Have any of these meds caused bad effects in Tourettes??

[DsMom]

Do any of these sound like bad reactions to meds or has my sons Tourettes just gotten extremly worse in the last month. Here is all the meds he has taken.

He has been doing so well for the last few years. He just turned 15. One month ago we finally had to do something about his bad teeth grinding. Which I heard may have been a side effect to the Risperidone or even the Prozac he was taking. We had recently upped the Risperidone to 2 mgs a day just 3 months earlier.

Anyway His teeth grinding was in the day time only not at night and pretty much an all day thing, It was causing him to not be able to go to school or even function. So the Psy put him on a few different things.

*First BUSPAR, didn't help at all and gave him stomach upset all day long.

*Second, BENZTROPINE- Worst thing ever. After the second day it was like he was on speed. Had a bad reaction for sure. Was talking crazy, hallucinating, couldn't sleep, was totally confused and had blurry vision. Obviously that med was stopped asap. It was very scary.

*Third med tried was LEXAPRO. He had been on a low dose of Prozac for a few OCD behaviors already, so the Lexapro replaced this med. His teeth grinding went away in a few days. We were so happy. And then here came the tics that he hadn't had in years. And worse then ever. Everything plus ones I have never seen or heard. He was starting to get full body stiffening and tic at the same time. Hum, I started to get worried.

So thought Lexapro is like Prozac and if given to much his tics got worse.

Anybody this happen to??? But it gets even worse.

*Went back told the Psy, we didn't want Lexapro anymore and that his tics were getting really bad. Still the teeth grinding was Gone. So now he is given TENEX for the bad tics. Along with the Risperidone. Well a few days after being on that they were full blown and worse then ever. Scary bad. Full body flexing, tongue, mouth, arms, sounds like crazy, muttering, he had no control what so ever of himself. Even stiffened his neck so far in the air it cut his air off for a few minutes and then he said his hear hurt. He was sucking in air.

The next day i called the Psy. because that scared us so bad. Again I have never seen anything like this. And remember all this has taken place in about a month and a half time.

He was then given just yesterday KLONOPIN. To relax and help him with the terrible tics. He took it last night, This morning, mid day and then tonight. Never got tired like the Dr said, Hasn't relaxed him so far.

And still the major muscle tensing, tongue and face movements. hands extended, legs extended, just terrible movements all at once with terrible muttering all at once.

Please if anyone can give me any thoughts that would be great.

It is so hard to tell what is what anymore. I am thinking of taking him off all his meds. But am so afraid. All he does is cry and ask for it to please stop. Wants to not be alive at this point. And I feel so helpless.

Another odd thing Is, he seams to get a little better right in the middle of the day. Mornings and night are just horrid when it seams that that should be the least stressful time of day.

This has gotten so bad the last 3 weeks I had to get his work from school and not send him to class. No one has Tourettes in our family at all that we know of so we have no one to compare him to. My daughter showed some signs in 5th or 6th grade but that was all.

Anyway i need to get some sleep. It has been my only quiet time.

My son says he hates for mornings to come. It is so sad. He has never been this way.

Heres another question to add: Does Tourettes get so bad that they do act this way and look like they have just lost it?

I will check back tomorrow as soon as I am able to get a few minutes.

Thanks

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Some of those medications I've never heard of...

Our resident pharmaceutical and Tourette guru, TSOW, should be logging in tomorrow (if he isn't too distracted by American Thanksgiving and Black Friday). He'll more than likely have some answers for you.

 

[Daniel E.]

He was then given just yesterday KLONOPIN. To relax and help him with the terrible tics. He took it last night, This morning, mid day and then tonight. Never got tired like the Dr said, Hasn't relaxed him so far.

If it doesn't seem to help, the doctor may be willing to increase the dose, especially if it was a low starting dose. I know Klonopin, a.k.a. clonazepam, can help with teeth clenching and grinding at night.

 

[Retired]

DsMoM,

Thank you for your query.

Please give me a day to get back to you, as we are on our way out for Thanksgiving dinner.

:thankyou:..for your patience.

 

[Xelebes]

I had a bad reaction to Clonazepam (I think it was that, it began with a Clo-, I'm sure of that.) Made me lose control of my tics and most of them went to my neck (which really hurt.)

 

[Andy]

I had a bad reaction to Clonazepam (I think it was that, it began with a Clo-, I'm sure of that.) Made me lose control of my tics and most of them went to my neck (which really hurt.)

