Physical Anomolies

[mw2530]

Just curious if anyone has any of the following physical problems which I think may be common in those with ASD. Or feel free to share physical issues that you think may be a byproduct of ASD.

I've had cold hands and feet for my whole life basically. Not at all moments, but the majority. It isn't really uncomfortable because I can't really feel it in my hand or feet but when I touch other parts of my body it literally feels like ice. Also super embarrassing when having to shake hands with someone (I already have difficult time interacting socially so why not make it even more awkward by having cold hands).

I also have chronic insomnia. I don't think I've gotten REM sleep in 5+ years. Digestive troubles - sometimes when I eat meat I cannot swallow and end up having to spit it up. I know - super gross! I've had to quickly go to the bathroom at times during the middle of a meal when eating with others to clear my throat. Just great times, aspergers is so much fun. I can't focus on conversation the way it is and then add in constantly being concerned of having trouble swallowing.

Oh and I have a somewhat hunched back - I think this is very common with ASD.

I think a lot of these issues are the result of anxiety. But the ASD is the cause of much of the anxiety.

Despite all these physical issues, I've managed to run a 4 minute 24 second mile once. Go figure. Although running is one of my passions (I'm not a fan of the term obsession).

 

[OkRad]

MW: Wow. I have many. Killer insomnia, once no sleep for three months (maybe 2 hours a night). I ended up in hospital ER.

I do not eat meat. I hate food in general. Eating is hard. Terrible digestive issues.

OH! And I run . A lot. If you see my other posts I am hyper active very badly and so I run . I can run hours at a time, like two or three and THEN hit the gym. I cannot be exhausted. I feel like I am on overdrive for everything that makes us human and then for other things, like making friends, I am at ZERO.

 

[Brink4ce]

Cold extremities- always, that and sligjtly cold-sweat proned.

Insomnia? Yes. For me, I kind of have to stay awake later to clear my mind and to get relaxed. I probably sleep on average about 5-6 hours a night? I also get sleep paralysis occasionally.

Gastro: Yes. Meat is weird. I cannot eat Meat fat period. I'll spit it out if I get a bite with it.

Posture: I think the hunch comes from muscular tension. Like mine is especially in my upper/mid back and arms, if I'm not relaxed- those muscles tense up and I'm kinda sunken in or hunched.

Also, I have a fidgety tic. Normally in response to stimulus or if I'm anxious or just not at ease; my arm might twitch or my head/neck. It's not like Tourettes bad, but it's visible. And then sometimes my eyes and mouth twitch. Haha!

I'm super prone to migraines. Typically in response to bright lights or how my glasses fit on my head/against my eye lashes.

My body temp stays at 100- not sure if that's related or not.

What about "gait" or how you walk?

 

[toothless]

mw2530
i have all the same issues as you.
my insomnia is the worst out of them,i rarely get one minute of sleep at night time i have to get completely exhausted before i shut down and go to sleep.

 

[Grandmother B]

Just curious if anyone has any of the following physical problems which I think may be common in those with ASD. Or feel free to share physical issues that you think may be a byproduct of ASD.

I've had cold hands and feet for my whole life basically. Not at all moments, but the majority. It isn't really uncomfortable because I can't really feel it in my hand or feet but when I touch other parts of my body it literally feels like ice. Also super embarrassing when having to shake hands with someone (I already have difficult time interacting socially so why not make it even more awkward by having cold hands).

I also have chronic insomnia. I don't think I've gotten REM sleep in 5+ years. Digestive troubles - sometimes when I eat meat I cannot swallow and end up having to spit it up. I know - super gross! I've had to quickly go to the bathroom at times during the middle of a meal when eating with others to clear my throat. Just great times, aspergers is so much fun. I can't focus on conversation the way it is and then add in constantly being concerned of having trouble swallowing.

Oh and I have a somewhat hunched back - I think this is very common with ASD.

I think a lot of these issues are the result of anxiety. But the ASD is the cause of much of the anxiety.

Despite all these physical issues, I've managed to run a 4 minute 24 second mile once. Go figure. Although running is one of my passions (I'm not a fan of the term obsession).

Have you had your thyroid checked? Sometimes that causes coldness, but when I had hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone) and didn't know it, I was cold all the time but all over. There is also a condition called Reynaud's Syndrome which causes cold in the extremities.

 

[abby normal]

cold chapped hands and feet all my life also. had to resort to physical therapy to fight humpback. now I mostly stand erect. best exercise is to habitually flatten oneself against a wall, back to wall, from head to toe. just stay in that position for a few minutes and one's posture will gradually improve, it is uncomfortable at first until the body adapts.

 

[goofygoobers]

My hands and feet are always cold and my nail beds are almost always purple. I also have small veins in my arms which makes it difficult to get an IV in me.

I've had hypertension and tachycardia since I was 17 and I have to monitor my salt intake. I'm lactose intolerant, so I consume dairy in moderation. Chocolate milk has a laxative effect on me, so I drink it when I'm constipated.

I think I may have an allergy to a certain red dye because I'm allergic to certain things that contain them. I have to use dye free laundry detergent and be careful when using cosmetics. I tend to be allergic to the red dyes used to make things vibrant purple and pink, but I have yet to find out which specific one(s) that bother me. I tried talking to my doctor about it, but he referred me to a doctor that doesn't perform allergy tests and I haven't heard much from him since.

 

[Katherine Rawstron]

The insomnia could be due to ASD, but whether directly or indirectly, I don't now - all the stress and anxiety from trying to cope with everyday life could be responsible rather than the condition itself.

As for the cold extremities, that sounds like bad circulation; does it run in your family? Do you smoke? It might be worth getting that checked out, although I'm not sure there's much you can do about it except exercise and warm clothing, hot water bottles etc. Hot drinks are good, and give you something warm to hold, but not alcohol; that's the worst thing as it takes the blood away from vital organs.

Your hump is probably due to poor posture; do you spend a lot of time poring over a desk? Are you tall and find yourself stooping to get through low doorways or to make yourself look shorter? Is your self-esteem low? If you answer yes to any of these things, or can think of anything else, it may be time for a rethink.
Get up from the desk and walk around; bend over backwards for a minute to straighten yourself out. Walk tall; if you've been accused of looking haughty, then ask someone to advise you on how to avoid that; if you're female and tall, don't wear high heels as they only accentuate your height.

Keep up the running as that's good for the circulation, but not just before you go to bed as, although it may make you feel tired, your brain will be more alert and you'll stay awake.

A hot, milky drink before you go to bed should help you sleep.