Posted by Ritch on June 7, 2002, at 8:28:37
In reply to Re: Ondansetron for Psychotropic-Induced Memory Loss? » Ritch, posted by Rick on June 7, 2002, at 1:30:28
> >I have never tried Prilosec. I was on 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.
>
> Prilosec is going generic very soon, so it will be a lot cheaper. But maybe not as cheap as OTC stuff.
Thanks, I will have to check into that.
> >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).
>
> I had that, and to the point where I ended up in the ER the first time thinking I was choking. Food would get caught in the esophagus at times. Turns out it came from a narrowing of the esophagus (stricture) that was exacerbated by GERD. A simple widening procedure using a balloon, followed by continued Prilosec, took care of that. It wasn't med related. But as for many people, it was very clearly worse when I was anxious (the muscles would tighten up). So the psychotropics actually help keep that problem from coming back.
>
> What's EPS? Extrapyra-whatever (can never spell that) symptoms? If so, I didn't know dysphagia fit in that category. It's certainly a mscle-control disorder, so I guess that makes sense.
>
Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing due to inadequate contraction of the smooth muscles. That was just a wild guess, because I do have mild EPS (extrapyramidal) symptoms from SSRI's-restlessness, tongue spasms/stiffness, stiff neck/throat muscles, posture changes, etc. Thanks for mentioning the "balloon" procedure. At some point I may need to get that done.
> >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).
>
> I recently ran across a Medline abstact of a small study showing that Wellbutrin helps restless legs. Since certain dopamine agonists are the most popular treatments for this, perhaps that's evidence that Wellbutrin really does have dopaminergic activity?Unfortunately, Wellbutrin didn't help with that very much. Some speculate that it does inhibit DA reuptake, however, some here have mentioned that it inhibits DA *release*. Interestingly, my reflux and IBS problems were improved by Adderall.
>
> >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.
>
> I've often been intrigued by Remeron for a variety of reasons, but right now avoiding any more meds that can cause fuzzy-headedness (or looking for ones that can enhance cognition) is a priority for me.
>
> Rick
I hear you on that one! Remeron was wonderful for sleep and IBS, but I couldn't do simple math correctly half the time.Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:108846
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/109057.html