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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 10:10:26
Hi All,
I'm having what feels like muscle weakness and some jerking/twitching in my legs. It's involuntary, and sometimes it's very light and feels like a slight twitch, but at times, it's very pronounced, and my legs literally kicked backwards involuntary in bed.
Has anyone had this or know what it is? I'm guessing it's a side effect...
Thanks,
b
Posted by phidippus on October 30, 2012, at 11:19:12
In reply to Twitching, posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 10:10:26
Hi!
The twitches could be myoclonus, usually a side effect of certain medications.
If the twitching happens mostly at night and you have a desire to move your legs, it could be restless legs syndrome.
Mirapex and Requip can both treat this.
Eric
Posted by enndub on October 30, 2012, at 11:23:37
In reply to Twitching, posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 10:10:26
> Hi All,
>
> I'm having what feels like muscle weakness and some jerking/twitching in my legs. It's involuntary, and sometimes it's very light and feels like a slight twitch, but at times, it's very pronounced, and my legs literally kicked backwards involuntary in bed.
>
> Has anyone had this or know what it is? I'm guessing it's a side effect...
>
> Thanks,
> bThis definitely can be a side effect of some meds. I had this very bad for a month or so on Nardil, it eventually went away for the most part. What meds are you on?
Nick
Posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 11:46:00
In reply to Re: Twitching, posted by enndub on October 30, 2012, at 11:23:37
Hi Nick,
I'm on Lexapro 20 mg and Lithium 450 mg. I was taking Tramadol 50 mg and stopped recently. I've been taking all of these for a while.
I just started Suboxone 2 mg and I think that's when the twitching started. My pdoc put me on it to help with depression and anxiety (I've taken it before and it helped my mood). I had a problem w/substance abuse (particularly benzos) in the past, so he's more comfortable with giving me Sub than a benzo. (He actually won't prescribe a benzo because of my history, which is driving me crazy because I'd like to use Klonopin as a mood stabilizer.)
I've gotten to a point where I want to keep it as simple as possible w/meds. I don't like the side effects that come along with mood stabilizers, APs, etc., and I'm sick of the trials and finding the right dose, etc.
Anyway, now I have the twitching/jerking thing going on.
Thanks for responding.
Posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 11:52:22
In reply to Re: Twitching » brynb, posted by phidippus on October 30, 2012, at 11:19:12
> Hi!
>
> The twitches could be myoclonus, usually a side effect of certain medications.
>
> If the twitching happens mostly at night and you have a desire to move your legs, it could be restless legs syndrome.
>
> Mirapex and Requip can both treat this.
>
> EricHi Eric,
Unfortunately it's not just at night, and it's totally involuntary. I'm just worried that it's a sign of something more serious.
Thanks for your input.
-b
Posted by phidippus on October 30, 2012, at 12:01:46
In reply to Re: Twitching » phidippus, posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 11:52:22
What meds are you taking again?
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2012, at 12:02:10
In reply to Re: Twitching » enndub, posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 11:46:00
I thought restless leg syndrome also but if just stopped three meds is it withdrawal? Or did I read incorrectly? Phillipa
Posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 16:17:22
In reply to Re: Twitching » brynb, posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2012, at 12:02:10
Current:
Lexapro 20 mg
lithium 450 mg
Suboxone 2 mgI've been on lithium and Lexapro for a while. Suboxone is new--I've only been on it for two weeks. My pdoc is trying it in place of using a benzo. It helps my mood, but it doesn't really help anxiety (only in that my anxiety is a bit better when my mood is better). The only drug I stopped recently is Tramadol. I was thinking that maybe it was withdrawal from Tramadol, but I took it a few times recently and it didn't affect the twitching.
The twitching isn't just in my legs--it's everywhere--but it's more pronounced in my legs.
Thanks,
bryn
Posted by phidippus on October 30, 2012, at 17:13:46
In reply to Re: Twitching, posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 16:17:22
Lithium is the culprit usually when it comes to twitching, but you've been on it for awhile.
You just started Suboxone, but you've been on that before.
I think you need to see your doctor.
Eric
Posted by rjlockhart37 on October 30, 2012, at 17:50:31
In reply to Re: Twitching » brynb, posted by phidippus on October 30, 2012, at 17:13:46
there's something that's wellknown to most docs for this but usally its given when antipsychotics are used with their side effects. Its Cogentin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzatropinebut still there are alot of things that could be causing this...what exactly happens when it comes...just give me a little detail and ill research it.
r
Posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 18:34:57
In reply to Re: Twitching » brynb, posted by phidippus on October 30, 2012, at 17:13:46
> Lithium is the culprit usually when it comes to twitching, but you've been on it for awhile.
>
> You just started Suboxone, but you've been on that before.
