Involuntary muscle spasms symptoms and conditions

I was on zyprexa for nearly 3 years. In that time I became very lethargic and disinterested in everything! I gained over 100 pounds and suddenly was sick all the time. I suffered from involuntary muscle spasms, light headedness and nausea with frequent vomiting. I had a rapid increase in cholesterol levels from a healthy level to an extremely high level. The Doctor ran all manner of tests and could not figure out the problem. After I started suffering heart issues, mind you I was in my mid thirties, he took me off the medication for a couple of weeks to see if that made a difference. Nothing changed! It took losing my job and health insurance to find out that the medication was, in fact, the culprit! I could no longer afford the meds, so went off them. It took 4 months for me to feel "normal" again and I've not suffered this symptoms since, although I've still not lost all the weight!
While I still suffer from extreme manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder, all my friends and family agree they're easier to deal with than the three years as a zombie! There is much of that time frame for which I have no recollection, it;s as though I lost 3 years of my life!

As a prime candidate for osteoporosis I was prescribed Fosamax at least 12 years ago if not longer. At the time I started taking it, my mother was very ill and did pass. That was when I noticed small 'jumps' in my legs at night which I attributed to the stress of the time.

Over the years, the 'jumps' increased in intensity to almost convulsive movements of not only my legs - but my arms - head - neck - torso. There were times when I thought I would be flung from my bed or dislocate my joints so strong were the muscle contractions. It was impossible to get to sleep and I was often woken from sleep by a convulsive movement.

I went to the Seattle Sleep Clinic for help (around 2000/01) after 5+ years of progressive worsening of these symptoms. Unfortunately, the doctor only wanted to fit me into the 'restless leg syndrome' in spite of my constant statement that I had NO feeling of 'creepy crawly, etc' before the convulsion. None. They just whipped me about out of the blue. No resolution.

About two months ago I ran out of Fosamax (actually taking a generic here in Mexico) and (for whatever reason) I did not refill. Since then I have noticed a HUGE lessening in these god-awful, annoying, scary convulsive movements. I have made no other changes in medications nor can I think of anything else that would cause this reprieve. A "milagro" isn't likely.

I haven't seen this side affect listed and am wondering if any other people have experienced this 'convulsive' problem?

Gracias,
Jillian

This is for a friend of mine diagnosed with Parkinson's and dystonia. All her big problems began shortly after hypothyroid diagnosis and her starting on Synthroid. Is it coincidence? Or has anyone heard of synthroid or thyroid meds promoting or mimicing Parkinson symptoms,or involuntary muscle spasms? Am I just imagining a connection?

I am having involuntary muscle spasms. I take 1800mg daily.

RE: Neurontin and "anger problem".

The only FDA-approved use for Neurontin is for epileptic seizures, as the major effect is for involuntary muscle spasms. Describing something as an anger-problem is too vague to give a specific answer. Do you hurt people or yourself? Do you break things or do actions over which you have no control? Do you have insomnia that makes the anger-problem worse?

I have read of very bad side-effects from trying to get off of Paxil, and it's possible that the Neurontin is just an effort to try to deal with being on Paxil too long -- which sometimes happens, and the effectiveness of the drug goes down, something like heroin or cocaine.

Who told you the Neurontin was for an anger-problem, and do you have a choice of who you see or what you take? If it was me I would get off of both these drugs, and find out more about their physical effects on personal biology. Jan S. Kauffman, Neurontin userid, Master's degree in ounselling, alcohol and drug-abuse rehab professional.