I'm thinking it might have been something else maybe because Clonazepam would relax you. I don't no what other one it would be though because I know nothing about Tourettes medications.

 

[Xelebes]

I'm thinking it might have been something else maybe because Clonazepam would relax you. I don't no what other one it would be though because I know nothing about Tourettes medications.

As I explained it to my psychiatrist at the time, just like Paxil, it relaxed me but it also relaxed all of my controls of the tics I had.

 

[Andy]

As I explained it to my psychiatrist at the time, just like Paxil, it relaxed me but it also relaxed all of my controls of the tics I had.

Oh, I see. I didn't think of it that way. Like I said I am ignorant about Tourettes. My apologies.

 

[Retired]

Which I heard may have been a side effect to the Risperidone or even the Prozac he was taking.

Has this side effect been confirmed by your son's doctor or is it from your research?

If you suspect your son may be experiencing the side effect I believe you are referring to, called tardive dyskinesia, it would be prudent to have your son's doctor evaluate him without delay.

It would be unlikely that Prozac would cause tardive dyskinesia, but the Risperidone might be considered.

Does the doctor treating your son have extensive clinical experience in dealing with Tourette Syndrome? Effective treatment of Tourette really does require some research to locate a physician with clinical experience and a professional interest in movement disorders and specifically Tourette.

These physicians can usually be located with the help of your local chapter of the Tourette Syndrome Association

Have you looked into whether there may be a clinic specializing in Tourette in a hospital within traveling distance from your home? It may be something to look into if your son is not getting relief with the courses of therapy he has been receiving.

Does Tourettes get so bad that they do act this way and look like they have just lost it?

Many people with Tourette experience rage reactions when stressed, especially when the stress comes from several sources at the same time. It is not unusual, and as you say, the person just seems to lose it.

I can just imagine your son's frustration with what might be medication side effects, plus the usual things a fifteen year old young man has to deal with, that could be provoking these reactions.

Looking forward to reading your comments.

 

[DsMom]

Thanks for the reply.

The Psy my son sees is not a specialist at all in Tourettes. When i have concerns over the meds causing anything he says it isn't the meds. Always he says this. No it wouldn't be the meds.

The Clonazepam made him more hyper and his heart beat really fast. Total opposite of what it should do.

I have no idea what anything is caused from what. It is only my guess and my research. His movements are just so different from ever before. Lots of tension and finger movements along with the tensed body.

We are waiting to see a new Dr next Friday which is a long wait. I am not giving the clonazepam to him anymore and things have gotten a little better.

I am not sure if i should call his Psy today and have anything changed again or try to wait until Friday to see the new Psy. I think there may be a Tourettes clinic in LA Ca about 2 hours from us. I guess it is time to check into it.

Does anyone know if the Risperidone could be not working as well after a few years?

Thanks

 

[Retired]

DsMom,

The Psy my son sees is not a specialist at all in Tourettes.

And that is pretty much to be expected; most phsysicans do not receive training and therefore have little or no clinical experience with Tourette Syndrome.

You are wise to look at options such as exploring the availability of a specialized clinic, perhaps in Los Angeles.

You may wish to call the Tourette Syndrome Association at their Information and Referral resource

I don't know if these two resources can be of any use, but you may want to check them out:

Nelson Freimer, M.D.
Professor and Director
Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Carol Mathews, M.D.
Associate Professor
University of California, San Francisco
Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute
San Francisco, CA 94143-0984

These physicians appear on a list of investigators interested in Tourette Syndrome. They or their office may be able to point you in the right direction in California.

Does anyone know if the Risperidone could be not working as well after a few years?

You are referring to the phenomenon known as drug tolerance, where the effectiveness of a medication tends to decrease after a prolonged period of use, and/or requires increased dosage to maintain the same effect.

The research I have done does not reveal any literature indicating Resperidone can lead to drug tolerance. Others may have more to offer on this subject.

 

[NicNak]

Does anyone know if the Risperidone could be not working as well after a few years?

The research I have done does not reveal any literature indicating Resperidone can lead to drug tolerance. Others may have more to offer on this subject.

Hi DsMom.

I checked before replying, but if I am wrong, please correct. Thank you.

I was on Risperidal and from what I read it is name brand of Risperidone it seems.

Four years ago I was taking .5mg of Risperidal as add on for helping me with OCD related racing and intrusive thoughts. I never did during that time have the symtoms return, although when I went off the Risperidal the symptoms still were away. It doesn't appear I had any tolorance build up as I never had to increase the dosage either.

