Thanks for the input, Phobia. What she was saying can’t really be characterized as “innuendo;” it was pretty extreme and explicit.
I considered that maybe she was just drunk, Nickrz, but she didn’t sound like that. I’ve talked to plenty of drunks and it wasn’t the same sort of thing. And no, I’m not going out with her. The conversation thoroughly disturbed me, but since she seemed so normal the next day, I wondered if there was some explanation.
– Greg, Atlanta
Phobia: It is interesting that your medication, while suppressing the Tourette’s tics (did it ?),created an anger response. I wonder if that means that when coping avenues of nervousness, outbursts, etc. are closed, the impulse then gets escalated to something “worse”. How are these areas connected in the brain? It’s hard enough to operate this crazy old monkey body as it is, but with a problem like yours, hoo boy ! Good luck in your search for some ease.
elelle
The medicines reduce the symptoms to bearable levels. They don’t alleveate them totaly. Most of the medicines a pyso-reactive in that they chemicaly alter functions in the brain.
My last medicine Haliperidol will make it hard to move if you get too high a dose. Your arms and legs will feel like they weigh a ton. I also slept 12 to 16 hours a day, and felt very tired when at work. I now have problems that this medicine caused. They might go away they might not. Can you say Damned if you do. Damned if you don’t.
neuro-trash grrrl
You would have to go to a nerulogist to find out what is wrong. There are other things that cause your symptoms, but Torretes could be one of them. You would start out by going to a general practioner that would refer you to the appropriate people.
There was a show,20/20 I believe,that had on a Tourettes sufferer. They filmed him in a store yelling Help,my underwears on fire!"
The poster beneath me is really smart!
One of my coworkers has a nephew with TS. She has told me that TS is associated with a certain genetic marker and that existance of this marker can can be found through a simple blood test.
“Age is mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” -Leroy “Satchel” Paige
Phobia: I tip my hat to you. You are contending with a dire situation, and it’s good that you can talk about it with us. I really respect that.
I would like to put forth an idea that might shed some light on this matter.
Since my 20’s, I have been a very tense guy. I suffer from panic attacks. I discovered that I could alleviate my tension by (what would be the right word?) expostulating.
When I feel very tense (and on the verge of a panic attack), I sit down in a comfy chair and let my emotional turmoil surface. My natural impulse is to let out a protracted scream, but I don’t want the neighbours to call the police. As a result, I have taught myself to discharge my tension by a kind of sneeze. (That’s not really the right word, but I won’t get into details right now.)
I once heard of a fellow in a small town in the western part of Canada who was known for barking. It was unusual behaviour, to be sure, but since it was a small town, everybody knew the guy and accepted that this was merely his eccentricity.
I think I could discharge my tension by barking, just as I do with my pseudo-sneezing.
I’ve heard that Tourette’s sufferers are often free of their symptoms while they are engaging in sexual activity. This makes me wonder if there isn’t a connection between unbearable tension and expostulation (or various tics).
What I’m asking, then, is this: is it possible that Tourette’s is a coping mechanism for discharging unbearable tension? Speaking for myself, I have to say that when I’m feeling very tense, I might be tempted to unleash a string of curse words. I mean, sometimes I’m so fking tense that I just want to fking bellow out a stream of nastiness. It would probably make me feel better, if cursing was in my nature (which it’s not).
Please note that I am not suggesting that Tourette’s people are weak-willed or deluded. Maybe they have a much higher level of tension that demands that they discharge it in some way. What I’m driving at, though, is to ask what purpose is served by the cursing and tics. Can it be explained as an expression of tension?
I have the tics if I’m relaxed or not. The only time symptoms will go away are when you sleep. Things that aggravate the problem are irritants such as chemical vapors, smoke, stimulants, or being around someone with the same problem. Certain times of the year also are worse than others. My worst time is in March and April.
Perhaps this link can answer a few of the questions:
http://www-personal.umd.umich.edu/~infinit/ts-contents.html
All the best to you, Phobia.
I only have posted on this topic to help educate those that cared to learn something. I did not post to whine or complain. You have to deal with what life dishes out.
My latest medicine is actually helping for those that have any interest. I’ve been stabilizing for the last couple days. The people at work don’t know how to deal with me being less affected and in a much better mood. Less affliction = Better disposition. I’ve told one of the company owners for the last week how exceptionaly nice she was dressed. She doesn’t know how to respond. Ok, I feel a bit michievious.
On the Haloperidol I was like Lidia Deitz from Beatlejuice, or Marvin the robot from Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy.
The problems of the Haliperidol are actually being negated and I’m remembering trivial crap again. Watch out world here I come. Now none of the family will play Trivial Pursuit with me again. Things are popping into my mind I’d forgotten for a long time.
The hand tremors are reducing and the knee bouncing up and down after sitting for ten minutes is gone. My eyes are actually fully open and not half covering my pupils. The facial ticks are reduced. The one bad side is the swear words come out freely.
I just let friends know if they can’t take my uncontrolable behavor to let me know. I will stay away from them for a time. I can’t stop the behavor that is bugging them, it bothers me too. How do you get away from yourself? I know I can be too nerve wracking for somebody to bear all the time. I let them know that I’m not going to feel offended , if they tell me they can’t handle me around them for now. I just can’t stop certain things and I don’t want to loss them as friends. All I can do is stay away for awhile.
Even the German is coming back. Woo Hoo. I only had three year of German so don’t bother posting to me in German unless your language level is that of a grade schooler.
Phobia: My brother in law suspects he has Tourette’s, but at a much less intense level than yours appears to be. He has some facial tics, exacerbated by stress. The medication he was given made him feel groggy. I had two suggestions, and they did offer him some relief. One is lavender essential oil,( make sure it is not artificial),non-toxic, and something you can try that won’t interfere with your meds. A couple drops(it’s concentrated) on a cotton ball or your shirt collar and inhaled can be relaxing.
The other suggestion is an herb called kava that has documented anti-anxiety effects. I do not know about use for Tourette’s, so I will just suggest that you bring it up with your doctor. Again, hope you find something to make this better. Thanks for the personal experiences.
There is a book written by a man with Tourettes, called, I believe “Twist and Shout”. Wonderful look at the syndrome. I’ll see if I can find the proper title and author.
Tourettes seems to be associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, manifests worse under stress, and with few medications that are effective without disabling side effects.
Correction: “Twitch and Shout, a Touretter’s Tale” by Lowell Handler. Highly recommended. And at times, very funny.