constant head shaking is making me feel crazy!!!

[Susan]

I am 34 yrs old and since February I have aquired an uncontrolable shaking of my head.  At first I thought it was just anxiety because I work two jobs and was attending school full time as well as raising two tennage boys by myself.
I went to my Doctor who prescribed 40mg of Paxil.  He thinks I am depressed, but I have no reason to be depressed.  Since February, I've also developed Asthma and suffering from headaches and muscle pain because I try so hard to keep my head from shaking.  I have a hard time remembering things and have since become withdrawn because I am so embarressed and frustrated over this condition.  I just want it to stop and go away!!!  I have always been healthy and I take supplements such as blue green algae, ginko, e, selenium and iron on a daily basis.  I want to know why this is happening to me because I feel like I'm going crazy and it's affecting my relationships with my children as well as my fiance  (who thinks it's all in my head)  (no pun intended).  Please help me because even my doctor thinks it's only depression and anxiety, but it's been going on now for over 2 monthes and I can't take it anymore!  Also, I don't have the funds to see a nuerologist.  Thank you.

[HFHS MD - RG]

It is unlikely that your condition is a motor tic disorder (a sudden, rapid nonrythmic nonstereotyped motor movement),having your onset of symptoms at age 34.

I am concerned about the "supplements" that you take which in itself are not side effect-free. I am unfamiliar with the drug interactions amongst them. I would recommend stopping them for a while and see if there is any improvement in your condition.

You stated that your doctor "prescribed 40mg of Paxil" which is too high of a dose to begin with. A worsening of the anxiety may be experienced if you are started with that dosage.

Though you stated that your "doctor thinks its only depression and anxiety" you may benefit consulting a psychiatrist for a full evaluation to determine if your head-shaking is psychiatric or pyhsical in origin.

[Susan]

thank you so much for your immediate response.  I will follow your reccomendation and discontinue the supplements for a period of time.  I really hope this works.  Also I failed to tell you that my beginning dose of Paxil was 10mg and has since been increased to 40mg.  sorry.

[Narelle]

I have a disorder called spasmodic dysphonia which is a type of dystonia which effects the vocal cords. There are other forms, particularly spasmodic torticollis which is an involuntary muscle spoasm in the neck - perhaps you should see a nuerologist as well to rule out these types of disorders, or to get appropriate treatment is this is what you have - there is also plenty of info on the net about ST. Hope it all goes well
Narelle