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Old Jan 20, 2013, 01:45 AM
Anonymous45023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cybermember View Post
You see, lately I've been experiencing a new side effect from my AP and it's really interfering with the quality of my life (jaw muscles are tight and I'm having trouble chewing). I've been on my AP for about 5 years. ... She also prescribes an antidepressant and sleep med for me so I'm not sure if she really would drop me. IDK. I just want this side effect to resolve so I can chew my food. ..
How long have you been taking the antidepressant? Why I ask is ... wouldn't it be kind of unusual to develop a side effect after so many years (the 5 years on the Geodon)?? And.... I've had this jaw-clenching you speak of, and it was because of a couple different ADs I was on. It's awful! The constant tension was bad enough, but most disconcerting was when I couldn't close my mouth right! Normally, teeth align a certain way so the back teeth come together, right? No could do. The front teeth would run into each other, keeping the back ones separated and off kilter to boot. Oooooh, how I'd try to relax and reposition. It just wouldn't happen. This was a very common state of affairs when a GP had me only on ADs (yeah, that went all kind of wrong in a lot of other ways too!). The only upside(!) of not having other meds was knowing the ADs were the culprit for sure (for me, that is).

Just throwing that out there because (as I read it) it seems a foregone conclusion that it's the Geodon. But maybe it isn't.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cybermember View Post
In a way you can call it wanting off meds if your willing to keep lowering your dose enough to where there is minimal side effects but are no longer at a therapeutic dose. But I don't know what that low threshold is for "why even bother taking any AP"...
I see your point. But. It still seems it really isn't wanting off meds, but wanting meds to not give you unacceptable side-effects. The side-effects are WHY you are lowering them, after all. (Unlike the BP MO like when I mess with them --because everything's all good -- don't need 'em now! Lol.) That you feel willing to go below a useful dosage is simply testament of how strongly you feel about the side effects. Not meds themselves.

Speaking in terms of side-effects is the way to go with your Pdoc.

You've got a good guess there about projection. (I, too, have a huge fear of getting in trouble -- no matter how unlikely, I will feel sure it is likely(!) Feel ya!) You will be fine. You are an adult meeting with them to discuss a completely valid concern. (Write that down and repeat to yourself if necessary. )
Thanks for this!
cybermember