Pandas? Tourettes? Tic Disorder?

[ans0925]

To start im a new member so ill give a little history here. My ds back in aug of 2011 at 3.5 yrs started an eye blinking tic. Dr at this time said allergies because he had been sick. This episode only lasted about 5 days and he had no more tics until Nov 1st, when the blinking came back. He was congested at this time but after consulting dr again she thought the tic was brought back on by Halloween and stress. So the tic was pretty consistent thru november but mostly only at times of anxiety and relaxation. Dec-Feb it was off and on a week with a couple weeks without. We went on a vacation a week after his 4th bday and went to a variety type show with costumed characters that sent him over the edge with stress at this point he began a jaw movement tic but no longer blinking. The new tic lasted exactly 2 weeks just to be replaced 4 days later by a shoulder shrug which started after a fire alarm got set off in the mall causing everyone to panic. The shoulder tic lasted about 5-6 weeks. Now im at a point of where to go with what's been going on. Its been about 6 weeks now of no noticeable tics until a few days ago. My ds started to run a mid grade temp a few nights and now super congested and i've seen just one episode each the last two days of eye blinking. The reason I don't automatically assume pandas though is because chronic motor tics do run in my family. I have a tic unchanged of much since about 4. My grandfather is an eye blinker. Our tics come with excitement where my sons seem to come with stress. I know that in people with tourettes it can be passed on to children as milder tic disorders but my question is can mild tic disorders like ours be passed on as tourettes? Or does the gene for tics being their make my son more prone to pandas? As for tourettes we are coming close to the 12 month threshold but thus far he's only had the three different tics nothing vocal and no two tics occuring together. Any input here is appreciated and I apologize for the long post but I feel the whole story is needed thanks!

[starlygirl]

Regardless of whether it's labeled Tourette's, chronic motor tic disorder, or whatever, it does seem you have a genetic predisposition to developing tics among your family members. My son is in a similar situation to yours in that he's had some tics come & go for a bit over a year (although my son started w/ one motor tic which was replaced by a different motor tic which was replaced by a vocal tic, so I believe he does fit the diagnostic criteria for Tourette's already). I'm still not sure if we're dealing w/ PANS either. His motor tics were mild, but the vocal tic came on very sudden & severe after an illness. It's frustrating when you can't tell if it was caused by the illness or just coincidental timing. Anyway, sorry I haven't much to offer, but thought I'd reply since this board doesn't seem to get much traffic (I wish it did!). The PANDAS board is pretty active, but it's lonely over here for those of us who may not be PANDAS!

 

Stacy

[mar]

Your story sounds similar to mine. Ds first showed tics in nov when he was 4. Went away within a couple of weeks . Came back the following year at same time with more . DH tics so I didn't really worry. Now 10 years old and sicknesses defiantly set him of . Before that at the age of 7 1/2 he completely went downhill with several sinus infections and tics full blown. Allergies showing to outdoor and food. It was real scarey. I never thought he was suffering with so many allergies and those defiantly cause tics with him. I was focused on torrettes for the first year bc DH tics but as I had them on elimination diets and started noticing that sicknesses and allergies make there tics get worst I no longer buy the torrettes. I see a correlation. When ds is on his diet and not sick his tics improve. I know believe that both my children have pandas and not torrettes. I kept a journal and kept a close eye with their foods and sicknesses and do see a connection.

Mar

[ans0925]

Thanks for the replies. It helps to hear your not alone. I just can't imagine this being tourettes either but it seems on any other forum u just hear about torettes. Our pediatrician doesn't seem to have concern at this point and says in her 25 yrs of experience she's had very few children that meet the tourettes diagnosis. I just worry with our family history of tics I guess. But some of my cousins had transient tics as children and myself. My tic has started again though oddly enough I think its from all my researching tics lol.

[ans0925]

I also thought id mention I think the eye blinking tic is now back due to infection mucus coming out of his eyes. I noticed today he's had quite a few "blinking" spells but every time he has a thick coating of mucus in the corners. Do any of your kids tic when you mention them? Like for instance I've noticed if we talk about his eyes he'll hard blink, this is any time not just now with the sickness. The jaw and shoulder tics he doesn't though. Its very strange.

[Chemar]

Hi

yes. one of the biggest tic triggers is when someone else draws attention to them!

 

If your child is ticcing more when there are infections you really may want to investigate the PITAND connection more...even if it is not strep/PANDAS...there may be some other underlying infection that is making the system so sensitive. Tourette and PANDAS or PITAND are not mutually exclusive so it may be a dual diagnosis...but in the absence of any vocal tics I would question whether it is in fact TS

 

Do take a look at the threads that we have pinned to the top of this board as there is a lot of helpful info there

[mar]

Yes!! You cannot dwell on the tics because it does make them worse. The best thing is to ignore them. Trust me I have 1st hand experience with DH and both of my children. The more you point them out the worst they get. they get very self conscious and realize that you are noticing them and that causes stress and makes things worse. I have learned if you just let it be and act like its nothing it helps them tremendously. There have been times where ds mentions them and I say who cares what is the big deal we all have them at one point and he gets better. You don't want to point it out and make them feel like an outcast. And believe me they feel and see the stare from you. Whether its a quick glance or the look of worry in your face. Been there and done that. I think the best thing is to hug them and smile and treat them like everyone else. Easier said then done but it works in the longrun.

Mar