Anyone have a child with "Tics"?

[CathrynRose]

I guess Im looking for advice.

My 11 y/o has a facial tic. IN fact, I only really notice it when he is around other people, because when he's around me - he's fine. I guess he's more relaxed?

I'm scared and worried. I dont want him shouting out obscenities, or barkinf like a dog - it scares me that this could turn into something that would interfere with 'normal' life. And I feel guilty - Im reading it can be linked to first trimester stress and sickness (I was a MESS the 1st trimester!) AND it can be linked to family members with OCD (I pull my hair!)

What can I do to help him out? Thank you so much for any input.

 

[All American]

My little brother has this too. We noticed it on vacation and mentioned it to my mom. As time went by, we realized stress had alot to do with it. If you think stress is playing a role, see it you can figure out the source of it, go from there. Good luck with it.

Oh, my mom said that two more of my brothers did this when they were younger too and outgrew it. Stress-related too. I think learning to manage it (hard for a kid to do) helped over the years.

 

[CathrynRose]

Ahhh - man. I was hoping for morte replies.

 

[anewvance]

My 5 1/2 year old daughter has had her tic for about a year now. She coughs, just a quick little clear of throat. She does it constantly when she is at all nervous. It's gotten a little bit better lately but I do still notice it.

 

[Tinijocaro]

For 3 or 4 years straight, my 11 year old son developed tics in the fall and winter. One year it was a mouth tic (open his mouth really wide) which then caused his lips to chap, making him open it even more. One year it was a "thrust his head forward" tic. I asked at the doctors, and they said some kids just do this. I also asked about possible link to allergies and they said definitely not, no way, no how. Well, he ended up on allergy meds anyways, and the tics stopped. He hasn't had any in a couple of years since he's been on fall and winter allergy meds (zyrtec). I think I read about it online somewhere.

 

[GJM]

My DS just started blinking alot. I kept asking him if his eyes hurt or if something was in them. He said no - we took him to the Dr. and she said it was a tic and should go away on it's own.

 

[jbmom]

My Ds7, has had 2 tics. The first one was when he was 5 he did this gross nose snort thing. I took him to the Dr. and they said not to draw attention to it. It eventually stopped completely. This Nov. we put him on ADD meds and he started doing this really creepy eye thing, he looks sideways then moves his head. It looks like he's possessed. I had read that the meds could make him more likely to have tics if he's predisposed to having them anyway. I just ignored it and it has almost stopped. I haven't been diagnosed OCD, but I do some things repetitively and certain things drive me crazy!

I think I saw you at Animal Kingdom in sept. don't know why I remember that, but I'm sure it was you and your family.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

My best friend has three sons with Tourettes, so I have learned a few things about tics. First of all, don't freak out. Most kids develop tics that come and go over the years. Some people do believe that they can be related to allergies, like the pp said. Some kids will develop tics at the same time as allergy season.

Stress and food (believe it or not) can also trigger tics. Keep an eye on him and if the tics become worse or happen more often, then see the doc.

BTW, my friends sons don't shout obsenities or anything.

Good luck!

 

[MzDiz]

I know so little about this, but wanted to offer a and tell you not to blame yourself. We all do the best we can. I'm surprised my children made it the whole nine months sometimes.

I used to have a friend with Tourette's Syndrome (she would actually hit people) and I know there is medication. Maybe you could explore that route if he gets any worse. My son had something, I guess it could be considered a tic, when he was about that age. He'd make a noise in his throat. Between us gently telling him to stop and him becoming aware of what he was doing, he managed to outgrow it.

 

[robinb]

First of all ... I wouldn't feel guilty. If stress and sickness in the first trimester caused tics then half the population would have tics. As for being OCD , I personally think all parents should consider possible hereditary problems before they choose to reproduce. But ... that's obviously water under the bridge. Feeling guilty will not help your son.

I would take him to a neurologist if you are really worried about it.

