Posted by SLS on January 3, 2001, at 9:17:56
In reply to Re: serzone-Myasthenia Gravis ??, posted by mars on December 31, 2000, at 11:04:59
Hiya Mars.
It may have been a manifestation of a serotonin syndrome. Lithium has been known to induce serotonin syndrome when it is combined with a drug that has pro-serotoninergic properties. These would include:
Prozac - fluoxetine
Zoloft - sertraline
Luvox - fluvoxamine
Paxil - paroxetine
Celexa - citalopram
Serzone - nefazodone
Desyrel - trazodone
Anafranil - clomipramine
Nardil - phenelzine
Parnate - tranylcypromineIn addition, using any two of the drugs listed here has the potential to produce serotonin syndrome.
The leg thing is very reminiscent of something I experienced when I was taking a very powerful MAOI and using trazodone for sleep. I think it is likely that Parnate + lithium may have produced in you a mild serotonin syndrome that caused asthenia and/or changes in muscle tension making it difficult to walk.
Your doctors may have been wrong. While the Parnate + lithium combination may have been the culprit, it is generally a great combination when treating difficult cases. Perhaps you only needed 300mg-600mg.
- Scott> hiya ~
>
> About 3 years ago I started having a problem when walking ~ my legs, usually my left leg first, would become numb and I would eventually stop being able to walk. Quite frightening. I am a long-time, hard-core depressive, have been on almost every prescription antidepressant, anti-convulsant, augmentative, etc. available in the U.S. At the time I was on a very strong dose of Parnate and a fair amount of lithium. My pdoc dismissed the idea it was my meds, and a neurologist eventually diagnosed me with MG. While I was waiting (and waiting) to have the tensilon test I read as much about MG as I could and subscribed to several lists (one of them was out of Australia and was quite good). Preparing myself for the worst and hoping for the best, as they say. I would recommend checking out the sources on the 'net. I remember that lots of the folks on the Aussie list had a lot of knowledge about AD's and were really supportive.
>
> When I finally had the tensilon test I failed it! The neuro didn't know what was going on with me, and my pdoc (who is a cranky, cantankerous lady but who is great with meds) eventually reconsidered her dismissal and thought that the anticholinergic effects of Parnate might have something to do with it. I'm on a hefty dose of Effexor right now, and haven't had the MG symptoms for awhile, although I still have a lot of fatigue and weakness at times.
>
> Good luck. If you have trouble finding the MG lists post again and I'll help you find what's out there right now.
>
> mars
poster:SLS
thread:50304
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50814.html