Will Reducing OCD Help Alleviate the Tics?

[Perrine]

Hi,

 

I'm new here. My 16 year old has had tics since about age 8. We saw a movie called Two Brothers about two orphaned tiger cubs. He started having thoughts and mild tics after the movie. The tics were very subtle but got worse by age 11 with head bobbing. The tics subsided somewhat, but have increased recently with severe neck jerking. He is very successful in sports and school, but I believe the unpleasant thoughts and tics are getting to be too much.

 

What supplements should I start with?

[blakes_mom]

I dont know anything about supplements but I do know that infections can trigger tics. You may want to look into PANDAS as a possible diagnosis.pandasnetwork.org has been helpful for me.

[Chemar]

Hi Perrine

yes, infections like strep can trigger tics.....but so can many other things that are not infection related.

So it is a good idea to explore all possibilities.

 

There is a very helpful reference book that may be worth reading http://www.latitudes.org/book.html

Here is an article on Triggers for Tics http://www.latitudes.org/articles/finding_triggers.htm (the lists are at the end of the article)

You may also benefit from looking at some of our Helpful Threads http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2459

 

Using supplements has proved very beneficial for many people but it really does depend on what the root cause of the tics are! If indeed it is an infection trigger, then although supplements may be good overall, they are not getting to the main problem of eradicating the infectious agent eg strep/antibiotics etc

Similarly, if the tics are related to allergies etc etc etc

 

The fact that there is possible OCD or intrusive thoughts with the tics may indicate Tourette Syndrome. Infection triggered tics frequently also manifest with OCD, so it really is worth taking a deeper look at the possible PANDAS or PITAND connection

 

generally, magnesium and B vitamins are found to be helpful for tics. There are also supplements that can help OCD, but again, the root cause should first be investigated.

[guy123]

The fact that there is possible OCD or intrusive thoughts with the tics may indicate Tourette Syndrome. Infection triggered tics frequently also manifest with OCD,

 

Can you elaborate on these two statements a bit? Thanks.

[Chemar]

OCD is frequently co-morbid with TS and is documented as such

 

PANDAS/PITAND induced tics manifest most frequently along with neuropsychiatric symptoms, the most common being OCD

 

 

 

The fact that there is possible OCD or intrusive thoughts with the tics may indicate Tourette Syndrome. Infection triggered tics frequently also manifest with OCD,

 

Can you elaborate on these two statements a bit? Thanks.

[Perrine]

Thank you for your feedback regarding my 16 year old son with tics. You have helped me get started on a new journey. We have been to doctors and neurologists, and they have no clue what's really going on. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have help and hope! How do I find the cause? I'm a RN who has closely observed my son his entire life. Should we get a blood test, or should I try supplements? When his tics started, he did not have a strep infection, however, he might have had one in the months leading up to that point. On a side note, he is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.

 

Sincerely,

 

Perrine

[WorriedDADNMOM]

Are they sudden onset recently?? They can do a aso titer to determine if previous strep infection was present. My dd6 now 7 had very low, albeit positive titer for strep. Amoxicillin did nothing to alleviate the tic. Penicillin then long term penicillin did help. She also was asymptomatic. This was 13 months ago. Have had some worse issues since but addressing them now. If you suspect pandas then go to a pandas literate doctor.

[Perrine]

Are they sudden onset recently?? They can do a aso titer to determine if previous strep infection was present. My dd6 now 7 had very low, albeit positive titer for strep. Amoxicillin did nothing to alleviate the tic. Penicillin then long term penicillin did help. She also was asymptomatic. This was 13 months ago. Have had some worse issues since but addressing them now. If you suspect pandas then go to a pandas literate doctor.

 

 

The tics started aroung age 8 and have "waxed and waned" until present. It was nice for a while because his hair was a little longer and it appeared he was getting his hair out of his face. Unfortunately the tic has changed and now it's more of a head jerk.

 

Would it be worth doing a titer after so many years?

[Chemar]

Hi Perrine

I have merged your two threads as it is much easier to keep a sinlge topic together and means others replying don't repeat what has already been suggested

[blakes_mom]

It cant hurt to do a titer to see if there has been a recent strep infection.You will need to do a ASO and a DNase B titer also.My son never had a current strep infection when he started ticcing but his strep antibodies always showed he had a recent strep infection. If it has been too long they may not show a rise.If you can get a trial of antibiotics to see if you see improvement with the tics that would also be worth a try.