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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
ADHD and the emergence of mild tic....?
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
ADHD and the emergence of mild tic....?
by callmemom22, Jun 05, 2004 12:00AM
My son is 8 years old. He has Down sydnrome. He is quite bright, smart, and too cute for his own good. After much research by myself and his pediatrician, we decided he might well improve (strong symptoms of ADHD)on medication. We tried
Adderall, 10 mg to start (54 lbs then?) and he did remarkably well with this med. improving greatly with attention, impulsivity, speech, and general social behaviors. No sleep problems or lack of appetite to concern us. He has been on Adderall, every day, for the last 18 months, with an increase in dosagae about 5 months ago, to 15mg in morning only. All is still well and good, but I have noticed for the second time, a tic of sorts. First was awhile back? not sure if before or after increase in dosage, but he would flick his fingers out, often enough for us parents to notice, and be somewhat concerned. We watched and waited, and it did go away, after about 5 days. Now for the last 5 days, I have occasionally noticed during the day, repeated head jerking. Either sideways, as if to flick hair back, or a guick nodding movement, or a guick back and forth movement, and all repeated more often than I like. Some times of day it seems often, every minute for a while, and then not for a time maybe such as I can sit and notice. I have contact our doctor, but she is on vaction, and her partner is doing some research and is to get back with me next week. Are we to be concerned at this point? Do we immediately take him off this med? Do we wait and see how long this tic persists? Is it likely to diminish if off meds? Please give some factual info. I do not want to do more harm than good. Meds have been so good to us so far, but....
Thank you. callmemom22
Adderall, 10 mg to start (54 lbs then?) and he did remarkably well with this med. improving greatly with attention, impulsivity, speech, and general social behaviors. No sleep problems or lack of appetite to concern us. He has been on Adderall, every day, for the last 18 months, with an increase in dosagae about 5 months ago, to 15mg in morning only. All is still well and good, but I have noticed for the second time, a tic of sorts. First was awhile back? not sure if before or after increase in dosage, but he would flick his fingers out, often enough for us parents to notice, and be somewhat concerned. We watched and waited, and it did go away, after about 5 days. Now for the last 5 days, I have occasionally noticed during the day, repeated head jerking. Either sideways, as if to flick hair back, or a guick nodding movement, or a guick back and forth movement, and all repeated more often than I like. Some times of day it seems often, every minute for a while, and then not for a time maybe such as I can sit and notice. I have contact our doctor, but she is on vaction, and her partner is doing some research and is to get back with me next week. Are we to be concerned at this point? Do we immediately take him off this med? Do we wait and see how long this tic persists? Is it likely to diminish if off meds? Please give some factual info. I do not want to do more harm than good. Meds have been so good to us so far, but....
Thank you. callmemom22
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Jun 06, 2004 12:00AM
, Jun 06, 2004 12:00AM
Motor tics as a side effect of psychostimulant medication generally do disappear once the medication is stopped. It would certainly be prudent to suspend the medication and observe the course of the motor tics. To continue with themedication is to invite a worsening of the condition. If you stop the medication and the tics disappear, you can be pretty certain that the medication was the culprit. As an alternative, you can try Strattera, a non-stimulant treatment for ADHD.
Adhd is very bad, and quility of life is not good off, nor is it with the bad tic, violent shaking of his head.
What do we do now!!!!! I am desperate for my son's well being.
Sign me so sad...please help if you can...momma.