options other than meds? | ADHD Information

 Must tell you my experience....neurologist put my 6 year old on Focalin when he had a few tics, changed to Straterra when tics got worse- have since read you NEVER give child w/ tics a stimulant ....HOWEVER, on Straterra my son developed tics so intense I thought he was having seisures.   Tics have since subsided off all meds (yes, thought he had Tourettes for a while) but DON'T keep him on med that makes tics develop!!! I have also read once pathway in brain for tic is developed it is difficult to reverse- go with your gut insticts!!!

   my son is now 10. He has been on different meds since age of 5 .He currently is taking Concerta 36mg.I am getting fustrated.About 6 months ago he started getting different  ticks .First was the blinking now it's  jerking of his neck.His dr says its nothing to worry about,but kids are starting to make fun of him  and the jerking seems to be getting worse.His DR still refuses to change his meds. I was thinking of trying Stratarra.I also thinking of trying things other than meds(diet...ETC..) Could someone give me their opion .I am lost in all of this and the DR is not much help.

[QUOTE=worriedinLa]

   my son is now 10. He has been on different meds since age of 5 .He currently is taking Concerta 36mg.I am getting fustrated.About 6 months ago he started getting different  ticks .First was the blinking now it's  jerking of his neck.His dr says its nothing to worry about,but kids are starting to make fun of him  and the jerking seems to be getting worse.His DR still refuses to change his meds. I was thinking of trying Stratarra.I also thinking of trying things other than meds(diet...ETC..) Could someone give me their opion .I am lost in all of this and the DR is not much help.

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I don't want to alarm you,  but I agree you should see another doctor.  My son developed tics on Ritalin (at 7 years old),   and we later found out he has Tourette Syndrome.  The stimulants do NOT cause TS,   but can make the tics worse.   You may want to see a neurologist or psychiatrist to check it out.

Debbie

I would try another doctor if I were you! He should be taking your concerns very seriously, and he doesn't seem to be doing that.

From what I have read about diet and ADHD, it calls for a high protien and low Carbs diet. I don't have time right now, but I will try to find the website that had all the info about how that diet helps with ADHD and post it here for you later:)

Yes - get another doctor immediately.  It's ridiculous for him to not be concerned about your son getting tics - and getting worse!  My son developed a tic on Concerta and the doctor removed him from the medicine immediately.  He did make the recommendation to move to Strattera as that does not appear to cause any tics as a side effect, but we have made the choice to research and try alternative methods at this point. 

Also, it took over a month for the tic to go away, although when he is very tired or nervous, I still see a shadow of it.  He is now working with the school psychologist, we are enrolling him in a social skills group, and working on diet and exercise.

Much luck.