new here
Question:
"Dave" <dave_jine…@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:e70pbvgfk1hv9uvu3lvfcqsqpct0rqc1m8@4ax.com… 2) So > many advances have been made in research that literature published > even with in the last 5-10 years is outdated, let alone 20 years. > .Dave
Very true. How anyone could suggest ignoring 20+ years of research as irrelevant is beyond me. Welcome to the group Daisie. :) Jodi
Response:
Welcome Daisie– As a parent of a 14 yr. old with TS, it is very overwhelming at first. After almost two years now of dealing with it, I have to say that it does get easier and life does go back to "normal". My son has a mild case, with some ADD, OCD, and ODD(oppositional defiant disorder) and has been helped by Tenex. Find a good neuro. and start if needed with the mildest of meds to see what might work for him. My son’s ADD isn’t treated as it is espec. mild but the Tenex does help the tics. Yes, it is true that pharmaceutical companies are out to make money (aren’t we all) but do not discount the power and helpfulness of medications. You cannot be embittered to the point that you turn your back on all meds. I waited for awhile, then put him on something like he was begging me to do and I haven’t been sorry. Good luck and write any time. Lisa
Response:
Hello, I just found this newsgroup. My son is 7 and has a bad case of ADHD. Recently he has started having a nervous tic in his face. He blinks constantly, and does this sort of grimace with his mouth. I looked up on the internet to see if there was any connection between this and his ADHD. That is where I found out about TS. While I was reading about TS, I remembered about 5 months ago when my son start doing this strange sniffing noise. He did it constantly, even though he didn’t have a cold. It went away after about a month. My question is, we had discussed before this latest tic started, putting my son on medication for his ADHD. His grades have dropped dramatically, even though he is incredibly intelligent, because he is unable to focus, and his movements are disturbing his class. I haveread so many confusing things about ADHD medicine and TS. Does anyone have any input. We are going to the DR. at 3:00 today, and I would like to be armed with information before we go. Thanks, Daisie
Response:
Daisie, Welcome to AST. Stimulant medications for ADHD do *NOT* cause TS, but can trigger tics in some kids. Often, when the stimulant is reduced, the tics disappear. For some kids who may have developed TS anyway, it might trigger it. You might ask your doctor about a few of the newer stimulants like Strattera or Adderall that supposedly are better for kids who develop tics. I would also suggest keeping a record or diary of the tics he displays, how long they last, and jot a few notes down about their frequency. This might come in handy someday (hopefully you won’t need it) if a doctor ever needs to determine a diagnosis of Tourette. Good luck and keep us posted! Jo "Daisie" <almue…@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:Skuua.778364$F1.98176@sccrnsc04… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, I just found this newsgroup. My son is 7 and has a bad case of ADHD. > Recently he has started having a nervous tic in his face. He blinks > constantly, and does this sort of grimace with his mouth. I looked up on > the internet to see if there was any connection between this and his ADHD. > That is where I found out about TS. While I was reading about TS, I > remembered about 5 months ago when my son start doing this strange sniffing > noise. He did it constantly, even though he didn’t have a cold. It went > away after about a month. > My question is, we had discussed before this latest tic started, putting > my son on medication for his ADHD. His grades have dropped dramatically, > even though he is incredibly intelligent, because he is unable to focus, and > his movements are disturbing his class. I haveread so many confusing things > about ADHD medicine and TS. Does anyone have any input. We are going to > the DR. at 3:00 today, and I would like to be armed with information before > we go. > Thanks, > Daisie
Response:
Welcome Daisie, to the wonderful, frustrating world of Tourette’s, the hype, misinformation, the lackof consistent information and the total lack of understanding what Tourette’s sufferers experience. With that doomsday description, there are wonderful people here who as parents of children with TS, parents with TS, or anyone else with TS the best way to get information is from peers and fellow people who understand the condition firsthand- the TS’ers themselves. The tics you describe your son as showing are identical to the ones I had when I first started showing signs. (I’m 38 now, started having "tics" around 6th grade). Realize that each person, regardless of age, sex, or race will have their own personal battles and if you decide on medications, one may work for some, but may not work for others. This is why I am disputing the below statement from Daisie. I have tried Ritalin Ritalin SR, Adderall, Caffeine (for my ADD) plus Zoloft, Paxil, Clonidine, Risperdal, Orap, etc. each with varying success, stimulants did not affect my tic behaviior in any way, and some actually decreased my tics. The key (for me) is to help your son understand that A) He is OK- that there is nothing wrong with him (per se), and show him you love him NO MATTER WHAT. Help him, don’t criticize or question him. I have emotional scars that go back years because of this and 2) watch him and look for "triggers" that can cause tics to flare. I have learned that fatigue (lack of sleep) and anxiety are the two major causes of my ticcing. >When it comes to info about TS and stimulants I advise people to ONLY rely >on research and info…published before the mid 80’s, as the "research" >since is all tainted by hyperbole and propaganda by big drugz and nuts who >encourage the drugging of children. >Before the drug companies compromised all basic research in US…it was a >well established and accepted fact in the scientific community that >stimulants triggered the expression of disorders like TS and even bipolar >disorder in persons who would never have developed TS or bipolar disorder, >if not given stimulant meds.
The problem with this theory is that A) Its a conspiracy by drug companies to get us on meds) which is probably partially true but very possibly the only solution to helping with the condition and 2) So many advances have been made in research that literature published even with in the last 5-10 years is outdated, let alone 20 years. Sometimes meds are needed, but often times, controllling the environmental factors help more. .Dave
