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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maxime on September 11, 2009, at 16:15:41
Hi, I stopped 100mg of Thorazine a couple of days ago. Since then my leg muscles hurt so much ... like I've walked miles and miles and miles. Why would this be?
Posted by bleauberry on September 11, 2009, at 17:26:38
In reply to Thorazine withdrawal, posted by Maxime on September 11, 2009, at 16:15:41
After 8 years on prozac and zyprexa, I weaned off prozac first, and experienced the same leg pains you describe. They lasted probably almost two months. After they were gone, for a very short time I tried to get back on prozac. Guess what, the pains came back doing that! Then stopping it, they intensified more for a few weeks and slowly went away. Then, after weaning off zyprexa, again those leg pains showed up and again lasted about two months. Quite painful. You are right, it felt like I had walked a great distance, like maybe 50 miles uphill.
To this day I am still very sensitive to that happening. It is odd, but I have noticed that too much sulfur will bring hints of that pain back. Too many eggs for too many days in a row. Too much garlic for too many days in a row. DMSA chelation for sure, heavy in sulfur.
What is the connection in all this? Where do the leg pains come from? I have not a clue. All I know is that it has to be some kind of neurological syndrome related to the neurotransmitters and receptors readjusting, and that maybe, just maybe, as in my case, the person could be easily predisposed to it happening again.
I wonder if it falls in the category of one of the movement disorders of antipsychotics? It kind of sounds similar as well to the stiffnesss that Parkinsons patients experience.
I don't know. I don't like it. I know what you are feeling. I wish I had something to offer.
Since then I have found only two things helpful to make my legs feel a lot better. St Johns Wort, or tiny dose Cymbalta. Why is that? I have no clue.
Most of the time it is non-existent or minor. But it is so easily provoked as to remind me that psychiatric meds do not come without a cost.
Posted by Phillipa on September 11, 2009, at 18:19:56
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal, posted by bleauberry on September 11, 2009, at 17:26:38
Cymbalta took away back pain for me. The thorazine is a strong med. Worth a google. And Maxie so sorry. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on September 11, 2009, at 18:44:41
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal, posted by Phillipa on September 11, 2009, at 18:19:56
> Cymbalta took away back pain for me. The thorazine is a strong med. Worth a google. And Maxie so sorry. Phillipa
I am now off the Cymbalta too as part of my washout.
Posted by Maxime on September 11, 2009, at 18:46:36
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal, posted by bleauberry on September 11, 2009, at 17:26:38
Oh my goodness! I hope they don't last 2 months. I am usually a very active person, but the pains in my legs are about all that I can handle. I wouldn't to put exercise pain on top of it.
Glad to know that somebody else has experienced it and that I am not imagining things.
Thanks Bleauberry!
Posted by 49er on September 12, 2009, at 8:18:01
In reply to Thorazine withdrawal, posted by Maxime on September 11, 2009, at 16:15:41
> Hi, I stopped 100mg of Thorazine a couple of days ago. Since then my leg muscles hurt so much ... like I've walked miles and miles and miles. Why would this be?
Maxime,
To be honest, I am questioning myself for responding to your post because frankly, I am tired of no one listening to what I say about going off of psych meds. But hopefully, you will be the exception.
Also, because you are suffering so much, I thought I would take a shot.
You simply can't cold turkey psych meds, particularly, an atipsychotic at that high of a dose. It sounds like you are experiencing withdrawal symtpoms
Personally, I would reinstate the dose and taper very slowly at 10% of current every 3 to 6 weeks. With an AP, it might need to even slower but at least start at 10%
I have used the analogy on this board that cold turkeying an antidepressant or tapering too quickly is like putting the car in reverse at 60 miles an hour. With an antipsychotic, I I feel doing that is like putting the car in reverse at 100 miles an hour.
This isn't like stopping tylenol. These drugs make neurochemical changes throughout your body. As a result, when you stop the drug too suddenly, it puts your body into severe chaos.
Of course, check with your doctor to make reinstating the drug won't be dangerous and clash with what you're currently taking.
Anyway, I don't mean to sound like I am lecturing you or being condescending. That isn't my intention.
I am just tired of seeing people suffering needlessly for no reason at all. Of course, tapering doesn't guarantee that everything will be problem free. But it sure beats the odds of cold turkeying a med or tapering too quickly.
