Overcoming Tourettes.

[Bigfatllama]

Id like to add some positivity onto this page!

I am a 21 year old guy, who was first diagnosed with tourettes when i was about 6 or 7 years old. At that time i was the centre of attention from all sorts of medical professionals who came from glasgow to study me and my condition. As much wasnt known about tourettes at that point i was sat in a room for hours, as they watched me and scribbled down notes on my tics, my personality, iq and so on. I was then prescribed a choice of medication, but the side effects were nasty, ranging from pretty much turning me into a zombie, to changing my personality altogether. At that point my mum and dad thankfully declined and started to research on alternative medication.

They sourced a woman a few years later who lived in the same area as me who delt with homeopathic medicine, and she happily took me on. At first, for the first year or so (as she had warned us) my tourettes got worse. As expected it had already progressed into very loud "bird screeches" other very loud vocal tics and uncontrollable twiches and movements of every part of my body. Thankfully i was too young to begin swearing and such but had started mimicing sounds that were around me and really thrashed my body about, banging elbows and knees off tables as hard as i physically could and more tics along these lines. The first year on this medication i got worse, but shortly after my tourettes began declining at a rapid rate, and within 3-4 years after taking the medication i was a different kid altogether, however i wasnt completely cured, as if i stopped the medication i would progressively get worse again. Finally when i was around 17 i decided i didnt want to be on medication anymore, even though there were literally no side effects to taking it other than a decline of tourettes, and went cold turkey. I had no withdrawl symptoms, no side effects from not taking the drug anymore, and best of all my tourettes didnt come back! It wasnt completely gone, but i no longer notice any tics i do, and they have gone from ridculous sounds and flinches to the occasional flex of the muscles and little quiet "mouse squeaks" as my girlfriend likes to call them, and the squeaks only happen when i get excited or stressed.

Now i have been off the tablets for 5 years, i havnt got any worse, work as a gym intructor in local leisure centres and i am studying to become a nurse. Things i wouldnt of imagined being able to do back when my tourettes was at its worst.

But to be honest, im glad I have this condition, and have gone through what i did, because it has given me confidence, a different outlook on life, and has given me my personality.

I have a job, a future, a girfriend, lots of loving friends and family, and regularly get up infront of crowds and play in two seperate bands.

So guys and girls out there suffering with Tourettes, chin up!

If you are not wanting to take any medication i find that playing intruments, or listening and writing music is perfect for a few hours of peace from tics and takes your mind elsewhere.

Never lose hope, it is very very easy to do and i know the worry, stress and upset that comes with this condition, but i can happily say that it CAN go away, and wish anyone with it the best for the future.

[lilybilly]

What a lovely, positive outcome. My son who was diagnosed at 6 years and is now almost 13 has tourettes and I do worry that he is not going to have a 'normal' future such as a job or girlfriend. I am so pleased that you have a fullfilling life and wish you all the best in your nurse training.

[Bigfatllama in reply to lilybilly]

Dont worry about the future!

Take it one step at a time and it will all work out in the end!

Cheers! Im enjoying it so far so i reckon il go the whole way!

[poppycat]

Also loved this posting. My son was diagnosed at seven, and is now 9 1/2. Has fairly mild tourettes but I too sometimes worry about the future. We have a good team on our side and have had good experiences so far regarding the paediatrician, Occupational Therapist, school, learning support teacher, and now the homeopath who have all contributed greatly. Here's to the future - and to your future too Jamie.

[Bigfatllama in reply to poppycat]

My experiences with the homeopath were always brilliant, and the medicine i got was just amazing!

And having a good team is always half the battle!

Let me know how you get on further down the line!

[poppycat]

thanks Jamie. You have certainly made my night!

[Kerriann]

That's lovely to hear.my daughter was 8 when they said she had it t.s but we knew years before and we will get there .she is now 9