Anyone else have a child with "tics?"

TaraPA

Can't live without a ticker!!!!
Joined
Sep 6, 2000
Messages
16,570
DS10 has had nervous tics for about 4 years now. They come & go, and we can't really attribute them to any specific events. We have seen his pediatrician twice for this, and she said tics are normal for boys this age, and to just let them go as long as they are not interfering with him socially, or with his school work. She said she would refer us to a mental health specialist if we felt we needed further treatment for them. While the tics are annoying & embarrassing, they have never bothered him (he usually has absolutely no idea he's even doing them), or anyone else. I have been in contact with his teachers every year to let them know if they become bothersome to him or distracting to anyone else in the class, they should let me know. The tics almost always involve facial movement (ei twitching, repetitive blinking, opening & closing his mouth, etc. ) and/or small sounds. A few tics have been with his hands. He has pulled at his hair in spots too. They usually last about 2-4 weeks, then stop, but then another develops to take it's place.

The latest tic is to the point that he came to me asking to go to the doctor to make it stop. He says he has no control over this, and I can see that he doesn't. He is twitching up his face almost like he's gasping for air, and it's to the point where he is doing this every minute or two. His face is red & he says it hurts from the constant tightening of his facial muscles. I noticed other adults staring at him last night, which really made me feel embarrassed for him.

Anyone else go through this? I don't want him medicated if possible - he's a very outgoing, hyper child, and to have him feel drowsy or calm just wouldn't be "him." The pediatrician did recommend an herbal remedy called Valerian Root - anyone ever use this? It's a natural sleep aid, so again, I don't want him feeling sleepy all day long, but at this point I'm willing to give it a try. We are cutting out all "stimulating activity" right now at home - no TV, music, video games, etc. to see if this helps. I did have the guidance counselor talk to him about it last year since there's no apparent stress or issues at home or school that we know of, or that he's telling us. She also felt there was nothing "going on" that was causing abnormal stress levels, that he's just an anxious kid & that's his way of releasing energy. She said most boys will grow out of the tics by age 14.

Any experiences with this??
 
I might get a second opinion.
 
I honestly have to say that I don't think ticks are 'normal' at all in kids. I think I would get a second opinion on this one by a neurologist. I only know of two children that have ticks like you describe and they both have tourettes syndrome. For all my years in the classroom and around kids that age, it is not normal and you need to have it evaluated further.
 
My son had tics, peaking in 4th grade. (Lots of lip licking until he had a red moustache.) My dear MIL :mad: insisted that he had Tourettes. Deciding that I needed to prove her wrong, I googled Tourettes and concluded that he didn't have it. BUT, when following links that were in the Tourettes articles, I learned of something called Asperger's Syndrome and started reading up on it. I took my son to a child study center, didn't tell them I thought he had Asperger's and after a full day of testing, they diagnosed him with Asperger's.

I recommend that you do the same thing I did. Google Tourettes. He probably won't have it, but the articles will provide links to other condiitons and you may just figure it out.

Good luck.

BTW, the lip licking went away. His tics come and go. (He is on Concerta.) He now just has "quirks", like not being able to eat with his watch or class ring on. :goodvibes
 

Danny had them. He was pretty bad about your son's age - but has since pretty much outgrown them. He does occasionally get them - but not as intense and long lasting. Does that make sense?

I generally ignored it. I knew it was a "Tic" and bringing attention to it would intensify it, and when it's involuntary and usually stress related, or anxiety - no reason to remind him he's doing it.

I'd give it some time if I were you. Sometimes, when he was really TIC'n, I would gently say "Take a deep breath" (like a cleansing one) and that could sometimes stop the 'attack'.

FTR - I pull my hair out. One by one by one - when Im anxiety/stressed. I think it's hereditary (tics, ocd, etc)
 
I do have a son with tics. He does have a formal diagnosis, and I don't claim to be a doctor.... but have you considered tourettes?

I am hesitant to put a label on this but your description is right on target with this, I have a link for you to see, if it might be something you would consider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourette_syndrome
 
My 9yo son is the exact same way! Right now he is bobbing his head and making throat sounds. He doesn't even realize he is doing it. For him, I can usually figure out what is triggering them. His head bobbing started because his glasses were loose, so he would shake his head quickly to get them into position. Then he had a cold and started the throat sound. They usually go away in a couple of weeks and he won't do anything for a month or two. Then something else comes up. I asked his Dr about them and he said that if he isn't getting upset by them, not to do anything because he should grow out of it.
Melissa
 
Tics are sometimes worsened by certain medications. My daughter never had tics until she started her ADHD med. She now has them when the dose isn't well-regulated or she has been off the meds for several days and is going back on. It is a common side-effect so if you are considering medication, look into it very carefully. Stimulants that work beautifully to control other ADHD issues can cause or aggravate tics. Good luck. I hope he finds some relief soon.
 
I disagree with "he has tourettes, its not normal, aspergers, etc etc etc" - He can be a kid with JUST tics!!!

I remember being in 5th grade and quite a few of the boys had tics. I remember one kid - Nick, would scrunch up his nose all the time. Made all the girls swoon. Who knows why. :lmao:

I had a child with Tics. They DO outgrow them. And when they DONT outgrow them, is when you can start to worry. No need to toss him on med's just yet.

