Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a rare but potentially everlasting side effect of some antipsychotics and other medications after long-term use. However, there are several ways to treat and relieve symptoms. If you're ready to contemplate treatment on your TD, here's a guide to talking to your doctors concerning the physical and emotional effects of this condition. Talk to your doctor
You start by talking to the doctor who prescribed the medication that caused the condition. This might be your loved ones doctor or a specialist who treats you for a selected condition. There could also be a risk of TD as a side effect when taking multiple medications. The commonest include antipsychotics for various mental illnesses, gastrointestinal medications, antimalarial medications, and a few medications for neurological problems.
No matter which doctor you see, it is necessary to keep in mind that they prescribed the actual medication for a reason. So you must not stop taking it before talking to them.
Some questions that could be helpful to the doctor who prescribed the medication include:
- Why was I prescribed my medication?
- Do I still need this medication?
- Are there alternatives where TD just isn’t a possible side effect?
- If there are not any other options, would lowering my dose help?
- Do I even have some other risk aspects for TD besides taking this medication?
- Which of my symptoms are attributable to TD?
- Will these symptoms affect my every day life?
- How will stopping or changing the dosage of my medication affect the condition for which you prescribed it?
- What can I expect if I stop or change my medications?
- How much will a drugs change improve my TD symptoms?
If possible, your doctor will change, adjust, or stop your medications. Your dose may additionally be reduced slowly over time. Adjusting the medication that’s causing your TD often improves the symptoms and might sometimes even stop them completely. However, if this primary step doesn't help, there are other steps you’ll be able to take.
Speak to a TD specialist
If your doctor's medication change doesn't show you how to enough, you must speak to someone who has specific expertise on this condition. TD, a movement disorder, is a neurological problem. You can get help from a neurologist who focuses on movement disorders. Ask your doctor for a referral or seek for such a specialist online.
A movement disorder specialist can suggest a number of of the varied treatment options on your TD, including prescription medications, procedures, and dietary supplements.
Here's more about the several treatment options so you’ll be able to prepare to refer to the specialist about them:
Prescription drugs. Doctors may prescribe a drugs from a category of medicines called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors. They change the activity of certain chemicals in your brain that affect muscles, nerves, and movement. These medications include:
- Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)
- Valbenazine (Ingrezza)
- Deutetrabenazine (Austedo)
Procedure. There could also be some procedures available to you, but doctors are still researching them and don't have a considerable amount of data about their profit in individuals with TD. They include:
- Botulinum toxin, also called Botox, can temporarily paralyze the muscles in your face to stop involuntary movements.
- Deep brain stimulation, also called DBS, involves implanting an electrode into the brain where it could possibly stop involuntary movements.
Additions. Some vitamins or supplements may help improve TD symptoms. It's vital to know that researchers don't study supplements as intensively as they study prescription medications. Therefore, in comparison with the knowledge available about prescriptions, your doctor may not have as much details about how well they work. That doesn't mean that supplements don't work. It just means doctors may not know obviously.
Some supplements that limited data suggests may help with TD symptoms include:
- Vitamin E
- Ginkgo biloba
- Vitamin B6
Before trying any complement, ask your doctor whether it is secure. Although they can be found over-the-counter, they will still have dangerous interactions together with your other medications.
As you discuss treatment options together with your movement disorder specialist, you might need to ask a number of the following questions:
- Which treatment plan is best for my situation?
- How much do you’re thinking that this plan will improve my symptoms?
- Will the medications you recommend interact with the medications I'm already taking?
- What uncomfortable side effects does this treatment have?
- How often can I even have a symptom assessment to be sure that my treatment helps?
Speak to a mental health specialist
Treating physical symptoms just isn’t at all times enough to alleviate TD.
TD is different for everybody, but could make it difficult or unattainable to administer on a regular basis tasks resembling carrying groceries, speaking, eating, driving, dressing, and private hygiene. The condition may additionally make you desire to stay home alone to avoid the unwanted attention your involuntary movements in public might attract.
This impact in your quality of life can result in feelings of sadness, loneliness and stress. These might be made worse by a pre-existing mental illness and any medication changes you will have made to treat your movement disorder.
If all of this happens, you might need to speak to a mental health skilled. If you don't have one yet, ask your doctor for a referral.
When meeting with a mental health skilled for the primary time, you might need to ask a number of the following questions:
- What can I expect from my recent medication change – any mental health changes?
- How can I take care of the emotional impact of TD?
- How can I take care of the impact of TD on my every day life?
- Are there any local or virtual TD support groups you recommend?
TD just isn’t a simple diagnosis. It takes a physical and emotional toll. However, there’s treatment that may also help with each the physical and emotional symptoms. Don't wait to refer to your doctors about your TD symptoms. The sooner you get help, the higher you’ll feel.