What would cause Spikes in Dopamine?

[Guest guest]

My four year old has been having what appears to be dopamine spikes.

He'll be sitting there and suddenly his eyes will blink simultaneously

and continually for about a minute or so. Just non stop. Then, he

becomes frustrated tries rubbing his eyes and cries until it stops. I

know that they often have excess seratonin. But, what is causing

surges in dopamine? Is this dangerous and what do I do for him?

[Guest guest]

Could it be a seizure?

Caroline

> From: friendsofcam <friendsofcam@...>

> Reply-< >

> Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 17:51:42 +0000

> < >

> Subject: What would cause Spikes in Dopamine?

>

> My four year old has been having what appears to be dopamine spikes.

> He'll be sitting there and suddenly his eyes will blink simultaneously

> and continually for about a minute or so. Just non stop. Then, he

> becomes frustrated tries rubbing his eyes and cries until it stops. I

> know that they often have excess seratonin. But, what is causing

> surges in dopamine? Is this dangerous and what do I do for him?

[Guest guest]

What would lead you to believe it is a dopamine spike? My first

thought too was a seizure.

My son did this when we tried Claritin with him for about a week.

We stopped it and it went away.

Is your son taking any meds or supplements...the first thing Id

check. Is your son getting dairy or some other food product he is

sensitive to?

>

> Could it be a seizure?

>

> Caroline

>

>

> > From: friendsofcam <friendsofcam@...>

> > Reply-< >

> > Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 17:51:42 +0000

> > < >

> > Subject: What would cause Spikes in Dopamine?

> >

> > My four year old has been having what appears to be dopamine

spikes.

> > He'll be sitting there and suddenly his eyes will blink

simultaneously

> > and continually for about a minute or so. Just non stop. Then, he

> > becomes frustrated tries rubbing his eyes and cries until it

stops. I

> > know that they often have excess seratonin. But, what is

causing

> > surges in dopamine? Is this dangerous and what do I do for him?

>

[Guest guest]

The reason behind the thought of dopamine spikes is that I had read

about dopamines effects on " eye blinking " and that you can count

the number of blinks per minute as a first test to see if dopamine

is too low (too few blinks) or too high (too many blinks). Of

course, I'm not a doctor so don't quote me on that.

Your thoughts are all good ideas. I'll look into any new meds or

supplements. He was tested once for seizures and at the time didn't

appear to have any. But, perhaps he should have another test. He

did recently start a new anti-biotic. So, I don't know.

That's interesting about the claritin. He has taken that also for

allergies recently. What was in the Claritin that was causing the

problem...a dye or allergy? Or, perhaps it didn't mix with

something else?

> >

> > Could it be a seizure?

> >

> > Caroline

> >

> >

> > > From: friendsofcam <friendsofcam@>

> > > Reply-< >

> > > Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 17:51:42 +0000

> > > < >

> > > Subject: What would cause Spikes in Dopamine?

> > >

> > > My four year old has been having what appears to be dopamine

> spikes.

> > > He'll be sitting there and suddenly his eyes will blink

> simultaneously

> > > and continually for about a minute or so. Just non stop. Then,

he

> > > becomes frustrated tries rubbing his eyes and cries until it

> stops. I

> > > know that they often have excess seratonin. But, what is

> causing

> > > surges in dopamine? Is this dangerous and what do I do for

him?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I just found this on drugs.com...

I didn't know that Claritin could trigger seizures.

" What are the possible side effects of loratadine (Claritiin)? "

€ If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop

taking loratadine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency

medical attention.

· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the

throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

· an irregular heartbeat; or

· seizures.

€ Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue

to take loratadine and talk to your doctor if you experience

· drowsiness or dizziness;

· headache;

· nervousness;

· nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort;

· dry mouth;

· dry skin or itchiness; or

· discoloration of urine.

€ Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your

doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially

bothersome.

***I also found this regarding childhood glaucoma (odds are low that that is

your son's problem but I thought I'd post it anyway).

What are the symptoms?

The three classic symptoms of childhood glaucoma are increased tears, light

sensitivity, and blinking tightly. Many children, however, do not display

these classic symptoms. Some may have large eyes, red eyes, or decreased

vision as the first symptom. Sometimes the eyes appear blurry or swollen to

onlookers.

The symptoms of glaucoma are most evident if they occur in only one eye. If

they are present in both, people often think they are normal.

Caroline

[Guest guest]

OK,

I just found something else that might help you figure out what is going on.

I can't vouch for the credibility as I've never used this website it

before... It's all about eye blinking and what can cause it, though (I found

it by Googling eye blinking)

Here's the link to the page on eye blinking

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/eye_blinking_symptoms.htm#possible

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Here is how the eye blinking problem happened with my son. We were

always looking for a better antihistamine. Our pediatrician would

not prescribe anything....he always would say he did not want him to

take anything that would cross the nrevous system.

When my son turned 6 I decided to try generic Claritin, since

basically it has dosing on the box for age 6 and up. Dr G had told

me to be aggressive with keeping his sinuses clear and to try some

different things. Zyrtec never worked, so I thought I would try

Claritin. He started this eye blinking after taking it for several

days. I stopped the Claritin and it went away. Dr G told me to use

Astelin instead, and not to give him another pill. My pediatrician

says many antihistamine affect the nervous system.

He is now taking Astelin twice a day and that has really helped to

keep him clear.

> > >

> > > Could it be a seizure?

> > >

> > > Caroline

> > >

> > >

> > > > From: friendsofcam <friendsofcam@>

> > > > Reply-< >

> > > > Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 17:51:42 +0000

> > > > < >

> > > > Subject: What would cause Spikes in Dopamine?

> > > >

> > > > My four year old has been having what appears to be dopamine

> > spikes.

> > > > He'll be sitting there and suddenly his eyes will blink

> > simultaneously

> > > > and continually for about a minute or so. Just non stop.

Then,

> he

> > > > becomes frustrated tries rubbing his eyes and cries until it

> > stops. I

> > > > know that they often have excess seratonin. But, what is

> > causing

> > > > surges in dopamine? Is this dangerous and what do I do for

> him?

> > >

> >

>