On that note...Valerian Root. Its good stuff. And it can make you sleepy, but if taken at bedtime, you wouldnt know any different. The only thing with any herb, is if you have a family history of allergies / hayfever, you could be playing Russian Roulette with having an attack due to a 'root'.

Ummm...another great product I actually gave my son to carry with to school, this year, is Bach's Remedy Rescue. He's really stressed out about one teacher - and I said use it before class. He did, and it works. If your son's tics are anxiety caused, this might work for you too. http://www.bachflower.com/


ETA - My 16 y/o had OCD issues as well. He picked. He picked at scabs, skin, pimples - anything on his skin, he'd pick. He also has outgrown it - but will revert if stressed (like when my mom passed, or his friend passed)
 
My best friend's son had tics. They tested him for all kinds of things, and it turned out he had lead poisoning. Oddly enough, they'd never lived in an old house, etc. Anyway, once they treated that, the tics went away.
 
I disagree with "he has tourettes, its not normal, aspergers, etc etc etc" - He can be a kid with JUST tics!!!

I remember being in 5th grade and quite a few of the boys had tics. I remember one kid - Nick, would scrunch up his nose all the time. Made all the girls swoon. Who knows why. :lmao:

I had a child with Tics. They DO outgrow them. And when they DONT outgrow them, is when you can start to worry. No need to toss him on med's just yet.

On that note...Valerian Root. Its good stuff. And it can make you sleepy, but if taken at bedtime, you wouldnt know any different. The only thing with any herb, is if you have a family history of allergies / hayfever, you could be playing Russian Roulette with having an attack due to a 'root'.

Ummm...another great product I actually gave my son to carry with to school, this year, is Bach's Remedy Rescue. He's really stressed out about one teacher - and I said use it before class. He did, and it works. If your son's tics are anxiety caused, this might work for you too. http://www.bachflower.com/


ETA - My 16 y/o had OCD issues as well. He picked. He picked at scabs, skin, pimples - anything on his skin, he'd pick. He also has outgrown it - but will revert if stressed (like when my mom passed, or his friend passed)

Thanks for all the replies. I just got an email from his teacher (who has 4 sons of her own) and she assured me that she has noticed it but that it is not distracting anyone else in the class. She also assured me that she sees a lot of tics in boys a this age, and not to worry. One of her sons tic-ed for 3 years & then stopped. I've done a ton of reading on tourettes, tics, etc. While extreme tic-ing is not normal, it is very common for pre-teen boys to tic. My family has a history of OCD - my mother was diagnosed with it, as was I, at the age of 23. CathrynRose - I too pulled out my hair (my eyelashes - ack!) & was diagnosed with trichotilomania - the compulsive pulling out of one's eyelashes. Sounds bizarre, but most OCD conditions are bizaree to those that don't suffer from them. I have it under control now. So considering the family history, my guess would be that he has some form of OCD with the tics. I'm waiting for the pediatrician to call me back, I left a message for her to call me to discuss whether I should even bring him in to her, or if I should head straight for a mental health specialist. CathryRose - just what is Bach's Remedy? Where can I get this? I'm headed to Wal-Mart later, would I find it there?

Thanks to everyone for the opinions & suggestions.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I just got an email from his teacher (who has 4 sons of her own) and she assured me that she has noticed it but that it is not distracting anyone else in the class. She also assured me that she sees a lot of tics in boys a this age, and not to worry. One of her sons tic-ed for 3 years & then stopped. I've done a ton of reading on tourettes, tics, etc. While extreme tic-ing is not normal, it is very common for pre-teen boys to tic. My family has a history of OCD - my mother was diagnosed with it, as was I, at the age of 23. CathrynRose - I too pulled out my hair (my eyelashes - ack!) & was diagnosed with trichotilomania - the compulsive pulling out of one's eyelashes. Sounds bizarre, but most OCD conditions are bizaree to those that don't suffer from them. I have it under control now. So considering the family history, my guess would be that he has some form of OCD with the tics. I'm waiting for the pediatrician to call me back, I left a message for her to call me to discuss whether I should even bring him in to her, or if I should head straight for a mental health specialist. CathryRose - just what is Bach's Remedy? Where can I get this? I'm headed to Wal-Mart later, would I find it there?

Thanks to everyone for the opinions & suggestions.

I have Trich, too! :wave2: :laughing: Except *I* pull head hair. Im not messing with my gorgeous eyelashes. :snooty: ;)

The Bach's Im pretty sure you can only order online. Perhaps a store like Whole Foods might have it, but I cant promise you that. I got mine online.

And I actually ordered it for myself. I started getting really panicky - and read that Bach's works for that - which is DOES, BUT.... not to the extent I was having. I was having panic attacks, and Bach's is more of a soother. It can be used for Dog's who freak out during a thunderstorm... so more of THAT kind of effect. KWIM?

