Posted by yxibow on June 16, 2006, at 13:32:40
In reply to Do I have tardive dyskinesia or something?, posted by Deneb on June 15, 2006, at 16:05:55
> I've been taking 50 mg of Celexa for about 16 months now. I've been taking 0.50 mg then 0.75 mg Risperdal since September??? I stopped for a while in between. I don't remember when or how long. I've also been taking 150 mg Wellbutrin, less time than the Risperdal, I dunno, several months? Geez, I really should keep track of these things!
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> Anyways, I'm not sure when it started, but I've been experiencing tremors when doing things that require a steady hand. I used to think it was anxiety, but I'm not sure anymore. The tremors have gotten worse. Now they are noticeable by other people. When I was on the Babble trip, even 10derHeart noticed.
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> The shakiness gets really annoying. I was making tacos yesterday and I made a mess because I couldn't steadily scoop ingredients into the taco. My hands shake when bring a cup to my mouth. I can't build a tower with wooden blocks because my hands shake too much.
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> My hands don't shake when I'm resting. I also have no problems with typing or using the mouse.
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> When I hold my arms out in front of me, my hands and arms shake a bit. It's not a lot, but you can definitely see it. Sometimes my arms would jerk. When I first starting knitting the scarf for Dr. Bob, knitting was difficult because my arms would jerk suddenly. Later the jerking stopped. Sometimes my head jerks a little too. It jerks in a "no-no" fashion.
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> I don't think I have any other problems besides the ones I mentioned.
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> Do you think it's serious? Could it be TD caused by my meds?
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> Deneb*I would agree its most likely a strong form of pseudoparkinsonism, a form of EPS. Does the intensity get worse if you take your hands and purposely shake them? That would definately be pseudoparkinsonism. Arm jerking is a sharp form of it, but it could occur in a variety of ways in different people and different ages I can imagine.
I had it on Zyprexa which was unfortunate because it had helped my disorder more than Seroquel. I still have a slight tremor on Seroquel, but its less than 1Hz.When you combine it with the Celexa -- probably not the origin -- the Wellbutrin, well maybe a stimulant in its own right, there could be accumulative interactions I suppose although neither is particularly known for EPS, but SSRIs can give tremor, not called pseudoparkinsonism.
Do you have any propranolol, {Akineton, Artane, Cogentin}, or {Klonopin, Valium, etc.} on hand ? They would definately slow down something that is pseudoparkinsonism. Even half a dose of OTC Benadryl might slow things down (although make you somewhat drowsy and a little dried out).
If you want to continue the Risperdal, I would definately personally want have a prescription for any of the above.
But since you are experiencing it so severely, I personally, and you and your doctor only know the reasons for it and whether to go on or on, would discontinue it in favour for something less intense like Abilify, Zyprexa, or Seroquel if you need a slight dose of neuroleptic.
TD, though unpredictable, does not show up usually in several months and you are taking a lower dose of Risperdal. If you're really worried about TD, and these are only usually given to people taking full dose neuroleptics, a psychiatrist can give you an AIMS exam which is just a few questions and probing you for some muscle demonstrations. They're normally only given every six months typically.
poster:yxibow
thread:657326
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060610/msgs/657624.html