Concerta causing Tics in 9 year old - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Blndrose2 · 05-06-2009, 05:56 PM

My son just turned nine and was diagnosed with ADD and anxiety back in Oct. We took him to a Psychiatrist and she spent five minutes with us in a room and said to put him on Zoloft. I refused this because it is known to cause suicidal behavior in children, why take a happy kid and make him suicidal? So she put him on Concerta 18mg, he has had an improvement in his impulsive behaviors and not having the non compliance issues we had before. Homework time goes much easier now as well. The problem is he has developed mild to sever ticks. We're talking the kid will be sitting on the couch and rock jerkily back and forth while moving his mouth around in a weird pattern. He says he can't controll it very well, that he feels the urge to do these things and feels better if he lets it out.

So the Dr. wanted to put him on Abilify to help with the ticks. This is an antipsychotic med and not even FDA approved for anyone under 18, again he's 9.

I am beginning to wonder if I should have ever started this process to begin with and if he wouldn't just be better off without any medication at all. He goes to a Therapist now and I know there are more natural ways of treating ADD. Anyone out there have any ideas? I am afraid that by introducing these meds to him at such a young age that I may be doing him more harm than good. The brain is not fully developed until the age of 22 after all.

Help, I"m lost and worried about my little guy.

spamula · 05-07-2009, 08:59 AM

It is possible that another med might not affect your 9 year old as bad. My son is on Concerta and has small tics, but he might also have tourrettes. He has had small ticks before the meds. And just for information my son 10 has been on Zoloft for 3 years and has never wanted to commit suicide and it helps his anxiety and depression big time.

rudiraven · 05-07-2009, 11:07 AM

Blndrose,

He's your child and you have to decide what you think is best. I personally would try all natural alternatives before I put my child on pharmaceuticals, but the decision is yours. I wish you well.

wildroses · 05-12-2009, 04:37 PM

My son has been on Concerta for years and has done well. He did have tics. Every few months they would change though and at age 9 he was able to control them. His psychologist told me not to worry about them and now he rarely has a tic. I am looking for alternative ways of treating him since I am concerned with his growing stages. He's in the low percentile with weight and height though I don't know that he wouldn't be the same if he never had to take meds. He had a big growing spurt last year. I take him off meds when he's not in school. He can tell when he forgets to take a pill because he can't focus as well.