Myoclonus from SSRI maybe

[Sandpuff]

Hi - my myoclonus started a few weeks after taking Prozac in 1998. The jerking got so bad I would occasionally fall down (I had spinal myoclonus). After trips to many doctors and Mayo Clinic and after being told everything from maybe MS to pseudo-parkinson's to anxiety I was diagnosed with Spinal Myoclonus. I strongly believe it was caused by the Prozac, but the neuro at mayo said maybe from an autoimmune disorder that they were unable to detect. Through the years I have had several good months or years followed by bad months. Right now I'm in a bad time which started last fall. I have actually not had any myoclonus symptoms (just some mild episodes) for several years, but I struggle with fatigue that is overwhelming along with other vague symptoms (chest pain, leg gives out sometimes, mild rashes). When I get really worn out my legs and hands will twitch when I go to bed. I don't know what's going on and I ended up back at the doctors for testing which is probably just a big waste of time & money but when it gets bad you really want to try to find out what's wrong.

So that's my story. I'm 34, mother of 2, and otherwise life is good. Right now I'm waiting for some test results, again.

[Buttons2]

Sandpuff, first I want to welcome you to BT,great bunch of folks here. This forum doesn't get much action, I tend to forget to even check here unless I'm having alot of jerking going on.....

I was on Zoloft when I was first diagnosed. I stopped the Zoloft over 2 yrs ago & I still have myoclonic jerks. So I'm saying it could be the cause but I wouldn't bet on it.

You mention fatigue,foot drop & chest pain. And more tests?? I hope the doctor's are seeking some answers & not just giving you some pills!:rolleyes: Are you still taking the Prozac?

Good luck to you & I hope you find an answer!
Buttons

[Sandpuff]

Hi Buttons - thanks for the reply! I haven't taken Prozac for probably 6 or 7 years. One time a few years back I started taking Lexapro (I think) and after a few days started jerking and so that's the last time I've taken that type of antidepressant. I have gone quite awhile without taking anything. I haven't been depressed for a long time but when I went to the doctors with fatigue and chest pain the first thing they did was give me Effexor samples even though I said I wasn't depressed. My family (parents & hubby) know I'm not depressed and are kind of fed up with doctors giving me medicine for it. I am a very active person (as long as I feel OK) and was always very healthy until all this stuff started happening and after my first round with doctors and tests 9 years ago I swore I'd never go to the doctor again unless I was dying. I was true to my word until last fall when the chest pain and having to spend days in bed got me worried, so I guess I'm back at it. They're doing the ANA test for Lupus I think and I should have results tomorrow. I'm not really expecting to find out anything. I'll let you know. Thanks for welcoming me here. You're right, it doesn't get much action!

sandpuff

[Buttons2]

Hi Sandpuff, well your story sounds a wee bit like mine. I also have given up on doctor's but that's after getting nowhere for the past 8 years.

I also had ANA test for Lupus,etc. Every test I've ever had came back "normal".....yet I'm very far from normal! I've given up. Just take life as it comes. My MANY strange symptoms come & go,including the myoclonus, mine was diagnosed as Essential Myoclonus,means zero-I wanted to know what CAUSED it! No luck!

I want to suggest something that might provide some answers for you, I'm writing this from my own experience & because of your fatigue & myoclonus,the past depression & the chest pain. Lyme disease. It's almost a nasty word to doctor's (depending on where you live).

We have a Lyme disease forum here,just scroll up. It's not very active but there will be some links there with information about all the many weird symptoms,etc.

My Lyme test was negative & doctor's refused to discuss it. I had/have every symptom except a few. I'm convinced it's my basic problem but that does me no good & I've learned to keep my mouth shut about it. I'd never even heard of it until I joined a movement disorder site & connected the dots.

Nowadays I just say I have mystery disease. Nothing was ever actually ruled out,MS,Parkinson's,etc. When all the tests are within "normal" range they tend to pass off any complaints as hormonal at my age!

Feel free to send me a PM if you want. I'll try to answer any questions you might have.

Glad to hear you're off anti-depressants. I think they do more harm than is commonly known, but that's just my opinion. I also question vaccines as possible cause for myoclonus. I had my first flu shots prior to the myoclonic attacks.

By the way, my jerking was very severe @ one time. Now it comes & goes. I gave up driving couple years ago,my goal is to be able to drive this year. I jerk when resting, riding in car, walking.....it doesn't matter! Never have any idea when it will begin or end. I refuse to take Klonopin for it. I do take magnesium & I drink wine @ night or I jerk so much I can't sleep. I have certain triggers: sudden noise,windshield wipers, lights,etc. However this can't explain why I suddenly jerk up in bed when sound asleep!

I also cut out 99% of the aspartame I was consuming & I believe this has helped me.

Good luck!
Buttons