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What Causes Involuntary Body Movements In A Dementia Patient?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Oct 2016
Question: my Mom has advanced dementia and has four meds that she's taken for years for congestive heart failure and arthritis. They are tramadol 50mg 2x, carvedilol 3.125 2x, Meloxicam 2x and Seroquel 1x.

Beginning Thurs evening Mom began opening and closing her mouth erratically and moving her left arm uncontrollably. It has subsided some each day but is still occurring throughout the day and night. She is eating and drinking as before. This happened one other time about 4 years ago and the dr thought there'd been a medication mix up. That time the effects were even stronger than this time. Wondering if this is related to advanced dementia or the meds. Appreciate any info. XXXX
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
could be both...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

patients with advanced dementia may sometimes move strangely and repeatedly, so this is something to consider. Her drugs can also be blamed for it particularly seroquel. Seroquel may cause involuntary movements. Movements of the tongue and mouth are very characteristic but other movements are also possible.

Perhaps a video of her would help me to understand her situation better. You can upload it somewhere and provide the link. Perhaps you should talk about it with the treating doctor. She may benefit from substituting seroquel with clozapin and taking some vitamin E. In some patients no comfort can be found.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3818 Questions

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What Causes Involuntary Body Movements In A Dementia Patient?

Brief Answer: could be both... Detailed Answer: Hello, patients with advanced dementia may sometimes move strangely and repeatedly, so this is something to consider. Her drugs can also be blamed for it particularly seroquel. Seroquel may cause involuntary movements. Movements of the tongue and mouth are very characteristic but other movements are also possible. Perhaps a video of her would help me to understand her situation better. You can upload it somewhere and provide the link. Perhaps you should talk about it with the treating doctor. She may benefit from substituting seroquel with clozapin and taking some vitamin E. In some patients no comfort can be found. I hope it helps! Kind Regards!