I found the side effects of Risperidal to be a lot less than I had expected, considering it is an anti psychotic. I was able to adapt to it quite easily after a few months.

I say this strictly from a patient prospective as I am not a doctor/psychologist etc.

Again, if I have the wrong medication I apologize.

I hope that the sources that TSOW gave you are helpful.

Also wanting to say how wonderful of a Mom you sound to be. Your son I am sure is very greatful to have your support and help through this. :support:

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I was on Risperidal and from what I read it is name brand of Risperidone it seems.

That's correct, NN.

 

[DsMom]

Just un update.

I found three specialist in and around our area. Of course being it's the Thanksgiving holiday it will be the first thing i do on Monday morning. Is make some calls. No one was open today.

My son is also having brain zaps! Anyone have those? I read it is from SSRI withdrawls. That would totally make sense. The Dr took him off prozac after almost 2 years. Then put him on Lexapro for a month and was taken off all together in a week. Possible?? Any one have an opinion??

Have a Good weekend everyone.
Dsmom

 

[David Baxter PhD]

The brain zaps could be a discontinuation effect from the Lexapro, although that would be unusual given how briefly he was taking lexapro. It's unlikely from the Prozac, since it has a very long half-life.

But it's best not to speculate. Talk to the doctors about this and the other issues. They'll be in a better position to judge.

 

[NicNak]

Hi DsMom. I am so happy you found some specialists in your area, that is a great start.

An idea I just had is maybe to write a point form journal for the appointment to let the doctors know of all of what your son has experienced. As well as all the different medications and the side effects he experienced.

During appointments I have done this because during the time, I can be forgetful. I gave the lists to the doctors.

I do this when I see new doctors so I do not forget things.

Please keep us posted on how your sons appointment goes on Friday.

 

[DsMom]

Thank you David and NicNak.
I do keep a record of everything that happens everyday.
Along with the meds and side effects. But i will make a special list for the new Dr. I hope we can get into see a specialist before Friday.

He has a good hour then a spell, i want to call it.
It is the strangest thing. His full body stiffins and shakes, his arms, hands, legs and feet. And he mumbles at the same time.

Almost like a seizure type thing. And his heart rate goes up and I can feel his heart pounding threw his chest.
Does anyone think i need to worry about this before he sees a Dr. Or does it sound like a tourett symptom??? I still keep wondering if it is just his brain all messed up from all the different meds he has been on in a one month time.
Thanks you all for being around. it does help to know theres others out there.
Dsmom

 

[Xelebes]

Hi DsMom.

I checked before replying, but if I am wrong, please correct. Thank you.

I was on Risperidal and from what I read it is name brand of Risperidone it seems.

Four years ago I was taking .5mg of Risperidal as add on for helping me with OCD related racing and intrusive thoughts. I never did during that time have the symtoms return, although when I went off the Risperidal the symptoms still were away. It doesn't appear I had any tolorance build up as I never had to increase the dosage either.

I found the side effects of Risperidal to be a lot less than I had expected, considering it is an anti psychotic. I was able to adapt to it quite easily after a few months.

I say this strictly from a patient prospective as I am not a doctor/psychologist etc.

Again, if I have the wrong medication I apologize.

I hope that the sources that TSOW gave you are helpful.

Also wanting to say how wonderful of a Mom you sound to be. Your son I am sure is very greatful to have your support and help through this. :support:

I find Risperdal doesn't create the side effects like others do in low doses. It's when you get into the mid to high level doses that the side effects become more of a problem. I'm on a low dose of Risperidal myself but I only have 8 or so months of exposure to the drug. There is a bit of tolerance effect with the drug, I find, but it still works. Just not as powerful as when I took it the first few weeks.

 

[Andy]

almost like a seizure type thing. And his heart rate goes up and I can feel his heart pounding threw his chest.

I haven't been reading the full thread as I cannot concentrate very long so forgive me it this is repetitive.
I was just wondering if you had made sure that he was not actually having seizures. In my opinion which is not medical but I have seen many people have seizures, that's what it sounds like to me. I know medications can cause some people to have seizures. If you haven't checked that out, I don't think it would be a bad idea so he doesn't have any damage.

Just my uneducated two cents. I hope you can figure out what's going on with your son:support:

 

[DsMom]

Thank you stp. They do seam a bit like seizures. I need to research that.
Sometimes when he does it it seams more like a touretts thing but others it seams a little weird to me. More like a seizure. And is totally fine in between.
I am so frustrated with the long holiday weekend.
Thanks again