Kim knows she cannot file an Adderall lawsuit for Peyton’s condition: Studies have established beyond a doubt that Tourette syndrome is genetic. (Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.) But Adderall is like a Pandora’s box—it can make tics and twitches worse, and lead to Tourette’s. Rather, Kim wants the public to be aware of this Adderall effect—a side effect that Peyton will likely have for the rest of his life.Mild tics, such as eye blinking, could be chalked up to vision problems. Constant sniffing might be diagnosed as an allergy. If your child displays these symptoms and they are taking Adderall, you might want to talk to your doctor…
“When Peyton was first prescribed Adderall, I read the fine print on the drug’s handout,” says Kim. “I remember that tics were included in a long list of Adderall side effects but my doctor didn’t talk about it so I didn’t worry about it. I am pretty sure the information pamphlets never said anything about Tourette Syndrome. I just connected the dots-- It was just too coincidental. Now his tics are full blown and I’ve been told that there is no treatment for it. He is taking a medication that reduces the severity of the tics, but his head constantly switches back and forth, his eyes roll and he opens his mouth constantly. He makes a funny noise with his throat, like something is stuck and he is trying to clear it.
"As well, Peyton kicks one leg out and does funny things with his hands—his fingers spread out and the tips curl. They happen sporadically but the mouth thing is a new tic. The throat clearing happens every few minutes except when he is sleeping.
"Thankfully, no one makes fun of him and I don’t think it bothers him but he is really tired with it. If anyone asks what is wrong, he says, ‘I have Tourette Syndrome and it doesn’t bother me’.
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"Before Peyton was prescribed Adderall he was a spontaneous kid, he was really hyper-- constantly jumping and running. He was over the charts, to the point of being out of control. I was always telling him to stop, over and over again. He had taken other ADHD meds but nothing worked. The Adderall helped him calm down.
"I honestly believe that Adderall caused this condition. If only I could turn back the clock; I wish he had never taken it and of course I feel guilty, I blame myself.
"I have a friend whose little boy took Adderall and I told her to be careful; make sure if he starts having tics to stop the medication right away and see a doctor. I can’t tell her what to do, but if it were up to me…”
READER COMMENTS
Lauren
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I almost passed it as allergies . I'm afraid they may get worse or be permanent. His doctor is telling me to ignore them and they will go away. I too feel guilty for giving him this medication that could have caused much bigger problems for him in the long run .
vivian strong
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Michelle
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LE
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Adam Coots
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Dani
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Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder, which can only be passed on genetically, which means someone in your family has/had it. There are also a lot of other issues a person could have with TS. ADD/ADD is only one possible symptom, there's also OCD, ODD,learning disabilities, and more. Now, not everyone with Tourette syndrome will have other disabilities as mentioned above.
In my case, my father has a mild form of it (no vocal tics) and his father (my grandfather) had a mild form of it as well. I was diagnosed at age 7, and things just went down hill from there, until the age of 18-20. I unfortunately had a very severe case of TS, I was on 14 pills a day to help control them, but they were still out of control. I also have OCD, I had ODD as a child, and severe learning disabilities, which I still struggle with.
Treating an individual for ADD that also has Tourette syndrome can be tricky. I have ADD, but as a kid it was ADHD. My childhood neurologist put me on different medications until we got it right. I've tried Concerta, Strattera, Ritalin, and Risperdal but nothing worked like adderall did. However, sometimes the negative side effects of a medication can outweigh any of the positive ones. For me, adderall made my tics so much worse! And I never ate. My Dr was very concerned as I dropped to a mere 51 pounds in 4th grade, I was taken off the medication.
I'm current 25 years old and back on adderall. Luckily, around the age of 18-20 my tics decreased drastically, I went from moving my whole body all day to only having a few tics. They say that in your late teens early twenties tics could slow down a bit, but not for everyone. I'm doing well on adderall now, and it has only made me tic a bit more. I'm a huge bone cracker, I crack everything from from neck down to my toes and have been since like the age of 6 or 7. That being said, the only difference I'm finding since taking adderall is that the urge to cracke my knuckles has increased.
So, your son already had TS. It's possible that he was not showing all symptoms yet, (ADD could be a synptom of TS) and the stimulant just sped things up, but in no way, shape or form did the adderall give your son Tourettes.
tourettes guy
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ADD, OCD are known to be part of the disorders that almost always come along with Tourettes.
It is not aderall giving you or your kids tourettes, it's kids that have tourettes but the tourettes symptoms only become noticable later than the ADD etc.
I was also hyperactive and ADD as a kid, but never got medication for it as my family though it wouldn't be a problem. Later on it turned out it was just part of tourettes which became more apparent for me a few years later with the obvious tics and twitches.
I have not tried adderall ever in my life. I am however considering trying it to be able to concentrate, when i have more stress and tics.
Drew hopkins
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anthony
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Michael Naffky
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Nat
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I was "diagnosed" with ADD at the age of 10 and put on Concerta, then Adderall.
I'm 19 now and I went back to the doctor only to be diagnosed with Anxiety, OCD tendencies, and Coprolalia, which is saying obsenities and other things that are inapropriate at the wrong time.
I always knew that I didn't have ADD, and that I have problems concentrating due to the constant bullying that went on throughout my life, which does affect how you function in school.
Even though I am a legal adult and could take this to court, I don't want to. My parents didn't know that tics could be caused by Adderall. I don't blame them or anyone.
My tics (or what I consider tics) are constant neck craning (like I'm trying to crack my neck), turning my body like I'm trying to crack my back (I also do this when I'm nervous) and I blink my eyes alot. I don't know if anyone in my family is prone to tics or what have you, but I'm off Adderall for good and I still have these things. And with the OCD tendencies and coupled anxiety, it seems to be worse, like I HAVE TO do it.
Mike L.
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No history of tourettes in my family history either. Well now by business is failing because of the neck tics and finger manipulation. Now out of the blue after being on meds for the tics I am shouting obscenities all day and can't stay up past 7pm.
Is know body being held responsible for this? I never thought about pursuing a lawsuit? I am not usually that type of person, but I can't do anything around the public now....
Mike
concerned mom
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Your story is so sad; these things shouldn't happen. I'm upset that doctors prescribing these medicines down pay more attention to their patients. Thank you for your story, you've cleared my conscience that taking him off the adderall is the right thing to do.
Rob
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I struggle everyday with these things, I feel the pain your son has. I know what it's like, and people refuse to accommodate you. Either I become fat taking drugs like clodine or adderal to think and act like other people do. I work better by myself, I can't work with other people. People think when I don't look them in the eyes I don't hear them that is entirely false. The things that helped me were fitness I work out 4 hours a day. It really helps me, I cannot think of anything better. Those doctors didn't help me they told me only good things about me, when people were beating me up. I needed to fix my problems, not be babied. I fully understand what you and your son are going through. I left my email in my comment if you have questions about TS or adhd.