Do you have ultra-sensitivity to touch?

Do you, as I unfortunately do, have that great gift of ultra-sensitivity to touch of any kind?

Believe it or not, it's part of the Tourette's.

I met with my neurologist this past Friday and, thankfully at the time, I HAD that ultra-sensitivity happening (how often do you go to the doctor and tell him you're sick, but can't "show" him because the symptoms have subsided?). I was able to explain exactly what I was feeling, which at the time was exclusively in my legs. I could feel the sensitivity before I even touched anything. Sitting down was hard enough, but having my calf touch the leg of the chair was pure hell. The only thing that was worse was having my hand(s) go to rest on my legs and causing this excruciating pain. It usually happens in my legs, but it has happened where my hands have been like that as well and I have to drive using alternating hands constantly.

She explained that there is research happening regarding the theory that that "ultra-sensitivity" is what triggers the tics. Now, personally speaking, I will have instances where the sense of touch is what triggers it or when a quick motion (like a sudden stop) will ignite the fuse, but I can honestly say that I don't believe it's as simple as that. I don't "always" have that degree of aversion to touch and sometimes (most of the time) I have no issues whatsoever on this topic. I'd actually go so far as to say that only 10 - 15% of the time do I have any problems with the ultra-sensitivity. What causes the rest of the tics? That's what I'd like to know.

But yeah, it's normal.

Steve

First off, I wanted to share part of my most recent entry into the site's "Community Tourette's Journal":

"Friday morning started bad and quickly jumped "worse" and went straight to "worst" within a 5 minute period. I got out of bed around 6:00 AM with my wife and 3 year old son to get her off to work and him to the day home. Immediately my legs and back started acting up and I could feel the ultra-sensitivity in my left leg building. Within minutes my entire body was driving my absolutely nuts as the slightest movement or touch would send waves of painful over-sensitivity through me. I laid down on my bed with my legs lifted on a pillow while I was on my back. This was excruciating! I rolled myself to my side and balled myself into a fetal position as I started to cry uncontrollably. I was in so much pain it was incredible. I tried different positions before finally getting onto my forearms and shins (basically a fetal position as well) so as to try to get as many muscles as possible away from touching anything and stayed that way for a good 20 minutes. Finally it started to subside, but the sensation in my left leg is almost always there."

During the Tourette's support group meeting I attended last week with my wife and 15 year old daughter, I brought up the subject of "ultra-" or over-sensitivity of the muscles. I described what it felt like and saw a couple of surprised and even relieved faces in the room. One mother said that her two young children (who both have TS) have told her a few times that their muscles and skin hurt, and she didn't know what to make of it. I explained that it could get really painful, but that it was part of the TS. Reassuring in one way, but definitely NOT in another.

Do any of you have these types of pains or sensations?