Nervous Tic or more serious?

[ian1958]

My son, 17 years of age, has developed a nervous tic which has him involuntarily jerking his head to the side. This can occur (at times) every couple of minutes. Most recently he seems to have developed a vocal tic at the same time which sounds like a grunt as his head jerks to the side.

He is aware of this happening and claims it doesn't unduly concern him but I think that it probably does, especially since he has mentioned that his friends at school are noticing it as well.

We took him to our GP earlier in the week and apart from arranging some blood tests (to rule out any metabolic disorder) he has said that he'll refere him to another clinic for evaluation.

I'm concerned that this may be Tourettes.

Anyone out there with any advice as to how to proceed?

[bonzer]

i don't know if the distinction between tourettes and a mere tic can be made, or if indeed a tic is a minor version of tourettes. i have had tics all my life and was never evaluated. i have heard the meds for tourettes have the side effect of extreme weight gain, and other not pleasant effects. please be considerate in dealing with your son. my father made me feel embarassed for something i couldn't help.

[mnmama]

Tourettes is usually a physical tic and a vocal tic. There is a lot of help and info on the net, I would go to see a neurologist and go from there. There are meds to help if it interfers that much with his life, or just not treat it. There are alot of options.

[DIFFERENT]

yes there are distinctions between having a tic and having tourettes. ****** tourettes and u will eventually find a list of different types of tics. they are broken up into 4 different catagories simple/complex/motor/vocal and to have tourettes u must have both motor and vocal tics. i think most define it as 1 motor and 2 vocal or vise versa (something like this im not exaclty sure i cant remember) to be technically classified with tourettes. u have no idea how many people go undiagnosed with this condition because it is only 'mild' . most people only get help when the tics become socially embarrassing. and in response to another person who says the meds they have for tourettes are very dangerous some are yes, some highly addictive serious side effects but some arent. im on catapres which is actually a med they give people with high blood pressure, it relives hypertension in tourettes patients and the only side effect i get is the occassional headache and feeling sick in the gut. hope this helps

[goairforce100]

Originally Posted by ian1958

My son, 17 years of age, has developed a nervous tic which has him involuntarily jerking his head to the side. This can occur (at times) every couple of minutes. Most recently he seems to have developed a vocal tic at the same time which sounds like a grunt as his head jerks to the side.

He is aware of this happening and claims it doesn't unduly concern him but I think that it probably does, especially since he has mentioned that his friends at school are noticing it as well.

We took him to our GP earlier in the week and apart from arranging some blood tests (to rule out any metabolic disorder) he has said that he'll refere him to another clinic for evaluation.

I'm concerned that this may be Tourettes.

Anyone out there with any advice as to how to proceed?

I am 15 years old and I have tourettes and from what I have gone through it sounds sorta like tourettes, but the only way to find out for sure is to see a neurologist. And the thing about 2 motor and 1 vocal tic is not 100% true, says my neurologist. His condition sounds almost exactly like mine. But my head, and my arm twitch. If you go to a neurologist and he gives him clonidine it is very normal to get sleepy for the first couple days or even a week or so. The clonidine has helped me tremendously but if it does help him he has to take it faithfully or his tics will be more noticable. I dont know if I have helped any but if I have please let me know.

Dustin