Posted by rod on December 13, 2002, at 15:03:26
In reply to Central Anticholinergic Syndrome (CAS), posted by rod on November 18, 2002, at 7:53:23
I dont know if I should be happy or sad about having solved my problem by reducing Effexor ER from 150mg to 75mg. Now I do quite good, after having a terrible withdrawal (It is believed discontinuing or lowering the modern ADs cause cerntral anticholinergic syndrome, which is responsible for the withdrawal symptoms). Still not having my Galantamine (Ayetylcholine Esterase Inhibitor - Alzheimer Drug) I am quite dissapointed, because now again I dont really know what was going on. But next time (If ever) I know what to try of what I will then have in stock.
wish you all the best
rod> First I have to say, that I am not a medical professional. Things I say here are based on my personal opinion and things I have read on the internet.
>
> Central Anticholinergic Syndrome (CAS)
>
> This may explain why I get bad response to alcohol, paradox reaction on benzos, impaired thinking on non-anticholinergic (like Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, ...).
>
> My main complaints are: impaired thinking and memory, physical agitation (foot tapping), and nervoursness, "sometimes an agresive or angry look at my face without feeling that way".
>
> I ever thought, I only have CAS if I have things like urinary retention, blurred vision, dry mouth etc. But it can have many symptoms and is ofen overlooked.
>
> Im sorry, but I did only find a really good article about this in german.
> http://www.tu-dresden.de/medkai/969714.pdf
>
> It says, any psych. medication can cause this (anticholinergic and non-anticholinergic), because cholinergic neurons are closly linked to the other transmitter systems like Serotonin, Dopamine, etc. Any imbalance in this system (think about the SSRIs, although people say it balances serotonin levels, I dont think this is true, because they can cause serotonin syndrome, dopamine depletion ..) can cause disturbance of linked systems.
>
> I made a self test, and found out lecitin is really helping and blows worst symptoms away for a few hours. But I can not explain why at the same time the classic anticholinergic symptons appear like dry mouth, sweating, blurred vision, while others like nervousness, agressive look, insomnia goes away.
> And I ever wondered why I dont have these symptoms because I take Amitryptiline (strong anticholinergic TCA) and sometimes Diphenhydramin (old anti-histaminic drug, very anticholinergic) for sleep and never had a dry mouth.
> They even made my mouth _wet_. Only if I take lecitin (precorsor of acetylcholin) I get the classic symptoms, while others disappear.
>
> As long as no one really knows whats going on I can only try and see. I am looking forward to meet my doc again and convince her to prescribe me an acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (the mechanism that breaks down acetylcholin, like mao), because diagnosis can only be done by trying this and see if it helps. (one article says this)
>
> I even read, SSRI withdrawal can trigger CAS.
>
>
> so long
>
> rod
>
>
>
poster:rod
thread:128095
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021210/msgs/131691.html