I am sorry for your pain. That sounds horrific.
49er
Posted by Maxime on September 12, 2009, at 16:59:09
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal » Maxime, posted by 49er on September 12, 2009, at 8:18:01
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I agree with you, I shouldn't have stopped cold turkey. I guess I was scared because my endo said my prolactin levels were through the roof. And of course there is the weight gain. Maybe I will wean myself off it slowly. Although I think I would just rather have it out my system even though it's dangerous.
Posted by 49er on September 13, 2009, at 7:23:03
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal » 49er, posted by Maxime on September 12, 2009, at 16:59:09
> Thank you for your thoughtful response. I agree with you, I shouldn't have stopped cold turkey. I guess I was scared because my endo said my prolactin levels were through the roof. And of course there is the weight gain. Maybe I will wean myself off it slowly. Although I think I would just rather have it out my system even though it's dangerous.
Maxime,
I totally understand. I would be scared too.
When I was on Remeron and realized it was causing my hearing loss, I was scared to death that tapering it slowly was going to worsen things. But that didn't happen.
Also, cold turkeying it will not get it out of your system any faster due to the neurochemical changes it has made.
Another thought - Set up a slow tapering plan and ask your endo how often you should have your prolactin levels checked. That way, you will know what is going on as you taper.
But I am thinking that even a slow taper has to help. For example, when I tapered Doxepin, I could feel my weight drop each time even when I only cut 5%. I was't even fat to begin with but I felt I like it was weight coming out of my stomach area where it seemed to have accumulated.
Of course, run everything by your doctor to be sure.
49er
Posted by Maxime on September 13, 2009, at 12:11:34
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal » Maxime, posted by 49er on September 13, 2009, at 7:23:03
The pain in my legs is just about gone. And I am not experience any other ill effects. I think I will just stay off the thorazine for good now. Thank you for your advice and you concern. :)
Posted by 49er on September 13, 2009, at 14:51:55
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal » 49er, posted by Maxime on September 13, 2009, at 12:11:34
> The pain in my legs is just about gone. And I am not experience any other ill effects. I think I will just stay off the thorazine for good now. Thank you for your advice and you concern. :)
Maxime,
That is wonderful news.
49er
Posted by Maxime on September 14, 2009, at 9:00:01
In reply to Re: Thorazine withdrawal » 49er, posted by Maxime on September 13, 2009, at 12:11:34
I've lost 5 pounds since quitting my thorazine last week! Whoo-hoo!
Posted by Jeroen on September 14, 2009, at 14:31:51
In reply to Thorazine withdrawal, posted by Maxime on September 11, 2009, at 16:15:41
to maxime THORAZINE?????
isn't thorazine the first anti psychotic made?????
why would you be taking that s**tTD guaranteed
Posted by Maxime on September 14, 2009, at 15:41:38
In reply to to maxime THORAZINE?????, posted by Jeroen on September 14, 2009, at 14:31:51
I was on it for a year for hallucinations. I never had any problem with in terms of side effects. It also had a calming effect which I enjoyed. I wish I could still take it.
Posted by Jeroen on September 14, 2009, at 16:13:40
In reply to Re: to maxime THORAZINE????? » Jeroen, posted by Maxime on September 14, 2009, at 15:41:38
well how bloody good news is that :)
Posted by yxibow on September 14, 2009, at 16:32:57
In reply to to maxime THORAZINE?????, posted by Jeroen on September 14, 2009, at 14:31:51
> to maxime THORAZINE?????
>
>
> isn't thorazine the first anti psychotic made?????
> why would you be taking that s**t
>
> TD guaranteedTardive dyskinesia isn't "guaranteed" with anything.
More powerful regular APs carry a much higher liability than atypicals but there are some regular APs that are not all that strong and a few are similar to atypicals in their transmitter profiles.
Posted by Jeroen on September 14, 2009, at 16:43:23
In reply to Re: to maxime THORAZINE????? » Jeroen, posted by yxibow on September 14, 2009, at 16:32:57
i'm just glad you felt good on it that's all :)
Posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2009, at 20:34:57
In reply to Thorazine and Geodon, posted by Jeroen on September 14, 2009, at 16:43:23
Me too Jeroen. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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