A little backstory on me- I'm a 29M and was diagnosed with TS when I was 6. My tics have been pretty predictable my entire life with the same set of movements and noises over the years. Though, they have been fairly severe as I have had arthritis in my neck since I was 12.

About 3 weeks ago, I was sitting down on the couch and a brand new tic came out of nowhere. I am straining my elbow and shoulder to the point where it feels like I constantly am hitting my funny bone. I have an electric shock down my arm and into my fingers with tingling and numbness.

I ended up going to the ER last night because I couldn't take it anymore. Luckily the doctor was the best ER doc I've ever seen for a tic attack. She was very empathetic and understanding. They gave me IV Ativan and a pain killer and ordered some imaging.

Turns out the tic is so bad that I have given myself cubital tunnel syndrome and have compressed my ulnar nerve. This will require a pretty intense surgery. I'll be in a cast and not be able to pick up anything heavier than a pencil for multiple weeks.

Sometimes I really struggle to keep going. My life has been effected so dramatically by this and it's only getting worse. I can't work a normal job, I'm in constant pain and my condition is extremely treatment resistant. I have seen roughly 40 doctors since I was diagnosed as a child and no one has been able to help. Countless steroid injections, massage therapy, physical therapy, every med you can think of, CBT, Botox, KT taping... And NOTHING helps.

I have seen some of the best movement disorder specialists in the world at major universitys and I'm always eventually told there's nothing they can do.

I'm seeing another new neurologist at northwestern in Chicago on Wednesday. But it seems like I'm approaching the point where DBS surgery may be my only option. I am terrified at the thought of having holes drilled into my brain but I am suffering now.

I just want to be able to live.