Pediatric neurologist

[sahm]

I'm not sure I understand the importance or relevance of when and if it is important to take your child to see a neurologist. Since tics have only been present for 3-4 weeks, is it too early? Could a diagnosis be made this early and if so would it affect his treatment?

[Chemar]

our personal experience with neurologists was not good so I am biased

 

if you suspect seizure activity or feel you child is in any form of danger from the tics then it is worthwhile going

 

otherwise, and especially as the tics have not been there for a year (the clinical definition of TS is one year of both motor and vocal tics waxing and waning) you will likely either get a hasty diagnosis and a prescription for some drug, or be told it may be "transient" and to come back in a year

 

very few neuros recognize the natural/alternate treatments and most likely if you mention it you will be told it is quackery with no evidence

Edited April 13, 2010 by Chemar
adding

[sahm]

That's exactly what I thought (!) so please please someone chime in if you feel differently. It would save me a lot of stress and time to not go...

[ameecram]

That's exactly what I thought (!) so please please someone chime in if you feel differently. It would save me a lot of stress and time to not go...

 

 

I agree with Cheri, I went one time in the beginning, was told his tics were most likely nothing to worry about too much. I was recommended to go back by our ped a year later, and did not see the benefit in it. We aren't looking for a diagnosis.

[hsingmommy]

We did see a pediatric neurologist after our pediatrician made the referral. However, it was a complete and utter WASTE OF TIME! Our ped said that he did see the tics, but they were not that noticeable. This has been going on since DS was 4, too. So, the ped suggested we see the ped neuro so that he could assess the situation.

 

However, all the ped neuro did was ask us what the situation was. When I explained it, he did a brief reflex test with DS, and then gave us a "clinical diagnosis" of TS based solely on what I told him.

 

We are in the process of seeking a 2nd opinion because we do not have a history of TS in our family, and we're not sure that it is TS. We believe it could be caused by other factors (allergies, hormonal abnormality, etc). So, we're hoping to get a more thorough and extensive eval from another doctor.

[sahm]

Hi everyone! I was searching back through this forum and found that I posted the question I was going to post today FIVE YEARS AGO.

 

My now 10yo son started tics at 5yo after vax. But there could to other factors playing into this so not totally blaming the vax.

 

Anyway, since it has been going on for 5 years now I wonder if I should take him to a neurologist. The reason I am wondering is because I have seen lists of other disorders/conditions that could be causing the tics.

 

Here are my latest discoveries:

1. An acquaintance is a neuro developmental optometrist and she said my son *could* be having trouble processing what he sees neurologically and it could be causing the eye blinking/rolling tics as well as other facial/neck tics.

2. I have been noticing that beyond the normal tired/end of day increase in tics, the times that seem to exacerbate tics (esp the eye roll after hard blink) are when someone is talking to him or when he is concentrating/watching something. Like the info coming in takes a little more effort that it typically should and his eyes are compensating to try harder or something.

3. Also he often will not "hear/understand" the first time someone says something to him. Almost always an adult talking to him will have to repeat the thing he or she said and still he might need clarification,

 

Auditory Processing disorder causing tics? Something visual too?

 

Would love some feedback if anyone has ideas!!! Thanks!

[Chemar]

Hi sahm

 

Well you know I am not a big fan of neuros related to TS especially due to our personal experiences

but

I also know that if you are just looking for more input re diagnosis, you might find it beneficial to get another opinion?

 

I read my post above, and still feel the same.

 

We got the dx of Central Auditory Processing Disorder when my son was doing the school assessment to see if he needed any special accommodations related to ADD. It was some years before we knew he had TS as well.

So it was a educational psychologist who spotted it and we then went for specialized testing at the Audiometry Dept of a nearby hospital where the dx was confirmed.

But we never sensed that the CAPD caused tics though...? at least not that I noticed at the time

My son had eye rolling tics then and also got corrective lenses due to astymatizm which did seem to help a lot to calm that tic. A pediatric opthalmologist did that testing.

 

My son has always been very sensitive to light flashing or strobes or even flicker, and flurescent lighting etc. We found that using daylight lamps and avoiding TV or computer in darkened rooms helped. And again his glasses helped too (including transitions lenses that darken in brighter light)

 

Other tics manifested over the next few years. We do have varied manifestations of TS in a number of males on my husband's side, and I have noticed some tics in family on my side too.

 

But the only neuros we saw always just wanted to rx drugs (which we tried and had horrible reactivity and side effects)

Still

I know there are wonderful neuros who truly can help, so just be sure you are going to one who is open minded and caring, not just a dx and rx doc.

[sahm]

Chemar,

 

Thank you again for responding! Sorry I just saw this (I don't get notification when someone replies to my messages) when I remembered to check this forum.

 

So interestingly enough the neuro-developmental optometrist did find some issues with "overshooting" on focusing on things closer up. She prescribed lenses that help strengthen his focusing, so more of a visual therapy than a passive correction. I will monitor for the next few months to see if tics decrease. So far so good, though the glasses aren't always comfortable for his eyes.

 

The other thing I discovered after a Brain Balance evaluation was that he has vestibular dysfunction. I toyed with the idea of doing their program but $6500, though not prohibitive, is quite a lot of money for no sort of guarantee in help. I opted to go the OT route. So he does vestibular related therapy once a week with some spinning exercises at home. Covered by insurance so that is good.

Still seeing some tics but not very noticeable and definitely not getting in the way of life. What we're experiencing now is major inability to cope with all sorts of things in regular daily life. The no coping skills IS affecting our family life but I'm doing everything I can think of to handle that ... to no avail. Always something.

 

Anyway, thanks for your help!! Getting back to the original question - no neurologist visits yet.