Anyone have any experience with Tourettes Syndrome/Tic Disorder.

[mzmolly]

My daughter is having issues of this sort and I am concerned. I have read several different things on the internet, and at times I think she has "Tourettes" and at other times I think she may not.

We saw the pediatrician on Tues and are seeing a neurologist in December.

Regardless, for about a week she has had a severe motor/vocal tic disorder. She started blinking about a year ago, only for a couple days then progressed to various vocal tics. She was clearing her throat but I thought it was allergies, I found out now that it was likely a tic.

I am worried for her, though she is really a trooper about it. It looks so miserable. :(

Thanks, sorry to post here, I am just trying to gather ALL the information I can right now.

*sigh*

If anyone knows how to tell the difference between a transient tic disorder/tourettes I'd appreciate information. Additionally, if anyone has had similar experiences I'd be interested in hearing about them, and if you know of any "natural" nutritional ideas that might be helpful?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. Take her to a doctor

Start with her pediatrician, and then go on to neurologist.

Tourette's is a very tricky diagnosis.

Good luck.

[mzmolly]

2. We went to the Ped two days ago, and have an apt with a ped neurologist

in December but no one will give me any clear info. She was tested for allergies and the test came back negative, but I'm awaiting other results.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[juliagoolia]

6. Dont be afraid to fire the dr if you need to.

you may end up at a neuro-psychologist too.

Look for specialist if all checks out at neuroligist ok.
Contact the local ARC. Not implying retardation, I know the difference but they very helpful in connecting you up to resources and specialist.

[Modem Butterfly]

3. What she said

I can't add a thing to it. Get thee to the physician now.

[mzmolly]

4. I went the day before yesterday.

:hi: We have an apointment with a specialist coming up next month.

[LynzM]

5. I don't personally,

But I do have a friend who has 3 children with mild levels of Tourettes/tic disorders. She has a lot of knowledge and references. Do you want me to see if she'd be willing to talk to you about it? She's a really nice, helpful person! :)

[mzmolly]

10. That would be great thanks.

I'll PM you my email.

:hi:

[MuseRider]

7. My son years ago

had a problem and I took him in to a neurologist at the Menniger Clinic. He was diagnosed and put on meds. I am a nurse, my husband a doctor and we were not entirely certain that was what the deal was. Turns out it was the diagnosis of the day, he had 6 friends diagnosed that year with the same thing and put on the same drugs. We took him off and did a little behavioral work and found him to respond well and no problems since. Now, if your daughter is just mildly doing some repetitve behaviors that might be the case but if it is severe take her in. Just be careful, the drugs are pretty nasty.

[mzmolly]

15. Was he diagnosed with TS?

Do you think that they all had a transient tic disorder?

[MuseRider]

17. Actually

I think they all had "kids being restless" syndrome. It was common during that year for teachers to complain about the kids, mostly boys, in my sons school who were restless. You know how they get, legs shaking, tapping on tables etc. It was stunning to find out that these kids were doing no more than that and were put on these drugs. My son had a cough and he continued to cough and it bothered the teacher. His pediatrician stopped it with two days of mild codiene. He always was a nervous tapper, it went away with a little work and time. Good luck, TS does happen but it is also used a lot with normal but active kids.

[MichiganVote]

8. Must have more than one tic for Tourettes. Must have had them

for at least 6 months. Must rule out other causes such as anxiety, trauma, etc. It is possible to have a simple tic disorder. Confer with more than one specialist for any diagnosis of Tourettes. Consult the DSM for more info. Typically runs in families.

[mzmolly]

9. She has multiple motor/vocal tics. And, our life has been peaceful

for a while now? ;)

I checked the DSM but am still confused because I don't know if the motor/vocal have to co-exist for one year for a diagnosis or if either or will qualify. She mainly had a vocal tic until recently with the exception of a day or so of blinking last year.

Thanks for your help.

Edited to add the DSM:

Diagnostic Criteria for 307.23 Tourette's Disorder;

• both multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics must be present at the same time, although not necessarily concurrently;

• the tics must occur many times a day (usually in bouts) nearly every day or intermittently over more than 1 year, during which time there must not have been a tic-free period of more than 3 consecutive months;

• the age at onset must be less than 18 years;

• the disturbance must not be due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g. stimulants) or a general medical condition (e.g. Huntington's disease or postviral encephalitis).

My confusion comes in with the combo of the first and second criteria. She hasn't had both vocal and motor together until this week. She has had the vocal tics (coming and going) and a blink thing about a year ago that subsided right away?

The motor tics are totally new (mild short lived blinking aside) ...

[MichiganVote]

13. Multiple tics need not be present in tandem

Often, not always, tics will present and then subside. What separates Tourettes from simple tic disorder is the fact that more than one type of tic is noticed within a year's time.

If your child has blinking, suggest you visit the eye doctor as problems w/sight can also result in ticing.

Check with your child's school and see what staff has noticed. Tics are not painful btw. They can be embarrassing to people though. Try not call attention to it or otherwise act upset.

[mzmolly]

14. So do you think she has tourettes? Her blinking is totally gone and only

lasted about 48 hours last year.

This week she "began" the motor/vocal tics together, previously she simply had a vocal tic. Do you think I'll have to wait a year before I know? Sounds like from what your saying she has TS?

We don't act upset at all with her. We told her about her dads friend who had a mild tourettes and she is totally fine with it. Were also homeschooling for now until I find out what her needs are and can present them to a school - should we decide to go that route. Her school did not notice tics, but she has had behavior issues which I know can be related.

[MichiganVote]

16. No, you can do a number of things

Your first option is to confer with your Dr. It is important to keep a calendar of the ticing, date, time, type, etc. The more record you have the more more you have to give to any specialist you see. Suspected TS is not confirmed TS. By that I mean that any other possible cause should be ruled out. No one should diagnose on the internet or even after one office visit.

If the ticing is problematic medications are available to assist.

Relax. Tics are not contagious, they will not cause illness and often are not severe.

Good luck!

[Ilsa]

11. As a mother of a child with a disability, I wish you and your family

lots of luck and an abundance of good help. I know waiting is really hard, but please try not to wear yourself out until you know for certain after seeing the neuro in Dec.
:grouphug:

[mzmolly]

12. Thank you so much.

:hug: