Hi All,
We need help!!
Are stuttering, speaking unnecessary words in sentences, completing one sentence in a long time due to stuttering and speaking unnecessary words in between tic-related issues or could there be something else.
We are very concerned because speaking problem has increased a lot in last 2 days. he takes a long time to complete a sentence (not every-time). Could some one please please guide us what can be done and whom should we consult? Not sure how will he be able to cope in school.
Some background:
My 7.5-year-old boy is diagnosed with tics disorder. At the age of 5, we noticed him rolling his eyes the first time which we thought was due to some eye allergy due to change in weather or watching too much of TV.
We gave him some eye drops which settled down the eye rolling. Alter 6 months his eye-rolling appeared again when he was down with a sore throat and fever, we again visited an eye doctor who mentioned this as a tic and gave some eye drops which settled down the eye rolling again.
When he was almost 6 (one month after his operation for tooth crown ) he fell sick again and started with the head, hand, shoulder tics. Visiting neurologist, we realised these are motor tics, we were advised to wait and watch and start a reward chart for positive reinforcement. For the next 1 year, his tics reduced in frequency and severity but never disappeared. Six months ago, my son was down with fever and sore throat which increased his motor tics significantly and few vocal tics have also started which haven’t settled down till now. Instead, sometimes tics get worse and in the last few weeks, he has developed a speaking difficulty as well which forces him to repeat words and change the tone/pitch of few words in a sentence. Since last few days, his speech problem has increased a lot, it takes a long time to complete a sentence.
Visiting neurologist again in late August 2018 we are now referred for review to the developmental paediatrician with the recommendation of clonidine. We are meeting paediatrician at end of November 2018. Reading side effects of medication, we are not keen to go for clonidine.
Since I started reading the book - “Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourette's: A Patient and Family Guide” we have eliminated sugar and trying to avoid preservatives and artificial colours as well. Yesterday we have started magnesium (berry flavoured chewable tablets - 100g per day) with Epsom salt bath. So far, we believe the situation has improved but can’t see much improvement as this type of wax and wane has happened in past too.
Additionally, in past, he has complained about pain in his head and tummy few (5-7) times in 6 months which used to settle down after few hours as doctors just advised to wait.
Please note that doctors have ruled out PANDAS but have found a genetic connection of tics.
I am so fortunate to know about this blog, thanks to Sheila Rogers DeMare’s life-changing book I came across 3 weeks ago – “Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourette's: A Patient and Family Guide”.
It would be great if someone please review our situation and guide us the type of tests etc we can do in the recommended sequence?
We have high hopes from this blog. We live in New Zealand, please suggest some NZ practitioners if possible.
Regards,