>
> I think you need to see your doctor.
>
> EricThanks, Eric. I've been on Sub before, but it was a long time ago. I don't remember having twitches, though. I'll speak to my pdoc this week.
Posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 18:55:45
In reply to Re: Twitching, posted by rjlockhart37 on October 30, 2012, at 17:50:31
> there's something that's wellknown to most docs for this but usally its given when antipsychotics are used with their side effects. Its Cogentin.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzatropine
>
> but still there are alot of things that could be causing this...what exactly happens when it comes...just give me a little detail and ill research it.
>
> rHi rj,
I can't describe it as anything but involuntary twitching and at times, jerking. My entire body jerked as I tried to fall asleep last night. It's completely involuntary and seems to happen out of nowhere (and it happens at any time-day or night). I was thinking it could be opiate withdrawal--maybe from stopping Tramadol? Either that, or somehow related to Subxone...
Thanks again.
b
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 30, 2012, at 20:12:22
In reply to Re: Twitching » rjlockhart37, posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 18:55:45
I used to take tramadol w/o an Rx while in an unmedicated psychotic haze. I thought it would help. It did, a little bit.Anyway, when I ran out, I was weirdly giddy, anxious, and twitchy. Maybe the sudden end to tramadol treatment is to blame?
Posted by phillipa on October 30, 2012, at 21:02:41
In reply to Re: Twitching, posted by Christ_empowered on October 30, 2012, at 20:12:22
Bryn call your doc. It feels like playing Russian Roulette to try and diagnose on here. Phillipa
Posted by rjlockhart37 on October 30, 2012, at 21:36:35
In reply to Twitching, posted by brynb on October 30, 2012, at 10:10:26
ok....came up with something called myoclonus which is exactly what your having....there's another term but its associated with side effects from antipsychotics usally the older ones.
i ran across this...
"chemical or drug poisoning, as a side effect of certain drugs (such as tramadol[2] and quinolones), or other disorders."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoclonus
GABA medications....benzos, depakote, click the link...read the section for treatment, its detailed. then talk to your doc....if its a couple weeks or months that's a sign to get it checked out.
r
Posted by brynb on October 31, 2012, at 16:54:04
In reply to Re: Twitching, posted by phillipa on October 30, 2012, at 21:02:41
> Bryn call your doc. It feels like playing Russian Roulette to try and diagnose on here. Phillipa
Thanks, Phillipa. I called him today and I'm glad I did. Seems more complicated than I initially thought.
Thanks again!
B
Posted by brynb on October 31, 2012, at 17:14:52
In reply to Re: Twitching, posted by rjlockhart37 on October 30, 2012, at 21:36:35
> ok....came up with something called myoclonus which is exactly what your having....there's another term but its associated with side effects from antipsychotics usally the older ones.
>
> i ran across this...
> "chemical or drug poisoning, as a side effect of certain drugs (such as tramadol[2] and quinolones), or other disorders."
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoclonus
>
> GABA medications....benzos, depakote, click the link...read the section for treatment, its detailed. then talk to your doc....if its a couple weeks or months that's a sign to get it checked out.
>
> rThanks, rj. That was very helpful. I spoke to my doctor today and I think he's thinking along the lines of this. Thanks again!
-b
Posted by phillipa on October 31, 2012, at 18:09:21
In reply to Re: Twitching » phillipa, posted by brynb on October 31, 2012, at 16:54:04
Bryn read the article sounds like tramodol? Phillipa
Posted by brynb on November 1, 2012, at 21:48:58
In reply to Re: Twitching » brynb, posted by phillipa on October 31, 2012, at 18:09:21
> Bryn read the article sounds like tramodol? Phillipa
I initially though it was Tramadol too, but my pdoc doesn't think it's related to that. Hoping to figure it out soon...
Posted by phillipa on November 2, 2012, at 18:44:23
In reply to Re: Twitching » phillipa, posted by brynb on November 1, 2012, at 21:48:58
Strange figure it out yet? Phillipa
Posted by brynb on November 3, 2012, at 20:02:42
In reply to Re: Twitching » brynb, posted by phillipa on November 2, 2012, at 18:44:23
> Strange figure it out yet? Phillipa
Hi Phillipa,
Thanks for checking in. It's gotten better actually; either that, or it's being overshadowed by another bad sinus infection and bout of depression! Ugh. I'm seeing my doctor again this week. Hoping these will all resolve soon. I'm trying to harness the power of positive thinking. Fingers crossed.
Hope you're well,
b
Posted by phillipa on November 3, 2012, at 21:37:32
In reply to Re: Twitching » phillipa, posted by brynb on November 3, 2012, at 20:02:42
Bryn I'm sorry. All this bad news in US kind of has me down. So many tragedies. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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