Found two new anti-tic drugs tonight

[guy123]

Class:

Calcium Antagonists

 

Drug 1:

Name - Nifedipine

Tradename - ProcardiaXL

Method - Acts on slow calcium channels invascular smooth muscle and myocardium, producing vasodilation.

Notes - decrease in tic symptoms. 10mg 3 times daily for adults

Side effects - CNS dizziness, giddiness, headache Autonomic flushing, warmth, sweating, nasal congestion, sore throat GI nausea, constipation, flatulence Other dyspnea, cough, hypotension, wheezing, tachycardia, arrhythmias, fever,heart failure, muscle cramping

 

 

 

Drug 2:

Name - Verapamil

Tradename - Isoptin

Method - inhibits calcium transport into myocardialand vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in inhibition of excitationcontraction coupling and subsequent contraction.

Notes - decrease in motor tics, improvement in mood. 20mg 3 times daily.

Side effects - CNS dizziness, headache, fatigue GI constipation,abdominal discomfort Other bradycardia, hypotension, edema, heart block, sinus arrest, pulmonary edema

 

Found both of them on this page:

http://www.tourette-syndrome.com/medicatio...te-syndrome.htm

 

 

I'm doing some more research but it's hard to find info about them. Most of the case studies I've found say things like "... was effective in this small trial which suggests further study into Calcium Antagonists to treat Tourettes." One site noted something to the effect of "... because traditional TS drugs have such a severe side effect profile."

 

 

As per usual I'm still doing research. I was just super excited to find this and wanted to share it with you this forum.

[Chemar]

well

they may not cause tardive dyskinesia but heart block and heart failure plus the other stuff there dont sound too good to me

 

most folks who come to this particular forum are generally looking for alternative treatments rather than prescription drugs, especially for kids

[guy123]

most folks who come to this particular forum are generally looking for alternative treatments rather than prescription drugs, especially for kids

 

Are you dropping a hint that I shouldn't post this stuff here?

[Chemar]

lol no Guy, not trying to hint at anything.

My comment was more so you would understand if there wasnt too much enthusiasm or response here about any meds with potential side effects, as this is primarily an alternative therapy site so most members are here seeking ways other than rx meds to help. Have you ever visited the homepage here?...that will kinda give insight into the ACN/Latitudes mission http://www.latitudes.org

[guy123]

lol no Guy, not trying to hint at anything.

My comment was more so you would understand if there wasnt too much enthusiasm or response here about any meds with potential side effects, as this is primarily an alternative therapy site so most members are here seeking ways other than rx meds to help. Have you ever visited the homepage here?...that will kinda give insight into the ACN/Latitudes mission http://www.latitudes.org

 

Good. I like it here. This is the most active tics/TS forum I've found.

 

I don't always care if I don't get a lot of replies. I know a lot of forums have many lurkers (people who read but never post for whatever reason). Maybe they are getting good info from me. Look at how many views my "list of tic treatments" thread has gotten. Obviously someone is interested.

 

I'm not anti-homeopathic/natural treatments. I've even tried a lot of them! I have a big bottle of Colloidal Silver in my bathroom and a few chapstick-looking containers of Boiron pellets, too. I have practiced TaiChi and qigong on and off for years. It's just that most of them don't work (such as those foot pads that were being discussed a few threads back).

 

I am all about getting results, and if such-and-such alternative treatment works for someone, then that's awesome and they should keep doing it.

 

But being a nerd with a bit of a science background (albeit, one of the most open-minded to new age stuff science nerds you will ever meet), I prefer treatments support by science, such as "the mechanism of action is blah blah blah chemical in the brain acting as an agonist against blah blah blah look here's a balanced equation explaining what is going on and the results are repeatable in lab settings" as opposed to "this water remembers what was in it even tho it's been diluted a billion times and the concentration claimed is physically impossible with regard to the known number of atoms in the universe." So does that make me a hypocrite for having/using homeopathic medicine? Sort of. I hate being sick and try everything possible to cure myself when I do get sick. With regard to Boiron products, I really haven't noticed much effect (other than the physical act of having sugar in my mouth temporarily makes my throat feel better when I'm sick), but I know people who swear by them so they should keep using them.

