My husband has Tourettes Syndrome. He has facial tics and says things that are inappropriate.?

Question

What can I expect for the future? Will it get worse? Will he be hard to live with? He's been to a neurologist and doesn't want to take anything for it. I'm worried and concerned about life in the future.

Answer 1

Turn to a Higher Being, Our Creator. You have nothing to loose but Everything to gain. Turn to God, Christ our Savoir for he said that whomever belevied in Him shall be saved and "In His stripes we are healed" when he died on the Cross for us.
All it takes is your time and belief. Pray for your husband!

God Bless!!!

Answer 2

It won't get worse. He will have mood swings but they will be no worse than what you see now.

Try to get him to take some medicine. Tell him that it will stop his mind from racing. That seemed to be my worst thing. The tics are bad but the obsessions (thinking constantly) are worse. I wasn't able to sleep but a couple of hours a night because my mind wouldn't shut off.

Here is the front of a book that just looking at it will be helpful: http://www.hopepress.com/html/tourette_syndrome_and_human_be.html

I take Cymbalta and my sister takes Strattera. Cymbalta is an antidepressant and Strattera is a nonamphetamine for ADHD.
They both work good. It takes a good 2 weeks to notice a difference. Actually, for first two weeks, the symptoms might be worse. But, sticking with something for 2 weeks won't kill anyone.

Your husband probably has ADD and obsessive compulsive disorder along with TS. That is very common.

Answer 3

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by tics -- involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly in the same way. Diagnostic criteria include: Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics present at some time, although not necessarily simultaneously; The occurrence of tics many times a day (usually in bouts) nearly every day or intermittently throughout the span of more than one year; Periodic changes in the number, frequency, type and location of the tics, and in the waxing and waning of their severity. Symptoms can sometimes disappear for weeks or months at a time; Onset before the age of 18. Although the word "involuntary" is used to describe the nature of the tics, this is not entirely accurate. It would not be true to say that people with TS have absolutely no control over their tics, as though it was some type of spasm; rather, a more appropriate term would be "compelling." People with TS feel an irresistable urge to perform their tics, much like the need to scratch a mosquito bite. Some people with TS are able to hold back their tics for up to hours at a time, but this only leads to a stronger outburst of tics once they are finally allowed to be expressed. Coprolalia does not have to be exclusively swear words. Many times coprolalia manifests itself as socially inappropriate or unacceptable words or phrases, such as the overwhelming urge to use a racial epithet, even though that is the last thing you want to do. Something about the "forbiddenness" of it impells a person with coprolalia to say it, seemingly against their will. Another important thing to remember about coprolalia is that although this symptom has been sensationalized by the media, it is actually rare, occuring in less than 30% of people who have a severe case. Copropraxia: Making obscene gestures. Echopraxia: Mimicking movements that others make. Coprolalia: Vocalizing obscene or other socially unacceptable words or phrases. Echolalia: Repeating what someone else just said. Palilalia: Repeating your own words over and over again. Research is ongoing, but it is believed that an abnormal metabolism of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin are involved with the disorder. It is genetically transmitted; parents having a 50% chance of passing the gene on to their children. Girls with the gene have a 70% chance of displaying symptoms, boys with the gene have a 99% chance of displaying symptoms. People with TS are more likely to have any combination of the following problems: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Difficulties with Impulse Control (disinhibition); Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Various Learning Disabilities (such as dyslexia); Various Sleep Disorders. The goals of treating Tourette Syndrome should not be to completely eliminate all the tics and other symptoms that a patient has, but to relieve tic-related discomfort or embarrassment and to achieve a control of Tourette Syndrome symptoms that allows the patient to function as normally as possible. Because tic symptoms do not often cause impairment, the majority of people with TS require no medication for tic suppression. However, effective medications are available for those whose symptoms interfere with functioning. Neuroleptics are the most consistently useful medications for tic suppression; a number are available but some are more effective than others (for example, haloperidol and pimozide). Unfortunately, there is no one medication that is helpful to all people with TS, nor does any medication completely eliminate symptoms. In addition, all medications have side effects. Most neuroleptic side effects can be managed by initiating treatment slowly and reducing the dose when side effects occur. The most common side effects of neuroleptics include sedation, weight gain, and cognitive dulling. For more detailed information and any questions about this disorder, you should seek advice from your doctor.
Hope this is of some help
Matador 89

Answer 4

my husband says inappropriate things all the time.. and he doesnt have Tourettes..

he should look into medication..
you need to find out if its genetic and if so DO NOT have kids - the world is plenty populated as it is....

