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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on January 9, 2003, at 9:38:14
Originally posted by lookingforhelp 1/9/03
> I have a 9-year old son diagnosed with ADD when he was 6. For a while I was totally against medication, but I had to give in. I started him on Ritalin which did not do much, followed by Concerta, which did seem to work but then he started biting his lips constantly. Last September, we started him on Adderall, extended release, and the results were pretty impresive at first. We thought we had finally found the magic pill. However, 3 months later the medication does not seem to be having the same effect, plus he is developing something that looks like a tic (a rapid movement of his head). I don't know if he is doing it for some sensory reason. He seems to be aware that he is doing it, because sometimes he will do it and will look at me smiling.
>
> So now, his pediatrician is switching us to a new form of Ritalin, Xtended release, which I don't know if the efects will be any different than the Adderall effects.
>
> Have any of you had tics as a result of an ADD medication? Were you aware? Did the tics go away? Did they get worse? But more important, were they really tics?
>
> Thanks for your help.
Posted by Optimistic on January 9, 2003, at 10:03:12
In reply to Re: Tics with Adderall » lookingforhelp, posted by Dinah on January 9, 2003, at 9:38:14
This may be an indication of Tourette's Syndrome which is often exacerbated by the use of stimulants and is associated with ADD. If it continues i would stop the stimulants and possibly have him checked out for Tourette's by a neurologist. Good luck.
Posted by Ritch on January 9, 2003, at 13:25:23
In reply to Re: Tics with Adderall » lookingforhelp, posted by Dinah on January 9, 2003, at 9:38:14
> Originally posted by lookingforhelp 1/9/03
>
> > I have a 9-year old son diagnosed with ADD when he was 6. For a while I was totally against medication, but I had to give in. I started him on Ritalin which did not do much, followed by Concerta, which did seem to work but then he started biting his lips constantly. Last September, we started him on Adderall, extended release, and the results were pretty impresive at first. We thought we had finally found the magic pill. However, 3 months later the medication does not seem to be having the same effect, plus he is developing something that looks like a tic (a rapid movement of his head). I don't know if he is doing it for some sensory reason. He seems to be aware that he is doing it, because sometimes he will do it and will look at me smiling.
> >
> > So now, his pediatrician is switching us to a new form of Ritalin, Xtended release, which I don't know if the efects will be any different than the Adderall effects.
> >
> > Have any of you had tics as a result of an ADD medication? Were you aware? Did the tics go away? Did they get worse? But more important, were they really tics?
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
>
>Other forms of Ritalin (extended release) are probably going to be no better than Concerta. Concerta is supposed to be the smoothest release of methylphenidate that you can get. You said he was biting his lips on the Concerta? I would bite and chew my tongue and grind my teeth on Ritalin. I also had other tics on Focalin. Adderall had a tendency to make me want to sip water all of the time (even if my mouth wasn't dry). I would take Optimistic's advice about the neurologist. There are quite a few kids and adults that grind their teeth (i.e.), on stims and it isn't often considered a 'tic' to be concerned about. The neuro can tell you whether or not they warrant discontinuing the psychostimulant.
Posted by Phil on January 9, 2003, at 14:31:42
In reply to Re: Tics with Adderall » lookingforhelp, posted by Dinah on January 9, 2003, at 9:38:14
I would talk to your doctor about Straterra, a new non-stimulant med for ADHD. You should discuss it with your doc.
I don't know if Modafinil(Provigil) is approved for kids but it may be another option. Very low side effects with Modafinil.
Posted by lookingforhelp on January 10, 2003, at 16:08:42
In reply to Re: Tics with Adderall, posted by Phil on January 9, 2003, at 14:31:42
Thanks to all for your helpful advice. It feels really good to have your help...
Posted by utopizen on January 10, 2003, at 21:00:12
In reply to Re: Tics with Adderall » lookingforhelp, posted by Dinah on January 9, 2003, at 9:38:14
Try Desoxyn- I read a person on the 'net with an eye tic on Adderall. After switching to Desoxyn, it stopped.
Um, the thing about tics is that they're semi-involuntary... technically you can stop a tic from ocurring, sort of, sometimes, but one feels rather relieved once it occurs. So someone with tourettes doesn't actually do it uncontrolablly, but it's not like it's comfortable to not do it. I just get a mild shoulder shrug tic now and then, and it feels relieving the second after it happens.
This is the end of the thread.
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