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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by girl1969 on January 16, 2004, at 22:37:21
I am currently on the following meds:
Lamictal 400 mg
Geodon 40 mg
Celexa 80 mgI started the lamictal and geodon together, right before Christmas. Lately I have this problem with clenching my jaw. I am trying to figure out if it is "dystonia." I've read that dystonia is usually transient when the cause is antipsychotics.
I don't see my pdoc until Tuesday. I'm just curious if anyone else has had this problem.
Thanks in advance,
Girl
Posted by HappyGirl on January 17, 2004, at 0:42:21
In reply to Jaw Clenching meds, posted by girl1969 on January 16, 2004, at 22:37:21
Hi:
It sounds like 'Geodon' causing this problem. Also, when I started 'Wellbutrin SR' I had a very similar problem as yours. Once I talked to my dentist, he even suggested to go to the specialist for this. However, it went away gradually as the system started to adjust on the med. Then, there is no big deal to worry about, ... however if there is some concern on this, probably your pdoc. has a good knowledge on this regard, even sending you to that specialist. In my best bet is just to wait awhile whether this symptom will slowly subsidize like mine. However, if there is NO improvement whatever, then you may need to seek some help on this.
H.G.
Posted by Basia on January 17, 2004, at 4:50:15
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by HappyGirl on January 17, 2004, at 0:42:21
Hi,
I am relatively new to this board and I am due to start taking Geodon around March. How long does it usually take for side effects like jaw-clenching or insomnia to subside? I am at college and I can't afford to spend months getting over the initial weirdness of a new AP..
Any help much appreciated!Lyn
Sulpiride 600mg
Tegretol Retard 800mg
Lamictal 200mg
Posted by girl1969 on January 17, 2004, at 9:27:22
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by HappyGirl on January 17, 2004, at 0:42:21
HG,
Thanks for you response. I feel great on the Geodon and I'm really hoping that - as in your case - this side effect subsides. I am going to talk to my pdoc early next week and see if he's ever heard of this or if I need to see a specialist.Take care,
Girl
Posted by girl1969 on January 17, 2004, at 9:31:53
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by Basia on January 17, 2004, at 4:50:15
Lyn,
I am not certain if jaw clenching is a common side effect. For some reason, this is happening to me. I'm going to look into it.
I have no insomnia on Geodon. I take it at night and sleep well.
I'm not having other any side effects that interfere with my job or my social life.
Good luck with your studies and good luck on Geodon!
Girl
Posted by sarita0001 on January 17, 2004, at 11:03:02
In reply to Jaw Clenching meds, posted by girl1969 on January 16, 2004, at 22:37:21
Hi,
Don't know if this is similar but for a short time after I went off Topamax I was grinding my teeth in my sleep.
Sara
Posted by Zee on January 17, 2004, at 12:27:35
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by sarita0001 on January 17, 2004, at 11:03:02
Hi, I was on Celexa for 10 months. I took 1 pill every night before I went to bed and I'd wake up with my jaw clenched every morning. Now I'm taking Effexor 75mg per day every morning and the same thing is happening. My jaw is always clenched. What is Dystonia? I've never heard of it.
Zee
Posted by girl1969 on January 17, 2004, at 13:02:03
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by Zee on January 17, 2004, at 12:27:35
Zee,
This is the "official" description of dystonia:
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, which force certain parts of the body into abnormal, sometimes painful, movements or postures. Dystonia can affect any part of the body including the arms and legs, trunk, neck, eyelids, face, or vocal cords.
I don't know if jaw clenching is part of it, but it is like an involuntary muscle contration. If I really focus, I can prevent myself from doing it, but if I go back to normal activities, I find myself clenching again.
Did this eventually stop when you were on Celexa? Is that why you stopped taking it?
Have you ever talked to your doctor about it?
Girl
Posted by Zee on January 18, 2004, at 10:39:42
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching medsZee, posted by girl1969 on January 17, 2004, at 13:02:03
I told my doctor about it and she suggested that I see my dentist. No it didn't stop until I went off the drugs.It seems that it only happens when I'm on Celexa or Effexor. I think I should consider trying something else.
Zee
Posted by John2222 on January 18, 2004, at 16:50:37
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by Zee on January 17, 2004, at 12:27:35
When I was on Effexor, I had problems with jaw clenching. I went to my dentist and he confirmed it and made a special nighttime guard which helped immensely. It went away when I lowered my Effexor dose to 37.5.
Posted by Simcha on January 19, 2004, at 0:55:32
In reply to Jaw Clenching meds, posted by girl1969 on January 16, 2004, at 22:37:21
I had this teeth clenching even before medication. It got worse when I started Celexa 40mg. I was actually biting my tongue and my cheeks so much they bled.
My pdoc then started me on klonopin 1mg at night to stop it. It worked for over a year. The current pdoc has given me Neurontin 600mg and up to take a night to control it. This works too...
I'm on Celexa 40mg, WellbutrinXR 300mg, and Neurontin 600+mg. (I can take more Neurontin if I need it.)
> I am currently on the following meds:
>
> Lamictal 400 mg
> Geodon 40 mg
> Celexa 80 mg
>
> I started the lamictal and geodon together, right before Christmas. Lately I have this problem with clenching my jaw. I am trying to figure out if it is "dystonia." I've read that dystonia is usually transient when the cause is antipsychotics.
>
> I don't see my pdoc until Tuesday. I'm just curious if anyone else has had this problem.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Girl
Posted by Girl1969 on January 20, 2004, at 11:34:52
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds » girl1969, posted by Simcha on January 19, 2004, at 0:55:32
Thanks for responding.
Unfortunately, I have a paradoxical response to benzos (they make me manic). It's proved to be a big problem in smoothing out side effects of other meds. Most of the time, I just have to grit my teeth (literally) until my body adjusts to side effects.
I see my pdoc tonight. He's sent me a few emails offering support in the meantime, so I feel a bit encouraged.
Thanks again for writing.
Girl
Posted by scott-d-o on January 21, 2004, at 2:49:10
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by Girl1969 on January 20, 2004, at 11:34:52
Try lowering your dose of Geodon. I assume you at least started out at 20mg? In my experience lower doses of antipsychotics actually help with jaw clenching since they cause the release of dopamine which inhibits involuntary movements such as this. Buspar has a structure which closely resembles an antipsychotic and is often used to combat SSRI-induced bruxism.
I would say try to go as low as possible on the Geodon. I found it to be a potent antipsychotic and I'm surprised they don't make capsules smaller than 20mg. You may even want to try splitting the capsule in half and pouring out half the powder for a 10mg dose.
Another option is to try taking the OTC antihistamine, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is the active ingredient in almost all OTC sleep aids. It is an anticholinergic medication (specifically, a muscarinic antagonist), this should be helpful as well since acetylcholine opposes dopamine, and it is this excitatory neurotransmitter which is causing your problem. Start out at 25mg at night and go as high as 75mg. It causes drowsiness at first but most become tolerant to this effect very quickly.
Posted by girl1969 on January 21, 2004, at 22:28:44
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds » Girl1969, posted by scott-d-o on January 21, 2004, at 2:49:10
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the great advice. My pdoc suggested the Benadryl last night and the clenching seemed to subside. I am going to try it again tonight.
Unfortunately, I was feeling hypomanic at 20 mg of Geodon, so I think I'm stuck with taking the higher dose.
Thanks again for your response,
Girl
This is the end of the thread.
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