Posted by: Richard ®
11/25/2003, 13:22:50
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I have tardive dyskinesia, which causes my SD/AD symptons. There are also various facial movements, incorrect breathing, etc. I have been poisoned, along with hundreds of thousands of others. I have mentioned this on this BB before, but only a few interested parties responded.
Richard Callen
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Posted by: Jacqui ®
11/25/2003, 18:17:13
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Richard, please elaborate what you mean by poisoned? I believe my SD has been exasberated by taking SSRIs for almost ten years. Most docs disagree with me, but I have taken the advise of the person who started this string and researched it on the web, and there is evidence that SSRIs cause tardive dystonia, which SD can be a form of. When you refer to poisoning, do you mean poison, or meds? This is like a game of clue where you have to gather information to figure out what is going on. Thanks for your post.Jacqui
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Posted by: Richard ®
11/26/2003, 04:50:17
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Tardive dyskinesia is caused by long term ingestion of so-called "major tranqilizers" or "anti-psychotics", especially the older ones, e.g., Thorazine, Mellaril, Stelazine, etc. I use the word "poisoning" to describe the widespread manufacture and prescribing of such drugs in order to make many patients easier to deal with in the face of certain knowledge of the intense discomfort they cause and the possibility of developing diseases such as tardive dyskinesia. I don't know what you mean by "SSRIs". Please use simple language when you write. I think it's the best way.Richard Callen
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Posted by: Linda Spain ®
11/26/2003, 06:13:27
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I'll add to Richard's information by mentioning that I am aware of one dystonia patient (he has multiple focal dystonias, but not SD), whose dystonia was diagnosed as tardive as a result of his having taken Prozac. I have no further statistics on this, but have been advised that this is "unusual."It is unfortunate that even when we do research, we cannot completely rely on the data we find. You may remember a recent post that contained a quote from BusinessWeek about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's accusation that Allergan had understated adverse effects of Botox. Perhaps a strong message we all should get is to do research regarding any published adverse side effects of a drug before we begin using it, and then keep a journal of even slight changes we experience. In some, but obviously not all, instances, quick response might help mitigate adverse effects. Linda
Modified by Linda Spain at Wed, Nov 26, 2003, 06:55:39
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Posted by: Jacqui ®
11/26/2003, 06:57:18
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Richard:SSRI means select serotonin reuptake inhibitor which describes the "new" antidepressants. Included in this group is Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Celexa, among others. My friend developed eye ticks while on Zoloft (a switch to another SSRI helped lessen this effect). Best of luck to you. Jacqui
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Posted by: betty ®
11/26/2003, 11:13:55
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oh my goodness--as if i didn't have enough to worry about. i have 2 daughters who are just passed and at the age i was when the onset of sd started. i have been concerned that that they might some day develop this "gift from the gene pool" even though there is no one else in my family "lines" -- that i know of -- that have any dystonias -- focal or otherwise. my daughter
who is now 29 --after listening to me go on and on about the spasmodic web sites -- especially the BB - confided to me that she was a little concerned about herself as she had began to notice some slight --every once in a while -- glitches in her voice. she has been taking celexa for about 8 months now. please, if anyone can add to this possibility that ssri's are a factor --pass it on. thanks and a blessed thanksgiving to all
of you on the BB. betty
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Posted by: Micki ®
11/26/2003, 16:18:14
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My niece got tardive dystonia (tardive dyskinesia) due to taking antipsychotic drugs. The doctors told her that was what caused it. It was a twitch in her hand, which wore off after several years after getting off the drugs.
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Posted by: Richard ®
11/26/2003, 16:43:04
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Tardive dyskinesia is caused by taking "major tranquilizers" for some time. The symptons can get worse when the victim is removed from the drug, and better if the victim begins taking the drug again, in which case, though, the immediate side effects of the drug come back into play. I'm sure that Prozac, etc. can have bad short and long term side effects, but they do not cause tardive dyskinesia as I know it. "Tardive" means late, i.e., the disease/symtoms begin after taking the drug(s) for some time.Richard
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Posted by: JMarie ®
12/10/2003, 14:54:57
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Tardive Dystonia/Dyskinesia are in fact associated with SSRI usage. I myself took Celexa for 10 months, and developed this shortly after my dosage was increased from 20mg to 40mg. I have now been off of the drug for seven months. My condition worsened upon discontinuation, then stabilized, but has not improved since. The involuntary movements involve the left side of my face/neck/shoulder, and are constant. I was on no other drug at the time that this condition presented itself, and had never taken any kind of antidepressant other than the Celexa in my life.
