Throat Clearing Tic?

[Anonymous]

Oh, I did the same at age 9 and it stopped after a few months or the end of the school year. I recall classmates with similar tics.

[Anonymous]

Not a throat clearing roc, but a neck movement tic.

[Anonymous]

I can’t take him to a doctor. Our annual check up
With the Ped was canceled by the drs office and I called urgent care to see if we could come in and they said anything having to do with the throat requires a covid test first. I called the ped again and they’re not taking in person appointments (or so the lady on the phone says).

I don’t know if other providers are better during the pandemic but I have to say that as a family covered by Amerihealth (DC Medicaid) my children basically have to be in crisis and taken to the ER to be seen in any capacity since last March. Which obviously is not a reasonable approach so we just suck it up and hope things will pass.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think there’s any need to see a doctor for a tic. My son has a pretty intense sniffing tic. Not much to be done for it other than treating the seasonal allergies that may exacerbate it.

That said, I’d look for another pediatrician if they still won’t do in person visits. That’s extreme.

[Anonymous]

Throat clearing is how I know when my ex-husband is lying. He has no idea he is doing it and it is always when he lies. Knowledge=power.

[Anonymous]

My son does it at different times. I think its an allergy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t take him to a doctor. Our annual check up
With the Ped was canceled by the drs office and I called urgent care to see if we could come in and they said anything having to do with the throat requires a covid test first. I called the ped again and they’re not taking in person appointments (or so the lady on the phone says).

I don’t know if other providers are better during the pandemic but I have to say that as a family covered by Amerihealth (DC Medicaid) my children basically have to be in crisis and taken to the ER to be seen in any capacity since last March. Which obviously is not a reasonable approach so we just suck it up and hope things will pass.

Call one of the children's hospital clinics and get an appointment.

[Anonymous]

Allergy, or possibly a tonsil.stone brought on by congestion. Sometimes it just goes straight down the back of the throat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son does it at different times. I think its an allergy.

Almost every parent of a Tourette's kid starts by thinking the kid has al allergy (we were among those).

But I agree tics can come and go. (Tourette's "serious"? Hm, comorbidities can be awful, how society responds can be brutal, really severe physical tics can inflammation, tendonitis, interfere with sleep, distress generally (because so frustrating) etc etc. But I would say TS is actually pretty benign in and of itself. )

[Anonymous]

My husband also often does this at home. I think he does it when he is trying to decompress but is feeling stressed because he has a lot on his mind. I understand your concern. I’m just hoping none of my kids start.

[Anonymous]

Post nasal drip or acid reflux.

[Anonymous]

My youngest used to do this and it was to clear allergic post-nasal drip. Antihistamines have helped tremendously. I also find myself doing this when I haven’t taken my allergy medicine.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't have any practical advise except maybe see if OTC stuff (Tums?) helps rule out GERD. BUT I just want to sympathize. I had a poly sci professor in college who cleared his throat NONSTOP and loudly. Like after every sentence. He was elderly so my best guess was it was a swallow issue and he couldn't help it. But Jesus was it ever distracting. I'm pretty laid back but I never got used to it even after the whole semester.

[Anonymous]

I drove my parents crazy clearing my throat when I was around nine years old. It turned out that I had nodules on my vocal cord. Medical reasons need to be ruled out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son does it at different times. I think its an allergy.

Almost every parent of a Tourette's kid starts by thinking the kid has al allergy (we were among those).

But I agree tics can come and go. (Tourette's "serious"? Hm, comorbidities can be awful, how society responds can be brutal, really severe physical tics can inflammation, tendonitis, interfere with sleep, distress generally (because so frustrating) etc etc. But I would say TS is actually pretty benign in and of itself. )

I've had Tourette's for 30 years and I choose my words carefully. It can have a major impact on someone's life and can be quite consequential to their mental health if they don't understand or know how to manage it. Respectfully, you are not in a position to make that judgement. Or let this woman off the hook for being frustrated with something that isn't about her - it is about her child and his wellbeing.