Yet another one!

[aj104]

My daughter age 8 has demonstrated tics since about 1 month ago. She started with the eye rolling and mouth opening. eye rolling lasted only a couple of days. Her main tics now are mouth opening, grimacing, shoulder shrugs. At this point these are all very mild and not disruptive in the least. She is very bright, A+ student, well behaved and other issues to speak of.

 

I am 41 years old, have an identical twin brother and an older brother 43 years old with TS. I would say he is in the mild to moderate category. His tics are mainly face and hand but he has had them since about 1st or 2nd grade. Neither me or my twin brother have ever had a tic disorder. He has two children aged 10(boy) and 14(girl) with no signs of a tic disorder. I also have a 10 year old daughter with no signs of a tic disorder.

 

I have read all about the genetic links but am still confused about the possible manifestations of TS especialy for girls. even with a genetic link, can this still turn out to be transient? Any possible way to determine the course or progression?

 

Also, I am a bit overwhelemed by all of the discussions on alternative treatment and triggers. Can someone jsut provide a few suggestions on where to start with this. I'd like to start slow and not overwhelm my daughter as well as myself with immediate changes in our daily living.

 

Looking forward to your comments.

 

AJ

[Chemar]

welcome AJ

 

yes, even with a genetic history of TS, you daughter could have a transient tic disorder, or it could be the manifestation of genetic TS

 

whatever the root, as you have asked for a concise way to start...I would highly recommend Sheila's book as an invaluable reference to help you work thru all this

http://www.latitudes.org/book.html

 

here is a thread that I started to document which tests and treatments helped my son, who has genetic TS

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=687

 

I have a link in that thread to the article here on Tic Triggers which you may also find very helpful

here it is again

http://latitudes.org/articles/finding_triggers.htm

 

Others have lots of info too on things like photosensitivity induced tics, PANDAS, allergy related tics etc etc etc

 

Just keep asking questions as you go and we will all try to help as much as we can

[lmcgill]

We had a very similar onset with my son, which you can see on my posts. I am stil sure he does not have TS, no vocal tics as well as no history in our family. I did find that suplementing a mag supp called Natural Calm seemed to help out.

Lenny

[Cum Passus]

Hi AJ,

 

I'm so happy to hear you are very calm. That will be the best thing for your daughter. Reading your post encouraged me, because I have wondered how my girls would handle having a child with TS. They are so good with their brother now I'm sure they will be OK, after reading your post I'm really sure TS won't upset them as it did me. I think my son started his tics with eye rolling. I remember at swim lessons he did it, but I thought it was the pool water. It did not last long, and changed to a kissing noise that came and went. We thought he was being silly.

 

I would start with her diet, that is always a good thing, TS or not.

 

Good luck,

C.P.

[faith]

hello aj,

Even with TS in the family, I sort of think its possible to just have some transient tics or twitches here and there. I wanted to mention something that someone told me. When I was at the pediatrition once when my 7 year old was having some tics and I was at the beginning of seeking answers and treatment, the assistant there told me that her daughter had a few tics when she was in first grade. She mentioned that mouth open that you described and she also jutted her arm out to the side and a small vocal. She said it lasted about six months, and her daughter was now about 12 and did not have any tics after that time.

So, there is hope that it is possible to have childhood tic that sails away and never comes back.

 

That is what I always wonder, if we are getting the children healthy at an early age, is it possible that it will present itself milder than the previoous generation? So (here I go, guys) might I ask if your brother always had the same tics, and what treatment was available in his childhood days (if any)?

 

As you read and become more informed, you will adapt the solutions you feel most comfortable with wether it be dietary change, nutrition, seeking allergy connections, etc. Most of all, try to have hope.............

 

Faith

[aj104]

Thanks for the info and responses.

 

In answer to Faith's questions:

 

I don't remember all that much about my brothers tics as children, I guess we didn't pay that much attention to the types, just knew he had them. I would say they have been pretty much the same for many years now. One eye winking, mouth movements, hand gestures. He was treated with Haldol as a child for about 5-6 years, low dosage. Didn't seem to do much except give unwanted side effects like lethargy, weight gain, mind altering etc.. so he stopped taking them and hasn't been on mediciation for may years now. I am now wondering if the Haldol has led to the more permanent movement disorder Tardive Dyskinisia but I wouldn't know if his tics are associated from that or TS.

 

So, I have another question about transient tics. Even if there are many or multiple can they still end up being transient. My daughter has multiple such as the mouth opening, grimacing, shoulder shrugging that I have described before, as well as some minor hand and abdomen from time to time. I wouyld think transient tics would involve one or two tics and not many, true or not?

 

How about the magnesium that is found in purified and mineral enhanced water? Would this be helpful and a good source of magnesium.

 

aj

[Chemar]

aj

 

one of the worst side effects of Haldol IS Tardive Dyskinesia

 

magnesium from all pure sources is good

 

Our doc recommends 300magnesium:600calcium for younger kids under 100lbs, 400:800 for 8-12yo over 100lb and 500:1000 12yo and up (milligram doses)

 

these are approximate guidelines and so once we factor in food, drink, etc the supplemnts we give can provide the balance

[aj104]

Thanks Chemar.

 

I am interested to hear from some of you as to the specifics of your child.

 

Age of onset of symptoms

types of symptoms

male or female child

known genetic link

manifestation of symptoms of family members vs. your child

current age of child

how the condidtion has progressed

 

 

how is your child now and what has worked for treatment?

 

I know this is alot to ask, but I trying to get as much info as possible. Also, my daughter is involved in Basketball, Softball, and Soccer. Should I be concerned about her ability to continue productively in these sports.

 

Thanks,

 

aj

[Chemar]

aj

i am just on my way out so wil post again later, but many of your specific questions will be answered in that thread link I posted before to my "story" of my son's progress, and the testing and treatments that have helped him

 

here it is again

 

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=687