Are tics seasonal?

[twobit]

Son got his first bout of tics, motor and vocal, for about a 4-6 week period this past May and by July they were completely gone. At least I never saw them when I was home from work. Now that fall is approaching, he seems to be getting the motor tics again. His appetite is picking up again and he seems to be growing, too. Anybody have issues associated with the seasons or growth spurts?

[CSP]

I'm not sure if son has seasonal allergies, he seems to do better in the winter, but the cold sets him off so hard to say.

 

I know growth does cause an increase. He can grow a few cm in less then a week. He has almost an inch in less then a month. That reminds me I should check again I think its been 2 weeks.

 

CP

[EAMom]

Strep and other tic triggers can be seasonal so it makes sense that tics would also be seasonal. Also, isn't stress a trigger? There is less stress for most kids in the summer b/c they are out of school.

[mary]

I believe there is a connection with allergies. My son 12 yrs old is suffering from allergies now and he's started with a few tics which I am stressing out about. He's got the knuckle cracking, uhm sounds and now a slight jerk where he drops his head down its like his chin touches his chest. He does that sometimes repeatedly 3x.

 

I don't know what to do. I've been reading all the threads.. one moment I want to do the Espsom salt bath, then I read about L-Cartinine and now Kids Calm. I don't know where to start. I did start him with taking Zyrtec for the alleriges.

[trubiano]

I can say YES tics can be brought on by allergies. My older son only tics from the end of July through late October. Goldenrod and Ragweed and molds are high here at that time. All of which he tested postive with. It took five years, but this year we finally have it under control. I have tried natural supps, local honey, ES baths. They all helped, but never took it away. We also tried Zyrtec which made the tics worse. As he gets older kid's tease, so this year I reluctantly went with the medication route and it worked. He takes a 5 mg of Claritin and then I give him Benedryl as needed for any nasal congestion. I do have to go up to 10 mg of the Claritin a few days a week when the tics started to come back and it works!

[twobit]

Thanks for all of the input. We got Zyrtec from his doc becuause he's stuffed up all of the time, but it doesnt seem to help his nose or the tics. When we all moved to Texas, we all were stuffed up most of the time, so I figured Zyrtec would help, but it didnt. I take Claritine or just Loratadine from Sam's and it helps me a lot, but we havent discussed it for him with his doc yet. His doc has told me that she thinks his tics are a reaction to his allergies and since it has only been 5 months since they started, he is very young, and they are not severe, she told me to wait and see what happens.

 

We came here with 2 dogs and 2 cats and are now down to one of each, and they're both old. I have a feeling that before we move again in about a year, we'll be down to one or none, so that may eliminate some potential causes for allergies, too. Dont want to go with the skin tests yet since he only just turned 4.

 

Also - just got new vitamins for the kids - SOLARAY Children's chewables because I took a good look at the Gummies ones that I had been giving them and I realized they were short on nutrition and long on sugar, as well as other junk. I've convinced my son that the black cherry flavor is like candy and he loves them, but my daughter (9) almost spat hers out, but she'd already chewed it and it wasnt going anywhere. Anybody find one thats good and good tasting?

[Caryn]

Hey, I heard from other folks that zyrtec is bad for tics? Maybe someone will jump in here. We've never used it.

[mary]

That is interesting what was said about Zrytec. I have to observe him more to see if its affecting him also. Does anyone have any suggestions for other allergy medicine for kids? He does have the ragweed allergy.

 

Also, if TS is inherited in my son's case would magnetsium supplements be helpful? Would a regular blood test show if he's lacking it or do I have to get a special one done?

 

Thanks for any help on these issues!

 

Mary

[twobit]

Mary,

I got an intial ATO from my ped within limits and then, when we went to the neurologist, he looked at him, offerred meds and then said he'd wait to see him again in 2 weeks. When we went back, he didnt offer much except ask why we werent giving my son the clondine that the ped wrote for us. I had to ask him for another ATO test to look for trends, AntiDnase B, and while he was drawing blood, I asked him to check magnesium levels. He told me about a week later that everything came back within limits. I dont really have to worry about health care since I am in the military and I guess they can charge the governement for just about anything, so I didnt have to fight for the tests.? Well - that's at least one less worry.

 

Son is starting to repeat the beginning of his sentences. Somtimes it is the first few words, sometimes just the first, and sometimes nothing. Time to really look at cleaning up his diet ...