Clonidine and tourette's syndrome
Common Questions and Answers about Clonidine and tourette's syndrome
catapres
I was wondering if any of any other parents out there have kids with ADHD who also exhibit tourette's-like symptoms or have been diagnosed with tourette's? My son is almost 6 and we're quite sure he has ADHD (although he's still on the waiting list for the behavioral specialist).. he's very hyperactive, fidgetty, doesn't complete a task the 1st time you ask him, and his having a lot of trouble behaviorly in school ...
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
It sounds like you have been suffering from tics. While I can not directly recommend a treatment without examining you and obtaining a history, I will try to provide you with some information.
I took him to Children's in Pittsburgh and the neurologist still will not diagnose him with Tourette's because even though he's had the facial tics for 3-4 years he's only had the vocal tic for 3 weeks. Apparently the vocal and motor tics must both be present for a year. She did however give us a prescription for clonidine, so we'll see if that works or not.
I am trying to alter his diet since I have read this online as a possible cause, but actually we feel lost and would like to help him, but do not know where to start. He is on Clonidine and has been for awhile and it has not helped with the tics, for they seem to be getting worse. Please advise on some possible solutions and please list any support groups in chicago northwest suburbs where we might find support and answers. Thank you for your time.
Hi all, this is my first post. My 10yo son, who was diagnosed with Aspergers/High Functioning Autism at 31/2 years has now (last week) been diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. This is escalating rapidly and his anxiety is increasing very quickly so his behaviours at school and home are a disaster. I can find info so far on each syndrome but not on how they work together. Does anyone have experience of this and if you do can you tell me what therapies or meds seem successful?
Have you done any research on Tourette's Syndrome? Causes involuntary movements, called tics. Teeth grinding common, as well as mouth and eye blinking, making noises, and repetitive behaviours. It is an anxiety disorder, connected to OCD...you can read about it or ask your dr. I see you have ritalin and anti-depressants, common meds in treating anxiety disorders.
My family has a history of this, my husband is 57 and has been taking ritalin since 50 years old, diagnosed with adult ADD...
It sounds like your son has a tic disorder. My daughter started with eye blinking when she was 4 and she ended up having Tourette's Syndrome. It is not the weird cussing disease you have heard of in the movies. In fact, coprolalia (cussing) happens to a very small percentage of kids with Tourette's. There is a spectrum of tic disorders. Chronic motor tic disorder is then there are moventment (like your son's that last for a year or more, but no vocal (sound) tics).
Tourette's syndrome is ocasionally linked with anemia, carbon monoxide poisoning (from smoking) and hematological disorders. This is not the usual etiology, however a full blood work-up should be performed in addition to an MRI.
Dear Doctor,
I'm a 19-yr old patient who has been on various SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors) for 11 years, mostly prozac, on an initial diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome. In December 2007, I began to have sleep difficulties and my psychiatrist took me off prozac - which triggered a prolonged and persistent insomnia that can last for up to six days at a stretch.
Never heard of a psychiatrist with bipolar but it would be excellent to see consumers advance in the field. I did know of someone with Tourette's whose neurologist had Tourrette's Syndrome as well. Tourrette's syndrome is often associated with ocd so that is psychiatric. I would not name the neurologist but he is a well known person in the field.
I have tourrette's and to be honest, whenever I drink, my motor tics (I blink a lot and shake my head a bit) seem to bother me the lease. Even when I just have a few beers and have a little buzz going, I hardly notice them at all. I've even done some experimenting where before I start drinking, I'll notice myself needing to twitch quite often. Then I'll have like 2 beers, I'll find myself not feeling the urge to tic at all.
I had a son with Tourette. Reading your post brought back so many memories, this one in particular. My son used to smell absolutely everything before he would put it in his mouth. He also, couldn't help himself to stop. I think there's a strong possibility of Tourette. I haven't told anyone but I have a lot of experience when it comes to raising a child with Tourette's Syndrome.
Sounds like what you are experiencing could possibly be Tourette's syndrome, please go see a doctor. There are medications that can help control some of your symptoms & you are def not alone!
My daughter is 6yrs old and has been recently diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. She blinks, rubs her legs and bends her arms all the time. Kids at school are beginning to notice and are asking her about it. I have been given a prescription for Clonidine. Has anyone tried Clonidine? Was the Clonidine successful? What side effects were seen?
He took her off of the meds and stared her on a 5 day treatment of predisone and once daily puff if advair and albuterol as needed for flair ups. Approx 3 to 4 days after beganingg treatment she began to have twithchs in her arms and now it is in her legs too. Some teacher have reported it being in her face also. This all began Jan 14, 2009. She has had an EEG which is normal and has an appointment with a local neurologist. Does any of this sound fimaliar to you.
Hello Colin,
Welcome to the allergy forum. I see you joined Med help in October. Have you ever talked to your family doctor about your sniffling problem. This is not Tourette's syndrome. Tourette's syndrome is quite different and the symptoms are very different. If you haven't talked to your doctor about this issue, perhaps it is time to do so. I have not had this problem myself , but I have heard of other people who have this issue. Sometimes it is just a habit.
Has your doctor explored the possibility of Huntington's Disease? The breathing difficuly, speech problems and memory loss has me thinking it may not be Tourette Syndrome, however there are a lot of secondary conditions that can go along with Tourette's so, I'd check with a Neurologist.
Actually there is treatment for Tourrette's syndrome. I know a person who has it. If someone believes that they have Tourrette's and wants more information they can look up the Tourette's Syndrome Association. Actually antipsychotics are used to treat Tourette's often succesfully. The condition I was speaking about was "tardive touretticism" and that is not medication making Tourette's worse.
I am so sorry to hear about your son! I don't have any answers about the meds. My daughter is almost 12 and has had tics since she was 4...Tourette's since 5. Getting enough sleep is the number one help in keeping her tics to a minimum. It sounds like your son is on the max of drugs that is possible at this point in time. If you can find an alternative school system for him (some days homeschool, others at school), then it may may help him be able to have less tics.
Has anyone ever suggested Tourette's Syndrome. It's not all about swearing, it can be tics in the body. You may have a tic. Ask your doctors or research online.
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