What could be done to manage cervical dystonia and anxiety?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been suffering from cervical dystonia and anxiety. I have been on tablet Venlafaxine for the past 20 years to treat severe depression. I weaned off the medicine two years ago. My neurologist asked me to start taking the tablet Venlafaxine as the anxiety is worsening my dystonia. I am worried about the side effects of the medication such as tardive dyskinesia. I cannot tolerate SSRIs and am unsure about the tablet Duloxetine. I am currently using a Fostair inhaler, Oestrogen gel, and capsule Utrogestan. What should I do?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query.

I read your query and understand your concern.

I suggest you to follow a few instructions mentioned below.

1. Take tablet Clonazepam (Benzodiazepine) along with tablet Tetrabenazine (vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors). This combination of drugs will improve both anxiety and cervical dystonia.

2. If you do not tolerate the above-mentioned drugs, you can take tablet Venlafaxine (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) or tablet Duloxetine (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) as they do not usually cause dystonia.

3. You can also take Botox injections in combination with tablets Venlafaxine or Duloxetine.

Kindly consult a specialist, talk to them and take medications with their consent.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.