Oral-facial dyskinesia: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if:

   • You are choking, cannot breathe normally, or your lips turn blue
   • You cannot swallow saliva or keep your airway clear
   • Sudden facial changes occur with weakness, numbness, severe imbalance, or trouble speaking
   • Severe muscle stiffness occurs with fever, confusion, or reduced alertness

   These symptoms may have a cause other than oral-facial dyskinesia and need immediate assessment.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek prompt medical advice if the movements are rapidly worsening, causing mouth injuries, interfering with speech, or making it difficult to eat or drink.

   New painful jaw, eye, or neck spasms soon after starting or increasing a medicine may be an acute dystonic reaction and should be assessed urgently.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine appointment if you develop repeated mouth, tongue, jaw, or facial movements, especially if you take or previously took an antipsychotic or a dopamine-blocking nausea medicine.

   An early review helps document the movement and consider possible causes.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Oral-facial dyskinesia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.