Momto2

My DD used to spin in circles when she was younger. For her, it was a sensory issue. She could spin and spin and never get dizzy! She received occupational therapy for sensory integration disorder. She is 11 now and no longer has any sensory issues. Amy

Jen - I see you mentioned that your DS is having some tremors. My DD is also experiencing this. We don't have a Pandas diagnosis yet, but her ped has put her on some abx. My DD's right arm shakes while at rest and also while sleeping. The first time I noticed this was last April. At the time, I thought maybe she had hurt herself (she was playing on the monkey bars a lot!) It didn't seem like a tic to me. It lasted maybe a week or two and then went away until last month. Last April when this happened, her tics seemed to flair up quite a bit as well. In the last month, my DD has also had a lot of OCD things come up. She did have an MRI when she fist started ticcing and it was clear, but that was 6 years ago. Our ped was able to get us an appointment next week at our Children's Hospital. We will be seeing a nurse practitioner, not an MD at this point. If we wanted an MD, we would be waiting forever! At least this gets us started. She has experince in neurology and psych. I hope you get some answers soon. Amy

We don't know if my daughter has Pandas or not, we are just starting to explore that. After seeing her ped. on Friday, she did put her on antibiotics while we wait to get the results of her titres. I just found out that there is another case of strep in her classroom! (Her best friend had it in December and a couple weeks later the OCD started.) Will she be resistant to that since she is on abx? Or do I need to worry that this could complicate her situation? Also, how long does it take to see improvement with the abx if it is indeed Pandas? Thanks. Amy

We just got back from our ped. She was very understanding and did give us antibiotics. She also told us that they do have a couple other kids in the clinic that have been diagnosed with Pandas. We have an appointment next month with a doctor at our Children's Hospital, too. Our ped. is going to contact them to discuss our situation and see if we can get in sooner. So, I am at least feeling a little more hopeful today that there is some kind of plan in place. Amy

Thanks for this info. I did look up some videos and I don't think she has those type of movements. I also just had her hold her arms out, her fingers eventually drooped, but she wasn't moving them. She just said it made her arms hurt. Amy

My DD has also told me about some intrusive thoughts. This makes me feel so bad.

I am starting to go down the road of PANDAS with my daughter. She has become extremely fidgety (some would say hyper)to the point that she is constantly bouncing her legs - even when standing and also practicially bouncing out of her chair. Could this also be a symptom of PANDAS? Has anyone else experienced this? Thx. Amy

My daughter has had tics on and off for 6 years or so, never officially diagnosed with tourettes, just a tic disorder. We initially had her see a ped. nuerologist and she did an MRI and lots of bloodwork. Everything checked out fine. I was told part of the bloodwork was to check for strep. I never really asked about the details of the test, since they said it was negative. So anyway....she has been having a lot of strange behavior lately, very hyper and told me about these "thoughts" in her head. Clearly OCD type thoughts. I called the original neurologist, but can't get her in until the middle of February. I also talked to her ped. and she ordered bloodwork for her - seemed very open to the idea of PANDAS. Well, the nurse just called and said the strep test was negative, but they are also checking on the titres and this will take up to 2 weeks. Apparently, they had to send the bloodwork to the Mayo Clinic, they don't do it around here. Even though they said she was negative for strep, could the titres still indicate PANDAS? I am really worried about her, especially the OCD issues. I don't know how to help her in the meantime. Amy

When you get a chance, could you also send me the info. please? We live between Madison and Milwaukee. Thanks!

Now that I look, I do see a mag. citrate supplement on iHerb. I actually bought some taurine a few weeks ago, but haven't given it to my daughter yet. If she does tolerate it, would giving it to her along with a mag. supplement be the same as taking magnesium taurate?

My daughter currently takes the Natural Calm magnesium and I think it does take the edge off of her tics. So, we are very happy with this product. However, it isn't always the most convenient to take. Does anyone know if there is a pill or capsule form of magnesium that would provide the same benefits as the Natural Calm powder? Thanks. Amy

We do watch her diet as far as not consuming artifical colors, sweeteners, etc. She does eat dairy products. We tried Omega3 at one point and she didn't do well on it - seemed even more fidgity. As I mentioned, I really don't want to use meds, but I just want to educate myself about them. Thanks for your input. Amy

