motor tics- help they are newMy

[bulldog24]

my son is having motor tics suddenly tonight. touching his face/head wiping his nose. He hasnt had this before. What do I do?

 

He isnt officially diagnosed and not getting treatment and recent strep.

 

 

HELP

 

gonna try ibuprophen.

[beeskneesmommy]

Get him to a PANDAS specialist ASAP. They often have long waiting lists. Have you discussed the possibility of PANDAS with his pediatrician so that you might get some antibiotics on board? Did I understand that he had recent Strep? Did he have antibiotics for this? What part of the country are you in? You can get referrals here. I am pasting some reliable links. Check out the criteria to start...

 

http://webpediatrics.com/pandas.html

 

http://pandasnetwork.org/

 

http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/pdn/web.htm

[AmySLP]

My daughter always had primarily tics until recently. With these repetitive patterns of face/head touching & wiping sequences, I always have wondered if these were tis or compulsatory behaviors because they often happened in sequences, the same, over and over. Whatever they are, in any event, you may want to have your child tested to see there is a current strep infection, that might be the easiest way to get ABX. Have you approached your pediatrician about getting something uuntil you can see a PANDAS doc?

 

Amy

[nicklemama]

My DS has had these too and I thought they were ocd in nature rather than tics. He's had tics, too. He still does the occasional face touching ocd. Your son needs treatment right away. Use the above doctor list to try and get him in to see someone.

[bulldog24]

thanks. His pedi has been less than helpful regarding the pandas. He got treated for the strep throat but as soon as 24 hours after the abx were done he had a major flare. We see Dr. B end of november. I wish it was sooner. He is also getting his tonsils out nov 16th (his sister too) due to recurring strep.

 

I am really distraught. This is definitely tics as he isnt aware he is doing anything. he is also shrugging one shoulder and blinking his eyes. I am really sad.

 

he takes clonidine for sleep and I have hydroxyzine for panic attacks.

[nicklemama]

Is there any way the surgeon or doctor would put him on abx until the tonsillectomy? I would discuss it with them. That's not very far away. You may have to push for it.

 

My DS is also not aware of his face touching. Interestingly, he also had eye blinking and shoulder shrugging. At one point, he had throat clearing and head turning too.

 

Its very distressing to watch and feel helpless. Just know you are on the path for treatment. Dr B will help you get this turned around.

[philamom]

bulldog - I pm'd you.

 

I would call and beg the ENT to put your child on antibiotics until the surgery and afterwards. Maybe Dr. B's office could contact the ENT with the request, until your appt. I don't know if they would without being a patient yet - but I would try...beg.

 

I don't have any experience with a tonsilectomy, but I do recall reading many posts on the importance of treating with antibiotics prior. Tons of bacteria released. Some ask for IV abx during the surgery as well. Hopefully, they will post their experiences. Too bad you can't see Dr. B before the surgery.

 

You know I'm thinking of you! Take care of yourself too!!

[sww817]

I would try the doctor that is going to pull the tonsils like the others suggested. Our ent did not find it overly unusual to have antibiotics before the surgery but he is a little mire progressive.

 

If that doesn't work, you could try a phone consult with Dr. T. I know you have an appt with Dr. B scheduled but I personally would not pull his tonsils without the abx.

 

You can find plenty of horror stories about flares after the t&a and also some that had improvements. I wouldn't panic over the stories... But get the abx first. It can't hurt and it could head off a problem if there is strep released.

[AmySLP]

Is there any way the surgeon or doctor would put him on abx until the tonsillectomy? I would discuss it with them. That's not very far away. You may have to push for it.

 

My DS is also not aware of his face touching. Interestingly, he also had eye blinking and shoulder shrugging. At one point, he had throat clearing and head turning too.

 

Its very distressing to watch and feel helpless. Just know you are on the path for treatment. Dr B will help you get this turned around.

 

 

Our kids movements would look a lot alike if they were sitting side by side. My daughter had shoulder rolling/shrugging & eye blinking too-totally unaware. THat's why I struggle with calling it a tic vs. compulsatory behavior, but in talking to adults with tics, they can tell you that they just have to get these out, so maybe as you age, the awareness increases. I can't believe that for the first time in nearly 3 years I can;t see one tic in my daughter. I reluctantly started treating with an antibiotic combination for positive co-infections a few weks ago, when for the first time she started to have some major OCD & anxiety & now, even the tics or movement compulsions have ceased. Amazing & somewhat still unbelieveable!