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Started Having Ticks, Head Jerking And Facial Movements. Any Treatment Other Than Anti-psychotic Drugs?

Posted on Wed, 10 Apr 2013

Question: My 23 year old has ticks that started when he was about14 years of age. The doctors explained that he would outgrow them however he has not.He does head jerking and facial movements that look pretty peculiar. Over the years I noticed that he does not have ticks when hhe's well e
Rested. I don't know what route to take to make his life a nomal as possible. I do't want him on antipsychotic drugs and I feel like more could bed done to help him. Can you give me some advise?

Answered by Dr. Prasad Akole (1 hour later)

Dear friend,

Thanks for entrusting your query here at XXXXXXX

I am Dr. Prasad Akole and would be glad to address to your query.

I guess that the person has hemi-facial spasms that come on with activities.
These are neurological disorders of the brain and some can be treated well.

To know exactly what type of dyskinesia he has, I would advise you to see a reputed neurologist at a tertiary care hospital.
He needs to be evaluated for the kind of tics and if hemifacial spasms are diagnosed, they can be treated surgically by microvascular decompression (MVD) of the VII th nerve of the brain, whose irritation causes these.

Many patients may lead a fruitful life after this.
Please be guided by a neurologist's opinion. Any surgery if needed, is done by a neuro surgeon.

I hope, this shows some hope.

Please keep me updated of his progress at http://bit.ly/Dr-Prasad-Akole
Take care.
Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T