 

[CathrynRose]

I think I saw you at Animal Kingdom in sept. don't know why I remember that, but I'm sure it was you and your family.

Did I looker sicker than poop? Near death?

The only day I was at AK - I was SICK! Really sick - I was there for about an hour and a half, right at opening - rode EE (bad move) went back to the room and slept until like 5pm.

 

[jbmom]

I saw you on the parking lot tram going in to AK you didn't look bad at the very beginning of the day!

 

[CathrynRose]

As for being OCD , I personally think all parents should consider possible hereditary problems before they choose to reproduce. But ... that's obviously water under the bridge. Feeling guilty will not help your son.

I would take him to a neurologist if you are really worried about it.

Wow - thanks.



Youre right - I shouldnt have "reproduced" as you so kindly put it.

 

[CEDmom]

I've posted this a few times on other threads but it might be worth looking into with your DS. My DD started having a tick a few years ago we finally noticed how bad it was when we were some home video. She'd blink, lick her lips and then brush her hair out of her face. Not a big deal in the scheme of life but still odd and something we wanted to check out.

Well, my DH researched tics and found something called PANDA syndrome. I can't remember what it stands for but it's caused by strep bacteria that goes untreated. People can have strep and not show obvious symptoms.

Anyway, we took the information to our dr and he agreed to try a course of antibiotics. Luckily they did the think and the tic was gone.

Good luck with your son.

 

[CathrynRose]

I saw you on the parking lot tram going in to AK you didn't look bad at the very beginning of the day!

Thats true. EE jacked me up.

Well - Hi again.

 

[robinb]

Youre right - I shouldnt have "reproduced" as you so kindly put it.

That's not what I said, nor did I intend it that way. Sorry!

 

[Boo'sMom]

My oldest went through a period of different tics. Our pediatrician always said that if it's only one tic at a time (i.e. blinking) not to worry about it. When it develops into more than one tic at the same time, to bring them in for evaluation.
Good Luck

 

[XYSRUS]

My 9 yo has tics. Humming, jumping. Nothing "socially unacceptable"...yet?! Anyway, I do think it gets worse with stress or excitement. Try not to bring attention to it if it's really nothing and doesn't interfer with life. My husband made our kid stop his tic coughing and then it got replaced with gulping! HAHAHA. I said see, the coughing wasn't so bad! If it gets excessive or worse, maybe medication but so far it's not been that bad. Noticeable, yes, but not interferring. Good luck with whatever you choose. And, it's not your fault! Everyone's got an answer for everything-gosh. I say everyone's crazy...just to differing degrees!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Funny you should ask this just now! My DS6 developed a tick in the late fall, sort of a quick grimace on his mouth, as if the corner of his mouth is being pulled down toward his neck and tightening his neck muscles. I didn't think anything of it the first few times I noticed it, but then it got more frequent. I asked DH about it, and then he started noticing it as well.

I finally asked DS6 why he was making that face, and he wasn't aware that he was doing it. Just as I was starting to think I needed to take him to the doctor, he was doing it less frequently, and now (several weeks later) I can't remember the last time he did it.

 

[CathrynRose]

Just as I was starting to think I needed to take him to the doctor, he was doing it less frequently, and now (several weeks later) I can't remember the last time he did it.

Danny's been doing the facial nose thing for a while now - over a year. And we just ignored it, no big deal.

His freaking mean 15 y/o brother (I swear, I dont even believe this kid is mine sometimes) will make fun of him. Not always - just when he decides to be a jerk.

So, last night I was sitting there talking to Danny and he wasnt doing anything. Joey walked in and Danny started doing, not only the nose thing, but a shoulder shrug too - 3 times. I said to him 'calm down' - and he stopped.

But it upset me.... like I said, I barely notice it, but is this happening whenever he gets stressed out? Im worried for him now, and Im sad.

I hope it is an "outgrow" thing, but his has been going on longer than a year.

Its not the end of the world, I understand that - but I just dont want HIM to feel anything can hold him back from doing anything he wants...kwim?