Posted by Ritch on February 6, 2003, at 9:58:28
In reply to Muscle Pain/Stiffness/SSRI Question. Please Help!, posted by Mr.Scott on February 6, 2003, at 0:07:28
> Has anyone experience this and do they know the name or causality?
>
> When I take Lexapro or Zoloft or most other SSRI's at any dosage that is effective I experience fairly severe pains in all my large muscle groups. It resembles fibromylagia but is brought on by taking the SSRI's. My muscles particularly in my larger lower groups become stiff and they spasm, contract and hurt a great deal. Is this Dystonia a neurological side effect?
>
> I would say although I'm not sure and will try experiementing tonight, but I think benadryl, skeletal muscle relaxants, and Trileptal the Carbamazepine like anticonvulsant all help. Problem is...I'm not interested in taking multiple meds to extinguish the side effect caused by one.
>
> Can anyone offer some theories on what exactly is at work here?Hi Scott, I get similar things, but the SSRI-induced pain I get is primarily in my joints, an arthritis like aching (lower back, ankles-arthralgia). However, I do get stiff neck muscles too. Effexor seems to be the least troublesome pain-wise (no arthralgia), but I get more muscle stiffness in my shoulders and the muscles in the *sides* of my neck. There has been speculation that SSRI's create mild EPS due to interference with dopaminergic function. I wonder if it is also possible that the muscle tension is due to being "wired-up" by taking them (a GAD-like muscle tension thing). The more activating ones did give me the most muscle tension (esp. Prozac). Hope you get some more responses I would like to read them, too.---Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:139725
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030204/msgs/139786.html