Bear with me, please. I’ve been tentatively diagnosed with Tardive Dyskinesia and essential tremors. The neuro believes the symptoms were started by long-term antipsychotics. I wasn’t titrated at all onto Abilify after changing from Seroquel. I wasn’t stepped down from Seroquel correctly either. I was a long-term user of Seroquel/Lithium for PTSD/BiPolar/depression. I also am off lithium. The VA doctor put me on a starting 20mg dose of Abilify. It was way too high; I found that out after my TD diagnosis. I am on Amantadine x2 and Baclofen x1 for hip/facial/mouth/leg movements. The current two meds work as advertised. The only side effects are dry mouth and some nausea 2-4 hours after taking Amantadine.
I went off my Seroquel after the TD diagnosis and believe I was going through withdrawals. I wasn’t sleeping after two weeks so I let my doctors know I was starting back at a low dose so I could get more sleep. During that time of withdrawal, I developed an intense electric buzzing feeling in my upper back, middle, and lumbar regions. It occurred randomly between the 3 areas, predominantly at night. We guessed it was probably the nerves and dopamine firing back up after stopping the chronic use of psych meds. I started being awakened by a rapid bubbly feeling around 3 or 4 am. I could feel the vibrations from those tremors or whatever they were throughout my body. My neurologist didn’t have an answer for me concerning that issue.
Two weeks after being back on the low dose Seroquel the bubbly fast fasciculations are spreading to my arms and legs or so it feels like. It happens bilaterally. I have old shoulder injuries on both sides that I’m putting off getting repaired. I also have arthritis in my hips, knees, and shoulders. The rapid fasciculations don’t hurt and I feel no muscle pain when the sensations happen. It makes it hard to fall back asleep for long periods though. I get spasms in my facial muscles too. It feels like my jaw tremors. Those occur only for a brief period and intermittently. Very confusing and concerning. Some days I get a generalized uneasy feeling. The amantadine and baclofen don’t have any effect on the fasciculations.
I had an EMG and nerve conduction study to determine the cause of numbness and tingling in my legs. The tests revealed generalized peripheral neuropathy. I’ve been exposed to many burn pits, traveled, and worked in countries where living conditions are terrible. My A1C was high for many years. I feel undiagnosed sleep apnea for many years also contributes to the issues I am having. I took stuff like nerve agent pills during the first Gulf War. During my time in the military, I had many shots for lack of a better term untested but were considered the best option. I also struggle with my weight since I am on a plethora of medications.
I have no resting tremors in my hands.My AIMS test was good. No gait/balance/coordination or strength issues. No spacitiy. No GI issues. No other issues PD-related. Possible medicine-induced Parkisoniam and the fasciculations concern me because I understand internal tremors can be an indication of PD. Any advice or experience with similar issues is appreciated. I’m trying hard to figure this out. I am 61.
Thank you