Tourette's and aging

[fonoanderson]

I am a 57 year old female and am finding that some of the comorbidities of Tourette's are affecting my ability to work.

I was wondering if any other members have experienced similair difficulties. This could also be of benefit to younger people who could react proactively.

I have posted on this topic previously and one person did reply.

[Londontics]

My husband is 47 and his tics are worsening, he’s had depression recently too. Ageing doesn’t feel a good factor does it.

Not sure this helps but I wanted to reply, so you know you are not alone.

[fonoanderson in reply to Londontics]

Thank you so much. You are right that it means a lot to have people respond. You do get people with TS that are very high functioning so perhaps my other problems are not related.

[lesleytrundle]

My Daughter is only 21 and Tourette's, is having a very negative impact on her life, even with medication, she does not like to leave the house.

The future really concerns me.

[fonoanderson in reply to lesleytrundle]

Hope your daughter feels better soon. Thank you so much for responding. I live in South Africa and feel very isolated. Thank heavens for the TAA .

[Neney]

Hi

I'm 45 and have seen changes including becoming much more verbal and whole body being affected. I have a yearly review at work to look at meeting my disability needs and ensure they understand I have good and bad days and what needs to be in place. Being open and honest in the world of work using disability language dispite not feeling disabled has helped me stay in work.

I read it should get better with age but if definitely the opposite for me.

[fonoanderson in reply to Neney]

Thank you for your input. The neurologist that diagnosed me said that I would have trouble as I got older .Unfortunately I did not ask him to elaborate.

I have seen articles where it is claimed that some people's tics disappear in their fifties.

[Hidden]

Hi perhaps you could give us more details about the co-morbidities and how they are affecting your work?

Helen

[fonoanderson]

Hello Ellen

I have anxiety, depression and some measure of OCD.

What has happened is that problems I have had over the years, but have managed to compensate for,have worsened. This includes concentration and planning.

What subsequently happened is that the position (microbiologist) altered a lot in respect of attention to detail. This was extremely important to the company as any detail omitted could lead to losing accreditation for lab testing.

I began to work longer hours in an attempt to keep up but even so my work was not up to the required standard.

I also had an issue with the frenetic environment as planning was difficult for me, as well as hopping to and from tasks as required.

As a result I have been on temporary disability leave for 18 months.

Therapists believe that my main problem is anxiety.

Thanks

[LollyLollyPop]

Hi, I'm 47 and have 3 diagnoses of Tourette and one revoke. Either way - I still tic! I found that I have massive issues with the sequencing of events and as I get older sequencing is such a massive issue that unwound have to describe it as a lack of cognitive functioning. I can not learn new skills or remember a sequence of events as a consequence. Maybe you should ask to review this with your neurologist just to rule out any other cause.

[fonoanderson in reply to LollyLollyPop]

Thank you so much for your response. Very few neurologists in South Africa know much about Tourettes. I have been on temporary disability for 2 years and am just waiting for the boarding process to conclude.

I have joined.a wonderful FB group that I don't know if you are aware of. It is called "Only adults with Tourettes syndrome.

[Lovedogs0877]

Hello! I too have tourette's syndrome and I'm 48. Lately it's a humming and clearing my throat tic that happens constantly. I cannot deal with having a job cause the tics are so bad. Its embarrassing and humiliating as can be.

[fonoanderson in reply to Lovedogs0877]

Hello. Are the humming tics new to you or have you always had them?

[Lovedogs0877]

I've had the humming one for years but this clearing my throat is new.

[fonoanderson in reply to Lovedogs0877]

I see a lot of people that have tics that one would not normally notice as much due to the being noises that non-TS people would make. Those people themselves are not even aware of it. We had someone who preached at our church who cleared his throat at the end of every sentence. My Mom also sniffs when she doesn't approve of something. Do you think that the throat clearing would be less distressing to you after the pandemic is over?

[Lovedogs0877 in reply to fonoanderson]

The tics are super loud. Ppl always turn and stare me down like I'm a freak of nature. Even my downstairs neighbor hears them cause the floors and walls are paper thin. I can hear him moving in his bed and hear him snore. My tics are beyond loud. Clearing my throat is new for some reason. It's bad again today. I'd do anything to get rid of at least one problem. I clear my throat every few seconds. The pandemic has nothing to do with the tics. I get them just sitting here relaxing. Its something thatll never get better cause they seem to be getting worse.

[fonoanderson in reply to Lovedogs0877]

By referring to the pandemic I didn't mean it's effect on your tics but rather that people might be antsy about throat clearing and thunk you have Covid. I am sorry that you are battling at present.