The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Michelle (Pensacola, FL) on 01/08/2023 4 posts
★★★★★
I have had motor tics since I was seven years old. I've been on every possible medication, including antipsychotics, which have cause tardive dyskinesia in my face, heart medicines etc. etc., with no success. All of the supplements, magnesium, B vitamins, probiotics, niacin, etc. etc., make a huge difference but you have to be patient, as it could take up to two months to actually take affect, which is so worth it. Now, I was fully aware that dietary changes would probably help, but I didn't think I could cut out bread and dairy and sugar lol, but for the past two weeks, I have, and let me tell you, it was the best thing I could've ever done for my motor tics.
Once you get into the mode of it, as with exercising, you don't want to eat any other way. My IBS is so much better, almost nonexistent, I am way more energetic and I feel so much lighter and healthier overall, and in just a matter of two weeks. I have cut out all wheat products, beef, preservatives, additives, dyes, artificial flavors, sugar, In which I supplemented for birch wood sugar, which is a plant sugar obviously, dairy, citrus, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. etc. etc., and the big one, caffeine of any kind, COFFEE!!! UGGH LOL. I am 48 years old and have been drinking coffee since the end of high school but I found that if I put in 100% pure cacao And wheat grass juice powder in my smoothie every morning, not just energizes me, but boosts my mood tremendously. I can actually control my motor tics more than I ever have also, besides them subsiding.
Magnesium, B Vitamins
Posted by Michelle (CA) on 11/17/2022 4 posts
★★★★★
I had had motor tics since I was seven years old and didn't start treating them with supplements until like seven years ago. Sometimes I would go off of the supplements because I couldn't afford them, but each time I started taking them, it would take up to maybe two months to start really working.
Magnesium, B Vitamins
Posted by DianeC (Riverside Ca.) on 04/25/2022
Thank you Mama to Many! I will relay this message to my family!
Diane
Magnesium, B Vitamins
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 04/25/2022
Dear DianeC,
One of my sons had what seemed like a habit of clearing his throat when he was reading. He was about 11. I took him off dairy for a while and it resolved and never returned, even when he went back on dairy 6-12 months later.
Another son developed tics as a result of stress. (My mother in law with dementia lived with us for 9 months during COVID. This particular son was pretty sensitive about her moods and unpredictability.) We didn't realize until she moved back out and his tics stopped that they were stress induced.
An environmental allergy could cause something like this. Nettle would be easy to try. (It works very well for allergies for us.) For a 6 year old I would give 1/4 teaspoon of nettle tincture in an ounce of water twice a day, or 1 nettle capsule twice a day, if he can swallow them.)
~Mama to Many~
Magnesium, B Vitamins
Posted by DianeC (Riverside Ca.) on 04/25/2022
My 6 year old grandson suddenly has a "cough"! Not all the time but he didn't have this cough before? Now it almost seems like a habit to suddenly "cough". He has been seen by his doctor and he can't find anything wrong with him? Anyone experienced this before? The cough is driving his mother crazy.
Magnesium, B Vitamins
Posted by Tessa (Okanagan) on 02/17/2021
Hi Jo (Franklin) –
You might be aware of this website regarding children with tics (the comments at the end of the article are worth reading, too):
https://www.drbeurkens.com/dietary-interventions-for-tics-and-tourette-syndrome/
Dr. Beurkens goes into more detail about vitamins in this link below. She states that you should consult with your healthcare provider (hope you have a good one) depending on the age and size of the child but says to always start “low and slow”:
https://www.drbeurkens.com/got-tics-tourettes-5-ways-suppress-twitches-naturally/
It's interesting that you mention the number of children with tics have increased since the pandemic.
I'm wondering if it is the school environment – the super industrial-strength sanitizers that are sprayed regularly throughout the school contain toxins (such as quaternary ammonium compounds). Those children are exposed to any residue on doors, desks, walls, floors, etc. all day long.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00437
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are active ingredients in over 200 disinfectants currently recommended by the U.S. EPA for use to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus.
Do the children have to wear masks at school? That might be another contributing factor.
As this situation drags on, schools really need to invest in proper ventilation for the health of children and staff. Likewise with places of employment.
They also need to re-evaluate what chemicals they are allowing to be used.
I hope you find the solution for your child.
Take care,
Tessa
Magnesium, B Vitamins
Posted by Mama (TN) on 02/15/2021
Dear Jo,
I am trying to learn about this, too. I will share some observations.
I have a son who seems to be dealing with tics. He currently is doing an eye darting thing. A year ago it was opening his mouth really wide like he was trying to adjust his jaw. (He still does it some as well as some other facial things.)