When I went to the DR and got myself a XANAX prescription, I gave the Bach's to my son. I figured it wasnt going to hurt, and he was just so stressed from this one teacher. So, he'd spray some in his mouth (its like a Binaca squirter) before class, and said he was able to deal better. :confused3 Placebo effect - i dunno. But Placebo or not, he felt better, so thats good.

Like I said - if this is happening when your son is stressed, perhaps this would work for him. I think the pre-teen years are tough for kids, and it shows with so many children that age ending up with tics, or nuances - Signs of stress, really.

And the Valerian Root - I know about also, from getting it for myself. Its something that builds up in your system - BUT.... again, not fda regulated, and could interact with other meds. Once I got my Xanax, I stopped taking the Valerian, because again - I needed something for pure panic, not stress.
 
just a heads up on any herbal treatments.

you mention that your son is a hyper child. i don't know if you mean he is just overly active or he has/boarders on actual hyperactivity. if he is clinicaly hyper then natural or pharmacutical treatments that relax or sedate others can actualy increase his hyperactivity or cause him to feel very 'wired'.

my ds has diagnosed hyperactivity, and if we gave him so much as a cup of 'sleepy time' herbal tea he would be bouncing off the walls and unable to sleep for a day or more. he can't take the bulk of otc cold meds-even the pediatric form-because the chemicals that make other kids sleep (as in the benedryl effect so popular when kids are on long flights) react in a totaly different way with his brain chemestry.
 
just a heads up on any herbal treatments.

you mention that your son is a hyper child. i don't know if you mean he is just overly active or he has/boarders on actual hyperactivity. if he is clinicaly hyper then natural or pharmacutical treatments that relax or sedate others can actualy increase his hyperactivity or cause him to feel very 'wired'.

my ds has diagnosed hyperactivity, and if we gave him so much as a cup of 'sleepy time' herbal tea he would be bouncing off the walls and unable to sleep for a day or more. he can't take the bulk of otc cold meds-even the pediatric form-because the chemicals that make other kids sleep (as in the benedryl effect so popular when kids are on long flights) react in a totaly different way with his brain chemestry.

He has never been diagnosed as hyper. His ped said she sees "hyper tendencies" in him but not enough to diagnose him as hyper. Full of energy I guess is a better word. He's just one of those active kids that goes goes goes non-stop & never takes a break, and doesn't need much sleep. She also says he shows no signs of ADHD. Funny you say that about the reverse effects of meds in hyperactive children - when I was a child anytime I was given benadryl or OTC meds that cause drowsiness in most people, my mom says I bounced off the walls. There's that heredity thing again! DS hasn't taken anything more than OTC cold meds in his life, and I never noticed a reverse reaction to them, but you could be on to something there! Oh wait, he has had Bonine for motion sickness - which DID make him drowsy. He'll be getting the Bonine again in 2 weeks before a flight - so I'll have to keep a close eye on him to see his reaction. Ah I just remembered something else along these lines - when he had 1 of his broken arms (he's had THREE already - I told you he was active!) they were trying to sedate him to re-set it in the ER - the kid would NOT fall asleep, or even get sleepy enough so they could re-set it comfortably for him. He was watching TV, wanting more popsicles, etc. They maxed out on the dosage they could give him. They asked if they should put him under or just re-set the darn thing with him awake. They did it while he was awake & he fared much better than his father did...:scared1: So now I'm thinking Valerian Root may keep him up all night!
 
I would encourage you to take hin to a child study center for a full round of tests if you suspect anything "serious" going on. Our ped. didn't know much, bless his heart. He was a retired military doctor, so with him, just about anything was "normal" that a child would "grow out of."
 
I don't mean to be disrepectful, but I think you should take him for a second opinion. I also think you need a neurologist and not a mental health provider. Why not? It won't hurt anything and if something is wrong he can be treated; and, if not, your mind is put to rest.
 
The dr to see would be a ped neurologist. S/he can then recommend any tests to be done and if you ever decide to go the medication route they can prescribe it. My 17yo started having tics when he was 6yo. He was diagnosed with Tourettes 2 years later. He's taken meds for it off and on and has an appt with a new neuro next week since his tics are not improving.
 
DD15 was diagnosed with Tourettes by her pediatrician in 1st grade. We did not go see a neurologist, because the tics were not so bad and they came and went. Well this year they have gotten much worse, particularly the vocalizations. I have an appointment for her to see the neurologist next month. We will see what he says.
 
I also think you need to see a pediatric neurologist. My son has TS and he sounds a lot like your son. Just some additional facts: TS/OCD/ADD are often co-morbid disorders. If you have one, your chances of having one or both of the others is a real possibility. One of the criteria for a TS diagnosis is waxing and waning of tics. They can be worse some times and much better at others. Another symptom for a diagnosis is that the tics change over time. My son has had several different tics - some come back, some don't. As the child ages the tics usually don't change as much. Puberty may make tics worse, but some children do experience a decrease in tics as they get older. I don't know how your son is doing academically, but TS can have some associated learning disabilities.
 
At the child study center, the Psychologist made the Asperger's diagnosis and the ped. neurologist made the ADD diagnosis. If you can find a place like that (one stop shopping), easier on you. Of course, they may just say, "He's perfectly normal. Stop listening to yahoos on message boards.";)
 












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