I have severe Tourettes AMA

[DisneyDaffodil]

Hi Hexagon, as Tea said above, Are there any triggers for the tics? Tiredness or stress for example?

Alternatively are there any techniques you can use to subdue the tics?

[hexagon]

Originally Posted by Tea

Can you feel your tic coming on? Is there techniques you can use to "stop" an episode or is it totally involuntary (sorry I don't know a lot about tourettes)- does being stressed make it worse?

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Yes I can feel the tic coming. There’s something called a premonitory urge, which is the feeling before the tic. It’s what people term unvoluntary. As in it’s not usually completely involuntary but it’s definitely not voluntary. I can suppress a bit but it makes the tics worse later on and makes me tired and gives me headaches. Yes being stressed does make it worse.

Originally Posted by DisneyDaffodil

Hi Hexagon, as Tea said above, Are there any triggers for the tics? Tiredness or stress for example?

Alternatively are there any techniques you can use to subdue the tics?

See more...

Yes tiredness, stress, being excited, loud music.
Things like music can help or being engrossed in something can help reduce tics but they don’t work for me.

[Loopylooloo]

Have you asked about having a special mouth guard/brace fitted? I saw it on a program once and it had amazing results on reducing tics.

[hexagon]

Originally Posted by Loopylooloo

Have you asked about having a special mouth guard/brace fitted? I saw it on a program once and it had amazing results on reducing tics.

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I have thought about, but I don’t really like stuff in my mouth so not too sure I’d like it, but thanks for suggesting something. Also as much as I hate the tics I think it would be weird if I got rid or reduced them lol.

[buryboy]

Is Tourette’s hereditary?
Or at least do you have a greater chance of getting it if one of your parents has it ?

[hexagon]

Originally Posted by buryboy

Is Tourette’s hereditary?
Or at least do you have a greater chance of getting it if one of your parents has it ?

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Yes tourettes is genetic, at least partly anyway. It’s not guaranteed but if it’s in your family then you have a higher chance of getting it. It’s still not known why though just that it is.

[ILoveDaveLamb]

How do the tics affect you falling into sleep and do you have tics in your sleep, as far as you know? X

[hexagon]

Originally Posted by ILoveDaveLamb

How do the tics affect you falling into sleep and do you have tics in your sleep, as far as you know? X

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I actually suppress whilst trying to fall asleep, otherwise there’s no way I’d ever get to sleep. So lucky I can suppress a bit. I do have tics in my sleep, not as many as I used too though. Mainly vocal tics in my sleep whereas as it used to be more motor when I was a child.

[ILoveDaveLamb]

Originally Posted by hexagon

I actually suppress whilst trying to fall asleep, otherwise there’s no way I’d ever get to sleep. So lucky I can suppress a bit. I do have tics in my sleep, not as many as I used too though. Mainly vocal tics in my sleep whereas as it used to be more motor when I was a child.

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Thanks, Hexy. That‘s really interesting. DS has autism and a LD and verbally stims a lot. I am sure there are similarities. He can’t explain. He must thrash about at night as I replace his mattress every couple of years. He wears a groove in it. You are doing great, educating us all. Xx

[princess allie]

Thank you for being so open, it’s really helpful, as I know nothing about your condition. Do you find that Tourette’s makes people treat you differently and maybe in a negative way? I’m not aware that I have ever met someone with Tourette’s, is it quite rare?