Re: Le Roy, NY, USA: Unusual outbreak of Tourette-like symptoms in 12 students at Junior-Senior High School
Re: Le Roy, NY, USA: Unusual outbreak of Tourette-like symptoms in 12 students at Junior-Senior High School
Hello Flutrackers.
First off, I need to introduce myself. I am "Digger"'s brother, the father of his nephew that he has been discussing on this thread. I want to give Digger a special "Thank You" for watching this story so closely, and updating me with the news that he obtains.
The most upsetting thing for me to see in the NY cases, is the Conversion Disorder diagnosis. I understand what Conversion Disorder is, and accept it as a diagnosis for individuals who actually have it. What my son's case, and his classmate's case is lacking in, as to the Conversion Disorder diagnosis, is the stress in their lives that would cause it. Both kids here were normal, healthy teens, without ANY major life-changing events that would spiral them into these symptoms.
My son's mother and I were told by THREE different psychologists, who had all spoken with him, his mother, and I, that he DID NOT have conversion disorder, and that we should NOT accept is as a diagnosis. Within hours of hearing this, the doctor in charge at the time, did just that. When we told him about the psych's statement, his reply was that he would have to re-check his records. He never did clarify the statement.
I understand, and would accept, the simple statement that this is a newly discovered illness, without a name, that is being investigated further, but this is not the case. The doctors in Indiana have simply shrugged their shoulders, after running all 'known' testing, and are simply giving-up.
At this date, my son is 99% the teenager he was before the on-set of his symptoms on Labor Day weekend of last year. His classmate has not yet returned to school.
Being as careful as I can about HIPPA info, I will state the following about the classmate. She is a female, the same age as my son. They shared one class together, and were both in marching band.
Months back, I attempted to get the local health department involved. They declined, stating that without a doctor's diagnosis of something "environmentally caused", they could not get involved. After seeing how The New York Board of Health handled the situation there, I can see it was wasted time on my efforts.
The similarities between NY and here are to much to label as unrelated. My son's tics were confined to the left side of his body, just as the girls I've seen from NY. While my son did NOT have the vocalizations from his tics that these girls are showing, it was sometimes difficult for him to speak, as his entire left cheek would spasm so much that his eye would go closed. His tics were so pronounced, that he was unable to walk, as his left leg and left arm were uncontrollable to him. The first night of the onset, he was showing such seizure-like symptoms, that he could not even sit on the floor. His leg was bruised from the repetitive motion of hitting the floor of the house. His tremors continued through his sleep the first night, but with enough medications, they stopped only while he was sleeping thereafter.
I feel so terrible for the families in NY, as I remember weeks in the hospital, sleeping by my son's bed, praying for answers. I understand each and every frustration that they are experiencing as they go through test, after test, trying medication, after medication, trying ANYTHING to help their child.
I also am very proud of the girls who have allowed themselves to be filmed while their tics are active. These kids know that their bodies are moving uncontrollably. They know that their bodies are producing vocal grunts. I am proud of them for putting the obvious embarrassment aside, to show the world what they are going through.
I have, just this morning, emailed a local news station with my son's story, in hoping to get the word out that this Mystery Illness is not localized in New York. I await a reply.....
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