late complication of calcium supplements

[lina123]

dear pharmacist
my cousin has a dystonia for ten years.she takes calcium supplements every day for 30 years.
what is the complication of long treatment with calcium supplements on the brain?
may it cause dystonia?
may calcium precipitate in to the brain?
thanks
lina

[Sandra Y, RPh]

Calcium is not known to cause dystonia, nor does it accumulate in the brain.

[Alison L, RPh]

As of 2008, only about 200 cases of DBS for dystonia have been described in the world medical literature, and the longest time any patient has had this therapy is about 10 years. Thus it cannot be considered a standard therapy until more procedures are done and the results of them published. Has your neurologist attempted treatment with a variety of medications, which should at least include sinemet and anticholingergic medications such as trihexyphenydil (Artane)? Baclofen and muscle relaxants such as clonazepam are also often tried before considering surgery.

[davedystoniast]

I have had ST (Spasmodic Torticollis, also known as Cervical Dystonia).  On set was in college where it would act up on and off.  I was diagnosed with ST at age 23.  It had been my understanding that the symptoms would plateau after 5 years.

I am 49 now and would say that the symptoms have worsened about 50%. I have taken Botox but, because of financial concerns and insurance issues, getting injected 4 times a year has not been feasible.

I understand that you are not a Doctor but while the prospect of Brain surgery (DBS) is certainly not appealing, it seems I am just killing time kicking the can down the road (Botox).  So now at my age, would you think that it is perhaps time to have the DBS as it does not look like there is anything new coming down the pike.
Many thanks---Dave

[lina123]

thank you so much for your response.
lina