My relentless, rhythmic, 'pulsating' jaw clenching movements...

[elizzza811]

...may actually be 'chewing' motions - tardive dyskinesia - from past Seroquel and/or long-term Klonopin use, according to my new neurologist. And it isn't curable. I am completely freaking out. My lower jaw CONSTANTLY pulsates and clenches upwards, and yea, now that I think about it, it is a 'chewing' motion, only I wasn't looking at it that way before since only the lower jaw 'chews'.

http://www.tardivedyskinesia.com/symptoms/

I remember my neurologist reassuring me Seroquel (an antipsychotic) was safe as far as tardive dyskinesia was concerned...that it was rare and unlikely. I was on Seroquel for anxiety.

It could also be from the Klonopin...I don't know. All I know is I can't imagine spending the rest of my life clenching and chewing uncontrollably like this, day and night. What's weird is when I complex partial seizure, the jaw finally relaxes for a short period of time afterwards. So should I be trying to treat and prevent the seizures that might only be occurring in an attempt to correct a major problem here?

 

[hootie]

Have you looked at any vitamin/mineral/nutrient imbalances that may have been caused by the drug(s)? Supplying what your body needs might alleviate the problem.

If it is not due to nutrient imbalance/depletion, then I would consult a classical homeopath that you could discuss your case with to see if this helps. It is a little time consuming (usually the first appointment is about 2 hours), but it is a very safe and inexpensive treatment.

You can check out National Center for Homeopathy to find a homeopathic practitioner. Some of the practitioners are also M.D.s and may take your insurance. Some are N.D.s that may be helpful in looking at nutrient issues. Others are lay persons that have trained in homeopathy.

J

 

[Cint]

..

I remember my neurologist reassuring me Seroquel (an antipsychotic) was safe as far as tardive dyskinesia was concerned...that it was rare and unlikely. I was on Seroquel for anxiety.

It could also be from the Klonopin...I don't know. All I know is I can't imagine spending the rest of my life clenching and chewing uncontrollably like this, day and night. What's weird is when I complex partial seizure, the jaw finally relaxes for a short period of time afterwards. So should I be trying to treat and prevent the seizures that might only be occurring in an attempt to correct a major problem here?

The antipsychotics can cause serious problems, although it may be rare. I was taking Zyprexa for major depression back in 2002 and ended up with Type 1 Diabetes due to the Zyprexa. Many of these type drugs can/do cause diabetes and tardive dyskinesia, although rare.

From http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/seroquel

What is the most important information I should know about Seroquel?

Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a particularly high risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) depression, bipolar disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions.

Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when the medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Families and caregivers should watch patients daily and report these symptoms immediately to their physician. Keep all follow-up visits with your doctor as scheduled.

Seroquel may cause tardive dyskinesia, a potentially irreversible condition characterized by uncontrollable muscle spasms and twitches in the face and body. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.

Seroquel may cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a life threatening brain disorder), a serious and potentially fatal reaction to the drug. Call your doctor immediately if you develop muscle stiffness, confusion, irregular or rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, and high fever.

Certain antipsychotic drugs, including Seroquel, are associated with an increased risk of developing high blood sugar, which on rare occasions has led to coma or death. See your doctor right away if you develop signs of high blood sugar, including dry mouth, unusual thirst, increased urination, and tiredness. If you have diabetes or have a high risk of developing it, see your doctor regularly for blood sugar testing.

Changes or elevations in cholesterol and weight gain have been reported.

 

[epileric]

If it is not due to nutrient imbalance/depletion, then I would consult a classical homeopath that you could discuss your case with to see if this helps. It is a little time consuming (usually the first appointment is about 2 hours), but it is a very safe and inexpensive treatment.

You can check out National Center for Homeopathy to find a homeopathic practitioner. Some of the practitioners are also M.D.s and may take your insurance. Some are N.D.s that may be helpful in looking at nutrient issues. Others are lay persons that have trained in homeopathy.

J

Just remember that homeopathy has been proven not to work so try it if you want but don't neglect other medicines or cures.

Robbins says that the aim of the stunt was to draw attention to homeopathic medicine's lack of scientific foundation and to embarrass the British high-street pharmacist Boots into withdrawing its treatments from sale.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18455-mass-drug-overdose--none-dead.html

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings of currently available Cochrane reviews of studies of homeopathy do not show that homeopathic medicines have effects beyond placebo.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20402610

 

[Meetz1064]

Well, truth

be told, I didn't realize that there was a name for that motion that my jaw makes in my sleep! LOLOL. Hmmm, I guess that's another thing to bring up to my neuro the next time I talk to him. Perfect. NOT.

And of course, I've been on Klonopin for quite a number of years now....I think it's going on 8 this time. And it was 7 before that, with a 2 year break in between? Dunno, I'd have to double check.

Have you considered trying something like a simple heating pad for a little bit to relax the muscles? I don't know if it's possible, but perhaps (I know it's one more thing) but MAYBE you can take a low-level muscle relaxant to help with the process of the chewing. Talk to the neuro about it. It seems to me that the jaw is too tight, and the muscles is are trying to release themselves....I might be wrong.......LOLOL, I wouldn't be surprised.

There are inherent risks in every different type of treatment that we try to help ourselves with our E. Whether that treatment is using a chiropractor, regulating diet, strictly going on meds, VNS or RNS, brain surgery, Chinese medicine or even homeopathy--there are ALWAYS inherent risks.

And YES, there are ALWAYS fatalities in those different categories. Whether or not one of those particular things has worked particular well for you does NOT mean it will work perfectly for the next person.

Hmmm, Eric, have you made any good coffee for the dinner party? I need to put my feet up and chill. The kids at school were ornery today.........

Have a great time at the party, everyone. Hopefully, elizzza18 will get some help with what she needs.

Have a great night!

Meetz
:rock:

 

[hootie]

FWIW
Interesting thing about the chewing motions...
my son's (the one with E) homeopath has asked during the last few sessions if my son ever has chewing motions during his absence seizures. The answer is no for him. If it was yes, it would indicate a certain set of possible remedies.

Anyway, I hope you find something that helps you SOON!

 

[elizzza811]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I've decided though that I'm not going to freak...at least yet.

Even though this new neurologist pretty much discounted my suggestion that the clenching/chewing motions could be seizure-related (see article I showed her below), I'm still going to hold onto that hope - that eventually once these seizures are proven, I'll be put on anti-seizure meds, and this symptom will go away.

Rhythmic teeth grinding induced by temporal lobe seizures:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15210903

Has anyone here tried supplementing with GABA, an amino acid, to control seizures or help with relaxation/anxiety?

 

[hootie]

I tried GABA for both my kids at some point (not for seizures but for calming). GABA actually made them more aggitated. I think it can feed into glutamate, which is an excitotoxin.

But...I work at a doc's office that treats the medical conditions that kids with autism tend to have (GI issues, sleep issues, anxiety, etc). There are many kids in the practice that use GABA for calming and/or anxiety with success. Not sure if any are using it for seizure control, though.

 

[elizzza811]

Thanks for the info...maybe I won't try it afterall, or at least not try it expecting relief.