Dd11 sudden onset tics

[Summersoul]

5 weeks ago my DD2 age 11 started out if the blue with a neck jerk tic along with several word tics!
The GP has advised us to wait it out as he thinks they will resolve as these tics came after an extremely stressful time which included a bereavement

My question really is
Is it really likely that this will pass or more likely to develop into Tourette's? I have absolutely no experience in this at all so any advice or positive stories very welcome

[AliMonkey]

No advice I’m afraid but came on to post for advice re DS13 so can at least sympathise. Suffers from anxiety and has always had sensory issues with eg clothes. Recently started tugging at neck of his T-shirts quite often and thought it was related to eg them rubbing his neck but now seems to be constantly just touching his shoulder/neck so seems more like a habit or tic. Not sure how to tell the difference or whether I can do anything to help. DS generally less stressed than usual at moment as not having to deal with school, crowds, strangers etc although he does worry when people not adhering to distancing etc.

[WhoKnowsWhatsAroundTheCorner]

Two of my children developed Tourette’s at roughly that age - there was no previous sign of the condition. Unfortunately you have to wait and see - they may resolve or they may not.
Tourette’s is the most severe end of the spectrum for Tic disorders - the tics are officially meant to be present for most of a year before it’s diagnosed. It can get better and worse in that year. It’s a complex disorder and most people (including Drs) don’t know much about it.

[Chaotica]

@Summersoul I know this is an old thread but I'll answer anyway. DS developed serious sudden onset tics at 12 so bad he couldn't go upstairs or sit upright safely. But these went away after about two months, during lockdown. Beforehand, he'd been quite ill with a chest infection and was a bit stressed too. We don't really know whether the tics were caused by the illness or not and the doctors couldn't agree. He didn't have verbal ones though, although he did start to stammer. (Now we're hoping they stay away.)

I hope your DD is OK.

[elephantoverthehill]

Hi over the last couple of days Dd15 has started having prolonged tics, verbal and upper body. We have had a phone consultation with GP and he has prescribed mild sedatives and will refer her for stress management. She is stressed with mock exams but she has never exhibited this behaviour before. Any advice?

[Summersoul]

@elephantoverthehill

Hi over the last couple of days Dd15 has started having prolonged tics, verbal and upper body. We have had a phone consultation with GP and he has prescribed mild sedatives and will refer her for stress management. She is stressed with mock exams but she has never exhibited this behaviour before. Any advice?

Sorry to hear this it's so hard as a parent to see your child tic x
My advice would be start her on some magnesium and try and keep her calm with warm baths etc
My DD tics are following a wax and wane course and I still can't really pinpoint the triggers 🤷🏻‍♀️

[elephantoverthehill]

@Summersoul thanks for your advice. Funnily enough I did suggest a bath last night but she didn't but I will keep suggesting. What is the 'science' behind the magnesium please. I am willing to try anything but I need a rationale to explain it to Dd.

[Summersoul]

I think magnesium helps calming 🤷🏻‍♀️ lots of research out there and lots of people have great success with it others not so much like anything really x

[ooherrmissus14]

My daughter has developed ticks in a similar way about 3 weeks ago- sudden onset and quite extreme. We were desperate for her to go back to school but now the thought fills me with absolute dread. How have your DC's coped in school? We're been referred to the Rapid Access paeds but I know there's no quick fix for this. May try the magnesium x

[Chaotica]

How old is your DD @ooherrmissus14? DS's school have a separate area for teaching students who can't manage in the 'general population' and he was taught there when the tics were really bad and he was a danger to himself. He was gradually being reintegrated when lockdown happened.

[ooherrmissus14]

She's 12 so is in yr7. The school have been great actually and have told her she can leave the class at anytime if she needs to. Feel much more reassured about her going back xx

[Chaotica]

That's good, @ooherrmissus14. I hope she gets on OK when she goes back.

[Summersoul]

Hi everyone
I was just looking back on this thread I cant believe that was 9 months ago. My DDs tics have changed a lot since I first wrote this post but they are still with her. Where we live I seem to have nowhere to refer her unless I go private x
Hope you DCs are all doing well x

[ChocolateFace]

Helllo, my DD started to tic last lockdown. I'd hoped the tics would go away, but they haven't, and in a couple of weeks it'll be a year since I noticed her tics and so I will be looking for a diagnosis of Tourettes.

DH was quite anti her having a diagnosis until this week she had a tic attack at school, but she tried her best to suppress it, resulting her passing out. Other pupils were saying she's doing it for attention, They've also tried to make her tic offensive words(she's very suggestible). I could cry for her. She was quite happy to tic while we were in lockdown but she doesn't need to be treated like this at school. I think having a diagnosis of Tourettes will help people understand more than "tic disorder".

