Posted by scott-d-o on January 21, 2004, at 2:49:10
In reply to Re: Jaw Clenching meds, posted by Girl1969 on January 20, 2004, at 11:34:52
Try lowering your dose of Geodon. I assume you at least started out at 20mg? In my experience lower doses of antipsychotics actually help with jaw clenching since they cause the release of dopamine which inhibits involuntary movements such as this. Buspar has a structure which closely resembles an antipsychotic and is often used to combat SSRI-induced bruxism.
I would say try to go as low as possible on the Geodon. I found it to be a potent antipsychotic and I'm surprised they don't make capsules smaller than 20mg. You may even want to try splitting the capsule in half and pouring out half the powder for a 10mg dose.
Another option is to try taking the OTC antihistamine, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is the active ingredient in almost all OTC sleep aids. It is an anticholinergic medication (specifically, a muscarinic antagonist), this should be helpful as well since acetylcholine opposes dopamine, and it is this excitatory neurotransmitter which is causing your problem. Start out at 25mg at night and go as high as 75mg. It causes drowsiness at first but most become tolerant to this effect very quickly.
poster:scott-d-o
thread:301883
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040118/msgs/303579.html