goldilox73

Hi, there. I just read your post and have to tell you that you are NOT alone. I just posted for the first time 2 weeks ago, and I am in the EXACT same place you are emotionally. You are much further along in this process, having tried accupuncture, etc. My son's facial tic started a year and a half ago... saw neurologist, pediatrician wasn't worried, etc. We did lots of tests and ruled out PANDAS, seizures, etc. But, that tic persists. I am a very anxious person, myself, and sometimes I think I'm starting to tic like him because this is so stressful! I try SO hard not to let him see my anxiety. But, now he is starting to become aware of it, and it breaks my heart even more. He is starting kindergarten in 2 weeks. And, I cry myself to sleep at night thinking about how hard this could be for him...making friends, other kids making comments, etc. I have no idea what to expect, and that drives me insane. I'm thinking about medication myself, if for nothing else to calm my own nerves so that he doesn't see my reactions and take cues from me. We have just contacted an integrative pediatric neurologist to see if she can recommend some other, alternative treatments. I won't put my 5-yr-old on meds. But, I have to do something, you know? Just to feel like I'm working on the problem. None of my close friends have ever dealt with this, so I don't feel I can talk to them. It can be very isolating, especially late at night when you are trying to make yourself feel better about things (Gosh, I've had that same conversation about "at least it's not ____" a thousand times!). Please make sure to take GOOD care of yourself, and if that means getting a little support or talking to a professional, there's no shame in that. Our children look to us to learn to manage stress, so I'm always conscious of that. Anyway, hope it helps to know you are not alone in your struggle.

Yes, the first thing I did when this tic started was have his eyes checked. Other than a slight astigmatism, she did not feel that was related to the tic. He's also had an EEG. No seizure activity.

Thank you, Chemar. I am always cautious about giving meds, and I definitely do not want to entertain the idea of meds for my little guy. I am also cautious about labeling him with a diagnosis... especially because he is just starting kindergarten. I don't even know if I should share this with the teachers. I just don't want them coming up to him every 5 minutes asking him, "are you ok? can you see? what's wrong with your eyes?" It's just so disturbing to watch as a parent. I keep thinking, "he had a couple of goose eggs on his head from falls, etc, in his short lifetime... maybe it's brain damage!" But, so many toddlers/preschoolers hit their heads and get banged up. Should I be asking for an MRI from the neurologist? Can a complex tic like this just go away on its own? Even if he's had it for a couple of years? I don't know enough about nutrition to change his diet on my own. (Being that he's five, he's already picky!) How do I determine what to remove/add to his diet safely? Sorry to ramble. I'm just so overwhelmed by this.

Allergies? Really? Food allergies or environmental? My son has never had any allergies that I know of. Certainly, not with any of the classic reactions you'd think of. I am so careful about what I feed my kids. We have mostly organic food/fruit/veggies. Always organic milk. Am I doing something wrong? What about the ADHD? He appears to meet criteria for the inattentive type. Never any behavior management issues. Just a "fogginess" and difficulty shifting his attention from one thing to another. Could that be related? I am SO new to ALL of this and completely scared out of my mind. Your feedback is GREATLY appreciated...

Hello. I am new to this forum and in need of some help for my 5-yr-old son. He has been exhibiting an "eye widening" tic since age 3 and 1/2. Additionally, he was diagnosed this past year by a psychologist with inattentive ADHD. The tic was subtle at first, and only picked up by our pediatrician during an annual visit. It had only been seen when my son was idle (watching TV, concentrating on something in front of him, etc). In the last few weeks, however, he's started doing it all the time! The eye widening is SO much more pronounced and frequent. My husband and I are TERRIFIED. There is no history of tic disorder or TS in either family. I brought him to a pediatric neurologist who did all the bloodwork for PANDAS, etc. All negative. My little boy is starting kindergarten in 2 weeks and I am ready to cry. I don't know what else to do or how to help him. The worst part is that I just don't know what to expect! What is the prognosis for a chronic motor tic disorder like this?? I absolutely do not want him medicated at age 5. He doesn't even know he's doing it. Please, if there is some advice for a newbie to this issue, I am all ears... Thank you very much for hearing me.