diagnosis
Question:
Jody wrote: > Hello all, I am new to this group and have a few questions . I have had > motor and vocal tics my whole life, as have a number of family members. I > have come to the conclusion that I have tourettes but have never talked to a > doctor about it. What was the criteria for diagnosis for you? Is it based on > the number and duration of the tics or is there a neurological test of some > sort? What I’m getting at is ; can the Drs. tell me anything I don’t already > know at this stage in the game(I’m 40).
Doubtful that they can help you with info anywhere near what you can learn online. If you feel like you need medication, that might be a reason to get a diagnosis. But one thing to keep in mind, is that a diagnosis might very unfairly put you in a position of not being able to get health insurance, so if you do seek a diagnosis, keep that in mind, and make sure you are secure with the insurance you have. I have been denied health insurance on account of TS and ADD, but they didn’t seem to mind my OCD (which puts my health at risk a lot more than my TS and ADD combined). > thanks, Steven
No problem and welcome, Blurt
Response:
Jody wrote: > Hello all, I am new to this group and have a few questions . I have had > motor and vocal tics my whole life, as have a number of family members. I > have come to the conclusion that I have tourettes but have never talked to a > doctor about it. What was the criteria for diagnosis for you? Is it based on > the number and duration of the tics or is there a neurological test of some > sort? What I’m getting at is ; can the Drs. tell me anything I don’t already > know at this stage in the game(I’m 40). > thanks, Steven
Steven, I had a computer crash and so am late answering here. And I have not received all the posts, so if I am repeating what somebody else also wrote…sorry about that! <smile> But I have come across a definition that I think is fairly straight forward. (I have posted the link below.) It points out that Tourette Syndrome is a clinical diagnosis–there is no specific neurological test to determine if you have it. The *symptoms* are used to diagnose it. For a diagnosis of TS, a person must have vocal and motor tics for a period of at least one year. They will not necessarily be there at the same time. You may have motor tics for a while, then a vocal tic(s) or both at the same time. The *order* is not important. My son had motor tics first, then motor and vocal tics at the same time. Currently he just has motor tics. It generally starts at a young age (7-12 or so), and I believe the official criteria says they must occur by the age of 18. But from what I am reading recently, many people are being diagnosed later in life and the age *thing* is falling out of favor. Also, there must NOT be any other medication or condition causing the tics. With your life long history, I’d guess this isn’t the case with you. Of course if you had any doubts that would be a reason for a diagnosis. Or if the tics were interfering with your life to the extent that you feel medication may be necessary. My son is not on any medications currently. Most seem to have some unpleasant side-effects and so aren’t used "lightly". Still, you may come across a physician who thinks it should be treated just because you have it. I think most people would agree that that is a BAD idea. But if the TS is really interfering with your life, medication could be helpful. (It doesn’t sound like this is the case from your post) But as Blurt has pointed out, in some cases an "official" diagnosis may create some difficulties in terms of insurance coverage. Here is the definition and link I referred to earlier: Hope it helps! http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/tourette.htm What is Tourette Syndrome? Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics. In a few cases, such tics can include inappropriate words and phrases. The symptoms of TS generally appear before the individual is 18 years old. Although TS symptoms range from very mild to quite severe, the majority of cases fall into the mild category. The first symptoms of TS are usually facial tics – commonly eye blinking. With time, other motor tics may appear, such as head jerking, neck stretching, foot stamping, or body twisting and bending. It is not uncommon for a person with TS to continuously clear his or her throat, cough, sniff, grunt, yelp, bark, or shout. A person with TS may touch other people excessively or repeat actions obsessively and unnecessarily. A few patients with TS demonstrate self-harming behaviors such as lip and cheek biting and head banging. People with TS can sometimes suppress their tics for a short time, but eventually tension mounts to the point where the tic escapes. Tics worsen in stressful situations and improve when the person relaxes or is absorbed in an activity. TS is diagnosed by observing the symptoms and evaluating family history. Tics must be present for at least one year. TS is a clinical diagnosis. jennybravo
Response:
Hello all, I am new to this group and have a few questions . I have had motor and vocal tics my whole life, as have a number of family members. I have come to the conclusion that I have tourettes but have never talked to a doctor about it. What was the criteria for diagnosis for you? Is it based on the number and duration of the tics or is there a neurological test of some sort? What I’m getting at is ; can the Drs. tell me anything I don’t already know at this stage in the game(I’m 40). thanks, Steven
Response:
Hi Steven, I’m not sure if you meant to e-mail me privately, but I’ll just repeat what I said to you there. Welcome to AST. As the mom of a teenager with TS, I find the adults on this forum to be an invaluable source of support and information. I hope you stick around. Maryann – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Jody wrote: > Hello all, I am new to this group and have a few questions . I have had > motor and vocal tics my whole life, as have a number of family members. I > have come to the conclusion that I have tourettes but have never talked to a > doctor about it. What was the criteria for diagnosis for you? Is it based on > the number and duration of the tics or is there a neurological test of some > sort? What I’m getting at is ; can the Drs. tell me anything I don’t already > know at this stage in the game(I’m 40). > thanks, Steven