I dont think it gets worse with age.. but I am no expert - a doctor would be better for that... just dont be embarassed for him - it will not help

Answer 5

He's got to want to get help, just like with anything else the person with the problem has to want to get help, what you need to do is just love and support him. Maybe he tried the meds when he was younger and they didn't work or they made him feel weird, why not talk to him about it. Explain to him that you're concerned about him and you'd like for him to try the medicine...good luck

Answer 6

Symtoms can get worst if hes under stress, but its likely to just stay the same. I guess he doesnt want meds because of side effects.

Answer 7

Tourettes Syndrome normally gets worse as years go on. A person with Tourette's has about a 50% chance of passing the gene(s) to one of his or her children, but Tourette's is a condition of variable expression and incomplete penetrance Thus, not everyone who inherits the genetic vulnerability will show symptoms; even close family members may show different severities of symptoms, or no symptoms at all. The gene(s) may express as Tourette's, as a milder tic disorder (transient or chronic tics), or as obsessive compulsive symptoms without tics. Only a minority of the children who inherit the gene(s) have symptoms severe enough to require medical attention.Gender appears to have a role in the expression of the genetic vulnerability; males are more likely than females to express tics. Non-genetic, environmental, infectious, or psychosocial factors—while not causing Tourette's—can influence its severity. Autoimmune processes may affect tic onset and exacerbation in some cases. The unproven and contentious hypothesis that Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) plays a role in the onset of tic disorders and OCD is a current focus of research. The exact mechanism affecting the inherited vulnerability to Tourette's has not been established, and the precise etiology is unknown. Tics are believed to result from dysfunction in cortical and subcortical regions, the thalamus, basal ganglia and frontal cortex.Neuroanatomic models implicate failures in circuits connecting the brain's cortex and subcortex,and imaging techniques implicate the basal ganglia and frontal cortex. Some forms of OCD may be genetically linked to Tourette's.A subset of OCD is thought to be etiologically related to Tourette's and may be a different expression of the same factors that are important for the expression of tics. The genetic relationship of ADHD to Tourette syndrome, however, has not been fully established. According to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), Tourette’s Disorder may be diagnosed when a person exhibits both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics (although these do not need to be concurrent) over the period of a year, with no more than three consecutive tic-free months. Previous editions of the DSM included a requirement for "marked distress or significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning", but this requirement was removed in the most recent update of the manual, in recognition that clinicians see patients who meet all the other criterion for Tourette's, but do not have distress or impairment. The onset must have occurred before the age of 18, and cannot be attributed to the "direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition". Hence, other medical conditions that include tics or tic-like movements—such as autism or other causes of tourettism—must be ruled out before conferring a Tourette's diagnosis. There are no specific medical or screening tests that can be used in diagnosing Tourette's.The diagnosis is made based on observation of the individual's symptoms and family history, and after ruling out secondary causes of tic disorders. In patients with a typical onset and a family history of tics or obsessive–compulsive disorder, a basic physical and neurological examination may be sufficient. If a physician believes that there may be another condition present that could explain tics, tests may be ordered as necessary to rule out that condition. An example of this is when diagnostic confusion between tics and seizure activity exists, which would call for an EEG, or if there are symptoms that indicate an MRI to rule out brain abnormalities.TSH levels can be measured to rule out hypothyroidism, which can be a cause of tics. Brain imaging studies are not usually warranted. In teenagers and adults presenting with a sudden onset of tics and other behavioral symptoms, a urine drug screen for cocaine and stimulants might be necessary. If a family history of liver disease is present, serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels can rule out Wilson's disease. However, most cases are diagnosed by merely observing a history of tics. Secondary causes of tics (not related to inherited Tourette syndrome) are commonly referred to as tourettism.Dystonias, choreas, other genetic conditions, and secondary causes of tics should be ruled out in the differential diagnosis for Tourette syndrome.Other conditions that may manifest tics or stereotyped movements include developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders,and stereotypic movement disorder;other genetic conditions such as Huntington's disease, neuroacanthocytosis, Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome, idiopathic dystonia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Wilson's disease, Sydenham's chorea and tuberous sclerosis. Other possibilities include chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome, XYY syndrome and fragile X syndrome. Acquired causes of tics include drug-induced tics, head trauma, encephalitis, stroke, and carbon monoxide poisoning.The symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome may also be confused with Tourette syndrome. Most of these conditions are rarer than tic disorders, and a thorough history and examination may be enough to rule them out, without medical or screening tests.

Answer 8

it wont get worse...i saw one episode on oprah...it will be the same ....but if this is the beginning then it might get worse....