Haldal side affect?

[seizeacure]

:confused:

During a recent hospitalization for post traumatic Stress disorder (I also have a seizure disorder and treatment resistant depression) I was started on haldal. The Dr hoped that it would minimize the flashbacks and nightmares. It has worked great. The problem is I think it may be causing a couple side affects that I am having a hard time handling. I am also on cogentin to fight the side affects of the Haldal. I'm noticing 3 seperate problems, which appeared at approx. the same time as I started these two drugs.

1 Jaw locking (I know this is a side affect of the haldal) I can easily live with this side affect if the flashbacks and nightmares are controlled, which they are

2. Swelling of the joints again, I can tolerate this because of the benefits but I'm concerned that the swelling is a sign of something else ie heart problems?

3. extreme knee pain when I try to stand from a sitting position. This pain has gotten so bad that it woke me up at 4am this morning. This is the side affect that needs to be corrected for me to be able to function completely. This is not listed as a side affect of either of the meds. Have any of you experienced this side affect? What did you do about it? I really don't want to stop the haldal but I can't be crawling around the Church (I'm a Christian Education Director) trying to find the least uncomfortable way to stand up.

Thanks for your help! Annmarie

[Nana4&cntn]

Annmarie,

I am not a doctor. But have worked with many people who have had to take Haldol. The only times I have seen it used is as a heavy sedative, and for psychotic episodes.

The jaw locking is a side effect that can become permanent with long use.

[Dejibo]

I am very hard to sedate, and on an MRI done a year ago, they gave me LOTS of anti anxiety meds that did nothing. They were amazed! then they said the standard of care leads them to Haldol next. I was leary, but really needed the MRI, and was kinda freaking out.

it worked for about 20 minutes, and I was able to do the MRI. For the next few hours I was extremely sleepy and out in la la land. After hour number 2 I was beside myself. I HAD to lay down, and as soon as I got there and settled, I HAD to get up! I would get up and wander a minute, and then i HAD to go lay down! this cirlce went on for about 12 hours. my husband was freaking out. After hour 12 I could stay down, or up for longer periods of time, but it was bizairre and exhausting.

I swore I would never ever allow anyone to give me that drug again. The next MRI I went for, I received an apology from the staff. They told me that they no longer use Haldol as a standard treatment for those that are hard to keep down. That MANY had the exact same issue, and the recovery was so dramatic and stressful, they chose to not ever use it again there.

I do know that an anti histamine can help the side effects of haldol, but when you are suffering, its just a miserable place to be.