I am looking to connect with people that have SPD. I have not be diagnosed but I know that I have it. Here is my story.
It started in my 20's. When sitting on the couch I would get increasingly panicked when someones foot would be too close to me. I would be ok if their leg was draped across me but not sitting closesly. I would laugh about it.
Then I had a baby and tried nursing. That is what put me over the edge. I remember telling my friends that nursing makes you want to scream or punch something. I used to throw things because I couldn't handle the feelings. I realised through having my children that if I rub me toes together hard I can bear it a bit more. My feet would scab and bleed but I would continue to do it each time. I can't wear pants without socks because they will rub against my feet. Nothing with strings. No watches or bracelets. No stickers...they make me itchy. I used to feel terrible when I would read to my children. At least ten times I would say...stop touching me. Move your foot. Move your hand. Mom is feeling tickley. I was talking to a friend and said how I don't understand why I can't nurse. She told me to look up SPD. I knew that when I read about it this is what I have. I get tingly. I get tickley. I cringe with light touch. One quirk is if my finger is wet and then rub it on something dry...shudder. Even the little air bubbles while taking a bath drive me crazy.
I guess I just wish I could talk to people and connect with people who get it. Especially someone who feels this way while nursing. I have talked to one person who when I told her about SPD she said, wow you must have a hard time nursing. She knew about it and I was shocked. I wish there was more info about SPD and nursing and birth.
Thank you for listening.

Hi connect, sounds like you could really use the Wilbarger Brush Technique. It will help with the tingly and tickley problems a lot. It is fast and easy to do, just have your Occupational Therapist show you once how to properly do it.

Hmmm I don't have an occupational therapist. I didn't know they would help. Thank you!

Make sure it is an Occupational Therapist with experience in SPD. Just ask the OT. If they don't have experience in treating it ask them to refer you to someone who does.

I will look into it, thank you. It seems that it gets worse as time goes on. I feel tingly even when not touched sometimes too.
A while back my husband was kidding and said they will probably tickle you with feathers as therapy and I shudder to think what they do. lol

(12-12-2011, 10:36 AM)connect Wrote: I will look into it, thank you. It seems that it gets worse as time goes on. I feel tingly even when not touched sometimes too.
A while back my husband was kidding and said they will probably tickle you with feathers as therapy and I shudder to think what they do. lol

I know you are kind of kidding but just to reassure you that's not at all what they do. They will find different types of movement and tactile stuff that you enjoy and helps you feel calm and gives you sensory organization so when you do come across that light touch it doesn't send you through the roof.

To to understand a bit more...When I feel the light touch would I have a way of calming myself down or does this therapy give me sensory organization so it doesn't happen at all?
Thank you so much for your responses!

Well I only know from my daughter and different things could work for you but she needs heavy touch and heavy work to help her deal with light touch, like using a weighted blanket or wrapping up in one a certain way or exercises they have taught her to compress her joints. Also some of the different therapy swings seem to help. The main thing it does by doing these exercises regularly it helps the light touch feel less irritating and intrusive to begin with. If by chance she is getting too much light touch and is annoyed with it anyway, she will want to do those things to help her cope and that does help some, but in the situation where's she's already been overstimulated by it, it takes a lot longer to help her relax from it. The most important goal is more to find exercises you can do regularly to help so you are not sent into overdrive in the first place.

I've learned through my son's diagnosis that I have mild SPD. I was able to nurse my sons but by the end of the day, I felt all touched out and wouldn't want anyone else to touch me, including my husband.

I could never eat meat as a child/teen. I couldn't handle the texture. For most of high school, I survived on broccoli, yogurt, pineapple, cereal, and pizza.

Most of my things are auditory related. Most things are too loud, my dog licking himself makes me want to crawl out of my skin. I have a hard time taking in information just by listening, I need to see it to remember it. I have a phone phobia which I think I got partly because I can't take a phone message to save my life. I have tinnitus too, which doesn't help.

My sons have weighted blankets. Sometimes I borrow them! I find it very calming.

Welcome!