Breathing Hard

[Stephanie]

Hi Woody,

Welcome to the TSFC Forum, we are happy to meet you.

Here is the definition of What is TS and how it is classified.

You could contact the national office of the TSFC Here and find out if there is a physician with clinical experience in TS in your area that you could talk to.

Let us know how we can help.

[Jaybird]

This seems to be an old thread, but I hope someone sees my post and hops on.

I haven't been diagnosed by a professional either, but my tics sound a lot like Woody's, I could really relate. I started with tics when I was quite young, perhaps around 9 years old, that's when I remember them from anyway. I have 4 siblings and I think that 3 out of the 5 of us for sure have some form of tic, all undiagnosed. My nephew seems to have got the worst of it and is attending a special facility and is on meds.

My worst tics when I was young (that I remember anyway) were eye twitching, mouth and tongue stretching. During my teens it seemed to subside and I think I was relatively tic free until about 12 years ago, or they were quite mild and managebale anyway. Then when I was entering a bit of a traumatic phase 12 years ago I seemed to develop a strange breathing tic where I had to exhale by pursing my lips together and exhaling 4 times quickly in a row. This passed but has been coming back quite frequently lately, it is mostly when I'm alone and doing something or am deep in thought. If other people are around I seem to be able to keep it in check quite well, but if I leave the room or they do, then all hell breaks loose and I have to catch up for the ones I missed. Some days my throat hurts from all this huffing and puffing and I get annoyed with myself. I'm reluctant to be diagnosed as I really don't want to go on meds due to all the side affects I have read about. On top of this I also stretch my mouth quite a bit as well and strech my fingers as if I'm about to play a piano concerto. When I'm tired or more stressed than usual, I also start with my eyes again. Sleep is so refreshing, I wake up feeling so good then it all starts up again.

[mom2TSguy]

Welcome Jaybird!

I am glad you found us. It is always helpful to hear other's experiences and thoughts about this disorder. You will find the people here very understanding.

There is a ton of information on the site. You can access specific info by using the search function. Feel free to add to old threads or start your own.

By the way a diagnosis does not mean you HAVE TO go on meds. That is strictly your choice to make with the advice of your doctor. Everyone reacts to meds differently and each person needs to weigh the pros and cons with a professional who has experiencce treating TS beofre they make a decision.

I have a 13 year old with TS Plus. We choose only to medicate for things that bother him and/or cause him significant issues in his daily life. As he is now getting older he has a lot of say in his medication. For things like tics we have chosen not to medicate since they do not bother him at all and he does not want medication for tics at this point. It is up to the people around him to adjust and learn to accept his tics.

[myourek]

I am new to this forum and this is the first time I have ever blogged about my Tourettes. Over the 13 years that I have had the Syndrome, I have seen a number tics, both motor and vocal, come and go, but there is one physical phenomena that I experience predominately and that I believe to be a tic. I was encouraged to register an account after reading a few entries on this particular thread because this phenomena I talk about is centered around breathing. I am interested if anyone else can identify with the symptoms I am about to describe:

1. feeling a heaviness in the chest
2. constriction from the throat area down to the upper chest
3. feeling a need to suck in air quickly through the nose
4. breathing very shallow (like inhales an exhales in some way being "blocked")
5. accompanied sometimes by a groaning tick
6. feeling of suffocation
7. Just feeling like there isn't enough oxygen available like being locked in a stuffy room.

I would like to add that I have been medically cleared of any lung diseases or chronic allergies, physical blockages, heart problems, what have you, that could explain my symptoms. I repeat; I have healthy lungs and a healthy heart. In fact, I do a lot of physical activy such as running and biking. However, this breathing difficulty can be very intense and ignites anxiety. As a result I am fixed on my breathing. I think about each breath I take much of the time. Sometimes I am so obsessed with my breathing that it is hard to focus on anything else; I feel like I need to control my breathing or else I am afraid I won't get enough oxygen. Sometimes this fear can plague me for weaks at a time with little remittance. The problem bothers me least when I am able to diffuse the anxiety, because the physical sensation in and of itself is bearable. If anyone can relate to, or has otherwise heard of such a "tic" or Tourette's sensation, please respond.

[mom2TSguy]

Welcome myourek!

I am so glad you decided to join. I am sorry I can not help with this particular issue but I do look forward to your participation in the forum.

Have you tried the search function? You may find some answers there.

[SpiderThug]

Originally Posted by myourek

I am interested if anyone else can identify with the symptoms I am about to describe:

1. feeling a heaviness in the chest
2. constriction from the throat area down to the upper chest
3. feeling a need to suck in air quickly through the nose
4. breathing very shallow (like inhales an exhales in some way being "blocked")
5. accompanied sometimes by a groaning tick
6. feeling of suffocation
7. Just feeling like there isn't enough oxygen available like being locked in a stuffy room.

Sometimes I experience a quick breathing very quickly lasting no more than a couple seconds. Some shallow breathing too and yes, I have let out a groan or a low growl sound.

Those quickest to hand out a diagnoses, being those without any medical training, I find are quick to say that I'm just experiencing anxiety and should seek help for depression. Well, anxiety can be part of TS but it's not something I suffer much of.

[tourettetiger]

Sounds like panic or anxiety attack to me. I am speaking from personal experience. And do not forget how many medical doctors have NO training with TS+. Don't be so quick to deny it being anxiety related. The comorbidity between TS and anxiety is off the chart, as per the published research.

[Jenny]

Hi Everyone:

Can't it be a tic??? My son has some quick breathing associated with a stomach tic. I have posted information in another section of the forum.

It could be a possibility.

Jenny

[tourettetiger]

It could be a tic, yes. That is why you need an experienced clinician to decide. Tics are not emotionally charged - but compulsions are. It can be very confusing, but an anxiety based tic is not - it's a compulsion. It's hard to tell sometimes, but if you ask the Touretter the right questions, you can figure it out.

Why do we care? Treatment. Medication options change based on this answer.