My now 12-year-old son developed facial tics while on Concerta last fall. We were told by our doctors that stimulants (Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin, Focalin, etc) can exacerbate tics, but do not cause them. Your son is at the prime age to develop tics. My son's tics come and go regardless of whether he is on meds, but sometimes the meds make his tics so bad that we do have to temporarily stop meds to calm them down. He was recently on Risperdal for irritability and Focalin XR for ADHD, and developed such bad lip-licking tics that it caused a bacterial infection around his mouth. If his tics do not subside by Monday, his doc will likely prescribe Tenex. In your shoes, I would seek a consultation with a pediatric neurologist, who can advise you on the best meds to use for ADHD and tic disorder. Please feel free to post again with other questions. Good luck!
My 8 y.o. son has been on Concerta 36 mg. He was making a very frequent verbal noise that perhaps I can best describe as a "mm" sound in a grunt. This seemed to be getting worse in terms of frequency and loudness. He did seem to have some control over it. When we would ask him to stop, he at least temporarily did seem able to stop. The noises seem to be when he was reading, being read to, playing computer, watching tv, in other words when he was still, but not always. Being concerned this was a verbal tic caused by the medication I took him off over Thanksgiving week and it has all but disappeared, not immediately it took several days and not completely gone, but it is very rare. So I guess I am asking for opinions, and experiences as to whether this is a tic and is there a concern for a permanent problem with restarting and continuing the medication. Are some medicines more prone to do this than others? Thanks in advance!Thanks I would appreciate that. I did go back on his meds yesterday, and today it is not so much the "mm" grunt but clearing his throat. I wish you both the best with your situations.
The Neuro has scheduled an EEG for Dec. 19th to make SURE that it is not mini seizures. He does not think so. This is just a precaution!
He was on Metadate CD then Ritalin LA so now we are trying Adderall LX. Next we will try Focalin. If those do not or cause the eye tics to worsen then we are going to try Stratera.
We should know tomorrow with the Adderall LX about the eue tics. Luckily we did not have pay for this one since he also gave us a coupon for a free 30 day supply. He also gave us 3 weeks worth of Straterra id we decide to go that route.
Just a thought. And keep in mind I am a 37 year old adult. I did experiment with drugs growing up.....ie, cocaine. Not enough to make me a freak...just a college thing. I do remember very well, however, that when we would "party" and go to clubs or bars I always had the feeling to clear my throat or lick my lips or make funny sounds in the back of my throat. I have no idea what this means, I just thought I would share. I have not taken drugs for over 10 years (I grew up!) but I do know Ritalin LA does not make me have those same reactions. Perhaps he was on to high a dose? I'm not doctor...I only know what it is like to be on a stimulant that is not prescribed and I abused. Felt good but made me do weird little physical things. Like "tics".
LOL, good, then you know what I mean. Best of luck on helping with your boy! I do wish you the best.I agree with you. Been there, done that also! We did start him off at the lowest possible dose and he still had the tics.