Modified by JMarie at Wed, Dec 10, 2003, 14:58:32
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Posted by: Jacqui ®
12/10/2003, 20:40:37
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Thanks JMarie for affirming what I've believed for a long time. I recently weaned myself off of Celexa (after being on various SSRIs for about 10 years) and I have noticed a big improvement in my voice. Most of the tremor is gone. I had a bad day recently due to the Celexa withdrawal, and I took a dose to relieve the symptoms. What I found was that for the next two days the tremors were back. I've had doctors tell me that there is nothing in the literature to support a causal link between SSRIs and tremors. However, that does not mean what I describe is not true.Jacqui
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Posted by: JMarie ®
12/11/2003, 08:00:24
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You're welcome Jacqui.I'm trying my best to get this information to as many people as I possibly can in order to make something good come from my condition. I too had a couple doctors tell me that Celexa "does not cause movement disorders" These, though, were primary care physicians. The Neurologists have stated otherwise. Unfortunately, most people these days rely on their primary care physicians for things that are completely out of their realm of training, and evidently, the family doctors are not doing their homework. On Celexa, the Physicians Desk Reference very clearly states that movement disorders (involuntary movements, "extrapyramidal disorders") are side effects of this drug. Some pharmacies acknowledge that in some instances these side effects aren't even in the "rare" catagory, but listed as "infrequent". I bought this book myself, and am completely amazed that doctors will still deny the association when the drug manufacturers themselves admit it! I completely understand the withdrawal - it took me three tries before I was able to discontinue the drug for good. Through my first withdrawal experience, I was very thankful for message boards like this one, because it was through them that I found out what was happening to me. I hadn't been told by the prescribing doctor that this could occur. Thanks to whoever took the time to put this message board together. I think that these places mean more to people than you'll ever know.
Modified by JMarie at Thu, Dec 11, 2003, 08:01:40
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Posted by: Moderator-DB ®
12/11/2003, 11:28:39
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Some of you may be interested in the address for the Tardive Dystonia Bulletin Board:http://www.tardivedyskinesia.org/ David
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Posted by: Richard ®
12/11/2003, 11:57:35
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Greetings All,I told you that tardive dyskinesia symptoms get worse when the causitive long-term drug (only the "major tranquilizers, not "anti-depressants") is discontinued, and better when readministered. Some people are confusing long term effects with immediate side effects. As I have said before, if you want information, you can listen to me, or you can listen to everyone else. Good luck. Richard Callen
Modified by Richard at Thu, Dec 11, 2003, 12:04:15
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Posted by: JMarie ®
12/11/2003, 21:26:06
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Richard -The FDA has had reports of SSRI's causing movement disorders, and there are quite a few Neurologists now speaking out on this topic. A SSRI (anti-depressant) caused *my* movement disorder, and I experienced exactly the type of effect that you posted here upon discontinuation/reintroduction. I had never in my life taken a "major tranquilizer", nor had I ever experienced any psychological problems where I needed to take any type of associated drug. SSRI induced dyskinesias/dystonias ARE a rare occurance, so it is going to take some time before this association is more widely recognized. Lets keep in mind that most drugs deemed harmful, first go through an unfortunately long period of time seen as "safe", before recognized otherwise - Thalidomide is a good example. I'd much rather be a part of the small group who refuses to follow the standard opinion just because it's "easier" to do. This small enlightened group that I belong to include TWO very well known Neurologists, who I trust with every fiber of my being (and I'm not the type of person who follows along with a nod & a smile, uneducated).  Please just keep an open mind.