I did take him to our family doctor but that wasn't particularly helpful. He said we could go to a neurologist and if they found anything on an EEG they would recommend medication. But he mentioned that there could be significant side effects. With nothing obvious to the doctor I will just keep trying to figure out what helps my son the best.
We have tried the gum chewing. It seems to help. I am using a gum with xylitol.
He doesn't have caffeine at home but sometimes does when he isn't home and he noticed that made his tics worse.
I have learned that throat clearing can be a tic. Many years ago my oldest son was doing this all of the time. I took him off dairy and it stopped. He was able to resume dairy with no issue after a while. So, was it an allergy that caused the throat clearing? Seems likely. I just don't know if the allergy was causing a tic or mucous in the throat which caused throat clearing. The allergy thing is worth exploring further. I wouldn't be surprised if things like sugar and food dye and corn syrup would be triggers.
My son is taking b complex, magnesium and passionflower tincture (1 dropperful morning and evening.) Not sure how much it is helping.
Being out in the cold seems to help him some.
Let me know if you find anything helpful and I will do the same!
~Mama to Many~
Magnesium, B Vitamins
Posted by Jo (Franklin) on 02/15/2021
★★☆☆☆
Hello, I haven't seen a post about tics since 2010 on this site so wanted to ask if any parents have recently found natural remedies that work for them.
We have a 7 year old girl who started having them about 8 months ago. We have been giving her a small dosage of magnesium, B12, B6 and folic acid daily for 2.5 weeks but haven't noticed much difference. Thinking our dosage may be off somewhat. It seems there is an increase in tics overall in school-aged kids due to the pandemic so we want to get ahead of it. Thanks!
Magnesium
Posted by Ananth (Texas) on 10/12/2020
Your last post was 2.5 years ago. Would you please share any updates of how things are now and are you continuing the Mg supplements? Thanks
Magnesium
Posted by Melissa (Sc) on 09/18/2018
Hi T,
How is this regime working for your son?
Magnesium
Posted by Susan (Nj) on 05/11/2018
I just came across this and realize it is years later, but this sounds like he may have a case of PANDAS. Please look into this immediately if you haven't already. My son had this as a result of a Strep infection. There is help for this. Please look into it.
Magnesium
Posted by T (Chicago, Il) on 04/05/2018
★★★★☆
Hi all,
I am so thankful to everyone for sharing their stories, and possible remedies for tics. I just thought I'd write a note as to what has helped my 7 year old, who started with neck rolls a few months back, and then severe eye-blinking tics. I took him to the doctor, because I thought he may have had something wrong with his neck. The x-ray showed all was well. Then, immediately the next day, his eye-blinking started. That's when I realized they were both tics. I read about the different natural treatments, and went to Whole Foods to buy anything that might help him, as it broke my heart to watch his distress. I tried two types of magnesium, Natural Calm Kids, and the regular Natural Calm (Natural Vitatily is the brand, I think).
I gave him half the recommended dosage in the morning and half at night. I don't give any calcium supplementation. I gave him a chewable suntheanine tablet with each dose. (I think it's just a brand of l-theanine?) The Natural Calm Kids decreased his tics, but the regular Natural Calm product has worked amazingly well. I only see two or three eye squeezes a day now. The regular Natural Calm has magnesium citrate vs. the kid version, which has magnesium glycinate.
I have read that glycinate is actually more easily absorbed, but it doesn't work as well for my particular child. I should say, we also rub magnesium oil on his feet at night. I don't know the brand, but it was the only one they carried. It was $10 for a relatively large spray bottle. But we used the oil with both magnesium trials, so I'm not sure that it makes a huge difference. I wanted to let everyone know what has worked for us so far, just in case it could help someone else as well. Good luck to everyone.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Robndina (Toronto, Canada) on 02/01/2018
Hello. I'm curious, how did you get rid of the candida? I know it's been a while, but I'd really like to hear how things went with your child. It's been well over 5 years... Thank you.Dina
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Dave (Ohio) on 12/12/2017
Hi, this sounds just like my daughter and the tics came back this winter. Did your grandson grow out of the tics?
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Melanie (Madison, Wi) on 08/18/2017
Did it continue to help the tics? Did this regimen keep them at bay?
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Suze (Australia ) on 04/02/2017
Hi. In regard to last post. Did tics come back after this treatment?
Magnesium
Posted by Jason (Milwaukee, Wisconsin ) on 03/05/2017
What brand magnesium have people seen results with?
