I just mentioned my son's (sometimes) rapid blinking on Focalin XR 10mg to his neuro. I didn't think it was a big deal, since it's not frequent, but the doc seems to think it's a big deal. He put him on Concerta 18 mg and it did nothing for him and bumped it to 36 mg and it worked for attention/behavior, but immediately gave him a horrible stomach ache (which the nurse said could also be tic--which I don't get. I think he just developed a stomach ache from it). So, I stopped the Concerta and they told me to put him back on the Focalin XR and I said, well what about the blinking?

They called back today and said I could either leave him on the Focalin XR and hope that he doesn't start the blinking again, but that I would have to call them if I saw the tic again and immediately discontinue the med. They said his only other options now are non-stimulant Strattera or Intuiv. I'm really nervous about those because a) I'm afraid they won't work well with his lack of being able to focus/inattentiveness and b) I'm really concerned about the 4-6 weeks to see if they are going to work. School starts in 2 weeks and I really can't send him un-medicated. He can hardly finish reading a page and his writing is illegible when he's not on his meds--on the meds, he was a 1st grader operating on a 5th grade level.

So, is this true that if he has a tic on Focalin XR that he will have a tic on all stimulants, so stimulants are now out for him? I'm not really buying that idea based on the experiences I've read from others. Please send any info and advice my way!

Thanks!

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