Stimulants cause turrets syndrome in my s | ADHD Information

My son was diagnosed as having ADHD at age 4. At age 5 he was started on 10mg of adderall XR. The first day he took it I noticed that he was making noises and movements which he was unable to control and didnt even seem to know that he was doing it. When I brought this to the doctors attention I was informed that stimulant medications can bring out turrets syndrom in some kids. They decreased the dose to 5mg which stopped the turrets but was totally ineffective in controlling his impulsive and hyperactive behaviors. A rediagnosis of ODD was made and they stopped the adderall and put him on a mood stabalizer. This has helped to stop the severe ups and downs but the impulsive and hyperactivity continued. So they put him on 10 mg of ritalin 2x per day and for 2 1/2 months it was perfect. I had the kid i always hoped he would be. Then one morning he awoke and the ritalin was of no use anymore. His doctor put him on ritalin LA which we stopped after 2 days because the turrets was so bad he was suspended from school for doing things he not only didnt know he was doing but was beyond his control. Back to the doctor where they decided to skip concerta since it will most likely do the samr thing and try strettera. That was yesterday. He came home from school and fell asleep until this morning. I talked to his teacher and she said that he didnt seem like himself at all yesterday.

Is there anyone out there with some advice as to what I can do to help him? He is so smart. His teacher said that he is one of the most brilliant kids she has ever taught. But the behavior is so uncontrollable I dont know what to do anymore. I am embarassed to send him to school because he is so impulsive I just dont know what he will do from one day to the next.

Hi Jessica...first may I suggest you also post this above in the ADHD Medications and/or Parents with Children with ADHD boards, where you may get more reponses.

I had Tourettes Syndrome (very bad tics of all kinds) and ADHD as a child. However, I wasn't diagnosed until I was 55! So much for the way these disabilities were handled in the 1950s

I personally take Paxil which helps somewhat with the tics, since it is prescribed to help with OCD, and with the depression from living with ADHD all my life (and NOT getting dx'd). I just started taking an ADHD stimulant, but don't know how it's going to affect me and my tics. Only been on it a week.

It is a known fact that the stimulants used for ADHD may bring out tics, even if you don't have Tourettes Syndrome.

My only suggestion is to keep reading the posts (which can be so supportive....and keep seeing your son's doctor, telling him you want to keep working with the different meds, until you find something that works. Even for adults, it is a trial and error for finding the right meds and dosages. I'd hate to see him go through what I did in grammar, high school, and even adult hood.

I wish you both the best of luck!!! GypsyWomyn38393.4826273148oops didnt realize i posted in adult adhd section