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Posted by: Richard ®
12/19/2003, 14:47:15
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Hi,Thanks for replying to my post. I'm sure that the drugs you have taken can cause the symptoms you describe, but tardive dyskinesia is a specific disease/condition caused by the group of drugs I mentioned. I also believe that you do not have the type of psychological problems associated with these drugs. So many people didn't. Richard
Modified by Richard at Fri, Dec 19, 2003, 14:49:56
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Posted by: betty ®
12/11/2003, 12:05:17
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jmarie---will you please e-mail me and tell what problems
you began to have? i have a daughter who takes this drug
and she recently confided to me that she wondered if she
was beginning to get what i have --ad/sd--just wondering.
thanks------betty
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Posted by: JMarie ®
12/11/2003, 21:02:03
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Dear Betty - I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to post this here, rather than e-mail, because then perhaps others can benifit also. My Story: In August of 2002, I was prescribed Celexa. I had never taken an antidepressant before, and was given this drug when I complained of extreme fatigue. A couple months later, my two children were diagnosed with Mononucleosis - so most likely I didn't need this drug in the first place. (My initial doctor's appointment not only included complaints of fatigue, but also a horribly sore throat). I was given sample packets, and was told to call my physician when I was finished with those, and that she would give me more if I "liked it". After finishing the sample packets, I informed my doctor that this drug was not working, and that I was still pretty tired all of the time. At this time, she recommended that my dosage be increased to 40mg (doubled). After a very short time on 40mg, maybe 10 days or so, I noticed a type of jerky movement involving my left neck muscle. At that time, I only noticed that it happened after I sat down for the evening, and it wasn't very frequent (maybe twice per night). It wasn't troublesome or painful, and I didn't realize that the drug was causing it, or that it could grow to anything serious. This movement eventually became regular, and more intense. I called the physician's office and complained, and asked that my dosage be reduced back to 20mg, because I had experienced no involuntary movements at that dose. Unfortunately, after the dosage decrease, the movements didn't stop, but had worsened a bit. To sum the rest up - I researched hours online, bought countless books, contacted other people, and realized that my situation could get worse if I continued Celexa. I decided to stop the drug - it took three tries, each with horrible withdrawals. Each time the movements got dramatically worse, and the two times I reintroduced the drug it helped greatly. BUT, the third and last time I discontinued the drug, the movements got worse, then eventually stabilized to what I have to deal with every day now. I now experience involuntary movements involving not only the side of my neck, but also my face & shoulder. These movements are constant, at a rate of approximately one large jerky movement every second. Doctors aren't quick to associate SSRI's with movement disorders, but perhaps if you talk to your physician, he/she might agree that a trial discontinuation of the drug would be helpful in determining if the drug is causing problems - if it is, the symptoms will worsen through withdrawal, and then get better when the offending drug is reintroduced in most cases. It is important to TAPER the drug if it is discontinued, though! My withdrawals from Celexa were an absolute nightmare.
Modified by JMarie at Thu, Dec 11, 2003, 21:02:35
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Posted by: Dorothy ®
12/15/2003, 18:00:16
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I first began taking SSRI's about seven years ago. It was about this time that I first had difficulty with my speaking voice. They also caused me to feel extremely tired and dizzy. I began having slight ballancing problems. I gradually discontinued them and began taking Trazadone (an anti-depressent but not an SSRI) I became better, but never regained my normal voice. A doctor told me that Valium would help as would a glass of wine. They do help, but they are both addictive. I quit the SSRI's several times, but I always become worse when I begin taking them again. I need the anti=depressent, but I don't want my SD and trembling hands to worsen. My physician does not believe the SSRI's are causing the problems.
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Posted by: Lynn Brailsford ®
12/15/2003, 19:26:01
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If you are interested, there is a site that I found that affirms and explains some of the side effects of SRRIs and also offers some ways to overcome the side affects and/or withdraw from the drugs.Let me also say that I was highly suspicious of this site. I am educated and savvy enough to not believe everything I read on the web. However, the recommendations seemed safe enough and it worked for me. I would be happy to share my experience in private email. Best regards,
Lynn AD/SD Teaneck, NJ
Related link: http://www.prozactruth.com
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