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Gingersnap (Washington) on 02/23/2017
Your daughter may possibly have something called Tourette's. There is a supplement called NAC that helps with compulsive behaviors. I hope this is helpful to you.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Linda (Canada) on 02/22/2017
We just took my 2 year old swimming for the first time in 12 months, and 4 days later a severe eye tic began. We've had her eye examined, it's healthy. Doctor says its a minor tic that we need to keep an eye on. She also has another tic (shoulder shrugging) that she exhibits infrequently, usually while seated at meals, but this I completely new and came so soon after swimming at a pool.
Magnesium
Posted by Kandis (Missouri) on 02/04/2017
Please share what correct type of magnesium to try and dosage. Everyone keeps talking about what they tried but not what the brand or type of magnesium is???
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Nina (Mn Usa) on 02/01/2017
Please, get the "Natural Treatments for Ticks and Tourette's" book by Sheila Rogers. I am reading it right now and starting to see a link between my son's constant allergies/bronchial asthma and the eye twitching/blinking he has developed 4 months ago....i am trying to find the environmental physician/allergist and a homeopathy doctor who could test him for food sensitivities and maybe get rid of gluten and other things in his diet. There are accounts of other families in this book who have found the solution to their child's tics/TS. I am hopeful.
Magnesium
Posted by Jelome (Mabalacat Pampanga, Philippines) on 09/27/2016
Hello Miriam ..i hope to get in touch with. My 9yrs old has a vocal tics..im also in a process of looking medication for him..how is your daugher?
Magnesium
Posted by Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 09/18/2016
Tics and tourettes have sometimes been caused by medicine given by the doctor for ADD or ADHD.
Magnesium
Posted by Marian (Angeles City, Philippines) on 09/18/2016
Pls share the magnesium supplement to me. My daughter 3 yrs and 9 month just started tics ( eye blinking and facial twitching ) just a week ago. We thought on the first time we've observed her she has a eye blinking, we thought it's due to watching you tube on IPAD more than 6 a hours a day but then the next day it became severe eye blinking and facial twitching even she is not watching. Her pedia advised me to bring her to the PEDIA OPTHO but then when I read about the blinking of eyes last Friday thru internet I found out that is tics or tourettes syndrome and she needs to go to the PEDIA NEURO. She is only the girl on our family and I wish her tics will be cure. Pls share the magnesium supplement.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Anne (Uk) on 09/03/2016
You say 'find the trigger'. I say 'I have a million triggers... I have severe lifelong and complex ocd. My tics are very severe and complex. Everything triggers it.
Magnesium
Posted by Matt (Illinois) on 07/28/2016
Do you know if this is still working for your friend? If so, what type of magnesium where they giving their son?
Magnesium
Posted by Mercy (Pampanga) on 07/17/2016
My 9yrs old son has vocal tics he find hard every time he writes he repeat with a loud voice every word he writes. This last for months and he is taking clonasepam for about 1 month.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Debbie (San Antonio Tx) on 06/28/2016
I was just wondering if giving these vitamins and magnesium continued to work for you and how your son is doing now. I have a 10 year old that suffers from TS and I have been giving him magnesium and tart cherry juice and seems to be working at times.
Magnesium
Posted by Glenn (Virginia) on 12/19/2015
Interesting. My son had strep throat 6 times last year. Heartbreaking. This year none, but he has been having tics on and off. I have an expensive multivitamin for him that has omega 3 and magnesium infused. I watch his sugar intake as well, but now I'm even looking at carbs and possibly gluten. I gave him a probiotic yesterday am, but will buy a better one today. I'll have him sip some magnesium drink as well, maybe another small dose of fish oil. A few weeks ago he was "who-ing" like an owl, but that stopped after a week, now the last few days he has been throat clearing. This is crazy, but all I know is I am not givning him any drugs. I'll do it naturally as I can...
Magnesium
Posted by Liz D (Nj, Usa) on 04/10/2015
Can you please share the brands/dosages of what you're using (for weight, age)?
Magnesium
Posted by C (Ct, Us) on 03/09/2015
Our son suffered from sever nervous ticks in his neck and mouth and eye twitching. I think it is related to his several strep throats and unsuccessful several antibiotic medications, in any case we have drastically diminished his tics with supplements, RAW GARLIC every day, extra virgin FISH OIL mercury free! , good organic supplements including TURMERIC and ginger and multi vitamins plant based! Probiotics essential to his daily diet, good PROBIOTICS with many strains, MAGNESIUM yes works especially before the supplements kick in, VITAMIN D if needed during winter months. Good luck.
