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What Causes Psychosis, Uncontrollable Leg Tremors And Body Spasms?
Posted on
Sun, 21 Jun 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 21 Jun 2015
Answered on
Tue, 14 Jul 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I have been on 2mg cogentin for a little over a week for tremor. I take it once at night with 15mg Zyprexa ( I had some psychosis 3 weeks ago but it's gone now) and within an hour I have uncontrollable leg movements and body spasms. I can't go to sleep. Is it the cogentin or the zyprexa. I've been on the zyprexa for about a month. My doctor said it was eps and gave me trazadone so I would go to sleep.
Brief Answer:
Zyprexa is the likely culprit.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That type of symptom could be a side effect of Zyprexa which is known to have the potential to manifest such side effects such as uncontrolled movements, muscle spasms and rigidity.
It may improve over time, however since you say psychosis is controlled, if it persists you may discuss with your doctor the option to reduce the dose to 10 mg (generally the minimal dose) which might still be effective in preventing psychosis and have fewer side effects.
I hope to have been of help.
Zyprexa is the likely culprit.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That type of symptom could be a side effect of Zyprexa which is known to have the potential to manifest such side effects such as uncontrolled movements, muscle spasms and rigidity.
It may improve over time, however since you say psychosis is controlled, if it persists you may discuss with your doctor the option to reduce the dose to 10 mg (generally the minimal dose) which might still be effective in preventing psychosis and have fewer side effects.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
when I ask my dr about reducing the zyprexa and the cogentin, are there any common rebound effects/ withdrawal symptoms I should watch out for ?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Reducing Zyprexa from 15 to 10 mg is not likely to have a marked effect, there is the fear for psychosis to return. The risk of withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, tachycardia, profuse sweating etc, is not likely since it's been only 3 weeks and it's a reduction not an interruption.
Benztropine interruption (which I did not suggest for the moment) might cause some tranzitory symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sweating and dizziness.
Hopefully you won't experience any of those symptoms.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Reducing Zyprexa from 15 to 10 mg is not likely to have a marked effect, there is the fear for psychosis to return. The risk of withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, tachycardia, profuse sweating etc, is not likely since it's been only 3 weeks and it's a reduction not an interruption.
Benztropine interruption (which I did not suggest for the moment) might cause some tranzitory symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sweating and dizziness.
Hopefully you won't experience any of those symptoms.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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