete to take a walk everyday - you should go with him.
Don't start unsupervised trials of things suggested by friends and the internet. You're just going to cause more trouble for yourself and more trauma for your son. I know you just want to help your child but this is not how to do it. Wait until your son sees the pediatric neurologist and gives you proper medical advice.
First, if your son does has a gluten problem the testing needs to be done *before* elimination is tried. Second, the neurologist will want to see your son as he is today in his regular life. Changing his diet and taking away his games are not his 'regular'.
I dont see how gluten free will help at all. You didn't mention any GI distress. Seems unnecessary. Reduce junk and videos sure.
I think trying to reduce or eliminate gluten is a good idea, bUT you don't have to wake up and do it all tomorrow. If you promised him pancakes then yes it's sort of jerky to take that away now, but I sure wouldn't promise it anymore, Give yourself a week or so to research some recipies and make some subsitutions.
You need to find a substitute for the video game and that probably includeds ALL screen time in my mind, my kids like to listen to chapterbooks on CD. sign him up for a class at the y, you don't have to be athletic for that. or take him for a walk I bet he would love the time with you. teach him to cook.
honestly I think it is harder on the parents than the kids, kids adapt a lot faster and they have the option to whine about it, where the adult doesn't they just have to be firm and if you are used to granting his every wish it will be hard to tell him know even when you know it is best for him, that takes a lot of strength.
It could be a mild form of Tourette's. My friends nephew has been diagnosed with this. I'd wait until after the appointment. No need to make him miserable any sooner than you have to! My friends nephew is on medication, but he's also high functioning autistic, so while his tics have improved the other complications make it hard to tell exactly how well the meds work.
Check out Adams gluten free surprise. The author has a blog with many amazing recipes. A place to easily ask gluten free questions and she is also an early childhood eeducator.
Going gluten free can be misunderstood, especially without a direct doc order to do so. But Mommas have to follow their own gut instinct and doing everything in our power to raise happy, healthy, self sufficient kids to adulthood that will make a positive impact on the world.
So many take the path of least resistance and use video games because its easier than engaging the child you brought in this world in play, fun and family time.
By the way my non gluten free husband enjoys the french bread that is gluten free on the authors site....its yummy and usually gone
ETA The changes you're looking at aren't going to hurt him in the least. Gluten-free is a great move and couldn't possibly hurt. Also, less video games is always a good idea. I still say, go ahead and give it a try.
I know how distressing this can be. My nephew recently had some tics that needed to be addressed with medication. He's got some wonderful doctors and they are watching him closely. They have been trying the gluten free as well, and that along with the medication is helping a great deal.
I would definitely look around your area and check out some bakeries that promote gluten-free products. Many normal bakeries are offering some gluten-free choices as well, so your path may be eased that way.
Poor little guy. It's a difficult line to walk, telling him that the tics are a problem and still letting him know he's a normal kid. I know how much you want him to know he hasn't done anything wrong. If you present the gluten-free idea to him as if it were a journey the whole family is taking together, it would be a big help, I think.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
we recently found out my daughter is allergic to wheat back in March. She has had to switch to a gluten free diet. She does miss all of her favorite, but we do find good alternatives for them that she likes. One of her favorite dinners was a chicken noodle casserole. It has pasta and cream of mushroom soup in it. Both have gluten. SO, when I was shopping one day I just got gluten free noodles (they really aren't that bad) and I was able to find some gluten free cream of mushroom soup. I was able to make her favorite dinner and you would never be able to tell the difference! I have found that it's really easy to find good substitues and it's not bad food at all. She likes eggo waffles, so I got her gluten free toaster waffles. It took a while to find a brand that she likes, but once we found it, it's all good now. Going gluten free really isn't as hard as I thought it would be. There are a lot of recipes that I made already that were naturally gluten free. I know it might be hard to learn what is and what isn't gluten free and trying to figure out what has hidden gluten in it, but once you have it all figured out, it's pretty easy.
I would not worry about gluten-free, but I would get rid of ALL the video games.
We had to go gluten free for my daughter. It gets easier with time. Luckily the things you mention are really easy swithches. Corn tortillas are good for quesadias. Banana bread gluten free turns out good due to the bannN moisture. Just get a gluten free muffin mix from whole foods.
Now that you mention it, my son gets a tic from time to time, and it does seem to be worse when he plays a lot of video games! I feel for you. What if you just tried one thing? Like cutting back on the games rather than eliminating them? Maybe only for 1/2 an hour a day, he can choose games OR tv? Or, games only on weekends, for an hour. Something like that. I would do that and see if it helps, before going gluten free. But that's just me. Good luck.
