Facial Tics

I have a mild one, it's over my left eyelid, it comes and goes, I think it mostly happens when I have too much caffeine lol, very very mild, no one notices it but me, that's how mild it is, I saw so many drs about it and the best answer I got was this, sometimes the body just does something and there's no explanation for it, it does not happen all the time for me and and never affected my sight or any functions at all.

I know many children with Tourettes. Does he have any issues with behavior and attention, or is the tick all you are seeing? There is also a condition called Panda's, if he does not have the soft neurological differences, you might look into that, especially if he has had strep recently.

Generally, the kids who I know and deal with who have Tourette have vast challenges that are more behavioral, although the tics are embarassing and difficult, the learning and behavioral issues are most prominent. Many start wtih a diagnois of ADHD, and move on to Tourettes once the tics begin. Are you seeing these kinds of symtoms?

M.

Please get him tested for strep ASAP! Not just the quick test, but the culture, and get his titers taken. P.A.N.D.A.S. is becoming more and more common. It is a brain misfire that creates too many strep antibodies and attacks the basal ganglia of the brain - which controls movements. The biggest indicator of PANDAS is that it is 'sudden onset' - like you can remember the day and moment it all hit. The second is if the symptoms dissipate after taking antibiotics - specifically augmentin. Be prepared, the neurologists in Dallas do not recognize this as a true diagnosis. There are only a few Pediatricians who do. Visit http://www.pandasnetwork.org for lots of info. Read "Saving Sammy: The Boy Who Caught OCD". There is also a PANDAS support group in Frisco that meets the 4th Monday of every month. Any one of these moms would be happy to help you out. My daughter got this after her 6 year old chicken pox booster and flu mist - was sick every 4 weeks for a year! getting strep 4 times in 8 months. The tics and chorea hit after the 2nd strep. The neurologist at Children's told us it was TS as well. Then we had her tonsils out, the tics vanished for a good 6 months, and she hasn't been sick in a year. The tics/chorea still come and go, and she has slight OCD, but it is much more manageable right now. I know the heartbreak and fear of all of this, and am here to tell you there is help out there. Please contact me if you'd like. I can send you a list of pediatricians that will treat PANDAS - most are in Plano and places close to you.

Hi, my son had tic's this earlier this year. He would cock his head back, like he was popping his neck (like you crack your knuckles). No sounds like your son. But our DR said it was neverous tics that kids pick up to during stressful times, and it may not be stress that we as adults see. In our case it started during some testing going on at school (that's the only thing we could come up with). At any rate, she said it would go away in 3- 12 months. And if it didn't or got worse or he started to have arm spasms, to come back. Sure enough in about 4 -5 months we noticed it was slowing down, and by 6 months it was gone altogether. It dind't bother him very much. I noticed a few kids looking at him during sports, and at McDonalds, this little girl ran away from him in the play structure :-(. Did you start with your family dr? Did he/she recommend the neurologiest? I hope your dianoses is as simple as ours. It's scary for you I know. Our other son, started studdering the first time we took a weekend trip without the kids. It stopped within the week we came back. Well, I hope you will keep us posted on the outcome. Stay stong.

I second looking into PANDAS. Also is he on any meds? Some ADD meds cause tics.

Hi M..
I'm so sorry that your family is going through this. My heart is breaking for you. First of all, and I'm guilty of it too, the internet will terrify you and often for no reason at all, girl!
This might be nothing more than stress, like the other moms are suggesting, or could also be triggered from allergies (recently moving to Texas) or a magnesium deficiency.
Until you have your appt, I'd suggest lots of reassurance for the little guy (in case of stress) and adding magnesium rich foods to his diet (bananas, low fat yogurt and veggies, esp beans). These things certainly can't hurt anything and you might see improvement.
All my best...

Just FYI, Tourrette's can end up as obsessive-compulsive disorder. My cousin started out with Tourrette's, but her tics went away gradually as more and more OCD behaviors emerged. She is now a happy, healthy, productive, college educated, medication-free adult. She is, in fact, one of my favorite people. =) Your son will adjust, but he indeed may have a few more challenges than other kids. Good luck!

I had facial and vocal tics on and off as a kid, and eventually they went away. I remember having them when I was in 4th grade and they were gone by the time I went to middle school. I think I was just a nervous child.

are you sure its tourettes? both my niece and nephew did those things at about that age and the dr said it was just a nervous tick brought on by stress or copying one another...they both outgrew it.