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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lest on September 19, 2004, at 10:28:05
Has anyone else experienced breathing problems on SSRI's or anything else like antipsychotics/anticonvulsants or any other antidepressants?
I have experienced breathing problems about two weeks into taking effex0r xr and also zoloft. Now i am experiencing breathing problems on lamictal.
The dr. thinks its my mind trying to trick me, but it is totally different than shortness of breath or panicing. My air intake changes in my lungs, the oxygen feels dense and like i can never get a full breath of air. Thats every breath of every day. Has anyone else experienced anything similiar? I duno whether its too much seratonin uptake or what, but it sux.
Posted by Larry Hoover on September 19, 2004, at 11:23:18
In reply to Meds and breathing problems?, posted by lest on September 19, 2004, at 10:28:05
> Has anyone else experienced breathing problems on SSRI's or anything else like antipsychotics/anticonvulsants or any other antidepressants?
> I have experienced breathing problems about two weeks into taking effex0r xr and also zoloft. Now i am experiencing breathing problems on lamictal.
> The dr. thinks its my mind trying to trick me, but it is totally different than shortness of breath or panicing. My air intake changes in my lungs, the oxygen feels dense and like i can never get a full breath of air. Thats every breath of every day. Has anyone else experienced anything similiar? I duno whether its too much seratonin uptake or what, but it sux.Sounds like asthma, actually. Could be related to meds, I suppose, but asthma can start any time during the lifespan.
Lar
Posted by mike lynch on September 19, 2004, at 12:33:03
In reply to Meds and breathing problems?, posted by lest on September 19, 2004, at 10:28:05
> i can never get a full breath of air. Thats every breath of every day. Has anyone else experienced anything similiar? I duno whether >its too much seratonin uptake or what, but it sux.
I think it IS the meds because this is happening to me exacly...it's like I have to use a special technique of gathering extra air in order to get a full breath..
Posted by boomarang on September 19, 2004, at 14:07:02
In reply to Meds and breathing problems?, posted by lest on September 19, 2004, at 10:28:05
i have that too on and off with ssri's. I have wondered if it was just my mind playing tricks on me since i watch carefully for side effects. But...i know this part is real, i run a set distance and i know when i was off ssri's i was not as out of breath at the end as i am on them. i do believe ssri's can affect lung capacity in some form. my lungs seem to ache on and off too.
Posted by dazedandconfused on September 19, 2004, at 15:03:13
In reply to Re: Meds and breathing problems? » lest, posted by boomarang on September 19, 2004, at 14:07:02
Same here. Not short of breath exactly, but like I can't get enough oxygen in my lungs. Then sometimes have to yawn got get enough air. I believe it is definitley med related. I had childhood asthma, but this is a different feeling. FYI, there was a thread about this not too long ago with other folks noting the same thing.
dazed
Posted by karaS on September 19, 2004, at 15:54:36
In reply to Re: Meds and breathing problems?, posted by dazedandconfused on September 19, 2004, at 15:03:13
I had the same problem on Wellbutrin (but not on any of the SSRIs).
Posted by katalina on September 19, 2004, at 17:37:26
In reply to Meds and breathing problems?, posted by lest on September 19, 2004, at 10:28:05
I have experienced this same sensation - it's difficult to describe other than needing to force yourself to yawn in order to fill the lungs. I noticed it profoundly when I took Effexor (37.5) and added Adderall. I went off the Effexor after a few months and it mostly dissipated.
I did a lot of research on this mostly because I had never heard of anyone else having this symptom (about 2.5 years ago) and stumbled upon something about it possibly being related to a diaphragmic (sp?) tic. Kind of like some people start twitching their eye or develop some other sort of tardive dyskinisea as a side effect of an SNRI or SSRI. Not that it helps knowing what may be causing it, because it certainly is annoying as anything I've ever experienced. I swear I developed TMJ from yawning so much for so long. It's so hard to stop once it starts, but I did try not to "focus" on it so much and that helped a little.
Hope this helps a little. My neurologist didn't have a "cure" for it and I certainly wasn't going to give up my meds over it.
Take care - Katalina
Posted by lest on September 19, 2004, at 19:31:24
In reply to Re: Meds and breathing problems?, posted by mike lynch on September 19, 2004, at 12:33:03
exactly.
