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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 susan Etterson on November 29, 1998, at 13:26:40
I am curious to hear from anyone who suffers from carpal tunnel syndrom and takes prozac.
I recently went on prozac (I have been on and off it for 8 years for short periods of time). I developed carpal tunnel 2 years ago and treat it through various therapies. In anycase, I have noticed since taking prozac (this time around) that it effects my carpal tunnel problem. My neck and shoulder muscles get very tight and this perhaps effects the nerves extending to my wrists and lower arms.
Has anyone heard of this before? Can anyone give me some advice? Is there another medication similar to prozac that doesn't cause a tightening of the muscles(Jaw,Neck,Shoulders)?
I appreciate any comments!!
Susan
Posted by Toby on November 30, 1998, at 10:39:27
In reply to Carpal Tunnel & Prozac, posted by susan Etterson on November 29, 1998, at 13:26:40
There have been several postings here about neck and jaw clenching and tightening due to SSRI's and Effexor. In some cases, a different SSRI relieved the problem, but in other cases all the SSRI's did it. You may just have to switch antidepressant classes altogether. Wellbutrin or Remeron or one of the TCA's like Pamelor, or if serotonin really seems to be the key for your depression, maybe Anafranil.
Posted by Betsy on April 23, 1999, at 12:41:22
In reply to Re: Carpal Tunnel & Prozac, posted by Toby on November 30, 1998, at 10:39:27
> There have been several postings here about
>neck and jaw clenching and tightening due to
>SSRI's and Effexor. In some cases, a different
>SSRI relieved the problem, but in other cases
>all the SSRI's did it. You may just have to
>switch antidepressant classes altogether.
>Wellbutrin or Remeron or one of the TCA's like
>Pamelor, or if serotonin really seems to be the
>key for your depression, maybe Anafranil.
I had never heard of this - amazing! (This is my
first time on psycho-babble... I'm impressed!)I've been taking prozac for 10 years now, and I
do have a problem with jaw clenching from time
to time - mainly stress induced.I HIGHLY reccomend massage therapy for relief.
Actually, I highly recommend it even if you
don't have such pains, as it is known to be a
mood enhancer.I see my therapist every 7-10 days for the last
year and I'm a whole new person. Even had my
dosage cut recently. I'm sure this is part of it.Good luck!
Posted by david on May 7, 1999, at 18:39:59
In reply to Re: Carpal Tunnel & Prozac, posted by Betsy on April 23, 1999, at 12:41:22
I have had a similar experience with SSRI's.There's a little known side effect called "cog-wheeling" where if you flex one wrist back and forth it doesn't move with the fluidity that it should instead it seems to have a ratchet like (cog wheel) movement. This could be causing complications with those who suffer from carpal tunnel. In my case the condition was worse with prozac and least noticeable with effexor, however I have since stoped taking all SSRI's and am on wellbutrin and buspar...we'll see how it goes...good luck..DaveG
Posted by Racer on May 8, 1999, at 0:01:14
In reply to Re: Carpal Tunnel & Prozac, posted by Toby on November 30, 1998, at 10:39:27
I had a similar problem with Serzone. Not just neck and shoulders, but my entire body was so clenched and tight that I could hardly function. Switching to Effexor XR made a difference for me.
BTW, I have CTS too.
Posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 2:55:57
In reply to Re: Carpal Tunnel & Prozac, posted by Toby on November 30, 1998, at 10:39:27
Medications like Prozac can cause muscle
side effects. I agree with Toby that you might
want to consider changing to another class of
medication that does not affect primarily serotonin
(i.e., Wellbutrin)> There have been several postings here about neck and jaw clenching and tightening due to SSRI's and Effexor. In some cases, a different SSRI relieved the problem, but in other cases all the SSRI's did it. You may just have to switch antidepressant classes altogether. Wellbutrin or Remeron or one of the TCA's like Pamelor, or if serotonin really seems to be the key for your depression, maybe Anafranil.
Posted by Elizabeth on May 10, 1999, at 8:32:16
In reply to Re: Carpal Tunnel & Prozac, posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 2:55:57
> Medications like Prozac can cause muscle
> side effects. I agree with Toby that you might
> want to consider changing to another class of
> medication that does not affect primarily
> serotonin (i.e., Wellbutrin)Mark, can you tell me anything about the mechanism of this side effect?
(Curious, as always)
Posted by Kris on May 19, 1999, at 20:03:45
In reply to Re: Carpal Tunnel & Prozac, posted by Toby on November 30, 1998, at 10:39:27
> There have been several postings here about neck and jaw clenching and tightening due to SSRI's and Effexor. In some cases, a different SSRI relieved the problem, but in other cases all the SSRI's did it. You may just have to switch antidepressant classes altogether. Wellbutrin or Remeron or one of the TCA's like Pamelor, or if serotonin really seems to be the key for your depression, maybe Anafranil.
Combination of Prozac and/or carpal tunnel may have caused the really unbearable cramping in shattered wrist. Hope some good research comes up to remove that problem for others. Meantime, physical therapy, no meat diet, and lots of water and walking are helping. Healthy body = healthier mind, I hope.
This is the end of the thread.
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