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What Causes Hot Flashes, Shoulder Pain And Fatigue?
Question: I have hot flash-like intense feverish feelings followed by ongoing chills, a lot of neck and shoulder pain, fatigue, overall sick feeling and a red face. I have recently --in the last month--discontinued Depakote and Risperidol. Would these symptoms be manifesting as a result?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Discontinuing Risperdol and Depakote abruptly can give these symptoms. I very much doubt, at 73, that you are having estrogen-deficiency related hot flashes, unless you were recently on estrogen and then stopped it.
You may need to go back on a smaller dose of your medications and wean off of them very gradually.
I recommend talking with the doctor who prescribed the Risperdol and Depakote in the past, about your symptoms.
I hope this information helps.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Discontinuing Risperdol and Depakote abruptly can give these symptoms. I very much doubt, at 73, that you are having estrogen-deficiency related hot flashes, unless you were recently on estrogen and then stopped it.
You may need to go back on a smaller dose of your medications and wean off of them very gradually.
I recommend talking with the doctor who prescribed the Risperdol and Depakote in the past, about your symptoms.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. My psychiatrist did advise me to wean myself off these medications gradually. I had been taking 1000mg of Separate and 1 mg of Risperidol nightly. Over the course of about three weeks last month I gradually reduced dosage. Do you think that was too abrupt?
omehow my tablet printed "Separate" instead of Depakote. Sorry.
omehow my tablet printed "Separate" instead of Depakote. Sorry.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Three weeks is often an adequate amount of time, but for some people, a slower taper is needed, especially if you have been on them a long time. You may need to work out a slower weaning schedule with your doctor.
Other than the estrogen you just started, are you taking any other medications?
Information
Detailed Answer:
Three weeks is often an adequate amount of time, but for some people, a slower taper is needed, especially if you have been on them a long time. You may need to work out a slower weaning schedule with your doctor.
Other than the estrogen you just started, are you taking any other medications?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am taking 112mcg Levothyroxine and 25mg (1/2 twice a day) of Metropolol plus baby aspirin (night), COq10, and magnesium for weight loss.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts
Detailed Answer:
Looking at your medications, the only thing I can think of in addition to the discontinuation from your other meds is if your thyroid levels were now not in a normal range. But I think, given the time sequence, it is more likely to be the 2 your discontinued.
Thoughts
Detailed Answer:
Looking at your medications, the only thing I can think of in addition to the discontinuation from your other meds is if your thyroid levels were now not in a normal range. But I think, given the time sequence, it is more likely to be the 2 your discontinued.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Again, thank you. I am to see my psychiatrist Saturday and have scheduled an appointment with my internist early next week. The latter will probably check my thyroid level. There is a family history of lupus, and I'm wondering if my symptoms warrant a blood test for that, as well (?)
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
It would be a good idea to get an autoimmune panel done, to include an ANA test (Antinuclear antibody test) - just to cover all bases. A CBC (complete blood count) to look for possible indications for infection, and a urinalysis (to look for "casts", given your family history) would be helpful too.
I'm glad you will be seeing the psychiatrist in a few days and can discuss the time sequence of weaning from the Depakote and Risperdol and start of your symptoms.
Some people are very sensitive to decreases and changes in general to medications and need a very slow taper.
Information
Detailed Answer:
It would be a good idea to get an autoimmune panel done, to include an ANA test (Antinuclear antibody test) - just to cover all bases. A CBC (complete blood count) to look for possible indications for infection, and a urinalysis (to look for "casts", given your family history) would be helpful too.
I'm glad you will be seeing the psychiatrist in a few days and can discuss the time sequence of weaning from the Depakote and Risperdol and start of your symptoms.
Some people are very sensitive to decreases and changes in general to medications and need a very slow taper.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much, Dr. Berger-Durnbaugh, for your caring, thorough advice. I will heed it-- XXXXX
Brief Answer:
Best regards
Detailed Answer:
I am happy to help where I can.
Best regards to you,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Best regards
Detailed Answer:
I am happy to help where I can.
Best regards to you,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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