Posted by terrics on September 19, 2004, at 19:49:55
In reply to Meds and breathing problems?, posted by lest on September 19, 2004, at 10:28:05
YES! Please explain how your breathing is on lamictal. I started it 3 days ago and thought I was imaging breathing difficulty. thanks. terrics
Posted by lest on September 20, 2004, at 1:04:27
In reply to Re: Meds and breathing problems? » lest, posted by terrics on September 19, 2004, at 19:49:55
It just feels like the way your lungs and nose recieve oxygen changes completely , and the air seems more dense. Like some people said it feels like you cant get a full breath of air. Even when i try to suck in alot of air, it still doesnt feel the same as a normal full breath of fresh air. It sucks because its like a light torture not being able to breathe fully every breath and knowing it will take at least 2-3 days after i get off the medicine to get my breathing back to normal. So i just hope it eases up. However there is nothing like this listed as a side effect for most of these drugs, so my dr. as i am sure, others , dont buy it. He thinks its mind, just because its not a listed side effect. So its like " i can get purple spots on my skin, have problems getting it up, and get black tongue, but this cant affect my lungs? ya right!" But i just upped my dosage from 25 to 50, this is like day 11 or something, ill let u know if it gets better or not. peace
Posted by terrics on September 20, 2004, at 7:47:52
In reply to terrics, posted by lest on September 20, 2004, at 1:04:27
Hi Lest, exactly the same. The way I describe it is that I cannot take a deep breath. I was wondering if maybe the lamictal causes anxiety and therefore it is hard to take a deep breath??
Anyway i was on lithium and had lots of side effects e.g. hair loss, falling down, and I tried to stay on it because it worked so well. So far this stuff does nothing but suffocate me.
terrics
Posted by lest on September 20, 2004, at 10:05:49
In reply to Lest, posted by terrics on September 20, 2004, at 7:47:52
i think the next closest thing to lamictal as far as mood stabilizers is depakote, but i read it can cause liver problems if ones liver isn't strong enough.
Posted by terrics on September 20, 2004, at 22:03:36
In reply to Lest, posted by terrics on September 20, 2004, at 7:47:52
Hi Lest, Are you savvy about meds? If so please tell me what you think of this combo...lamictal 25mg effexor xr 187.5mg, wellbutrin 400mg. klonopin 0.5mg.twice a day. [Today she told me to take 300mg. of lithium xr because it controled angry outbursts which I am having again since I stopped the lithium]. I really think the breathing problem IS from anxiety which is caused by the lamictal or wellbutrin [which was just increased]. Sorry this is so long. Terrics
Posted by HappyGirl on September 20, 2004, at 23:35:26
In reply to Re: Lest /or anyone else med savvy ,help! » terrics, posted by terrics on September 20, 2004, at 22:03:36
Hi terrics:
>>> I really think the breathing problem IS from anxiety which is caused by the lamictal or wellbutrin [which was just increased]. <<<--- I've been on Wellbutrin SR for the past three and a half years. During those years, I took from the 400 mg. to 100 mg. per day along with other meds.
In my experience, when on the 400 mg. WB sr, my 'Anxiety,' 'irritability' and 'a bit 'insomnia' started to sky-rocketing. I practically was NOT 'myself.' On the otherhand, when I was from the 200 mg. to 100 mg., my 'real' personality started to surface, which I need because of my surroundings.
Then, from my 'personal' experience along with the reading/hearing, your current problem, 'Anxiety' is CERTAINLY originating from 'the 400 mg. WB.' My pdoc. never rxed this 'high' dosage, but again I took the 400 mg. anyway when I felt I needed it for my 'great-energy.' But, this 'self-rx' did 'back-fire' me. Then, you should stay around the 300 mg. WB for your 'safety' and 'good health.'
BTW, the 300 mg. is 'recommended dosage,' and more than the 300 mg. is a sort 'over-medicated' state. Be Cautious!
Take care!
H.G.
Posted by terrics on September 21, 2004, at 21:58:04
In reply to Re: Lest /or anyone else med savvy ,help!, posted by HappyGirl on September 20, 2004, at 23:35:26
Thanks HG, (I think both wellbutrin and lamictal cause anxiety and irritability). terrics
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