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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sherpa1 on September 20, 2010, at 22:50:51
Hi all,
Wondering if anyone can help me out?
Been on SSRI's for many years and they do help.
Unfortunately 4 years ago I began experiencing muscle twitches and cramping. It is definitely related to the SSRI through trial and error.
Is this related to a drop in dopamine and can any med help with this? (other than an anticholinergic)
My Psych is positive it isn't serotonin syndrome
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 21, 2010, at 5:25:32
In reply to ssri and dopamin, posted by Sherpa1 on September 20, 2010, at 22:50:51
I'm not an expert or anything, but it sounds either like low-level Parkinson's caused by the meds or a mild case of tardive dykinesia/dystonia. Does it go away when you're not on an ssri? I read somewhere that adding or switching to wellbutrin and/or a stimulant can help with ssri-induced parkinson's. If its a movement disorder, you'd probably be better off tapering off the ssri and adding in stuff like vitamin e, b6, niacinamide, melatonin.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2010, at 10:35:23
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by Christ_empowered on September 21, 2010, at 5:25:32
You mean you can get Parkinson's from SSRI's? How can that be? I didn't think SSRI's affected dopamine just serotonin? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 21, 2010, at 11:48:48
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2010, at 10:35:23
Just from what little I've read, it does seem possible to get side effects like akathisia, tremor, and sometimes tardive dyskinesia from SSRI-type drugs. If I recall correctly, the serotonin and dopamine systems in the brain are interrelated, and sometimes when you increase serotonin levels dramatically, as with an ssri, the dopamine system reacts by reducing output (I think that's how it works--not sure, though). That's one reason people feel "dulled" on SSRIs; its kind of like taking a low-dose stimulant+ a neuroleptic, at least that's what Glenmullen and some other shrinks have compared SSRI drugs to.
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2010, at 20:19:57
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by Christ_empowered on September 21, 2010, at 11:48:48
I just don't understand these neurotransmitters. And what happened to my babblemail? Phillipa
Posted by Sherpa1 on September 21, 2010, at 22:57:42
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by Christ_empowered on September 21, 2010, at 5:25:32
> I'm not an expert or anything, but it sounds either like low-level Parkinson's caused by the meds or a mild case of tardive dykinesia/dystonia. Does it go away when you're not on an ssri? I read somewhere that adding or switching to wellbutrin and/or a stimulant can help with ssri-induced parkinson's. If its a movement disorder, you'd probably be better off tapering off the ssri and adding in stuff like vitamin e, b6, niacinamide, melatonin.
>
> Good luck.Hi there,
Thanks for the reply. From the bit of reading I've done I was actually wondering about SSRI induced parkinsons. The problems do definitely decrease as I reduce the SSRI.
Maybe I'll talk to my doc about trying Wellbutrin. Thanks again!
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 22, 2010, at 5:20:07
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2010, at 20:19:57
hey. I tried to babblemail, but I still can't figure out how to get into babblemail, and I didn't see a "how-to" or FAQ section. How do I do it? I haven't used babblemail in years.
Posted by bulldog2 on September 22, 2010, at 17:06:14
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by Christ_empowered on September 21, 2010, at 5:25:32
> I'm not an expert or anything, but it sounds either like low-level Parkinson's caused by the meds or a mild case of tardive dykinesia/dystonia. Does it go away when you're not on an ssri? I read somewhere that adding or switching to wellbutrin and/or a stimulant can help with ssri-induced parkinson's. If its a movement disorder, you'd probably be better off tapering off the ssri and adding in stuff like vitamin e, b6, niacinamide, melatonin.
>
> Good luck.You can also use a dopamine agonist such as mirapex or requip. Work very well.
Posted by bulldog2 on September 22, 2010, at 17:10:35
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by Christ_empowered on September 21, 2010, at 5:25:32
> I'm not an expert or anything, but it sounds either like low-level Parkinson's caused by the meds or a mild case of tardive dykinesia/dystonia. Does it go away when you're not on an ssri? I read somewhere that adding or switching to wellbutrin and/or a stimulant can help with ssri-induced parkinson's. If its a movement disorder, you'd probably be better off tapering off the ssri and adding in stuff like vitamin e, b6, niacinamide, melatonin.
>
> Good luck.go to this link...its the register link...scroll down to where it says babblemail settings and it will explain how to turn it on
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2010, at 19:50:30
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin » Christ_empowered, posted by bulldog2 on September 22, 2010, at 17:10:35
Bulldog is a sweetie still no mail though? Phillipa so you're back?
Posted by Sherpa1 on September 22, 2010, at 22:27:31
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by bulldog2 on September 22, 2010, at 17:06:14
> > I'm not an expert or anything, but it sounds either like low-level Parkinson's caused by the meds or a mild case of tardive dykinesia/dystonia. Does it go away when you're not on an ssri? I read somewhere that adding or switching to wellbutrin and/or a stimulant can help with ssri-induced parkinson's. If its a movement disorder, you'd probably be better off tapering off the ssri and adding in stuff like vitamin e, b6, niacinamide, melatonin.
> >
> > Good luck.
