ADVICE...5-HTP - Face Wiping Tic

[cobygurl]

Hi,

 

Has anyone given 5 HTP to a child as young as 4?

 

I have heard that increasing the magnesium, zinc and B vitamins as the precursor may eliminate the need for 5 HTP.

 

Has anyone had any experience with giving it to such a young child?

 

Again my sons tics are scratching/wiping his face, tongue rolling and finger movements.

 

Also, the neurologist says the face wiping scratching cannot be a tic but compulsions, does anyone agree or disagree?

 

My son just says he is extremely itchy...

 

Thanks again...

[Chemar]

If your son says he is itchy then it may be an allergy or other skin problem?

 

and sorry but IMO the neuro is wrong that it "cannot" be a tic .......but it may be what is known as Tourettic OCD which is basically when tics morph into OCD or OCD symptoms become tics.

 

here is a good list of common tics though not all are listed: http://www.tourettes.../CommonTics.pdf

 

My son was 10 when he first took 5HTP on a short term basis.

I honestly don't know about a child so young on it and it is not meant for longterm use

 

Inositol is documented as being a safer alternative for young kids (I think?)

[Bferrell]

My son is also wiping his face. This is the 2nd time he's gone through this. The first time last 2-3 months and his face became so red and raw... We had to constantly keep cream on his face. He used his sleeve to wipe his face. Now - he's doing it again, only this time, he HAS to have a wet washcloth to wipe with. His face is already red and sore. It upsets him very much. He doesn't want to go to church or school... He's embarrassed by it of course. He is 9 years old. And unlike the previous post, he it not itchy. He simply feels COMPELLED to do it. I'm trying desperately not to put him on medication. He has had various tics for 5+ years. Any help or suggestions would sure be appreciated! I have another son who is 11. He also has had tics for years. I have found that giving him Magnesium supplements helps to relieve his tics. But this doesn't seem to work for my younger son.

[TeamTyrion]

I just started giving my son (almost 7) 5htp, just last week. My understanding is that it is for short-term use - not sure why but its purpose (as I was told by ND) is to regulate the serotonin/dopamine balance in the body, with 5htp being a serotonin precurser. Here is a dr. oz article mentioning to use it for only 12 weeks, and I have read elsewhere that it is "safe" for no more than 12 weeks of use. I'm curious if anyone has used it for long term with success.

 

http://blog.doctoroz.com/is-this-right-for-you/5-htp-is-this-right-for-you

[qannie47]

I had some real success with my son age 8 for about 12 weeks. Then it seemed to build up or become not as effective. Not sure which.

 

Chemar: I have been researching long time use for 5htp and I have found some articles that claim it can be for long term...Have you found a reliable source that says not for long term?