I think my niece has tourettes syndrome.
By Lifez2short
@Lifez2short (4962)
United States
November 26, 2007 10:16am CST
I have a 14 year old niece who recently started doing some strange things and after listening to her and watching her I think she may have tourettes syndrome. She is unable to control a verbal tic that sounds like a duck quacking. She cant stop doing it and it get her so upset. And she also is always washing her hands and cleaning things around her. My mother in law has taken her to see all kinds of Dr's and all they do is give her meds to put her to sleep. I did alot of research online and found out that OCD and tourettes syndrome are linked together. I believe that she has tourettes syndrome and have told my mother in law this only thing is she does not speak english and it is hard for her to understand what I am trying to tell her. My niece lives with my mother in law and this is so hard on all of us. I sat and cried after talking to her on the phone. She was able to let me her stomach hurt but she just could not stop the tic. I wish there was something I could do for her. I have been trying to get my mother in law to take her to the Childrens Hospital but she does not think it is needed. Could you imagine being 14 and having to deal with this? She cant go back to school she will be tourted at home for now. My heart breaks for her and I pray she will be able to get this under control soon. Any help/ advice is appercated thank you.
3 people like this
5 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
27 Nov 07
I'd like to tell you a true story that might give you some hope. A good, high school friend of one of our daughter's had Tourette's Syndrome. While there wasn't much hope because of his sudden outbursts and ticking, he went on to finish high school, graduate college, write a book and appear on Oprah's show. This was possible due to certain medications. Forgot to mention he also married. So there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
I wish your family the best and sincerely hope your niece gets the proper help and treatment and is able to complete her life as the young fellow did in the above story.
2 people like this
@Lifez2short (4962)
• United States
27 Nov 07
Thank you Carol I know she will be able to live through this she is a very strong girl.
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Nov 07
Sorry to hear your niece isn't well. OTC does link to certain problems like Tourettes syndrome. Your MIL should take your niece back to the dr. along with the info you gleamed from the internet printed out to show the dr. Maybe you could go along. Could be since she doesn't understand English, she doesn't really know what the dr. is telling her or can tell the dr what is happening to your niece. Communication gaps between a dr. and his/her patient is not a good thing at all.
2 people like this
@Lifez2short (4962)
• United States
27 Nov 07
I have found spanish articals and hope to find more for her to rad to better understand what I am trying to tell her.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
27 Nov 07
yes thats what she has alright.i have a niece that has tourettes and she does the same thing.They said she had Bells Paulsey, but she makes those same funny noises too.She has been this way since she was a teenager,it all started when she injured her back..Its not dangerous but medication will help her a great deal.
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
26 Nov 07
Oh that is a hard thing to deal wiith. I do think that there are some treatments available now. She needs to be seen by a doctor for sure. Good luck.
2 people like this
@SKLC_PT (1234)
•
26 Nov 07
I think the best would be to do research on the subject maybe trying to find what might help someone with it and so on, another thing would be to go yourself to a doctor preferably a specialized one, you might find one near you via Internet, and explain your concerns to the doctor and the problem in general, the best would be to list all you can remember that's odd on paper so you don't forget, maybe the doctor can tell you if your hint might be correct and even might be able to give you further advice on how to proceed.
