Posted by Ritch on June 6, 2002, at 23:43:15
In reply to Re: Ondansetron for Psychotropic-Induced Memory Loss? » Ritch, posted by Rick on June 6, 2002, at 21:58:48
> Mitch -
>
> Interesting. I didn't know SSRI's could cause acid reflux. I'd imagine that's a fairly uncommon side effect, as opposed to things like nausea and diahrrea. And I never would have guessed Ondansetron or Remeron would treat reflux!
>
> Do you find the ususal meds completely ineffective for GERD? Proton Pump Inhibitors like Prilosec seem pretty effective for most people, at least for awhile (more on that in a moment).
>
> Was/is your GERD the kind with the classic heartburn and fire-in-the-throat symptoms, or of a different nature? I'm curious because even though Prilosec has been a "wonder drug" for me for years, for the last few months I've been suffering from this out-of-control, relentless, feel-like-I'm-choking-to-death postnasal crap, and the ENT guys swear it's due to GERD -- even though the classic burning and piercing sensations are rarely in evidence anymore and I'm down 40 pounds.
>
> RickRick,
Celexa is the SSRi that causes the worst reflux for me. Prozac probably a close 2nd. Zoloft didn't bug me that way very much, however. Paxil and Luvox I never took for very long to get a clear correlation (the "GERD" I have is the classic symptoms you mention). I have never tried Prilosec. I was on some Prevacid a year or so ago and it worked really well. But it was $$expensive and I found if I just take some OTC H2-antagonist it works almost as well. However, if I don't take an SSRI-I don't need an H2-antagonist! Wow, "relentless choking-to-death postnasal crap", do you mean burning, or does it seem like a smooth muscle spasm or something? I mention that, because I know two other people who are on different SSRI's and they seem to choke on food easily (not big-time choke-but needing to clear their throat at times while they eat). I speculate that it is a mild EPS-like symptom (dysphagia), from the mild dopamine interference of SSRI's. My throat muscles also feel "tight" (lump in throat) with SSRI's, with exception to Zoloft (and it mildly inhibits DA reuptake), but it messes up my bottom "half" (diarrhea, restless legs). If the ENT's "insist" that it is GERD reflux symptoms... You might try adding a little Remeron (that is if you can stand it), and see how it affects your GI symptoms. The 5-HT3 receptors are most prominent in the GUT, that is why I replied to your post originally. I did hear about Odansentron being used in a study to reduce alcohol cravings as well (a TV report). If it can change mental cravings-well, there must be more to the story than just the GI tract.
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:108846
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/109014.html