What helped my DC's tics - Vitamin D

[Anonymous]

Dear all,

I have hesitated posting this because of the jinx factor, but if it helps one person, then it's worth it!

My DC (ADHD - predominately hyperactive) has had a vocal tic since about 6.5 - 7 years old. It has ebbed and flowed, with some pretty brutal peaks along the way. Fast forward to 9, and we found ourselves at an ENT faced with the beginning of vocal nodules as a result of the stress the tic was placing on the vocal chords.

We discussed with the pediatrician, a neurologist, the psychiatrist. We ignored it; we talked about it. We followed all the advice and relentlessly googled. In sum, we did all the things. The tic was worse when the stimulants were "kicking in" and worst of all when they were "wearing off." The neurologist wasn't surprised, but still said that they were not caused by the ADHD treatment per se. The medical literature seems well settled that tic disorders tend to emerge at the same age that ADHD is diagnosed, but there is not necessarily a cause/effect. We agreed it was more important to treat the ADHD, while tolerating the tic in any event.

Once things reached a fever pitch -- a long while since an ebb, tics somewhat evolving into other tics, and the finding of the vocal nodules -- I had an "aha moment" and thought, is there one thing doctors have told us to do that we are not doing? I looked at our post-annual visit sheet from the pediatrician, and it said to give a certain amount of Vitamin D each day. Then I found a study that vitamin d serum values were lower in those with chronic tic disorders. It confirmed that Vit D supplementation could help.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6716592/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20deficiency%20has%20been,severity%20of%20the%20tic%20disorder.

Started on 1000 IU a day, and DC's tics are now, several months later, virtually gone. We saw a decline starting about a month after we commenced, and a greater lessening 4 months in I would say.

Yes, this could just be continued brain development, or it could be this one change. Vitamin D seemed like a safe enough bet for us to give it a try.

YMMV of course!

Posted in solidarity and thanks for all the other great support on this board!

[Anonymous]

Glad you found something that helped!!!

[Anonymous]

Is he low in Vitamin D? Simple blood test. I wouldn't think it would be helpful for that but it's one of the important ones and people are generally deficient.

[Anonymous]

Glad it worked for your child, OP! What brand of supplement are you using?

[Anonymous]

Congratulations, OP, and thanks for posting!

[Anonymous]

Yes, please post which exact brand

[Anonymous]

For my kid it was eliminating gluten. After two years of visits with his pediatrician, allergist and a neurologist, we saw a naturopath, who figured it out in two visits. His tics resolved completely.

[Anonymous]

My ADHD/TS daughter has been supplementing with Vitamin D since she was young and still has tics. They wax and wane. If it really helps your child that is very fortunate.

[Anonymous]

OP here, this was this product I used:

NatureWise Vitamin D3 1000iu (25 mcg)

https://www.naturewise.com/products/vitamin-d3-1000-iu-supplements

[Anonymous]

This is good to know. I'm open to trying various things.
My DS doesn't have tics but he has trich. He's taking the supplement NAC, which I read about on this forum and then read the studies. It reduced his hair pulling by about 70%.

He's also on Vyvanse and guanfacine. The other proposed option for the hair pulling was an SSRI and we weren't will to go down that route on top of everything else.

Thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

For NAC user- what brand have you used? I tried a powder but couldn’t get kiddo to consume it. Trying other types but would be interested in your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Magnesium Glycinate reduced my daughter's tics by 80%. I was frankly surprised at how clearly and quickly it worked, after so many other treatments had done nothing, but we were told to give it time and then more time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Magnesium Glycinate reduced my daughter's tics by 80%. I was frankly surprised at how clearly and quickly it worked, after so many other treatments had done nothing, but we were told to give it time and then more time.

I’ve never heard of this. My college age DD has had a resurgence of tics and is very self conscious. Her long time med isn’t helping. Maybe this is worth a try. What brand do you buy? How do you dose it? Who recommended it?

[Anonymous]

Belated thank you for posting this. Very helpful!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Belated thank you for posting this. Very helpful!

I am OP and you are so welcome!