Magnesium
Posted by C (Connecticut, Usa) on 03/09/2015
Our son suffered from sever nervous ticks in his neck and mouth and eye twitching.
I think it is related to his several strep throats and unsuccessful several antibiotic medications, in any case we have drastically diminished his tics with supplements, RAW GARLIC every day (I also buy Garlinase pills) extra virgin FISH OIL mercury free! , good organic supplements including TURMERIC and ginger and multi vitamins plant based! Such as New Chapter, Probiotics essential to his daily diet, good PROBIOTICS with many strains, MAGNESIUM yes works especially before the supplements kick in, VITAMIN D if needed during winter months. Good luck.
Magnesium
Posted by Tewald (Detroit, Mi) on 02/22/2014
I've had Tourette's for 50+ years. Some people outgrow it - mine has gotten much worse in recent years. Unfortunately, I also have a medical condition that keeps me from sleeping well, so I need caffeine during the day. That's probably aggravating it. I do take magnesium for leg cramps at night; I will try increasing it.
Magnesium
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 09/23/2013
Hello again Xyrus,
Yes the Magnesium Chloride is made into the so called Magnesium Oil, by merely adding water. There are a number of web sites on this; just google "making magnesium oil" and you'll find what you are looking for.
Best to you and your son, Dave
Magnesium
Posted by Xyrus (Benguet, Philippines) on 09/22/2013
Hi Dave. Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate it so much. Do you think laboratory grade MgCl2 can be made into the MgCl2 Oil? Again, thank you so much.
Magnesium
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 09/22/2013
★★★★★
To Xyrus: If you google "magnesium oil" you'll find it is magnesium chloride and added water. That doesn't make what most people think of as an "oil" but rather just a watery looking liquid. Just like magnesium sulfate (epsom salts) which must be diluted in water. That makes a liquid too, not an oil.
So you have what you need to make your own transdermal application. Either will absorb into the skin. The main point is the magnesium deficiency can be overcome with regular applications of either.
Magnesium is a wonder worker. In times of our grandparents the by word about magnesium was that if a person was anxious or tense or irritable, a comment would be made, "He needs his salts. " Meaning an epsom salts bath to absorb the magnesium. It is a calmer; a heart critical mineral; a brain enhancer and on and on.
If I'm ever asked about the key to heart health, by the way, I'll emphasize two things; natural Vitamin E, and magnesium.
Magnesium
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 09/21/2013
Xyrus, I don't know about the sodium thiosulfate, but the magnesium chloride, mixed with water IS magnesium oil.
Magnesium
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 09/21/2013
Hello Xyrus (aka Sai)... concerning your son's tic problem, you ask if magnesium chloride will work for a subdermal application...
Well, why don't you just use epsom salts which is magnesium sulfate; that's drinkable and is the salt used for "bath" purposes. If you drink a tablespoon in a glass of water, likely you will spend some time in the bathroom contemplating whether a tablespoon was too much. At that level it is a laxative.
Now if you want to get the MgSO4 (mag sulfate or epsom salt) to go INTO the skin, by itself it will indeed soak into the body but for real absorption, you'd add a little DMSO to the "paste" which would carry the magnesium more efficiently. You can read about DMSO by googling: youtube 60 minutes DMSO Dr Jacobs and get a three part explanation.
I know epsom salts are available in the Philippines. Epsome salts are worldwide.
Magnesium
Posted by Xyrus (Benguet, Philippines) on 09/19/2013
Good day everyone! My name is Sai from Baguio City, Philippines. I am in search for a cure to my son's nervous tics. I found out that Transdermal Magnesium Therapy might be of great help. In this regard, I would like to ask if laboratory grade magnesium chloride can be used to make magnesium oil? This is the only form of magnesium chloride readily available to us. By the way, a colleague is asking if sodium thiosulfate (also in laboratory grade form) can be used for household medications? Thank you so much and God bless everyone.
Magnesium
Posted by Vineet (India) on 08/04/2013
Does this really work. I have facial tics for the last three years. I need to get rid of them. Please help me out!!
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Christine (Charlotte, Nc) on 03/17/2013
I found that there was a particular television show that was causing my son's tics. It was not that fast paced or crazy, but it did something to him. Once we stopped allowing him to watch that show, the tics dissappeared. We also just stopped all television for awhile, for good measure.
Magnesium
Posted by Tiffany (Mason ) on 11/29/2012
I am 48 years old and have some for of tic issue all of my life. I read about taking more magnesium from different web sites and within a few days of adding it along with zinc to my diet and reducing my caffeine intake I feel like a different person. No more embarassing facial expressions, sounds etc. Kudos to the people who shared this priceless information.
