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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blueberry on July 25, 2006, at 15:42:37
Tremors when doing certain movements, like when I pump the lever to squirt coffee in my cup my whole arm and body quivers. Sitting in a chair, if I lift my leg, my whole leg and body quivers. Hands tremble. Fingers bounce on the keyboard. If I bend over and then straighten up, I tremble and quiver everywhere. Head wants to twitch, sometimes side to side and sometimes up and down, depending on the movement preceding it.
Neck cramps and pains. Bicep pains. Leg calve cramps and pains. Legs that feel like they weigh 100 pounds each. Hip pains. The leg cramps and pains are pretty bad, almost paralysing at times, hard to walk.
The tremor stuff started with 2.5mg zyprexa and has intensified with the addition of 5mg prozac and 5mg lexapro.
The cramps and pains started after adding 5mg prozac to ongoing 2.5mg zyprexa and 5mg lexapro.
I think the zyprexa is causing tremors and the prozac is causing cramps and pains. But I was wondering if anyone knows what these side effects are. They are worrying me a lot and have not gone away as I get accustomed to the meds (4 weeks).
Posted by stargazer on July 25, 2006, at 21:33:56
In reply to What are these side effects I have?, posted by blueberry on July 25, 2006, at 15:42:37
It could be seritonin syndrome (link below) or tardive dyskinesia (TD), or both. Either one can give you abnormal twitching. Your meds need to be adjusted immediately.
http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/serotonin-syndrome.htm
Does everyone know about these two conditions? I keep reading posts the past few days where these conditions may be the cause of the side effects. Serotonin syndrome is caused by too much serotonin in your system from meds which affect this neurotransmittor. Many AD meds are now used in combination of other meds, thus increasing the risk of having SS.
TD is caused by antipsychotic meds and causes abnormal muscle spasms and involuntary movements.
Everyone should printout information on these two conditions if you take medications that affect the Serotonin system (SSRI's in particular, i.e. Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac and others) or if you are on antipsychotics (Zyprexa, Risperdal, etc). Consult your MD for medication changes if you suspect either condition.
SG
Posted by stargazer on July 25, 2006, at 21:44:44
In reply to Serotonin Syndrome or Tardive Dyskinesia, posted by stargazer on July 25, 2006, at 21:33:56
http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Tardive_Dyskinesia.htm
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2006, at 22:38:40
In reply to Tardive Dyskinesia Link, posted by stargazer on July 25, 2006, at 21:44:44
Blueberry I know you have said you are sensitive to meds and require low doses. If no fever I'd guess TD. Although I had the twitching muscles on cymbalta but not the others. Don't wait call the doc ASAP!!!!!! ps I wish you'd do the babblemail thing. Love Phillipa
Posted by xbunny on July 26, 2006, at 4:23:41
In reply to Serotonin Syndrome or Tardive Dyskinesia, posted by stargazer on July 25, 2006, at 21:33:56
>
> TD is caused by antipsychotic meds and causes abnormal muscle spasms and involuntary movements.Its my understanding that TD is caused by long term exposure to antipsychotics, hence the tardive part meaning late onset. In the OP's case the onset was on the introduction of the drug and hence would called Extrapyramidal Side Effects. Seems pretty odd that Zyprexa a drug with a low propensity to cause EPS and at a low dose would cause EPS.
Bunny
Posted by stargazer on July 26, 2006, at 8:11:08
In reply to Re: Serotonin Syndrome or Tardive Dyskinesia, posted by xbunny on July 26, 2006, at 4:23:41
You are correct and actually that's what the link in my email said, I just "spoke" before I had the information processed. Thanks for the clarification. SG
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 26, 2006, at 8:28:00
In reply to What are these side effects I have?, posted by blueberry on July 25, 2006, at 15:42:37
Could this possibly be Parkinson's disease??? I think i'd get into see a neurologist asap. If it were serotonin syndrome you would be super sick..vomting, flu-like symptoms. I guess TD is a possibilty, but i really think this may be Parkinson's. I wish you well.
Monte
Posted by yxibow on July 26, 2006, at 11:37:13
In reply to What are these side effects I have?, posted by blueberry on July 25, 2006, at 15:42:37
> Tremors when doing certain movements, like when I pump the lever to squirt coffee in my cup my whole arm and body quivers. Sitting in a chair, if I lift my leg, my whole leg and body quivers. Hands tremble. Fingers bounce on the keyboard. If I bend over and then straighten up, I tremble and quiver everywhere. Head wants to twitch, sometimes side to side and sometimes up and down, depending on the movement preceding it.
>
> Neck cramps and pains. Bicep pains. Leg calve cramps and pains. Legs that feel like they weigh 100 pounds each. Hip pains. The leg cramps and pains are pretty bad, almost paralysing at times, hard to walk.
>
> The tremor stuff started with 2.5mg zyprexa and has intensified with the addition of 5mg prozac and 5mg lexapro.
>
> The cramps and pains started after adding 5mg prozac to ongoing 2.5mg zyprexa and 5mg lexapro.
>
> I think the zyprexa is causing tremors and the prozac is causing cramps and pains. But I was wondering if anyone knows what these side effects are. They are worrying me a lot and have not gone away as I get accustomed to the meds (4 weeks).
>
>Hmm... my posting seemed to dissappear -- at any rate, while I would certainly check with my doctor fairly immediately because of the uncomfortableness of the sense, TD is not a likely event after 4 weeks.
EPS (side effects) are though, and if one is sensitive to a particular neuroleptic, it can be fairly severe, which is what I think is going on. A combination of movement created pseudoparkinsonism and extreme dystonia sounds like what you have, especially with the two drugs in combination.
I did have pseudoparkinsonism when I tried Zyprexa and even Seroquel does still produce a bit. Other agents also produce heavy amounts of tremor like Lithium, etc.
To better feelings
-- J
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