Anybody know anything about tardive dyskenesia?

[Droopy]

It's involuntary movements of the face and limbs that people sometimes get associated with the use of an anti-psychotic. I take a newer atypical anti-psychotic and I thought that t.d. was supposed to be minimized by drugs like that. But lately I've noticed that I'm having some involuntary movements in my right arm and hand. My right arm and hand take on a position that I'm not aware of until after it has happened. I don't consciously move my arm into that position. I don't know if this is t.d. or due to something else. I've never had this happen to me before. I've been taking the anti-psychotic for 2 years.

[TrogL]

1. i don't think that's it

but have it checked anyway.

TD is more associated with problems with walking or jerky movements.

[EFerrari]

2. Doug was on Geodon for two years before the td started up

The doc wanted to change out to something else; I asked if we could try Vitamin E first (it's less traumatic).

E will block certain meds -- like hypertension meds or diabetes meds. But it's known to be very helpful for td.

I read about 800IU daily but that made Doug's sugar go nuts. So, we're trying a lower dosage and testing w/ doc's permission.

[Droopy]

3. That's the drug that I'm taking

And that is how long I've been taking it.

[Droopy]

4. Update

I did a little reading about TD last night and it doesn't sound like what I'm experiencing is it. I called the doctor today anyway and he is going to get with me tomorrow just as a safety precaution.

[EFerrari]

5. That sounds like a good idea. For us, it started very subtly. + link

Doug started seeming less able to interact in the morning, and slowly, his legs started to shake when he was sitting down.

The research on Vitamin E is very solid. If you want the link to take to your doc, I'll try to dig it up. The research was done by clinicians and published in a highly respected journal. (My brain just won't give me names, but as I sent it to Doug's therapist, I know I have it in my sent folder.

On edit: Here's a good one: http://www.psycom.net/tardive_E.html

[NMMNG]

6. Droopy

What you're experiencing doesn't sound like TD. Usually arm and leg movements in TD are rapid and very noticable. However, it's good that you have a doctor appointment to have your condition checked out so you can find out exactly what is going on. Side effects of meds can vary widely-I've had many myself. Also, even though the newer antipsychotics are much less likely to cause TD, it is still a possibility, particularly in higher doses or over time.

[Droopy]

7. Thanks for the information

My doctor is supposed to be calling shortly so hopefully this will be resolved soon. I've done a little reading about t.d. and like you I now do no think that what I'm experiencing is it. But I'm going to talk to the doctor just to be on the safe side.

[Droopy]

8. Update #2

I talked with the doctor and he said it was just muscle spasms which I guess is distinct from tardive dyskinesia. It's a relief but he wants to prescribe yet another med for the spasms. I'm going to think about it. I think it's a muscle relaxer and I don't want to take anything that might bring me down. It might be better to live with the spasms unless they get too bad. He said it was a common side affect of the drug I'm taking.

[Maraya1969]

9. Can I ask what is your diagnosis?

Because I see doctors prescribing these types of medicines for people with depression or bipolar disorder or anxiety and my doctor told me they are not appropriate for these disorders unless for a short time.

I take Lamictal, Prozac, klonopin and Flexaril, (sp) for bipolar and anxiety.

[Droopy]

10. Schizoaffective disorder

I have symptoms of both schizophrenia and bipolar. I have to take an anti-psychotic. I don't have any choice about that.