 

Also I know I am helping people here by the PMs I get, and mainly from telling that one lady not to keep her child on extended doses of Phenibut because the kid will be completely screwed if they ever stop taking it (no clue if she listened to my advice or not, however).

 

Plus I've learned a lot here, too.

 

So unless the mods make a rule saying "discussing science/prescription drugs is banned," I'm planning on staying here

[lurker]

Guy,

 

My kid's tic disorder is in remission; so I am not even considering the use of drugs, and I do prefer the idea of natural remedies, but your contributions help me sleep at night. They are my safety net. It is good to know all of one's options, and your research is well-presented -- just facts, no salesmanship. I lurk all your posts, and I'm glad you're here.

[Chemar]

Guy I do think you misunderstood my comment which was not in any way a "censoring".

You are very welcome here and free to discuss any and all things related to tics/OCD, whether alternatives or meds.

There is absolutely no ban on discussion of medications, and scientific back up info is strongly encouraged!

 

ps

just wanted to mention as well that naturopathic and alternative treatments are not all "homeopathy". Homeopathic remedies are very different from nutritional supplements and herbal remedies.

Supplementing vitamins, minerals and amino acids, neurotransmitters etc is not in any way the same as the principles employed in homeopathy, where miniscule quantities of substances that would ordinarily cause symptoms are given to alleviate them. Homeopathy also looks at the total constituion of the patient, rather than just specificsymptoms.

 

Also herbology is a totally different branch of naturopathic medicine than homeopathy.

Although some of our members here use homeopathic treatments, the vast majority follow nutritional treatment plans with some of us also using alternative/complimantary treatments like acupuncture etc, which again arent "homeopathic".

[patty]

Guy123,

 

Sounds like you are very proactive in your health and have researched & tried many things. If you have TS, i believe your issue may be fairly complex and is probably best to consult with a knowledgeable dr, rather a homeopathy, ND... for direction. Majority of the OTC homeopathic remedies are for benign problems and if you consult with a classical homeopath, they will tell you to stay away from these remedies because that is not how you should take them. For the remedy to work, you have to know your totality state, not just focus on the physical symptoms, with the exception of some emergency situations.

 

I have been on this road for 21/2 years with my son, and i have to tell you the process is slow and gradual for us and sometimes you will hit a bump and even a few steps backward. So if you find the direction and want to start there, i would suggest you give it some time before moving on to the next thing. Just my opinion and two cents. Hope you find it helpful.

 

Pat

[lynsey]

Guy,

 

My kid's tic disorder is in remission; so I am not even considering the use of drugs, and I do prefer the idea of natural remedies, but your contributions help me sleep at night. They are my safety net. It is good to know all of one's options, and your research is well-presented -- just facts, no salesmanship. I lurk all your posts, and I'm glad you're here.

 

Lurker

I couldn't agree with you more! When I was going through the early years of TS with my sons, I was scared out of my mind.

Literally. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, could barely function. I was SO scared to start the road of "medications", had to be

talked into it by my doctor, but even so, I was so THANKFUL for living in an age where there are so many options for my sons, both natural and medical.

This was not the case when my husband was young! And we are learning about new treatments every day. Yes, it helped me sleep at night, absolutely.

I think almost every parent who visits this site would, without a doubt, prefer the natural route to reducing tics/tic symptoms,

but if all else fails, it sure helps to know there are other options to try.

Even though my boys are older now and their TS right now is not a problem, I still love reading what other parents have to

say about what helped their child - I want to learn all I can, both natural and with medicines. Living with people who have TS

- of course I love them dearly and I want to help them all I can

Lynsey