Post Geodon long term side effects

[coptermech]

I took Geodon for 4 years for control of Tourette's Syndrome facial and head tics.  While it did control my tics, it caused a variety of side effects.  Some of them stopped when I stopped taking the drug, and the more severe ones are still with me a year later.  I have severe tightness of the muscles in my neck, throat and around my eyes (causing me to squint constantly).  I no longer breath normally and have difficulty at times drawing breath.  I'm really not sure what to do for any relief and relaxation of my muscles.  Looking for suggestions .  Thanks

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

These muscle symptoms can be made worse for anxiety, or even caused by anxiety, so ask your doctor about a medication like klonopin for a trial period to see if it changes your symptoms.

[Paxiled]

It might have interfered with your magnesium absorption -- many meds seem to.  Try a 2:1 magnesium citrate to calcium citrate and see if it helps.  Also, if you think a drug caused a problem, don't let a psychiatrist tell you otherwise.  Follow your instincts until proven wrong.  It seems odd to go on klonopin, a very strong drug, if you don't have to, so I would first look for what nutritional deficiencies the med you were on might have caused.  You might also try a liver cleanse; virtually all medications are liver toxic, so it's good to clean it out when you no longer need the med.

[coptermech]

Thanks for your reply.  It was definitely the drug that caused this, not anxiety.  i did finally go with my gut and stopped taking it about a year ago.  There will be no klonopin for me.  No more drugs.  It's not worth it anymore.  That's what got me in this mess in the first place.  A 4 year TRIAL period.  I paid very little for a very expensive drug.

[Jaquta]

Four years is a long trial period.  For many health professionals who are over-worked we become just another person and unless we follow up, things can get over-looked.

You dismiss the doctors recommendations very summarily.  If my muscles were very tight and affecting my breathing, I think I would be receptive to trying the med.  A trial period does not necessarily mean for an extended period of time.  Some clinical trials don't even go four years.

I think you mean you paid a high price for the drug.  The physical, emotional and psychological effects drugs have on us can be much greater than any monetary value.

I think supplements have the ability to mess with our systems as much as anything else.  I personally would strive to get a balance through a healthy, balanced diet.

Try a hot bath or shower or hot water bottle to relax the muscles and then try some gentle stretching exercises.
I hope you get some relief and that surgery doesn't become an option in order for you to breathe normally.

J

[coptermech]

You're right after seeing it after the fact.  4 years is a long time.  What it was is that the Pfizer rep kept giving my doc tons of sample boxes and he distributed tons of sample boxes.  At a high point of 160 mg/day, I only purchased a prescription probably a half dozen times.  Currently, I am attempting a natural approach to this problem and it seems to be starting to work.  Vitamins, herbs, and nerve ending stimulation.  Actually last night I sensed a movement (for lack of a better term) in my brain, and almost instantly my symptoms relaxed tremendously.  They are back today although not nearly as bad as they have been since this started.  I'm hoping that I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel!!

[Paxiled]

Skullcap is a very good muscle relaxant as well.  Not Chinese skullcap, just plain skullcap.  So are hops and passionflower.

[coptermech]

Actually Scullcap is one of the herbs I am taking!

[Paxiled]

Are you taking magnesium?  Most Americans take too much calcium, which leaches magnesium out of the body.  Many meds disrupt magnesium and potassium, as well.  I still recommend you add magnesium citrate for a while if you're not already doing so.

[coptermech]

I'm currently not taking magnesium.  I will look in to this and give it a try as soon as I get back to civilization.  I'm currently in northern Alaska on the Arctic Ocean.  Thanks!!