Where to start

[technodad]

I posted this earlier today but for some reason has not shown up yet. So if other appears please delete the other one.

 

My son just turned 6 and this last week had an explosion of tics. Throat clearing, grunting, head jerking, stomach jerking, looks almost like he has the hiccups that won't stop. I don't know where to start. He has always had made some noises while eating off and on for a few years, but never was to concerned with it as my older daughter did it a little to, but she grew out of it. He and she also display some minor OCD like after showing not wanting to be touched by someone who has yet to take their shower for the night because they are clean and person who has not takin it yet is not. They get that from seeing me and my wife act the same way sometimes about being clean. I watch them pretty close as I was diagnosed with tourettes about 35 years ago when I was 3, fairly mild case. Some tics would get worse some days. Not to bothersome now, but still bothered by the OCD (another reason I am freaking out about my son). I have been reading these forums for a couple days and now think what if it is Pandas? He just got his tonsils removed 9 months ago. When he was two he got tubes put in his ears for ear infections. That helped with the ear infections, then he started getting sore throats to the point where every two weeks he would be getting 104 fevers and be up all night. I think he tested positive may have tested positive for strep at least once, don't remember so much just know his throat was infected a lot and had bad fevers. However, I never noticed any difference in tics when he got the sore throats or when he was taking antibiotics. So last fall we got his tonsils out. Doc said they were infected when removed. He said with a lot of kids the tonsils never really clear all the way up and kind of stay infected all the time even though they don't show symptoms. Well he recovered well from the tonsilectomy (had adnoids removed also) and last winter was much better. I think he only has gotten 1 or two sore throats since compared to about every 2-3 weeks before removal. I did not notice any changes in tics or behavior until last couple weeks (9 months after). Only tics he had shown until this last week were noises when eating or maybe watching TV. They seemed to only get worse couple days before Christmas, Easter, vacation. Which seemed normal to me as I get worse when I am excited about something. Now 9 months later the noises are 10 times worse and the jerking/hiccuping is terrible, he is urinating frequently, and a lot more hyper. It did not happen over night. Seemed like the noises got worse first only when eating, then some more when not eating over the course of the last 2 weeks. Now the last 2-3 days is when the jerking started and the noises ramped up significantly. This last week it is like he changed into a different kid. Since I was diagnosed with TS, I figured he inherited from me, however maybe I have Pandas also? When I was a kid I had tonsils removed because of chronic sore throats and I continued to get a lot of sore throats into my 20s. Now I generally only get flu once and some sinus infections a couple times per year. Now rarely get a sore throat. Things that made/make it worse for me as mentioned was being excited like Christmas morning, going to ballgames that I am excited about, video games (for this reason I avoid them), driving, and eating.

 

I don't know what to pursue first.

 

Should I look into Pandas?

 

Should I just wait and maybe see if he is just excited about his first year of Kindergarten starting this week?

 

I have been trying to look for potential triggers over the last month or so. He has been swimming more (about half in salt pool and have in traditional pool). We got two cats in June which he plays with a lot. Fertilized grass in June. We were sprayed for ants in July. How long after being exposed to a trigger until symptoms flare?

Edited August 19, 2012 by technodad

[Cj60]

Hi,

 

Considering the incidence of infection, I would certainly advise cross-posting on the pandas forum.

 

An environmental practice might also be something to consider, with the variables you mention (chlorine, cat, fertilizer, spaying ...).

 

Good luck,

 

- Chris

[technodad]

Chemar,

 

I have been reading a lot on this forum and would be curious as to what you think of my son's situation. You seem to be very knowledgeable about TS. I thought my sons jerking tics may have been getting better for a couple days, but the first day of school made them explode for him. He was jerking just about everything tonight. I mentioned a lot of things above that could be possible triggers, but nothing really that I could pinpoint happened exactly two weeks ago when they really started getting bad with the jerking. I do feel he is going through a growth spurt as he has been eating a lot more than usual and extra tired. He does seem to be worse when excited like playing a game as opposed to just watching TV by himself

 

I have posted on the Pandas board for info on doctors in my area. Should I pursue that?

 

I also got some info on TMJ doctors in my area (he has a noticeable underbite). Should I pursue that?

 

What do you think I should pursue first?

 

If I start giving him magnesium how long until you may see results in less tics?

Edited August 22, 2012 by technodad

[Chemar]

Hi

honestly there are so many variables in your son's situation that I think you best beginning is to find a doctor who can guide you.

 

The fact that you have a TS diagnosis yourself obviously increases the genetic possibility that he has inherited at least the predisposition for it. That combined with the strep history makes PANDAS worth checking into as TS and PANDAS are not mutually exclusive. Then it also seems there are possible other factors that trigger his tics.

 

So finding a physician who will carefully investigate all the possibilities instead of just giving him a label is the best course of action I think

 

Have you tried the Epsom Salts baths? That really is a great way to get some transdermal magnesium in as well as having the relaxant effect of the mag sulfate.

 

hope you find answers and paths to the right treatments. Be sure to read the Helpful Threads pinned to the top of this board and the PANDAS one. Lots of good info there! Also consider Sheila's book as it is a good basic foundation http://www.latitudes.org/book.html