Emish

Yeah, I guess that’s every parent’s cross right?—moving from trying to protect them from anything to acknowledging that we can't protect them from all of the stings of life. It is painful. But from everything you’ve said about him, he seems very equipped to handle it. Something that helps me is always trying to step back from the daily worries and look at life from the big picture. And in this case, maybe that would mean thinking about the many successful people who went through with their tics. I’m thinking of baseball player Jim Eisenreich and others. (Not being much of a soccer fan, I just learned that America’s goalie Tim Howard also has TS and was ridiculed for it.) But I know what you mean about sports exacerbating the tics. I also found that. I still remember learning that positive excitement has basically the same neurological effect as negative stress. As a songwriter, I have to limit my composing very greatly. If not, the excitement will take over and I literally won’t be able to stop moving all day and can make myself sick from the constant motion. I’ll only get one or two hours of sleep. When I really need to write, I’ll try to limit it to a few days and then begin taking some Benzos for another few days to calm my brain down a little as I finish what I’m working on. So, it’s always a delicate balancing act doing the things you love and not going crazy in the process. I didn't mention Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in my last post. For me, this has been a big help. The human mind is always going. This method of becoming aware of what’s going on in our minds and learning to recognize our negative thought patterns is indispensable. We learn to challenge the anxious thoughts that may be feeding the tics. Those of us with tics, obviously, we are much more sensitive to stimuli, changes, irritants, up and coming events, etc, and for whatever physiological reason that we may never understand, our brain begins to transfer that event, concern, uncertainty about something, etc into a movement somewhere in the body or a sound. As I’ve gotten older I’m always amazed at how closely my thinking is connected to my tics. For instance, as soon as I start thinking about something that I don’t want to do, my tics will increase and so I’ll have to adjust the rest of my life accordingly (such as not taking on any other projects that might stress me further until that event is over.) So I’ll begin using more positive self-talk, and for me, prayer also helps. So it’s quite probable that his thinking; the way he processes whatever stimuli that he encounters which might bother him, is the trigger; maybe in a way that he doesn’t even yet understand. Perhaps learning relaxation techniques and CBT from a good therapist would help him to more effectively process the stresses of life. I know it has helped many with tics and OCD. Just a thought.

Hi Andy, I would certainly say that they are tics you are experiencing. I can certainly relate to your exasperation, as my tics have affected my whole life. I used to have the eye brow raising tic and the buttock clenching tic, which often resulted in sharp knife like pain down there when I least expected it. Have you pinpointed any triggers that might be making it worse? As you may know,people with tics and TS have come to realize that there are many triggers: environmental--such as molds or pollens, or other chemicals or food additives, psychological--such as anxiety, physical-- such as stomach issues, etc. Anxiety is a big trigger for me and I even had to withdraw from college years ago because of my anxiety (and then the anxiety over the tics). I then went on Haldol and stayed on it for years but that caused many other problems and I wouldn’t recommend it. Has it gotten worse since being at the university? If anxiety is a trigger maybe some short term anxiety meds would help. Anxiety meds like Valium and Zanax have helped me over the years, especially in times of extra stress and anxiety. They cause many side effects as well, but if used sparingly, could help you get through. But I recommend continuing to try natural means first. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has also helped me. Being aware of our thoughts and how they can trip us up is an indispensable tool and not only for those with tics, but for anyone. Have you tried exercising to release the tension? I never wanted to go the Botox route. Knowing that if it worked it would only be temporary anyway and that I’d have to keep getting them, made me not want to do it. My most annoying tic since childhood has always been an eye blinking tic. At times the urge is so strong that I feel like I can’t squeeze my eyes shut tightly enough. I mentioned to someone else on the forum that recently, after all of these years, (I’m 43 now) I’ve discovered that wearing tight swim goggles completely takes away the urge to squeeze them shut. Even after I take them off, the urge remains weak for awhile. The pressure seems to override the impulse in the nerves and muscles around my eyes. I don't know if it would help with the eye brow raising, but you never know. Now you probably don’t want to go to your classes with swim goggles on, but if it helps you as it has helped me, maybe you can wear them at home to get some relief. While in class you could apply pressure to your eyebrows with your palms. That helps relax the urge for me sometimes when I’m without the goggles. Heat also helps relax the muscles of my eyes/face. I will often take a shower and just let the warm water hit my face for a few minutes. Or you could get one of those microwavable heating pads and drape it over your eye muscles a few times during the day. Maybe that will help a little. Sometimes breaking up your routine can help. Tics have a mind of their own and they seem to feed on negative cycles. Then the anxiety takes over and begins making it all worse. For instance, if you normally wake up and start thinking about facing another day of all of this, instead, tear yourself out of bed and go for a run or a long walk or some other fun activity. If you normally eat the same things everyday, go and try some new things for a few days or a week. Living with tics is always a difficult struggle. It’s finding a few tricks here and there to get you through another day. I know what you’re going through my friend. Hang in there and keep trying new things. Let me know if the goggles help. I’m dying to know if it helps anyone else or it’s just me. Tom

I can’t really speak to the medication issue as I didn’t take anything when I was in school. As I became an adult, my anxiety level rose and I began Haldol and was on it for over ten years. Something I don’t recommend. After I got off of Haldol I began to learn about tic triggers and I realized just how much anxiety affected my tics, specifically when I’m waiting for some event to arrive. (Such as the new school year) I also realized that my tics always got worse in summer. I realized that it probably has something to do with either mold or pollen that is so prevalent in summer. Now, after I've been outside in summer, the first thing I do is get a shower. Then, I will breathe steam for about 10 minutes. It seems to help. You’re probably right regarding the puberty angle. Also, his anxiety about starting high school could be adding to it. Certainly, the thought of being made fun of is a daunting thing. One thing I can say about it is that in my experience and in the lives of many with TS, having a particular activity in your life that you’re passionate about is a big insulator against the psychological effects of bullies. My thing was that I was good at baseball so that was a type of protection for me. I don’t know if your son is athletic or not. I know that some people who are not gifted in a sport have used weight training as a tool to boost their confidence level. There's something about hoisting iron that just makes one feel mentally stronger and confident. (And certainly, building some muscles could be an effective deterrent against bullies. J The most effective thing though is for him to simply laugh it off immediately. He should explain what he has and how he can’t control it. Then, if the bully doesn’t stop, he needs to muster the initiative to go right along with it. If the bully begins imitating him, he should join him, performing a few tics right along with him and then sharing a laugh, saying something like: “I know, the brain is crazy isn’t it?” The worst thing he could do would be to lower his head and appear hurt. It will hurt temporarily of course, but if he can just “act as if” if doesn’t that very first time a bully strikes, it will most likely die out. The bully will have no incentive to continue. After all, where’s the fun of making fun of someone who not only shows no sign of getting upset but laughs? Have him role play with his Dad (or other male friend) so that he is ready to go and knows exactly what he's going to say and how. Hope this helps a little. I will say a prayer for your family. Tom

Hi Jane, I've had TS since I was five. It first started with eye blinking. I've never had eye rolling. But it definitely has been my most irritating tic. Only a few years ago (I'm 43 now) I discovered something--wearing tight swim goggles helps. Strangely enough, it takes away the tic impulse in my eyes almost entirely. I don't know if it will work for eye rolling but you never know. I hope it helps. Will say a prayer for you and your daughter and family. Tom