[Summersoul]

@ChocolateFace

Helllo, my DD started to tic last lockdown. I'd hoped the tics would go away, but they haven't, and in a couple of weeks it'll be a year since I noticed her tics and so I will be looking for a diagnosis of Tourettes.

DH was quite anti her having a diagnosis until this week she had a tic attack at school, but she tried her best to suppress it, resulting her passing out. Other pupils were saying she's doing it for attention, They've also tried to make her tic offensive words(she's very suggestible). I could cry for her. She was quite happy to tic while we were in lockdown but she doesn't need to be treated like this at school. I think having a diagnosis of Tourettes will help people understand more than "tic disorder".

Hey there
It's so heartbreaking to watch your child going through this it really is
How old is your DD have you heard of functional tics? There has been a lot of media coverage of this surge of this girls having a sudden onset of tics during lockdown
Sending you lots of strength my DD started July last year and its been the hardest thing to watch x

[wheresmyhairytoe]

DD12 suddenly started with tics the other night. They were so violent and her heart rate so fast she was taken into A and E who ran tests and couldn't find anything wrong.
She's been ticcing constantly all weekend both motor and now a verbal one too.

I'm ringing the GP first thing in the morning but don't know what to do about school? I'm terrified she'll be laughed at or get into trouble if the teachers think she's doing it on purpose.

She's not been stressed, says there's nothing worrying her, the only different thing is she's on her period, only the 3rd one. I can't believe how fast and violently it's come on.

[ChocolateFace]

@wheresmyhairytoe I've heard so many similar stories over the past year, with teen girls developing tics.

There must be a reason why, but I really can't make my mind up what the most likely answer is.
Anxiety due to COVID-19?
Some sort of phenomena where teen girls are influenced by social media and "catch" tics? (People with tics have tried to educate others through tik tok)?
Tics occurring after catching Covid, even if a symptomatic?
Tics starting after HPV vaccine?

I do think there needs to be some research into where and why so many children have started to tic.

[Chaotica]

@ChocolateFace I do think some more research needs doing. DS got his after a viral infection which affected his breathing. (They didn't test for covid at that stage, so we don't know whether it was that.) There could be social reasons too though, as you say.

[Chaotica]

How's your DD @wheresmyhairytoe?

[SealSong]

Following, with interest

[wheresmyhairytoe]

She's still ticcing continually. We saw a GP who sent her back to A and E.
The docs at the hospital said it's stress, even though she isn't stressed and sent us away with a leaflet!
I'm ringing GP again next week and asking to be referred to neurology.

[Summersoul]

@wheresmyhairytoe

She's still ticcing continually. We saw a GP who sent her back to A and E.
The docs at the hospital said it's stress, even though she isn't stressed and sent us away with a leaflet!
I'm ringing GP again next week and asking to be referred to neurology.

When you get to neurologist ask about functional tics. So many are getting a tourettes diagnosis
way too soon and then don't respond to treatment x

[Chaotica]

We had similar @wheresmyhairytoe; it's so frustrating. The doctors didn't listen when we kept telling them that DS wasn't stressed (and he kept telling them himself). They invented this story about him being pressured by us to do well etc etc or bullied because of his tics (which had never been seen in school) and it was utter rubbish. The only possible stressor was that the doctors kept dismissing the fact his asthma had been critically bad for months, he kept getting chest infections and he couldn't breathe. That was stressing him out.

I hope you get a referral to neurology. We were meant to get one and then lockdown happened. (DS is lucky - his tics went after about 2 months although they still seem to come back when his breathing is bad.)

Is there anything else going on with your DD such as an infection or regular medication being changed?

[jewel1968]

Same here. GP has referred for diagnosis. In the meantime I can recommend a weighted blanket.

You might want to check out the ap Woebot. I know some who like it and find it useful. It is based on CBT. Some find it annoying though.

[ChocolateFace]

Thanks to this thread I've been reading up on functional tics.

The paediatrician gave DD a diagnosis of "complex tic disorder" and I'm due a follow up telephone appointment in a few weeks.
I'm not sure whether to ask to be referred to a neurologist (I'm not sure why, why but it's what other people ask for).

Or demand a diagnosis of Tourettes as school are saying I should.
DD and her school friends are finding the coprolalia hilarious. DH and I not so. I'm praying she moves on to a new verbal tic next week as her "Wow, fuck off" said in a very pleasant tone is wearing.

I need to find out more about treatments for Tourettes/functional tics and how we could access these.

[Summersoul]

Its definitely worth asking about functional tics before they suggest meds as these tics do not respond and ask about therapy
Get as much info as you can so you can decide what's best xx