7 year old son with tics

[Muggy121]

Hello: In October 2011 (4 months ago) my son developed an eye blinking "tic.".  It was very bad at first which led me to contact his pediatrician.   He advised that it would likely resolve itself.  I followed up by doing research of my own and found that some individuals develop tics if there is a magnesium deficiency.  I started my son on a daily supplement.  The tic appeared to be getting better gradually and just last week (January 28) stopped altogether.  

However, 5 days later he started a new tic.  Nose twitching.  I am just beside myself.  I was so sick to my stomach regarding his first tic and I was so relieved when I thought we finally got passed it- and now another.  

He has no behavioral issues whatsoever.  He excels in both reading and math. He plays sports and does well socially.  I am at a loss for why this is happening.  I would greatly appreciate some advice!  

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your son's pediatrician was correct - most tics in children are indeed transient. They develop spontaneously and they resolve spontaneously (without treatment). There is no way to know with certainty. To be assured that you are covering the bases, ask your son's pediatrician to refer him to a pediatric neurologist. And try not to call your son's attention to the tic. hat would only make matters worse by adding stress. Remember: by definition the tics are involintary and your son cannot control them. But tics can be exacerbated by stress, so that's why it's counterproductive to call attention to them. By the way, I'm assuming your son is not taking stimulant medication to treat ADHD. Such treatments can trigger (not cause) tics, usually in the facial muscles.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Yes, one tic may disappear only to be followed by another. Be alert for any vocal tics - it is possible, but by no means probable, that the tics are signalling the onset of Tourette's Disorder (multiple motor tcs and at least one vocal tic).

[Muggy121]

Correct- he does not take any medications for anything. The only thing he was taking was Flonase as prescribed by his ENT but that has since stopped.  He is extremely healthy, no behavioral issues and doesn't "appear" to be stressed.  Is it normal to go from one tic to another? I thought the eye blinking was bad....but the nose twitching is (looks) much worse. We bring no attention of the tic to him.....and he doesn't appear to be bothered by it....  Thank you for your input

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Sorry for the spelling errors:

Your son's pediatrician was correct - most tics in children are indeed transient. They develop spontaneously and they resolve spontaneously (without treatment). There is no way to know with certainty. To be assured that you are covering the bases, ask your son's pediatrician to refer him to a pediatric neurologist. And try not to call your son's attention to the tic.That would only make matters worse by adding stress. Remember: by definition the tics are involuntary and your son cannot control them. But tics can be exacerbated by stress, so that's why it's counterproductive to call attention to them. By the way, I'm assuming your son is not taking stimulant medication to treat ADHD. Such treatments can trigger (not cause) tics, usually in the facial muscles.