question-icon

What Causes Dry Mouth While On Gabapentin And Seroquel XR?

default
Posted on Fri, 2 Jun 2017
Question: I went through alcohol and xanax tetox in March 2016. I had a strong reaction to the phenobarbital. I also reacted to Seroquil and Gabapentin, and ended up going back in the rehab hospital 3 more times, due to inability to sleep. They gave me lithium and a low dose of Klonapin. I never did sleep and I still don't sleep much. Maybe 2-3 hours every night, never reach REM sleep.My symptoms are continual, loud ringing in both ears -t sounds like thousands of crickets are chirping in my ears. I also have completely lost my senses of smell and taste - and I have lost the ability to cry or "feel." My body feels very different to me, as if it is foreign. My skin feels dry to the touch. I do not feel at all like I used to feel. I also have a hard time being still. When I was in the hospital for the last time, in XXXXXXX 2016, I could not sit down at all. I paced through the halls of the hospital. Nothing ever helped me sleep while there. I have a dry mouth, and there is no taste in my mouth at all. The ear ringing is horrible. I feel as if my body is very anxious, but I can no longer "feel" the coinciding emotions. I have been reading about Conversion Disorder and I wonder if I have that. I was sexually abused as a young child and have gotten help for that. I also suffer from Dissociation -- I can remember nothing about my second grade year, and I remember very little about 2014 and 2015. My husband and I moved after living in our home for 23 years. I have had problems ever since the move, and he and I are having problems.
I have also read about Tardive Dyskinesia and I wonder if I have that, since it eppears my current symptoms were caused by hospital medications.
I have an appt with my psychiatrist in 2 weeks but I do not feel I can wait that long. It is very hard for me to function physically and emotionally and I rarely get out of the house.
I can tell that my body is anxious -my teeth chatter and I shake sometimes - but I cannot "feel." It is strange not to be able to smell, taste, or feel emotion. I used to be highly productive but now I get very little accomplished. Since we moved to anew house, I have lost contact with my psychiatrist and I have not received help from him since 2015. I did see several doctors while in the hospital last year, but I did not feel comfortable in that environment, or with those doctors. My reactions to Gabapentin andnSeroquil (and other drugs they gave me) were severe - visual hallucinations, jerking in my body, and a complete inability to sleep. It seems my health deteriorates every day - it is such an effort to even type tyis - it takes my complete concentration..
Do you have any idea what these symptoms mean? Thanks for your help.I am new to this site and I am not familiar with the format yet. Can you see previous questions I have asked? I hope so. Again, I am very concerned about the symptoms I am having. Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Tardive dyskinesia very unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for being on HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder caused mainly by prolonged use of antipsychotic drugs and affects movement abilities.

I don't think yours is a case of tardive dyskinesia, alcohol withdrawal syndrome combined with PTSD is the most likely explanation.

In some cases alcohol use and withdrawal cause low vitamins B group levels in the blood, that may be responsible for a part of such symptoms too.

So, measurement and treatment if low is necessary in such case.

It is necessary to follow a healthy lifestyle, exercise and follow up with your Psychiatrist in order to improve your condition.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (44 minutes later)
Thanks for your answer. I am very shaky and it has been a year since I went through detox.

Also, have you ever heard of someone losing their senses of smell and taste? And the constand ringing in my ears? Have you heard of this? Thanks.You responded to my questions about

alcohol and Xanax detox and tardive diskinosis. It has been a year since I went through detox - should I still be having withdrawal symptoms?

Also, why hav I lost my senses of taste and smell? Do you think they will return? And why cant I cry anymore? Is it the PTSD? I am going to have to get some relief for my anxiety.When I went through detox I had a strong reaction to Phenobarbitol, Seriquil. and Gabapentin, plus another drug given to help me sleep, but made me jerk. My body fills stiff and it is hard for me to function overall. I still cannot sleep well at all - 2-3 hours per night and no REM sleep. Thanks for your help. I have an apt with my psychiatrist in 2 weeks but I do not think I can wait that long.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Control of anxiety is necessary, smell and taste to be investigated.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Of course, that anxiety and PTSD aggravated your condition, on the other hand, the withdrawal syndrome may increase stress and anxiety levels.

So, getting treated for anxiety and PTSD should improve your overall condition and sleep quality.

Long-term issues of smell and taste are associated with damage to nerves responsible for these functions ( allergies, chronic sinusitis, adverse effects of drugs ) or by damage to brain areas included in these functions ( brain atrophy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's etc.).

So getting evaluated by an ENT Doctor and by a Neurologist is necessary to understand better this issue.

Hope I helped you.

In good health.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4502 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Dry Mouth While On Gabapentin And Seroquel XR?

Brief Answer: Tardive dyskinesia very unlikely. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for being on HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder caused mainly by prolonged use of antipsychotic drugs and affects movement abilities. I don't think yours is a case of tardive dyskinesia, alcohol withdrawal syndrome combined with PTSD is the most likely explanation. In some cases alcohol use and withdrawal cause low vitamins B group levels in the blood, that may be responsible for a part of such symptoms too. So, measurement and treatment if low is necessary in such case. It is necessary to follow a healthy lifestyle, exercise and follow up with your Psychiatrist in order to improve your condition. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further. Greetings.