Relaxation techniques may help TD

May 15, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: About 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia, also known as TD. My tongue moved (wiggled) involuntary, continuously. A doctor said it would continue the rest of my life.

This was distressing so I decided to fight it. I pressed my tongue tightly in my mouth to stop the movement. Then one morning I awoke and realized my tongue wasn’t moving. Then it started moving immediately. I thought perhaps it didn’t move when it was in a state of relaxation.

During childbirth classes, I learned the technique of relaxing. When I relaxed my tongue with a conscious effort, it stopped moving. Eventually, the movement stopped.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , , ,

Drugs linked to dyskinesia

January 30, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Do you have any information on tardive dyskinesia? My husband has it, and there seems to be little known about it.
DEAR READER: Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological condition brought on by long-term use of neuroleptic drugs generally prescribed for psychiatric, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. It is characterized by involuntary, repetitive motions, often occurring at inappropriate times. These may include rapid eye, leg or arm movements, grimacing, lip smacking and/or protrusion of the tongue. Older women are most susceptible; however, the condition most commonly affects people of any age following 24 months of drug therapy. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: