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When is a neurologist needed?


JudyLV

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Hi,

 

I have posted an introduction under "New here". My 12 year old son is having problems with anxiety, obsessive complusive behavior and tics (mostly vocal). I have started to make calls to locate a therapist to help us. One question I have gotten is "who is his neurologist?" It really did not occur to me to take him to one. Would it be beneficial to take him to a neurologist? I have a feeling that would just make him more anxious. I do not want to medicate him. Is a neurologist the only one who can make a TS diagnosis? Is a diagnosis needed? If my son were disruptive in school I can see where a diagnosis would be helpful in getting teachers to understand. If one gets a Tourettes diagnosis can it ever be taken away-or will it be a pre-exisiting condition that will follow my son around forever?

 

As you can see I have lots of questions. You also might get the feeling that I am skeptical of doctors. I recieved an MS diagnosis 9 years ago and have found alternative therapy and diet (specificially a gluten, dairy, soy, egg, legume free diet) to be a key to my healing. However, my neurologist will not consider taking away my diagnosis.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

--Judy

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Hi,

 

I have posted an introduction under "New here". My 12 year old son is having problems with anxiety, obsessive complusive behavior and tics (mostly vocal). I have started to make calls to locate a therapist to help us. One question I have gotten is "who is his neurologist?" It really did not occur to me to take him to one. Would it be beneficial to take him to a neurologist? I have a feeling that would just make him more anxious. I do not want to medicate him. Is a neurologist the only one who can make a TS diagnosis? Is a diagnosis needed? If my son were disruptive in school I can see where a diagnosis would be helpful in getting teachers to understand. If one gets a Tourettes diagnosis can it ever be taken away-or will it be a pre-exisiting condition that will follow my son around forever?

 

As you can see I have lots of questions. You also might get the feeling that I am skeptical of doctors. I recieved an MS diagnosis 9 years ago and have found alternative therapy and diet (specificially a gluten, dairy, soy, egg, legume free diet) to be a key to my healing. However, my neurologist will not consider taking away my diagnosis.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

--Judy

Hi, Judy, My son has tourettes and ocd We first noticed his tics and about age 4. My husband has tourettes and ocd. We took Paul to a neurologist after his therapist recommended it If we were interested in medicating him.At the time we were because his tics are very noticable and sometimes painful for him. I 'm glad we did because they give him a different type of check up then his pediatric Dr does. It just makes us feel more secure in his overall health. To my surprise the neuralogist was not a pill pusher he talks to us, makes his suggestions based on what we want for our son and leaves the rest to us on weather we medicate or not. We recently have taken him off his Risperdal because I wanted to see what my son was like unmedicated. ( he has been on it for 4 years he is now 9} It helped just alittle with his tics. But he gained weight and slurred his words. Now his appetite is his own and we (and others) can understand him when he talks. Needless to say this was a problem in school so I wish we had taken him off sooner. But we did't know if that was just his way because he also studderd a bit for awhile.The schools are aware of his tourettes and ocd and for us I would say it has been very helpful because it helps them understand his tics so they don't think he is trying to disrupt the class on purpose. Also I make it a point to tell his possible friends about it so they understand his jerking and don't just think he's weird. Yes he will probably always be labled as a boy with tourettes but that's o.k. because he is a boy with tourettes.It doesn't go away it just becomes more controllable with age. I will tell you this and I'm not trying to worry you but our neuralogist did tell us that for Paul his tics would get worse at puberty but then usually by the time he reaches 13 or 14 he will have much more control. I hope this helps alittle.We have tried to help educate the people we meet that will be involved with Paul because where we live he appears to be the only child in his school that has tourettes, or should I say who has been officially diagnosed. I am amazed at how few people have ever heard of toruettes and I never hesitate to tell them anything they want to know. As I see it, knowledge usually breeds understanding which in turn breeds acceptance. Which can only be a good thing for Paul and any child who might come along after him. GOD be with you . melwade

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