>
> You can also use a dopamine agonist such as mirapex or requip. Work very well.Thanks,
I'll look into that as well. I've been looking into anti-parkinson agents but wasn't familiar with the different types. This helps---gives me some hope--to be able to use SSRI's effectively again
Posted by Conundrum on September 22, 2010, at 23:29:27
In reply to ssri and dopamin, posted by Sherpa1 on September 20, 2010, at 22:50:51
Yes, probably. Switch to wellbutrin if you can. Don't take antipsychotics. Thats the quick answer. lol
> Hi all,
> Wondering if anyone can help me out?
> Been on SSRI's for many years and they do help.
> Unfortunately 4 years ago I began experiencing muscle twitches and cramping. It is definitely related to the SSRI through trial and error.
> Is this related to a drop in dopamine and can any med help with this? (other than an anticholinergic)
> My Psych is positive it isn't serotonin syndrome
>
Posted by bulldog2 on September 23, 2010, at 7:33:09
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by Sherpa1 on September 22, 2010, at 22:27:31
> > > I'm not an expert or anything, but it sounds either like low-level Parkinson's caused by the meds or a mild case of tardive dykinesia/dystonia. Does it go away when you're not on an ssri? I read somewhere that adding or switching to wellbutrin and/or a stimulant can help with ssri-induced parkinson's. If its a movement disorder, you'd probably be better off tapering off the ssri and adding in stuff like vitamin e, b6, niacinamide, melatonin.
> > >
> > > Good luck.
> >
> > You can also use a dopamine agonist such as mirapex or requip. Work very well.
>
> Thanks,
> I'll look into that as well. I've been looking into anti-parkinson agents but wasn't familiar with the different types. This helps---gives me some hope--to be able to use SSRI's effectively againYes I've read of some patients able to feel the flatness leave and feel emotion again on requip or mirpapex in combo with an ssri. Worth a try. In some cases libido returned also.
Posted by creepy on September 23, 2010, at 14:26:22
In reply to ssri and dopamin, posted by Sherpa1 on September 20, 2010, at 22:50:51
Ive been on SSRIs since '99 or so. I think theyve been the cause of the fatigue Im getting lately. Ive tried stopping celexa but the fatigue persists and the docs Ive seen can give me no answers.
I noticed that muscle aches and fatigue followed the dose of the SSRI. Also the weight gain and carb craving. I was even able to get the 'low blood sugar shakes' to follow dose increases when I experimented with it.
Have tried a small dose of topamax which seemed to help the cravings and briefly helped the muscle aches and fatigue. May have been due to it helping depression? who knows this is all so complex.
Id suggest getting an endocrinologist to check you out if you experience fatigue also.I think these drugs do something with metabolism and it hasnt gotten much research.
Posted by Sherpa1 on September 23, 2010, at 19:41:40
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by Conundrum on September 22, 2010, at 23:29:27
Thanks for the advice. Good to hear from people who understand the problem.
I've talked to many physicians and most just look at me funny and shrug their shoulders.
Posted by Sherpa1 on September 23, 2010, at 19:43:19
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by bulldog2 on September 23, 2010, at 7:33:09
Sounds promising.
Posted by Sherpa1 on September 23, 2010, at 19:46:04
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by creepy on September 23, 2010, at 14:26:22
I agree, all this stuff is very complex. Seems like a big chemistry experiment at times. Hopefully does more good than harm--with the right combinations.
Posted by Conundrum on September 24, 2010, at 8:04:10
In reply to Re: ssri and dopamin, posted by creepy on September 23, 2010, at 14:26:22
Sounds like Celexa is too selective for you. The same problem happens to people on Lexapro. You might consider switching to nefazodone(if you can get it), or venlafaxine. The increase in norepinephrine and dopamine should help prevent some fatigue. I'm guessing you've already tried adding wellbutrin without much luck?
> Ive been on SSRIs since '99 or so. I think theyve been the cause of the fatigue Im getting lately. Ive tried stopping celexa but the fatigue persists and the docs Ive seen can give me no answers.
> I noticed that muscle aches and fatigue followed the dose of the SSRI. Also the weight gain and carb craving. I was even able to get the 'low blood sugar shakes' to follow dose increases when I experimented with it.
> Have tried a small dose of topamax which seemed to help the cravings and briefly helped the muscle aches and fatigue. May have been due to it helping depression? who knows this is all so complex.
> Id suggest getting an endocrinologist to check you out if you experience fatigue also.
>
> I think these drugs do something with metabolism and it hasnt gotten much research.
Posted by Maxime on September 25, 2010, at 15:41:58
In reply to for phillipa..., posted by Christ_empowered on September 22, 2010, at 5:20:07
> hey. I tried to babblemail, but I still can't figure out how to get into babblemail, and I didn't see a "how-to" or FAQ section. How do I do it? I haven't used babblemail in years.
>
>
>Here you go!
This site lets members send messages ("babblemail") directly to each other using just posting names. The messages are sent as email, but by the server, so the sender doesn't need to know the recipient's (and the recipient doesn't find out the sender's) email address. To give it a try, go to the babblemail form. If you want, test it out by sending a message to yourself. Babblemail is turned off by default. To turn it on (or off again), change your babblemail setting.
If you want a link directly to Setting just go into the FAQ of the site (top of site) and search and find Babble Mail.
This is the end of the thread.
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