“Tongue movements?”
Hello. I'm 65, and the older I get, the more I move my tongue to the left and right of my mouth. I do it without thinking about it, but I can stop if I constantly think about it, and that's almost impossible. I've noticed over the years that a few other people do the same thing with their tongue, pretty much not thinking about it, like myself, and they're usually older folks. Is this possibly a symptom of tardive dyskinesia? It's a little embarrassing when I'm around other people.
Male | 65 years old
Complaint duration: many years
3 Answers
You are spot on, it could indeed be Tardive Dyskinesia (TD). The obvious question then is, have you ever taken dopamine-blocking drugs (most often anti-psychotics, but also, commonly, metaclopramide)?
Your tongue movements do sound like dyskinesias. Tardive means delayed. In the situation of long term use of medication used for treatment of schizophrenia, the uncontrolled movements occur as a delayed reaction to that long term use.
Other things can cause dyskinesias (which just means abnormal movements). Other medication that you take right now can do it. Various types of intoxication from medication or toxins can do it.
If these are a tardive dyskinesia, besides stopping the cause, if it can be identified, there are several medications available that can be used as treatment.
Other things can cause dyskinesias (which just means abnormal movements). Other medication that you take right now can do it. Various types of intoxication from medication or toxins can do it.
If these are a tardive dyskinesia, besides stopping the cause, if it can be identified, there are several medications available that can be used as treatment.
Hello,
It is hard to say without more information. Do you have Parkinson's and take medications or mood disorder and take meds? This could be some of the related causes. If not, sometimes stress and anxiety can do this, particularly if it affects JUST the tongue and not the mouth, lips, or other parts of your face and body. If you don't have any of the above problems or take Neuroleptic medications, then talk to your doctor and have him/her consider a Neurological evaluation to determine the cause and treatment.
Dr. F.
It is hard to say without more information. Do you have Parkinson's and take medications or mood disorder and take meds? This could be some of the related causes. If not, sometimes stress and anxiety can do this, particularly if it affects JUST the tongue and not the mouth, lips, or other parts of your face and body. If you don't have any of the above problems or take Neuroleptic medications, then talk to your doctor and have him/her consider a Neurological evaluation to determine the cause and treatment.
Dr. F.
