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More Tics - I'm Ticked Off 01/31/2010
5 Comments
 
This school year - first grade - has definitely shown an increase in tics. Stink had gone from occasional bouts of them to a pretty steady stream of them. He's rarely without some sort of motion, be it an eye roll, a shoulder shrug, a throat clear, a tongue click.

Luckily he tends to stick to one at a time.

The past few weeks, though, he has put many of them together, and that's when it becomes more obvious. Yesterday, right before his seventh birthday party, he started squatting. I thought I would faint.

There's a little shit in his class (speaking of squatting) who constantly makes fun of Stink - especially about his squatting tic.  (I call it the Ass Tic cause I'm classy.)

I suppose I should be thrilled that Stink isn't too affected by this kid. After all, I practically have to drag it out of him. When he tells me about his day, and the little shit who mimics him, I ask him why he didn't tell his teacher. "I forgot!" he says merrily, before launching into some opinion about the next chapter of Harry Potter.

I often persist, "But you can go on meds if you want if the taunts ever bug you." Stink's response, "Never! I love my tics! Way more than I love the little shit!"

Of course my Sunday School goer doesn't refer to his class mate as "The Little Shit". But seriously, if you looked up this kid in the dictionary,  you'd see his smiling face inserted in a big log of poo. Moving on.

I am glad that Stink is so happy with himself. But as a mother, it sometimes breaks my heart. I know I can't "cure it" per say, but I'm also disappointed that all my magnesium supplements and good food isn't making more of a difference.

I'm angry that I can't just accept this.

I am now a bit worried about Pandas.

I'm worried that his mild to medium symptoms are going to become more severe jerks and grunts.

I worry that I'm going to give Stink a complex when I'm visably irritated by his constant motions. (I try to curb that, but sometimes I can't help it. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I've screamed, "Can't you just stop that! You're driving me CRAZY!" Not okay, just saying I'm human.)

I worry that I'm doing him a disservice by not having him on medication.

I'm PISSED that I still don't have a good doctor that can guide me on this.

I'm beyond frustrated that there is no cure to this confusing disorder.

But... and here's the great thing... my son is beyond happy with who he is. He told me (and I can't make this crap up) "when I am dead I hope I am an angel with Tourettes."

I guess I'm doing okay so far. But man, I do wish those tics would settle down. More to come. (And I wish that Little Shit would go down the toilet where he belongs.)
 


Comments

Pat
02/01/2010 20:14

So glad I found this site. Feeling alone as the mom of a 5 year old son who was recently diagnosed with Tourettes and ADHD. As if the issues he would already have to deal with weren't enough (single mom - so no dad, adopted, Spanish with dark skin). So, I'm a mom who is a bit overwhelmed right now - but fortunately German raised, so I'm a pull myself up by the boot straps and look at the bright side kind of person. And like Stink, Will is a pretty happy guy with lots of friends and always humming a tune (with a throat clearing tic every 4th beat). So, how do you moms handle the frustration and exasperation and where do you get support, information and guidance? I just don't want to feel alone in this anymore. Thanks for listening.

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andrea frazer link
02/01/2010 21:01

Pat - I am sorry you are going through this. Stay in touch over here. At some point leave an email. My suggestion is you form a private group where you can chat with people through the privacy of an email. Also, contact TSA and find a support group in your city. I don't have one, sadly, so this website is as close as it gets. Whatever you do, don't be alone! Come back from time to time. I am bad about posting here but try!

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JT's mom
02/04/2010 07:08

Pat,

My son is also 5, so I feel like I am just beginning what appears to be a long journey ahead. Please feel free to email me at mbnienaber@aol.com if you'd like to chat. The TS forum on the ACN website (www.latitudes.org) has a lot of parents who've been through this, and they post very helpful information and can often answer any questions you may have.

Mary Beth

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Kathy
04/26/2010 11:48

I love that Stink loves his tics. My 9 year-old son says that he likes his tics because they make him different than everyone else. He makes a point of telling his doctors that he does not want his tics treated. Unfortunately, my son also is dealing with ADD/sleep problems/anxiety/depression, so there's still plenty to keep life interesting!

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Danielle from Saskatchewan
03/02/2011 17:43

I love your blog. It makes me laugh (due to your emotions sounding like mine) and feel like I'm not alone. My six year old has had tics since he was three and it seems like every year he ups the tics. The latest being his jumping to the beat in his head I have to admit it kinda cute to watch but very scary when he has to stop in the middle of the street to do it. I too have spent the last 3 years triling all of the same things you have done so reading your blog is a nice refresher on remiding me that it will be okay. I too have went through the same stages of grief and I'm not willing to just accept it. I want to fix it. When I first started my research I came accross a sentence that said."tics now what?" crossed out and re written "tics so what" That sentence has stuck with me causing me to think I'm a bad mom for not accepting him for who he is. As I sit here reading your blog I find my self thinking wow what a great mom fighting to make the best of this for her son, hes so lucky to have a mom that loves him so much. So thanks for encouraging me to keep fighting and please do keep updating on every thing your trying. We are now just in the stage of following a natropaths suggestions, and hoping it works because my 4 year old has been throat clearing and huuuing constantly for the last month (I hope its not a tic but just in my head)
Danielle from Saskatchewan

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    TICKED OFF: TOURETTES TALK

    "When You Can't Fix the Tics, Fix Yourself"

    Consider this is your 12-Step Tourettes Support Group where we will encourage each other to:

    1. Accept the tics we cannot change

    2. Change the tics we can

    3. And have the wisdom to know the difference.

    ABOUT ME
    My son, Stink, was diagnosed with mild Tourettes when he was 4. I was terrifed he would curse, shriek, scream and hump busses.

    Quite the opposite, he is highly creative, social and thriving.

    I keep his tics at a minimum through a gluten free/caesin free diet.

    While I haven't eliminated his tics altogether, I'm eliminating fear through a good dose of humor and acceptance.

    I hope you'll join me so we can support each other on this crazy journey. Welcome to Ticked Off.

    Picture
    I write weekly for the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome blog. Come visit me, and other awesome parents, for some daily support!

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