littlefin

Hi Cheri- Thanks for your reply. We have been down the whole PANDA's avenue. He had tested positive with strep. He has seen 2 different neuros, had an MRI, EEG, and ECHO (concern about Sydenham's Chorea at one point), and he had been on antibiotics for almost a year. Overall, I felt he did seem slightly better but continued to have good and bad days. Interestingly, I felt his speech and emotional well being immediately improved on antibiotis within the first 2 weeks. My husband on the otherhand wasn't so sure there was a definite response (tic-wise) -- mainly because of the wax and waning. The tics are always there, but vary in intensity. Since efficacy was so questionable, we decided to take him off of the antibiotics. The TMJ theory intriqued me because I know my son has a tight jaw (often hard to help him brush his teeth), he grinds his teeth at night, and recently told me he clenches his teeth during the day. He has metal caps for 3 cavities they filled a few years back (a possibly connection?), and he says that he likes to stamp the metal with his teeth. When I recently asked him to hold a pencil between his teeth his tics reduced dramatically. Later the next day he showed me he could stop his tics temporarily (15-20 minutes), when he holds his jaw apart in a certain way but it is difficult and tiring. It is confusing for me because I have no idea whether it is simply because he his concentrating so hard they temporarily go away or is it because it is actually relaxing his jaw. Anyway, it makes sense for us to pursue the TMJ. I am trying hard not to get my hopes up too much about it because it is such a rollar coaster ride and is becoming more and more evident there is no magic bullet. With that said, it is interesting to note that the orthodontist I spoke to said they have had a little over 50% success at their practice with their tic patients in either reduction or elimination. He mentioned that they quickly find out who are the responders vs the non-responders. Like you mentioned, it may help some but clearly not everyone. I appreciate the link to your son's nutritional program -- diet modification is something we will pursue...especially if the TMJ doesn't work at all or only partially.

My 6-1/2 year boy old has chronic tics. We are thinking of having him see an orthodontist/tmj specialist to explore whether there could be any connection with his tics and possible tmj issues. Does anyone have any firsthand knowledge about the success or failure of this device?