ADHD medication induced tics.

[Idomybest]

4 weeks ago my daughter started taking Biphentin. Similar to concerta on advice from her ped. Three days in, she developed a facial tic. I expressed concern to my ped. He told me to ignore it. The tic became worse and sequential, almost like a complex tourettes tic. I spoke to the pharmacist who told me he dose she was started on was double the recommended starting dose and to stop the medication immediately, which I did, and contacted her ped. I was completely floored by his response. He chastised me for stopping the meds, agreed the dosage was high and in a round about way told me I was compromising her mental wellbeing over a few small tics. He also said he was aware of tic development but didn't mention it as it's a small chance. Accroding to him, the tics would disappear in 48 hrs. Then he said 3 days...then he said a week. Here we are, two weeks since stopping the meds and her tic has subsided but not stopped, he still wants to medicate for both ADHD AND tics, but offers me no advice, support or even info about stimulants and tics. I'm a wreck. I feel guilty for giving her a drug that caused this stigmatizing situation, i can't eat. I can't sleep and all my Internet reading has made me even more neurotic and anxious. So here I am, hoping someone, somewhere has experienced this. If so, how long were they on meds before tics manifested, and how long after you stopped until they disappeared? As days turn into weeks, and my search history fills to the brim with tourettes info that has caused me to lose 6 lbs in 2 weeks... What I need most of all i's for someone to say they know what I'm going through. I feel very alone and depressed at the moment.

[Mrs.Crunchy]

My cousins son developed tics from his adhd meds, I remember my cousin getting so frustrated because she didnt understand why all of a sudden he was acting the way he was.

BUT even though they switched meds, took him off meds, he still has a mild case of turrets (sp?) but the ADHD meds definatly did bring it out more

[Mrs.Crunchy]

and definatly do not feel guilty. HUGS. Hopefully there are other moms on here that can offer you some great advice.

[MrsSunshine]

well your Dd's dr. is a jerk. sorry.. to make those comments.. not good. my sons have both been on Biphentin for many months. NO problems at all. I would seriously consider asking your family physician for another referall to a Pysch.. if you want to talk more.. pm' me.

[Idomybest]

Thanks. At the moment I'm not putting her on meds. Her tics have significantly decreased since she stopped meds, but I'm very aware of them because I'm looking for them now, every little one causes me heartache. I actually thought they were slowly disappearing because they were so slight for 4 days, but fatigue after a late night at a sleep over made them more pronounced. I just pray that they are transient .

[sabb6canada]

Hugs and I hope you get a answer.

[CMR78]

I know from the kids I work with (several of whom have complex mental health needs and medication regimens) that any stimulant can bring out a latent tic disorder. I am saddened that your Dr. didn't give you this information before starting the meds, as it is a common side effect. Perhaps a referral to a child psychiatrist would be a good idea? They can better focus on the specific needs of your child. I believe that Dr. Ismail is accepting new patients, as well. Ask your Dr. for a referral ASAP - the wait can be a while!

[*allie*]

Try not to make her selfsoncsious of them. Is she aware of all of them? Are they compulsions or tics?
The more she is anxious about them the worse they will get.

Your dd's doctor sounds like someone I would be switching away from ASAP. It's one thing to make a mistake in dosages, but to not warn of a side effect OR to take ownership of that mistake, and then to give vague answers as to how long it can last etc...they just do not sound like they are on the ball nor like they give a care even.

I just read a book called SAVING SAMMY, so I can't help but think what if the tics were not because of the meds, but coincidental. And in that book (a true story btw) the boy's sudden onset of compulsions and tics were due to strep, undiagnosed, never detected, that was attacking his brain.

Get a new doctor. That's all I can say.

[hinagal]

DS had a tic tendency. i worry about it. at the moment he isn't exhibiting but at times they get really pronounced.
his are mainly squeezing his eyes shut repeatedly, quickly, a head jerk, and the worst is he stretches his mouth, sort of in a grimace so his lower front teeth show. he can't help it, he keeps doing them, and the more he tries to stop the more he does. if he gets distracted they slow down.
he is super sensitive to preservatives and food dyes. they affect his tics and his behaviour which definitely mimics adhd. and by eliminating them, he pretty much goes back to normal. it's hard though, because they are everywhere, and everytime he goes to a friends or a birthday party, they are ALWAYS on the menu.
i wish you luck, it's so stressful.
glad to hear you are having some success. follow your gut mama.
xoxo

[Leigh]

ADD/ADHD and Tics kinda go hand in hand.

While I don't agree with what your doc did, the med probably only brought about what would have come to light anyways.

My DS has tics (many), and our doc did tell us that concerta may make them worse.

I hope your able to find something that works for you and your DD.

I would ask for a referall to CPRI for their brake shop program. Fantastic place to be.

[hinagal]

Originally Posted by Leigh

ADD/ADHD and Tics kinda go hand in hand.
.

interesting

[Leigh]

isn't it though? I had no clue until I went to Leaky Brakes 101, a series hosted by CPRI.

They have most of the series audio taped and posted on their website. It's a great resource to check out, and I highly recommend it, if only to understand your child and their needs a little better.

[HappyandBlessed]

Originally Posted by *allie*

I just read a book called SAVING SAMMY, so I can't help but think what if the tics were not because of the meds, but coincidental. And in that book (a true story btw) the boy's sudden onset of compulsions and tics were due to strep, undiagnosed, never detected, that was attacking his brain.

Get a new doctor. That's all I can say.

I must read this book! Who is the author? My ds was dx with OCD when he was 7 and the psychiatrist wanted to start him on Prozac. Long story short, we opted for therapy and he has been symptom-free for nearly 3 years. I had found a study done at NIMH that identified strep as a cause of OCD. DS had had recurrent strep infections for the 4 months preceding the onset of OCD. The strep infections stopped once he had his tonsils out. I have never heard of the connection between mental illnesses and strep other than this one study. I would love to read this book. Thanks for sharing!

To the original poster, I would second the suggestion to get a new doctor. It can be hard to listen to your Mummy voice, but we need to advocate for our kids when their needs aren't being met appropriately. When I questioned this psychiatrist about options other than drugs, she was very rude towards me. She reassured me that they had put kids as young as 8 on Prozac. This was not reassuring to me. The red flag went up in my brain and we sought a second opinion. Good luck - I hope you find some answers that will help your LO.

[*allie*]

Amazon.com: Saving Sammy: Curing the Boy Who Caught OCD (9780307461834): Beth Alison Maloney: Books

His mother wrote it. It is a really, really good read.
There is a lot of Tourette's in my family, as well as some OCD (I believe anyway. Not sure OCD has ever been offically diagnosed like the TS was). I've read a few books this summer on subjects like that.This one probably the most worthwhile.

[Leigh]

OCD, TS, ADHD, ADD, ODD, SID/SPD, they all go hand in hand. The chances of someone just having one is small. BUT, if the other issues aren't affecting daily life, the chances of getting the label is very small.

It's when these issues interfere and affect ADL that you get the diagnosis.