Embarrassing Tic-Need Suggestions

[Guest]

I haven't posted about this yet because this is one of the most embarrassing and inappropriate tics I've had. This tic started as I started growing throughout this pregnancy (obviously before it wasn't physically possible to do this tic). I'll take any suggestions you might have on this tic. So the tic is one where I have to take my hand and touch my right breast to my mouth. Any suggestions? I seriously don't think this tic is ever going to go away.

 

Carolyn

[kim]

Hi Sweetie!

 

It's great to hear to hear from you. I have wondered how you're doing. Sorry to hear about that annoying tic tho.

 

I'm wondering if this is a public or private tic? Are you able to control it around people that you aren't comfortable with? I'm trying to think of something that you could try as a substitution. Something like keeping an orange handy and touching it to your face when the impulse is too strong to overcome? You could tell just say that you feel a cold sore coming on and the oil in the orange skin keeps from emerging. Without having tics myself, I have no idea if this would even remotely satisfy the urge, so forgive me if this is a stupid suggestion.

 

I remember having a buzzing in the back of my legs and some pretty uncomfortable heel pain when I was pregnant. Those hormones probably are acting up. I'm just sorry to hear that you have to deal with this during such an exciting time. You must be getting pretty close to your due date. On the bright side, it sounds like that baby will be well fed! I don't think that tic would have been possible for me, with either pregnancy and I had a heck of a time with nursing. Hoping others that might have personal experience with a socially inappropriate tic will come up with some suggestions for you.

[faith]

Hi Carolyn,

forgive me too, but what will happen if you just don't do it? Can you mask it in a way, like just tap it and then tap your mouth? or try bringing up your shoulder and maybe you'll get used to that instead? how about slathering with vaseline so it makes you kind of uncomfortable to touch since its kind of messy? Eee, sorry, thought I'd gie it a shot. I'm sure once you are back to normal size, the compulsion will subside.

 

How have your tics gone in general thus far? would you say being off alot of the things you were doing before the pregnancy has increased the tics, or are you seeing that you are not as ticcy as you thought without all the other supps and other interventions?

 

Faith

[Guest]

It's a public tic, but I do have fairly good control of it and can suppress it pretty well. I've never been that good at substituting a tic, but I'm also wondering if maybe I could find some movement to do when I have the urge to do that tic which makes it impossible to do the embarrassing tic. If I wait until I'm back to normal size that could be a long time since I will be breastfeeding.

 

Being off of a lot of the things I was doing before pregnancy has increased my tics. They are not that bad, but they are noticable now. I've considered starting the allergy shots again if they are safe to do while breastfeeding.

 

Carolyn

[kim]

Carolyn,

 

If it got to the point that it was really intolerable, do you think a cervical collar might work? I had considered that when my oldest son was in the throws of headshaking that I thought was going to really harm him.

[Guest]

I don't think a cervical collar would work for me. I think it would be pure torture. I would find it embarrassing to wear one. I think it would make my tics worse due to the urge to tic and not being able to. Also I think it would bother me a lot sensory wise. I have never been able to wear turtle neck shirts due to this.

 

Carolyn