painful tics and stimulant meds
 

My 13 yo son gets tics with stimulant meds. Unfortunately, stimulant meds seem to be the only thing that keeps in the classroom. He has sensory issues and becomes much more disruptive in the classroom without the stimulants. He is also in the Gifted and Talented classes and his lack of control, plus his lack of insight (Asperger's) is about to get him in a host of trouble: the teachers have a hard time believing this behavior isn't willful acting out. Each year it starts anew, because of new teachers, these teachers haven't seen the difference with the med.

We restarted stimulants this week. Last run of stimulants went from annoying tics to tics that would have sudden onset and were very repetitive and painful. Like your neck jerking every half second for five hours. We stopped the stimulants ten months ago due to this, but we have had a host of serious consequences-- my son begged to have the med back so he could feel more "in control" in the classroom.

He had a PANDAS reaction about three years ago. The painful tics seem to be related to an immune response, such as withing 24 hours of getting the flu mist, or when we find out he is coming down with fever the next day after a tic. The tics completely resolved after about eight months without the stimulant. We know that if we can get him to sleep the body "reboots" and the tic stops. But it is hard to get to sleep when your neck is Jerking.

This is the third time we restarted the stimulants, each time the tics have become more severe. I am very worried what might happen next... a tic that won't stop, and he will be stuck with?

We have a pedi neurologist who specializies in ADHD monitoring this time. I hated to put him back on the drug-- but it makes such a difference. Anyone else with similar experiences?

Hi and welcome

does your child also have a TS diagnosis?

stimulant meds are notorious for causing tics. they are very bad for people with TS

do you have your child on a plan 504 or IEP?

The dual diagnosis of tics and ADHD is indeed difficult to deal with.

Since the tics worsen along with inflammation, perhaps targeting that might be of benefit? I know this sounds out in left field, but perhaps information pertaining to fibromyalgia (targeting inflammation) might be useful? Also, you might refer to a book by Kenneth Bock, M.D. titled "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies."

My family member as a child also had tics (TS) and ADHD but the ADHD turned out to be a misdiagnosis. That is different from your son's case. However, I do understand the painful tics.

Marleo, you may not read here anymore as I see you only have a couple of posts, and it's been a long time since you posted and I've been away but with just reading the first paragraph of your message there are a few things that stand out to me personally. You mention "Asperger's". You mention tics, sensory issues, disruptive in class. Teachers.

Frankly, the teachers need educating. If your son has an AS diagnosis and also has a tic disorder and attention difficulties etc. then you really need to look into getting more support in the school system. It's so much more available these days. 13 years of age is a difficult time for anyone, let alone a child who has Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis and other differences. My son went misdiagnosed for many years. The emphasis was always on the tics (from doctors and teachers and others I mean). I honestly can't tell you how many times I've read messages on forums where AS diagnosis is mentioned almost in passing. In my humble opinion it's where the focus should lie.

The real emphasis should have been in helping him steer his way through the maze and mayhem of a regular day in school. My advice with just reading this one message, and just being a mum, is to get more advice from the person who diagnosed your son with Asperger's Syndrome and to get some support in place in school. There are many practical things which can be done to make the classroom feel less like a war zone.

Whenever I see parents posting on TS boards who have children with multiple diagnoses or multiple signs and symptoms and who are also diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, I just want to say (scream very loudly actually :) )... focus on learning more about Asperger's Syndrome and many questions you may have about your child will fall into place. Often because tics might be more visible to everyone else a child's difficulties in other areas might tend not to be noticed as much.

The teachers need educating! Please tell us more about his classroom situation if you come back to read.

There are a number of really good resources for parents of children with mulitple diagnoses and if you come back and let us know how your son and you are getting on then we can post more for you.

take care,
Lara