Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics and advice needed

[jmacja]

Does anyone know of any providers doing this in Texas? My son was diagnosed with a chronic tic disorder at age 7. He is 10 now and his tics have become really bad. He is currently on tenex and haldol. We were going to try and wean him off of the haldol, but his tics are so severe right now, that we can't start that yet. He will be going into 5th grade this fall in a new school and I'm worried about how he will do. He also complains of his stomach being upset constantly. I don't know if it is anxiety or something else. He has been allergy tested and is allergic to grass mostly and the protein in shrimp. He did not test positive for any other foods. We have noticed that the red dye causes him to start ticcing. We have done the magnesium and omega 3 route, but we didn't really notice much difference. I don't know what else to do. I would appreciate any help you could give me.

 

Thank you!

 

Joy

[Sheila]

Hi Joy, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. And welcome to the forums, we are glad you got in touch.

 

It sounds like your boy has been in a rough situation if Haldol was prescribed, and I know it's been hard for you too. I'm sorry he has been getting worse, and I understand your concern that he will be entering 5th grade.

 

There are many things that need to be addressed if you want to try to heal your son. The fact that his stomach is often upset is an important symptom that needs to be explored. You also say he has allergies, plus you have noticed that red dye causes ticcing. These are all clues to his condition and there are no doubt other important symptoms also that have not yet been looked at.

 

I believe you need to see a physician to help you sort things out, and yes there are doctors in Texas. I don't know where you live...please let us know and I will try to find doctors who may be able to help.

 

You boy's case is too serious for you to try to tweak things on your own--you will need professional help given his medication history. However, there are things you could start doing now to help him. I also recommend that you read my response to ijenk and see how many of those items you can address. .

 

I'll be watching for a response from you as far as location. I may not get back to you for a few days, but I will!

[jmacja]

Sheila,

 

Thank you for your quick reply. We live in Central Texas, north of Austin. Our neurologist is located in Austin. She is the one who is watching his meds, etc. I asked her what she thought about his constant upset stomach and she thought it was probably anxiety over being self conscious about his twitches, but urged us to get it checked out with his PCP. She also had us try the mag/omega 3 combination. Currently my son is on 10mg of zyrtec in addition to his other meds. He was also diagnosed with asthma in August of last year. I feel as though he is falling apart....and I am too.

 

I looked at your reply to the other poster just a few minutes ago. I do have the book natural remedies for Tics and Tourette's. I have been trying to pay attention to what he is eating, but I haven't started eliminating any foods yet. I will cut out artificial flavors/colors, nitrates, and sugar.

 

I appreciate any and all help as I feel like the doctors open to habit reversal therapy, but I don't seem to be able to make any forward progress.

 

Joy