Epson Salt for Facial Twitches and Tics

Hello, friends. Well, I am finally back to work after a nice spring break followed by a not-so-nice stomach bug that knocked both my kids for a little loop. Ren was sick Sunday. To be honest, I thought she was just trying to weasel out of going to church and I made her go anyway but about halfway through the service I realized she probably did feel bad and sent her on home. John-Heath's school was another rather unfortunate victim to our family's uninvited house guest in that he became sick once at school on Monday. Let's just say they had to bring out the ol' Rug Doctor for the office carpets.

Tonight, was bath time in the big tub for John-Heath. He usually showers in the mornings (taking a much longer shower than any other member of the family) and would take a tub bath every night if we'd let him, but I don't know that our town's water reserves could withstand it. Every so often, though, we'll allow him a tub bath just so he'll be able to soak in water loaded with Epson Salt.

A couple years ago while playing around on the bed one Saturday afternoon, he hit the back of his head so hard on the bed's headboard that he suffered what a pediatric neurologist diagnosed as Post Concussion Syndrome. Within hours after striking his head he began having facial twitches, which really looked almost seizurish and grew worse over the next several days and was joined by a loss of hand-eye coordination. Needless to say, we were very frightened and felt quite helpless.

Now, a few of the doctors were never really sure some of his symptoms were due to the hit to the head and thought it was just coincidental the facial twitches showed up at the same time as that of the accident. One said it was even possible he had just developed a tic (which is fairly common in boys that age, as I was told). You can go here and here to read my original posts on the incident.

During the many nights of Googling the topics of head trauma, tics, twitches, etc., I found several message boards with people who mentioned bathing in Epson Salt as a way to minimize facial and/or body twitches. So, we tried it and it did seem to help.

Those first couple weeks we put him in an Epsom bath at least every other day and then we gradually lowered it to once every month or so and then finally just "as needed".

By the end of a couple months John-Heath's severe twitches (in which he would squinch his eyes so tight it would draw up his cheeks and mouth) had been reduced to some heavy, repeated blinking. Occasionally, though, he would have flare-ups and we would bring out the Epson salt and again it would seem to help.

Well, we've noticed over the past couple weeks that some of the heavier blinking has returned so tonight it was time to throw a few scoops into the tub, which was more than okay with my little guy who will play in water any chance he can get.

P.S. Well, John just informed me that it is almost eleven and I am required to be at work in the morning ;) so I guess I need to turn in. Please overlook any typos, etc. This is strictly a type and publish post kind of night. Goodnight, friends.

The Thursday Three

I thought it would be neat if every once in a while I pass along to you, my friends, some of my infinite wisdom in the form of tips, facts, or just random information. I do this because I was almost beginning to hear soft whimpers liken to “Oh, my. Another picture of her children.” Fear not, good people. I have an empty SD card so they shant be gone for long.

Now, back to those random bits of information. I will need to do this slowly, so as to not overpower you. Or is it because I don’t have an infinite amount of wisdom and it will take time to compile things that I pretend to know in which to pass along? I can never be sure.

I tried to think of some super clever title for this segment but the best I could do was The Thursday Three, or T3. Brilliant, huh? Anyway, every so often on a Thursday (see how it’s going to work?) I will pass along three morsels of information.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for...(insert drum roll here)...The inaugural issue of


The Thursday Three



A different use for 3 common household supplies.


1. Shaving cream - This tip was given to me by the man who installed the hardwood floors in our new home. We all know it makes our man’s face soft to touch but did you know that it is great at removing hairspray residue from surfaces. I use it on the vanity tops in my bathrooms. Oh, and I buy the cheapest brands I can find. Spray and rub a little on and wipe off with a wet cloth. Kenny, our floor guy, said his wife had even used it on their hardwoods sparingly. I’m a little too afraid to try that but I can vouch that it does the trick safely on tile floors and Corian countertops.

2. Vinegar and newspaper - I learned this one from a janitor one day as I was leaving school. Use plain white vinegar and newspapers to clean windows. For a streak-free shine just add a couple tablespoons of vinegar to a gallon of water, spray on, then wipe off with newspaper. Not only is it easy on your wallet, it’s easy on our planet.

3. Coffee filters - If you have a problem with dirt seeping through the holes in the bottom of your flower pots just add a coffee filter or two before you add the potting soil and geraniums. The water will still be able to flow through but the dirt will remain.

Tyla (Sorry. My signature just up and vanished)

P.S. We're inching ever closer to our 100th post. If you are a lover of Barnes and Noble Booksellers, as I am, you'll want to be sure to tune in for a little give away.