8 year old child with ticks

[debjlynn]

In the last year I have noticed my son has constant ticks that seem change on a monthly basis.  He will stop one and start another.  He started with tilting his head back off and on.. now he is moves his eyes from side to side and clears his throat.  Why is he doing this?  Is it an anxiety disorder?  At times he can be difficult, talks back, doesn't listen.. like many 8 year olds but I have to wonder now with the ticks that he has is it all related?  I am not certain what to do or who to talk to about it.  

[margypops]

Is he taking any meds, sometime they can have side effects ,could he be copying anyone has he older siblings, doe sanyone lese do anythjing even similar ? Does he do thios at school ask his teacher how he is doing if alls well at school it tells you the problem lies at home. What do you think he could be anxious about ?

[debjlynn]

He takes Zyrtec for allergies.  I do not have any children that has these tics.  He does do it at school as he told me a friend of his asked him why he was moving his eyes the way he does.  My husband travels for a living and this causes stress on him.. I would assume it would cause stress on any 8 year old boy who loves his Dad.  I have been reading on the internet that tics can be caused from low magnesium.  I have also ready about herbal remedies.  Do you have thoughts about this.  I am going to try to incorporate more magnesium type food in his diet... I do not believe he even gets the recommended dose naturally through foods on a daily basis.  Is there a supplement that is safe for kids that can be added to food?

[ILMom3]

I am in the EXACT same situation with my soon to be 6 year old. SAME thing... eye rolling, head movement and he CONSTANTLY has the "ahem, ahem" throat clearing. I talked to our Pediatrician and was told that because my son is on Zyrtec (same as yours!) that it could be a side effect from that and was told that they would watch it for 6 months. Well, every six months or so a NEW tick appears (after the "old" one finally goes away) and I get told "let's wait and see". Not sure what the answer is, but I feel your pain. Just wanted to let you know that you are NOT alone. I tried taking him off Zyrtec and that just made him miserable with his allergies. If you have any new news, please let me know!