Very brief survey regarding Multi-Sensory Sensitivity

[MichaelTampa]

As part of looking for an MD who handles multiple chemical sensitivity, I ran across a website (www.mcsrr.org, for those interested) talking about many who look like they have MCS actually have what they call MUSES (multiple sensory sensitivity). They believe MUSES is caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The site lists a number of conditions which, if you have too many, indicate it makes sense to pursue the MUSES possibility. Besides a potluck of conditions, the list includes a number of neurological based ones--autism, epilepsy, parkinson's, alzheimer's, and ADD or ADHD--but not Tourette's. I asked them about it, and he was not aware of a connection there, but when I pointed out that TS trigger lists often include perfumes and lights, and we talk about chemical sensitivities and sensory integration dysfunction quite a bit, he was more intrigued and asked if I might toss out this survey.

 

The question is, how many of the list below, do you have reduced tolerance to. The "you", of course, is the TS patient you are on this board for.

 

- odors

- lights

- sounds

- tastes

- touch

- heat or cold (count as 1 if true for one or both)

- drugs or alcohol (count as 1 if true for one or both)

 

He thought that CO poisoning was more likely to be the cause for answers of 5, 6, or 7, but MCS was more likely to be the cause for answers of 1, 2, or 3. If we have a lot of 5/6/7 answers here, that would make him want to study the general link between TS and CO poisoning more, which is why he asked if I would do a survey looking for anecdotal evidence first.

 

I'll start the survey off with giving my answer, which is 6.

[Chemar]

Hi Michael

where I dont rule out that Carbon Monoxide poisoning may contribute to multiple sensory issues, nevertheless sensory integration dysfunction (SID) can also be genetic and has been associated with a number of neurological disorders, including TS

 

so the fact that my son has all the 5 sensory issues listed and also is extreme heat/cold sensitive is not IMHO necessarily linked to CO poisoning(which I cannot possibly imagine how he would have been exposed to??) or even to his diagnosed MCS, (which many believe is caused by our modern chemical infiltrated world).... but rather is a direct result of his diagnosed S.I.D

(thankfully he doesnt drink or take drugs, even the prescription kind )

SID is believed a developmental or gentically inherited disorder rather than an environmentally acquired one as far as I know

[faith]

gee, I don't really know how to answer this type of survey. I'd say my son does have some sensory issues, but I'm not sure I can say point blank tha he has a sensitivity to "all" odors or "all" touch..... these things don't set off "other" symptoms, if that's were you're getting at here. I'll just say that my son has some issues with "not liking" certain odors such as creams or perfumes and will tell me to get away if he thinks I have oil or cream on my face. And then he DOES like scents that most may not such as gasoline and Ben-Gay... but I don't believe they set off any TS symptoms.

 

I'm with Chemar in that these are more part of Sensory issues, but if you want me to rate, I think just the odors one would be the most obvious. So put us down as a 1.

 

 

Faith

[vermontmoms]

I would rate my TS child a 5-6....he is sensitive to odors, doesn't like bananas, strawberry or yogurt smells along with others also....He is sensitive to sound especially as it relates to noises next to his ear (ie. kissing on cheek near ear, etc.), he is also sensitve to touch, tags and socks bother him, hot and cold also bother him and has caused numerous issues w/bathing and getting dressed. Taste and lights are also sensitivities to him as the TV makes his tics way worse and other flashing lights do as well. Taste is probably the least sensitive area for him b/c we attribute this to his personal likes and dislikes...but he has items that he will definitely not eat due to his tastes...

 

HTH ~ Jen

[kengela]

As part of looking for an MD who handles multiple chemical sensitivity, I ran across a website (www.mcsrr.org, for those interested) talking about many who look like they have MCS actually have what they call MUSES (multiple sensory sensitivity). They believe MUSES is caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The site lists a number of conditions which, if you have too many, indicate it makes sense to pursue the MUSES possibility. Besides a potluck of conditions, the list includes a number of neurological based ones--autism, epilepsy, parkinson's, alzheimer's, and ADD or ADHD--but not Tourette's. I asked them about it, and he was not aware of a connection there, but when I pointed out that TS trigger lists often include perfumes and lights, and we talk about chemical sensitivities and sensory integration dysfunction quite a bit, he was more intrigued and asked if I might toss out this survey.

 

The question is, how many of the list below, do you have reduced tolerance to. The "you", of course, is the TS patient you are on this board for.

 

- odors

- lights

- sounds

- tastes

- touch

- heat or cold (count as 1 if true for one or both)

- drugs or alcohol (count as 1 if true for one or both)

 

He thought that CO poisoning was more likely to be the cause for answers of 5, 6, or 7, but MCS was more likely to be the cause for answers of 1, 2, or 3. If we have a lot of 5/6/7 answers here, that would make him want to study the general link between TS and CO poisoning more, which is why he asked if I would do a survey looking for anecdotal evidence first.

 

I'll start the survey off with giving my answer, which is 6.

[kengela]

my ts daughter has 4 with odor and touch being most prevalent