My five year old has for the past 6 months been having these weird facial ticks accompanied by strong blinking of the eyes, but when he does that it last for about 4 weeks then as soon as that stops he start making these weird noises as if his throat is itching, he does that very aggressively all day, and that last for about 3 weeks then once that stops here comes the whole facial tick and eye blinking. the doctor told me it was probably a behavior problem, but I strong doubt it. Any suggestions ????
this not a behavior problem !
take him to a different doctor and do it tomorrow
there is something else going on here
K. h.
I'm assuming from your post that there are no other medical issues going on and your son isn't on any major medications. Regardless, Push, push, push!!!! I am not a doctor, but I work with kids who have tics. Please ask your doctor to review the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosing Tourette's. Please keep asking questions until you get an answer. I am also curious if your son is frustrated or aware of these tics. Given which way you answer will determine whether or not this is an urgent issue. Regardless it has brought an uncomfortable feeling to you, so please trust your instincts and push until you are satisfied with the answers you are getting. Diagnosing early can prevent behaviors Not cause them. I wish you and your son the best! I"ll be thinking of you!
Some people have tics (like my son). We thought they were caused by the meds he was on at the time (he, too, was 5, he's now 12). His neurologist told us that if a child is prone to tics, they usually manifest around 5-6 yrs old, so it was just coincidental that the meds he was on had tics as a side effect. In any case, I would get a referral to a pediatric neurologist and have your son checked out. If the tics start to interfere with his ability to concentrate at school, or really start bothering the people around him to the point where they DON'T want him around at all (which is a very real possibility), there are meds out there that help control tics. My son has had tics for the last 6 - 7 yrs and sometimes they're not bad at all and sometimes they're unbearable. We've basically just lived with them, but now they're at the point where they're affecting his schoolwork, so we're considering putting him on meds to help him. I would get that neurology consult just to be safe. Good luck!
I say get a new Dr and take your child to a neurologist.
I do not have any personal experience with this, however I am not so pleased with your doctors response. I read that things like this can be related to a magnesium deficiency. I am not sure how accurate the info is but maybe having some blood work done or simply trying some magnesium enriched foods or taking a multi vitamin can't hurt. Even if it is what your doctor said just behavioral then why didn't he offer some suggestions on how to deal with it or not deal with it by ignoring it. Maybe a second opinion from a new doc won't hurt. Good luck!!
I have no personal experience with this but the first thing that came to mind was Tourette Syndrome. Based on what I have read doctors like to wait to see if the tics happens for about a year before diagnosing. I would keep probing especially if it interferes with your child's day to day activities.
The following link should help: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_touret...
Hi K.,
I'm with Donna. Get a referral to a pediatric neurologist. It COULD be behavioral, but not a behavior that he is doing on purpose. Perhaps Tourettes. Behavior is tricky. And it doesn't sound like a behavior PROBLEM to me.
T.
Hi, K.:
Ask your dr. to refer you to a neurologist. You need a seconde
opinion.
Good luck. D.
I agree with the other Mom's who suggest a neurologist. I don't know what kind of insurance you have so you might need a referral, but I would demand one and call CHOP and get an appointment ASAP.
I would take him to a neurologist. It sounds like Tourettes Syndrome.
Get a second opinion he could be have an allergy to something.
Maybe sinus problems making areas around eyes, nose and throat itch. Maybe Turrets Syndrome. Low potassium can also cause twitches. If you're still concerned get a second opinion from a different doctor.
It sounds like it might be Tourette's Syndrome. Doesn't sound like a behavior problem to me.
Updated
It sounds like it might be Tourette's Syndrome. Doesn't sound like a behavior problem to me.
Take him to a neurologist at Childrens Dr Coffemen is a wonderful man. Have him look at your son. He is to young to be tested for touretts. My son has silent seizures and they sound just like what your son is having.
i personally think it could be allergies as i know that scratching of the back of the throat is one the ways to releive the itching back there and i only get that when i have seasonal allergies in June. so it may be allergies to somethign in the air, or it may be triggered with foods as well.
see if you can track what he eats and when the symptoms get worse. dairy will most likely make it worse as that is a mucus forming food, but it may also be an issue with wheat or other food ingredients, too.
does he have scratchy throat, and also watery eyes? if both, then for sure allergies and you may want to look at adding radishes to his diet (specifially daikon) to help minimize symptoms (and improve liver function).
not really suggesting an anti-histamine but that might be an option, too
good luck!
J.
It may be Tourett's syndrome, which is a "behavioral problem" clinically, which is not the same as bad behavior. There are excellet pediatric neurologists at Hershey Medical and CHoP. I would contanct those hospitals to schedule a consultation. It does not sound like allergies.
