can food intolerances cause nervous tics?

[meg-momto2]

i'm starting to suspect DS has food intolerance issues as well. his issues seem to be more behavioral then physical. we've been nearly dairy free for about a month and today DS went to a friends house and had grilled cheese sandwich, hot chocolate and cheetos. within a few hours he started clearing his throat. it's a tic that he's had on and off in the past. only recently have i noticed a link between his diet and behavior. i'm wondering if they could be related. anyone else have a similar issue?

[mtn.mama]

Hi Meg! Tics are a common neurological food reaction. Spend some wandering around at www.healthy-family.org. Maybe it can help point you in a specific direction. Here's a link to Caryn's specific forum on tics, gluten and alternative treatments... http://healthy-family.org/forum/index.php?board=1.0

[meg-momto2]

Hi Lisa, thanks for the links. we're literally on the verge of going gluten free. i can't wait to see how much DS behavior changes when we get there. it's like a blessing in disguise with DD issues. it's really opened my eyes to how much our whole family could benefit from diet changes.

[mtn.mama]

I feel the same way Meg. Our journey through food intolerances has not been comfortable but has certainly been beneficial for all of us. I am grateful.

[txtarheel]

Although tics can be a sign of intolerances, throat clearing may simply be an issue of reflux or vomiting small amount that don't make it "out". My LO makes the most bizarre noises when he is exposed to triggers. I think with him it's small amount of vomit in his throat that he's trying to deal with.

[dannic]

I would say yes--dd has both behavioral and physical reactions--including stuttering that quit once we went cf/gf. I have to clear my throat a lot when I eat dairy as my body creates huge amounts of mucus because of it. (That's my main reaction) HTH!

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by txtarheel

Although tics can be a sign of intolerances, throat clearing may simply be an issue of reflux or vomiting small amount that don't make it "out". My LO makes the most bizarre noises when he is exposed to triggers. I think with him it's small amount of vomit in his throat that he's trying to deal with.

I agree. It could also be the beginning of an anaphylactic reaction where his throat gets a little tighter and mucus increases. I'd be careful of that. Has he been allergy tested?

[txtarheel]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

I agree. It could also be the beginning of an anaphylactic reaction where his throat gets a little tighter and mucus increases. I'd be careful of that. Has he been allergy tested?

I wasn't sure if you were asking me or the OP...

But, C has been tested, but the first time by SPT he was on Reglan which suppresses the immune response. He had several borderlines, but no true positives. He's since had a reaction to penicillin and one to what I believe was rice. He's had RAST and Immunocap and both came up negative (but they do for my older son who is ana to milk). He's got another appointment this week that I'm hoping will lead to SPT again not that he's not on any meds.

[meg-momto2]

it's not so much clearing of his throat but more like a sounds he makes in his throat. he does get stuffy and cough more when he's had dairy which was the main reason i took him off it. he's next in line for testing. i'm at the point where i'm only buying GF food and just need to phase out the last of the pantry foods. he's got the allergy shiners just like me so i know there's more issues at hand.

[meg-momto2]

i had to bump this because DS is still making the sounds in his throat and i think it's getting worse. it almost sounds like he's holding his breath and letting it out in small, noisy movements. i'm worried about him. is there anything i can do to help him? i think i might try to get him into the ped. to check him out.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by meg-momto2

i had to bump this because DS is still making the sounds in his throat and i think it's getting worse. it almost sounds like he's holding his breath and letting it out in small, noisy movements. i'm worried about him. is there anything i can do to help him? i think i might try to get him into the ped. to check him out.

Has he not had any dairy or gluten since you first posted on the 3/1? If so, I doubt it's an allergic reaction. But if he's consumed those foods more recently, the allergy could be escalating, causing reactions to even small amounts of those foods. You could give him some benadryl and see if that relieves it. However, if it gets worse in the next little while, I would call the ped and even consider going to the ER.

[meg-momto2]

he has had more gluten and i think he had a little dairy(in a sauce) last night. i do have benadryl and i'm going to give him some now. i tried rescue remedy last night and saw no change.