neck/head pain...could it be a result of side effect from O.C.D or anti-psychotic meds?

[mcjay]

Hi, I posted here a while ago about pain in my head, face, neck and back. Suggestions given here were helpful although my doctor believes it is all down to tension.
So, my question is, could the pain be a result of my mouth constantly being tensed up with slight movements that I find vey difficult to stop. Along with these movements I count and have to achieve some feeling of balance. This is with me all my waking day and I am becoming more frustrated by the pain. I've been told that it's similar to O.C.D although have not been diagnosed with that.
Having done some research on the internet, I thought these movements could be related to akitesia or tardive dyskinesia/dystonia, as a result of years of anipsychotic meds. If this were the case, could this be what is causing the extreme pain which now is more focused in my head and neck. I am finding the constant pain a huge struggle to live with and the last time I went to my doctor she never even prescribed pain relief, only sleeping tablets??? cos she thought better sleep would take away tension. As a result I tried self medicating with over the counter co-dydramol with no results yet again as was the case with co-codamol and diclofenac, that was prescribed.
I'd be so grateful if anyone could answer this question. I've searched and searched for information and because I live in the U.K where we have free healthcare, it means that I personally cannot decide which kind of doctor to go to for tests, only my doctor can refer but I feel she just is not that interested or bothered about me having to live in pain. Any suggestions???

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The movements and pain that you feel could be the side effect of the antipsychotics that you take. Discuss this with your psychologist or psychiatrist. It could also be that you have some deficiencies. I would suggest you get the blood levels of the following checked if they have not already been checked: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, or vitamins B1, B3, or B6 and Vitamin D. Generally deficiencies of any of the above can cause muscle twitching and spasms in localized or generalized areas of the body. Get your kidney function, parathyroid gland function and adrenal function tests done because these affect the electrolyte balance in the body. Stress, alcohol, caffeine and fatigue all cause similar symptoms. Certain sleep disorders and peripheral nerve disorders due to diabetes or hypothyroidism can also be the cause.
Discuss this with your doctor. She should not have any problem in running the above tests. Maybe something will come up.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[LivingInHope]

Your propensity to count and feel imbalance does indeed sound like you have OCD and should be tested to confirm.  The tension from that very well could play in to your pain level.

  Many drugs do have headache listed as a common side effect.  Check with your pharmacist/chemist to see if this is true of any of the medications you take.  

Being deconditioned and having poor posture can contribute to neck and back pain.  If it is severe and accompanied by headache and fever, they should be ruling out spinal meningitis.  Your face pain sounds like muscle tension since it is accompanied by your little movement.  Trying to relax the muscles of the face can help quite a bit with pain in the face.  Using an herbal heat pak (not too hot) on your face could help with the relaxation as well.