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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: a couple more ?'sForum: Neurology Forum
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1) All the Drs I have seen have said that I would not be able to take Klonpin b/c of its sedating effect - is there something else like it that would not have the same effect (I did take it for a while when a dr thought I was having seizures - which was wrong)? 2) I forgot to list that I had taken Artane. I was very very nauseated and dizzy. I was also told that it affected short term memory which would never work for me being in school. Is there something else like it w/ side effects that are not as severe? 3) Does my dystonia appear to be like the generalized kind that progresses or is it mulitfocal? I've heard both of these from neurologists I've seen who are supposedly familiar with dystonia and botox. I can feel my back starting to tighten (but not as severe as my neck or legs). = I assume this is a follow-up on my answer yesterday to questions posted by "Anne" about CP and dystonia. Just so you'll know (and others reading, too): for additional questions like this (that is, not a new topic) it is best to use the "post follow-up" button. That way, it's all together in one chain. Anyway . . . 1. Klonopin can indeed be sedating but if it's what you need, then it's what you need. I don't use it casually but sometimes it's the only effective treatment. Other medications in the benzodiazepine family (such as Valium, Ativan, or Xanax) don't seem to have the effect on dystonia that Klonopin does. I wouldn't operate an airplane on Klonopin, and until you are certain of the effect, it's best not to drive either. But after you use it for a while, you can gauge for yourself whether the side effects outweigh the benefits. Many people have no sedation at all. 2. Artane can be quite yucky. Some people tolerate it just fine, others get all the lousy side effects (dry mouth, blurry vision, nausea, dizziness, and impairment of short term memory). Typically, young people such as yourself can tolerate quite high doses and 70 year olds have more problem, but as you found out, sometimes age doesn't matter. 3. I don't have enough data to characterize your dystonia. You may have read about what is now being referred to as primary generalized dystonia, what used to be called idiopathic torsion dystonia or dystonia musculorum deformans. That is a particular type of dystonia that has a definite genetic cause (at least one gene has been identified called DYT-1). I suspect you don't have it because you have made it 18 without the horrible pretzel-twisted postures (I assume you would have mentioned that). Further, if you have CP, that is enough reason to have dystonia without having to suppose an additional genetic disease. I guess I should clarify: dystonia is a symptom. Dystonia refers to a particular type of posture-generating abnormality that is characterized by groups of muscles contracting in abnormal patterns (sometimes opposing muscles co-contract rather than relax-contract in cooperation). There are many diseases which produce dystonia. Some older or less precise sources refer to "dystonia" as if it were its own disease, which leads to confusion. The bottom line, of course, is that I can't provide SPECIFIC information about YOUR dystonia without having interviewed you and examined you. But at least this information may help you interpret what your doctors have told you. You are welcome to call 800 223-2273 and ask for neurology appointments at 4-5559 if you would like to set up an appointment with one of our movement disorders specialists. I hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.
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