Does anyone know if there are any meds that are used for ADD or ADHD that would not cause tics or make them any worse? My daughter was diagnosed with a tic disorder almost 5 years ago. I am concerned my daughter may have ADD, but I don't have that confirmed yet. I think we will be heading down the path of testing for it soon. I would prefer not to have to put her on any meds, but I just want to be prepared if/when the subject comes up. Thanks! Amy

Both of my kids have had plantars warts and I do think it is a virus. This may sound odd, but we got rid of them by using duct tape! Our pediatrician actually told us to do it. Either soak the foot or after a shower/bath, take a pumice stone and try to file them down a bit. Then make sure the foot is dry and cover the area tightly with the duct tape and leave on until the next night. Do this every night and you will start to see a difference. It does take a while (maybe a month or two), but the warts will go away. I hope this helps! Amy

Have you tried Crystal Light Pure Fitness? It is a powder you mix with water and doesn't have any artifical colors, sweeteners or preservatives. I think it uses stevia. I don't know if it helps out with electrolytes like Gatorade would, but it tastes pretty good! I have tried the grape and lemon flavors. Amy

Has she been checked for food or environmental allergies? The hardest time my son ever had with tics was during a time when his outdoor allergies were out of control, multiple tics happening and it was very scary. Just a thought! No she hasn't been checked for any allergies. Would there be more obvious signs if she had allergies - like stomach issues or sneezing, coughing, etc.? She doesn't have any symptoms like that. Also, what kind of doctor/provider do you see if you want allergy testing done? Thx! Amy

Hi, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here, but this thread really hits close to home. I too have a daughter with a tic disorder and we also live in Wisconsin. We live between Milwaukee and Madison (about 10 minutes from Waukesha.) My daughter has had tics for over 5 years and I actually thought they were "phasing out." However, things for some reason have changed in the past few weeks and she has had many different kinds of tics show up. However, they are coming and going very quickly. I really don't understand it and I don't know what I should do next. I am just so worried for her. I am thankful for this forum, as I don't know of anywhere else to find any support. Amy

Hello everyone, I haven't posted here in a very long time, but do continue to read the posts. First of all, I must say how much I appreciate everyone's helpful comments shared here. I have a 10 1/2 yr old DD who has a tic disorder. She began having tics at age 5 and through the years has had a multitude of motor tics. Her first tic was head shaking, then she had an abdominal roll-type movement. From there it went to a lot of facial tics - mouth opening wide, sticking out tongue, she also had a jumping tic somewhere in there. When the tics first started, we did see a neurologist. She ran all the bloodwork and also did an MRI, everything came out normal. My daughter's tics seem to cycle. I do give her Natural Calm which I always thought helped. She can go for months without any tics, they usually come back in October for awhile and then this time of year. Of course, I can't figure out why. Up until now, the tics seem to have been getting milder through the years. My question right now is about her arm. I can't figure out if this is a tic, or if her arm is strained, has a pinched nerve, etc. Her right arm seems to be spasming or shaking. It feels like her upper arm tenses up and then the rest of her arm shakes. She tells me it hurts if I push on her upper arm. She hasn't had a new kind of tic in years. When the tics come back, it is usually some kind of mouth tic. If this is a tic, I am worried that it will bother her in school since she is right-handed. Has anyone seen a tic that causes the arm to shake? I am not sure if I should take her to her doctor or just wait it out if it is a tic. I am so worried that it is another tic. Things have been going so much better and I was hopeful she was out-growing the tics. Thanks for reading this, I feel I was too long winded! Amy

Hi, I was wondering if some of you could offer some insight. This is about our 5 year old daughter, we don't have any diagnosis yet, but I am really concerned she may have TS. Here is what has been happening: About 6 weeks ago, she started shaking her head back and forth and also occassionaly sticking her tongue out and flapping her hands. (I should also mention she has sensory integration disorder). Her OT thought this was sensory-related, so we increased some therapy for her and it stopped in less than 2 weeks. Then about a week later, she began having strange stomach movements/jerks. She is still doing this. Again, her OT said it is probably her way of soothing herself. While this was happening she had her 5 year check up and her ped. also thought sensory issues. So..........now she is having strange facial movements, sometimes her head and eyes roll back. At times she seems aware of this, other times she doesn't. I can't tell if she has any vocal tics yet, she has always been a rather noisy child. Our daughter is adopted, so we have no medical history on her. What should I do next? I am talking to her ped. tomorrow, but what type of doctor should she be seeing for this? I hope this makes sense, I am pretty upset right now. Thank You. Amy