It turns out that I’m not done writing about Tourette’s Syndrome here after all, despite having cured myself. A couple of things have changed my mind. 1) People are asking more questions about what has worked for me than ever; 2) I want to talk about it because I think it may very well help other people with tics. And that was the thing–I believe it will work, but I’m not sure and I certainly can’t promise.
I don’t have credentials or fancy acronyms (no, RKC doesn’t count as a credential, although I did learn the Turkish get up during my expensive weekend, which is a very popular Facebook profile picture, so I suppose that’s something, assuming I ever get tired of my current FB picture)
That’s me.
The problem I have had with talking about the TS methods I’ve used online is that I have been concerned that someone would take it as medical advice. But I’ve gotten over that. I know what has worked for me and this series is going to be me talking about my thought process and the things I have tried. They’re all still formative ideas that will evolve continually if I’m doing my job and asking the right questions.
Some worked, some didn’t, but this will serve as a resource for anyone who knows the story of my disorder, but has had questions about how I have actually treated it.
I would simply ask that you keep a few things in mind:
- I am not a doctor or neurologist, although I do have a PhD in watching Roadhouse
- I have no guarantee that anything I say will work for anyone else, although my earliest tests with other Tourettics has been very encouraging and exciting – I believe that I can help, but:
- I am constantly trying to disprove my own hypotheses about Tourette’s. I find that it is very easy to challenge other people’s theories, but it takes balls to challenge my own assumptions and try to figure out why I think I’m right, not why other people are wrong. My goal is never to get too comfortable with what I think. If I figure out that I am wrong, I will say so and update the posts to reflect what I am currently thinking
- Please, for the sake of this series and your own experiments, get most of your “Tourette’s facts” out of your head. I was not able to make much progress until I started with the proverbial blank slate. “Tourette’s was named after a guy” is a real fact. “There is no cure for Tourette’s” is not a fact.
And that’s what I’m going for and I hope its what you’ll shoot for as well. This is not about coping with tics, or accepting it, or getting it to a point where it’s good enough.
This is about getting rid of it. I’ve done it. I think anyone can. I might be wrong, but I’ll need the help of people with tics to investigate either way. So if you have Tourette’s, or if your child has Tourette’s, and you would like to talk more in-depth about the things I’ll be writing about here, please let me know. I will always make time to talk about this stuff, which is the only promise here that I know I will ever disprove.
If you say I promised you a cure I will come jab at you with a pointy stick until you take it back. We’re all adults here, King Kong avatars notwithstanding.
Josh
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Lane & I are in. Although if it works he won’t be able to make rude comments to other kids like “You’re just jealous because you don’t have cool tics like me.”
Amy send me an email and let’s make time to talk on the phone.
My favorite posts of yours are always the “how to have Tourettes” ones. I’m not much into kettlebells or lifting weights and really not even much into Tourettes. But doing the impossible? Now thats the definition of grip & rip. Good luck with this venture and I hope you’ll let us all follow along.
lifting heavy things is cool, but helping people because you have a bit of knowledge of the road they are traveling is real power.
While TS doesn’t affect anybody that I personally know, I follow along for the ride. I’m sure that you’re much too shy to admit to it, but you are a great role model.
I’m turning over a new leaf. You’re right. I’m so awesome! Still doesn’t feel quite right….but I’m not shy.
Woah I must have missed a post, you have finally cured it? Well done! I know you have been getting better and better all the time you have been writing here, but to cure it completely is very impressive (it has not been long since you did that video of sitting still… has it?).
Todd is right, you are a great role model and I think anyone with tourettes would be mad not to take advice from you.
Thank you Shane.
i am very interested in how you cured your tourettes. i would love to hear your theory….what worked for you! thanks!
Hi! I’ll be writing part 2 tomorrow. I’m also in the process of shooting a DVD that I think will be helpful. Please let me know if I can ever do anything for you.
A link to the series would be helpful ; )
Ah!!!! You’re right. This entry is part one, but here is a link to the series so far: http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/curing-tourettes-syndrome/
That link is now on the Articles page as well. Thanks for the heads up.
I was so excited about finding you on the web. My son is 12 and has had T.S. since age 2. No one has ever talked to me about diet and his T.S. . The only thing I have ever been told is that there is no cure and that preteen and teen years are the worst. He’s tics have gotten much worse. I am praying I can get him on board with trying new things to help. Thank you, thank you for giving me a different avenue. What’s the worst that can happen, he will be eating better.