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Chest and shoulder pain


Guest ocd-but-never-knew

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Guest ocd-but-never-knew

Hi all – some of you might have seen I was considering a change of medication. The doctor told me that it would be the Risperidone (0.5mg) that was making me tired, not the Escitalopram (20mg), so he asked me to stop taking it, tapering off of course. The problem is, I'm finding that anxious thoughts (yesterday being late for church, today money) is causing quite bad chest and shoulder pain. Could this be a withdrawal symptom, or could it be I am destined to be on Risperidone forever as a means of controlling the physical symptoms of anxiety? And how to get rid of the pain? Thanks for your help.

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Have you mentioned the pain to your GP? I know many of us suffer such pains due to anxiety, but it's wise to have them checked initially. Is it the left or right shoulder?

There are other choices to help with physical symptoms of anxiety, so I would discuss them with your doctor. Also, when withdrawing from a drug, even when done gradually, we can find we develop symptoms that pass with time.

Edited by Tricia
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Guest ocd-but-never-knew

Hi Tricia - it's my left chest, left shoulder. It only really comes on if I "work myself up" in my mind. Or at least I have noticed that pattern. The appointment to reduce the medication was only last Wednesday; I haven't double back yet. Was wondering whether I should go immediately.

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I know many of us tend to worry more about our health than most, maybe that's what I am doing here, by proxy! But I would at least call your doctor's surgery and let him know about your pain. With me it appears to be down to stress, but left side chest/shoulder pain can mean a heart problem. I don't think it's likely, but it might pay to let your GP know.

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Sorry, I went offline, only just seen your question.

I do get similar pain (and I know of others who do due to stress). I'll be honest, I haven't ruled out a heart problem (my father had angina, so I realized it was a possibility I could, too. I'm ashamed to say that my OCD was so bad when the pain first started that I thought 'what will be will be'). Also, I have learned that heart disease can be controlled and reversed with diet, and now I am on that recommended diet I feel it's unlikely that a heart problem is the cause of my pain.

Meditation helps with my chest pain (in fact with any pain) and it is no worse (if anything it improves) with exercise. I wouldn't advise exercising, though, when you have the pain, until you've spoken to your doctor.

Edited by Tricia
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Guest ocd-but-never-knew

So, I went to see the doctor, duty doctor, not one I knew but very nice. She said it was quite possible that the pain was withdrawal from Risperidone (apparently it's on the list). So she recommended I come off more slowly, maybe take a tablet for 2 days and not for 1. (I am thinking about just splitting the tablets for now.) She said if the pain continued to arise when I am anxious to go back on the Risperidone and then we could consider switching the medication. She suggested I could up the "Citalopram" [sic], when I spotted she said Citalopram, not Escitalopram. Then she checked and saw that I'm on the maximum dosage of Escitalopram. So, any further changes would go through psychiatry, although I need not have an appointment.

Not sure I buy that it's a muscular pain caused by the drug, rather than anxiety caused by being on "less" medication, but we can see how it goes...

Bit worried about the pain arising again as it's horrible... :(

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If you are not completely happy, arrange an appointment with another doctor. I have had very different opinions from doctors at my surgery.They certainly aren't always right.

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Guest ocd-but-never-knew

The pain has been almost totally under control with the Ibuprofen. I have looked up the side effects of Risperidone and it can cause chest pains – that would make sense as I've had those pains a handful of times even while fully on the medication.

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