Sea Salt
Posted by Jo (Spanaway, Wa) on 08/11/2012
Wanted to share, I found that if I have my son soak in a epsen or sea salt bath (sea salt seems to work better) after he has gone swimming it seems to get rid of the chemicals from the pool and the facial tics don't become a problem. Hope this helps!
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Nmarie (Tampa, Florida) on 03/28/2012
Yes, my son's tics were made worse when he was in a chlorinated pool. Wondering if the chemicals exasperated the problem.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Sparklyfox (San Antonio , Tx) on 06/27/2011
I am a 34 yo female and my first observed tics were in a pool. That was a very profound statement I've always wondered why did my tics start randomly then. I was swimming which was a pleasant summer activity at my grandmother's pool with friend. It was low in the way of stress and I was about seven.
Magnesium
Posted by Adk Mama (Long Lake, Ny-usa) on 06/09/2011
Hello! I believe she purchased basic magnesium supplements at a pharmacy-250 mg... He takes one crushed up in applesauce in the evening. It has been remarkable thus far!
Magnesium
Posted by Earth Clinic Fan (Grateful, Usa) on 06/08/2011
What kind of magnesium? Bless you for posting this wonderful information!
Magnesium
Posted by Adk Mama (Long Lake, Ny-usa) on 06/08/2011
★★★★★
Just a note regarding magnesium and Tourettes.... A friend of mine has a little boy who began exhibiting tics with his head and neck. He and his parents were frustrated because they were reluctant to keep him on the meds prescribed for him as he became more irritable and clumsy. His parents took him off the meds and began supplementing his diet with a magnesium supplement every evening. I had recommended they check with their doctor to try magnesium and fish oil as we use these supplements for our family (but not for tics, only muscle cramps etc. ). He is not taking fish oil yet.
The very noticable tics have disappeared, he is now able to sleep through the night, has no headache complaints now and is performing better academically. He seems like a different child... Happier. He has only been taking the magnesium for around 2 weeks now. Best wishes to you all!
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Joe (Spanaway, Wa) on 02/16/2011
My son started to have facial tics about three years ago. All the doctors told me that there was nothing I could do and to ignore it. As a mom I knew somthing was not right. He was sensitive to everything food, chemicals etc. I took him to a natural path and he had a over growth of candida and fungal. After getting rid of the over growth the facial tics and be sensitive to everthing disappeared. When he is low in magnesium he does start to have mild facial tics and a ton of spinach seems to do the trick. Another thing I have noticed when he goes swimming in a chlorinated pool he starts to have tics, has anyone had this happen?
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Tina (Dayton, Oh) on 09/16/2010
I am curious why vitamin A would help? Anyone have any other remedies that have helped with tics? my son is having problems with facial tics and there isn't a lot of reference on here with tics.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Mary (San Antonio, Tx) on 04/08/2010
Sid Davis from Springfield, Missouri could you give me an update on your grandson? Have the supplements alleviated his tics? Thank you, I hope he is doing well.
Vitamin D, Magnesium, Vitamin A
Posted by Sid Davis (Springfield, Missouri, Usa) on 12/11/2009
★★★★★
While visiting my daughter at Thanksgiving time 2008, we noticed my then 7 year old grandson was making strange involuntary movements with his head. He would with some frequency jut his chin forward and upward, and then move it a little from side to side to stretch his neck. Again when we returned at Christmas time it was even worse, being more frequent when he was quiet than when active. It continued until summer of 2009 and suddenly by mid summer disappeared.
We noticed that the head movements began again by the end of October, 2009, this time with the addition of movements with his fingers like he was hand milking a cow. He complained of his fingers hurting from the movements which he could not stop.
My first thought was that there might be a seasonal factor or possible either the physical or emotional environment at school. One thing I thought about was the florescent lights in the school which are not full spectrum.
As an experiment in early November, 2009, we began giving him 2,000IU vitamin D3 capsules, three a day since he weighed about 80lbs. Our thinking was that maybe he was getting enough vitamin D from the sun in the summer, but not in the autumn and winter. An after some more research we added one 250mg Magnesium tablet per day beginning a few weeks later and a 5,000IU vitamin A capsule every other day.
So here we are 10 days into December, and for the last week we have not noticed any tics. I realize it is harder to observe something that isn't there than to notice something that is, so we are tentative in our certainty about this cure working, but excited nonetheless.
I will post again in two months, hopefully to confirm that this truly has worked. If anyone else is experiencing this problem, please post your results if you try the vitamin D3, Magnesium, Vitamin A treatment.
