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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chaston on April 11, 2001, at 8:06:32
Classic SSRIs have really helped me with depression and anxiety since I first started taking Paxil almost 8 years ago. Three years ago, though, I started having some problems with flushing, and shortly after was diagnosed as severely hypothyroid (Hashimoto's disease); I began taking synthroid each AM (now Levoxyl 0.1375 mg). Not long afterward, I started having very uncomfortable "hot flashes" (feel feverish, like my head is burning, sometimes face head sweats, but not whole body) on the Paxil, though there may be no connection with the thyroid.
My Pdoc was afraid it might be the dreaded serotonin syndrome, so we tried Wellbutrin, then Effexor for awhile, but I got a bit hostile on those so we went back to an SSRI, Celexa. After Celexa built up, more hot flashes. Now, I'm male, so I was pretty sure it wasn't menopause, and I tapered off the Celexa. Eventually, the hot flashes went away, but I got really depressed again, and another Pdoc put me on Zoloft. When I started having the hot flashes again, he added clonidine (Catapres), an alpha blocker, at 0.05 mg/day (subclinical dose). That helped a lot with the hot flashes, but as I slowly ramp up the dosage of Zoloft, the hot flashes are back. Very uncomfortable, especially as the weather will soon be quite hot here.
(To complete the picture, I also take Azulfidine and Celebrex, and recently Depakote and neurontin--too many pills!)
So, finally, my questions: has anyone else had a problem with "hot flashes" and SSRIs? Do any of you psychopharmacological sleuths out there have any suggestions that I can take to my doctor? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Chaston
Posted by mila on April 14, 2001, at 21:07:54
In reply to Problem with hot flashes from SSRIs--any ideas?, posted by Chaston on April 11, 2001, at 8:06:32
Chaston,
sorry I have no answer to your question, but I thought that you might want to repost it in its entirety adding 'Richelson' in the title line. Then you'll receive a good response from an expert.
all the best.
mila
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 15, 2001, at 1:40:56
In reply to Problem with hot flashes from SSRIs--any ideas?, posted by Chaston on April 11, 2001, at 8:06:32
I was thinking of Bethanechol (Urecholine) for you. Its an anticholinergic. It will stop the sweating--it has that well for me on MAOI's.
Posted by Sunnely on April 16, 2001, at 21:23:30
In reply to Re: Problem with hot flashes from SSRIs--any ideas?, posted by SalArmy4me on April 15, 2001, at 1:40:56
I beg to disagree with you. Bethanechol (Urecholine) is a cholinergic agent and not an anticholinergic, therefore causes the opposite reaction. Increased salivation (drooling) and diaphoresis (sweating) are among its side effects.
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> I was thinking of Bethanechol (Urecholine) for you. Its an anticholinergic. It will stop the sweating--it has that well for me on MAOI's.
This is the end of the thread.
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