My DH has been experiencing muscle and joint pain lately. He started taking donepecil 5 mg in Sept . No problems were noted so the dr increased his dosage to 10 mg beginning of Dec. I am wandering if his pains could be a side effect of donepecil. Has anyone had a similar problem? My husband rarely complains so I will call the Dr to relate this info.
Lorrie, my hb was started on Aricept at the time of diagnosis, he did fine with it for almost a yr. and then the muscle pain and cramps in his legs just became unbearable to him. By the time he had been on it for 18 months, I wasn't seeing any real benefit and he was constantly complaining about the leg pain so the doctor stopped it and started him on Namenda which he took for about 15 months and now he is no longer on that, just seroquel and paxil.
Thank you Andy for sharing your experience with aricept. I do feel it is probably a side effect too. Now I will definitely call dr.today. I am so happy I found this site! I have people to turn to for information and total understanding.
Hmmm, very very interesting. I wonder if Sid's long term use of Aricept has anything to do with his pain that seems to be in every part of his body. He's been on it 6 years now. I will ask the neurologist, but honestly, anytime I have ever asked any doctors about pain as a side effect of medication, I have always been shot down. I've always found out myself by discontinuing the medication I thought was causing the problem.
An excellent source of information on medication side effects is Dr. Jay Cohen's website - www.medicationsense.com. Years ago, when I was put on Levequin for a surgical infection, and two weeks later, I couldn't move because of debilitating joint pain, Dr. Cohen was the only doctor who would listen to me (We corresponded via e-mail) and validate that yes, it was the Levequin causing all of my pain. He said it could go away after the medication was stopped or it could take years to go away. It took 2 years for it to go away.
I have not yet checked his site on Aricept side effects, but I plan to do so.
The last two years DH was on Aricept he was in constant pain. No one would associate it with Aricept or any other meds he was taking. After 6 years on it, I tapered him off. Within a few weeks - no pain - at least he did not complain of pain anywhere. Still doesn't, except for arthritis once in awhile when there is damp or rainy weather. Don't know if it was the Aricept or just another phase. It's all trial and hopefully not error!
My wife has been on aricept for 3 years with no side effects. But in the last 2 months she has been experiencing nausea or vomiting almost once a week. Anyone else experience a 'delayed reaction' like this with their spouse? Needless to say, we'll be checking out other possible causes ... but just wondering if anyone else has noticed this.
my DH also suffered leg pain and nerve sensitity with the aricept from the beginning. it was discontinued after and it went away. also the namenda we were on for several years then out of the blue, he started throwing up dark yellowish phlegm. discontinued all AD meds and he got alot better and more lucid. but each is their own exception.
My DH is still complaining of leg cramps and sore ankles.. Haven't been able to reach dr. Imagine all are away for the holiday. Since it is not an emergency, I will wait till next week. This website is a lifesaver.
Lorrie, you might try giving him a little tonic water with quinine for the leg cramps. It helped my DH when he had them. I'd give him give about 6-8 oz., no ice and tell him to drink it down. Also, are his ankles swollen?
Hubs was on aricept and namenda and had continual upset stomach and just wasn't eating. So after a consult with the Dr. we took him off of both meds and his appetite and returned!!! He has lost almost 30lb in 3 months! But now he is eating well and is not as sleepy. Didn't notice anything different with his Alz symptoms either. But everyone is different in how they react! :)
i am no doctor nor advocate medical advice but some leg cramps can also be brought on by dehydration and lack of certain minerals. if you have some gatorade you can try to rehydrate him to see if it could also help while you are waiting on the doctor to get back with you.
Lloyd was in Aricept for about 2 and a half years. It was discontinued after his first major seizure in April 2011. The neuro said it could trigger seizures. In March 2012, his neuro said that the Namenda was ineffective, but I have been unable to wean him off completely. I have tried several times, but to no avail. We were down to one 10mg per day and have just started every other day. He is a lot more lucid without it, but he tends to get aggressive. He has an appt with the neuro in March. Hopefully I can get him off the Namenda by then and ask for something mild for the aggression that I can give as needed.