Hi everyone,
Sorry I haven't been here in a while, I have developed a problem and need some backup/advice please! I have bipolar 2 and have been on Risperidone for two years. (which should not have been so long, docs mistakes...)
I got tardive dyskinesia - involuntary movements. It is very awkward for me and I try to keep still at work all day so no one will notice, but once i'm alone or get home, it bites back and the twitching/jerking gets bad. It only stops when i'm sleeping. when i wake up it starts again. I'm really sore and exhausted. It started on Monday and I quit my meds on Tuesday. I don't wana see anyone really and no one knows except my hubby. I try to keep still around other people. I don't know how to handle this. i mentioned this situation on a text message to my doc, and she didn't reply (very unusual). I don't know if she thinks its psychosomatic or if she doesn't believe me or what but I'm too shy to ask. I cant go see another doc coz I can't afford it and she sees me for free.
Anyone know of treatments for this other than painkillers or muscle relaxants? I really dont need to start a narcotics addiction now... how do you handle this???
Tardive dyskinesia is a risk to being on some atypical atipsychotics like Risperidone, but every person responds differently. You should make sure your provider knows that you have stopped your medication and that you have experienced tardive symptom so they can monitor your condition and perhaps find a different medication to treat one or both issues. There may be other medications that could treat your bipolar without these symptoms. Your provider may also be able to work with you in taking care of your tardive dyskinesia. However, note that, depending on the person, time, and amount of medication taken, tardive dyskinesea may take weeks, months, or sometimes years to resolve and return to normal. There are some instances, rare, when the condition can be permanent. But for now, I would make sure you get in touch with your provider and discuss the issue with them, especially in regards to your bipolar. As for the TD, be patient, it's likely that it could go away on it's own over time. If not, your provider may have other solutions for you. Take the time to go see her in person and discuss these issues in depth. It is important that you reciever proper treatment and care so you can live life to your fullest.
I hope this helped.
Best of luck!
~I am an angel with broken wings...I cannot fly, only dream...I cannot breath but someday I will sing.~
Gravedigger, when you dig my grave, could you dig it shallow, so I can feel the rain?
Thanks Mousie for your helpful reply. You basically put in simpler words what I found on Google.
My doctor gave me five days worth of tranquillizers, which help but I don't want to take them in the day because it makes me feel like a zombie. So I take them at night, and then halfway through the morning their effect has worn off and I start twitching again. The rest of the time if its bad I take muscle relaxants and/or painkillers. Its a really awkward situation for me though. I also found that caffeine sets it off worse.
I don't want to take anything different for my bipolar, I'm done with meds for that! I'm on a strict regime of specific vitamins and amino acids which seem to help, I don't want to use meds unless I get really sick and its a crisis.
The most difficult thing for me at the moment is handling social situations, coz I have to keep still all the time, and then afterward I twitch sooo bad. hope this goes away fast! I start a new job 7 Nov, and i need to be okay!
Well I'm glad you are getting the help you need. I think the vitamins and amino acids will be good for you, as long as you can keep your bipolar within your control. The twitching may take a while to go away, but it should in time. I understand that the tranquilizers will make you sleepy, but it will help with your TD. The muscle relaxants and painkillers will be of more help during the day. Drowsiness will be a major side effect of any medicine you take to control the twitches. This is because they are depressants, they slow down the nerve impulses and allow your body to relax. Caffeine is a stimulant, so it will worsen the effects. As will anything else that contains anything like caffeine (i.e. energy drinks, pop, coffee, chocolate, etc.)
I know it's difficult trying to balance controlling the twitches and staying alert for life. If you can, I would try to do some other homeopathic approaches along with the muscle relaxants. Lavender tends to help people relax, if you can find some extract or lavendar scented lotions or sprays, it may take the edge off the twitches. Also try doing some sort of meditations in the morning before you start your day. Don't let yourself get to worked up, tense, or nervous about things. If your mind is relaxed, your body will be less tense and your nerves less excitable. You could try drinking som chamomile tea, or honey tea... maybe find some decaff drinks to have in the morning. I am not a doctor, so nothing is set in stone, but I think some of these things may help you without so many side effects. However, you should still follow your doctors orders and recomendations. If it makes you feel better, google some homeopathic or alternative medicine to help you with your TD and BP. Best of luck, hope this helps.
Remember, relax, I know it's frustrating to deal with twitches, but I don't think people will notice as much as you think. WE always see our issues as way bigger than anyone else sees them.
Hugs
~I am an angel with broken wings...I cannot fly, only dream...I cannot breath but someday I will sing.~
Gravedigger, when you dig my grave, could you dig it shallow, so I can feel the rain?
Thanks Mousie, you've given me some ideas to think about and I will look into them. I've spent most of today resting, tonight I have to go to a meeting, so will have to keep still.
I've read a lot since last post, basically my twitches are similar to tourettes. It makes my head, neck, shoulder and middle twitch and its worse when i'm relaxed. I wish I could have a bit more support from doc, but I know also that actually there is not much she can do except give me a different kind of drug to help the dopamine receptors in my brain - kind of like the stuff they give to people with parkinsons. I don't know if i want to go that route...
In the meantime, I need to figure out if I will tell one of my, and how and if I'd rather decide not to. And I need to wait this out and hope it goes away soon!!
Ok. good luck. I'm glad you're reading and educating yourself. ONce you find something that works for you, stick with it. I wish allthe best for you. Keep on truckin'. I'm always here if you need to pm me. Hopefully things will get better for you and resolve on its own so you don't need the meds. Stay positive!
Hugs*
~I am an angel with broken wings...I cannot fly, only dream...I cannot breath but someday I will sing.~
Gravedigger, when you dig my grave, could you dig it shallow, so I can feel the rain?
Hi again,
I've found something natural that can help with involuntary movements - its called Branched chain amino acids, you can find it amongst supplements, often in the sports supplement section. It helps your muscles. Also, you don't have to use the full serving amount on the label, about half should help already. I'm trying this now and hoping it works.
yay! Good for you! Educating yourself is always the best way to heal in any circumstance. Your health care providers are doing their job, but they don't have all world knowledge and they have a lot on their plates too. As a student nurse, and CNA I find my patients teach me so much about their own problems that our books don't teach us, I'm always learning more!. Be careful about where you get your information though, be sure the source is credible and not a profitting organization or scam. I hope all is going well and that this works for you!
~I am an angel with broken wings...I cannot fly, only dream...I cannot breath but someday I will sing.~
Gravedigger, when you dig my grave, could you dig it shallow, so I can feel the rain?
I've been doing something a bit stupid. Checking out clips on youtube to see if anybody else's body is doing the same thing mine is. I will not comment on that...I am thankful that my case is not so bad, and putting my focus back on hoping to get better. I would definitely like to encourage anyone else experiencing involuntary movement problems.
didnt sleep at all as i couldnt keep still. am tired and nauseous and desperate. doc not much help atm, and i dont wana be a pest dont know what to say to her anyway. dont know how to tell anyone else. i need help but my head is so screwed i cant think straight. any words anyone?
i have to go on a camp this weekend, cant get out of it, don't know how i'm going to keep still so long. eek....
hope this goes away fast! I start a new job 7 Nov, and i need to be okay!
