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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by annabamma on April 30, 2010, at 23:21:12
Can I get some input here? I have been plagued with overheating/sweating/red faced spells for at least three years now. They are getting worse and REALLY interfering in my life! My heart rate and bp go up and my anxiety level during them is getting worse, progressing to all out anxiety attacks(?)They hit out of the blue.If I'm seated I can 'ride them out'-if I'm doing anything-not even with exertion-they get bad. HRT therapy didn't seem to address them, my thyroid levels are okay, my blood sugar tests okay. These hot spells predate all of the meds I'm on now. I'm taking selegine(MAOI) for depression, bp meds,Thyroid, metformin. MY QUESTION is-which end should I approach this from? Endocrinologist or psych? The endo that I went to did most of the basic tests and found nothing. I'm middle aged and have a history of anxiety and dep. dis-orders. Wimpy CNS. Seems like too much adrenaline in my body causing havoc! Once in a while ,just to make things interesting, I get cold chills. Help.
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2010, at 0:14:21
In reply to HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by annabamma on April 30, 2010, at 23:21:12
Seriously sounds like menopause ob-gyn is who I'd call and see. Get your hormones tested. Phillipa
Posted by annabamma on May 1, 2010, at 2:27:36
In reply to Re: HOT HOT and HOT! » annabamma, posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2010, at 0:14:21
> Seriously sounds like menopause ob-gyn is who I'd call and see. Get your hormones tested. Phillipa
\
No-done that. 5+ years past menopause. As I said in first post, HRT didn't help much!
Posted by stargazer2 on May 1, 2010, at 10:40:44
In reply to HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by annabamma on April 30, 2010, at 23:21:12
How high do your BP/HR go? That is significant along with the hotness. I'm thinking that a cardiologist may want to evaluate you too. Sounds like sympatheic/parasympathetic nervous system involvement...neurologist perhaps too, if not done..one or the other then take it from there...
Posted by Netch on May 1, 2010, at 15:47:48
In reply to HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by annabamma on April 30, 2010, at 23:21:12
low sodium diet might help
Posted by annabamma on May 1, 2010, at 16:40:22
In reply to Re: HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by stargazer2 on May 1, 2010, at 10:40:44
Thanks for all the ideas. I've done a stress test for my heart and usually try to watch my sodium/salt intake.I didn't take my BP during my recent hot/anxiety attack, but when I've taken it at home during overheating,but not so anxious, it runs up to 160s over95ish-so not wildly high. I will try to make sure to take it next time. I'll also see about talking to a Neurologist, for my wimpy sympathetic nervous system problem! It makes me feel better, just being able to talk to you all on this site- the people that have actually been there and have had real experiences with this stuff! Thank you all!
Posted by Bob on May 3, 2010, at 22:29:26
In reply to HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by annabamma on April 30, 2010, at 23:21:12
> Can I get some input here? I have been plagued with overheating/sweating/red faced spells for at least three years now. They are getting worse and REALLY interfering in my life! My heart rate and bp go up and my anxiety level during them is getting worse, progressing to all out anxiety attacks(?)They hit out of the blue.If I'm seated I can 'ride them out'-if I'm doing anything-not even with exertion-they get bad. HRT therapy didn't seem to address them, my thyroid levels are okay, my blood sugar tests okay. These hot spells predate all of the meds I'm on now. I'm taking selegine(MAOI) for depression, bp meds,Thyroid, metformin. MY QUESTION is-which end should I approach this from? Endocrinologist or psych? The endo that I went to did most of the basic tests and found nothing. I'm middle aged and have a history of anxiety and dep. dis-orders. Wimpy CNS. Seems like too much adrenaline in my body causing havoc! Once in a while ,just to make things interesting, I get cold chills. Help.
What meds are you taking? Over the years as my time of exposure to psych meds has increased, my body has had more and more trouble controlling temperature. It has developed into serious problems with autonomic regulation with extreme hot flashes, never being able to feel cool, or actually cold spells just like you mentioned. It's a mess and I haven't found a single doctor with even a suggestion.
Posted by annabamma on May 3, 2010, at 23:48:51
In reply to Re: HOT HOT and HOT! » annabamma, posted by Bob on May 3, 2010, at 22:29:26
Oh dear! All that stuff sounds familiar! 'm currently on:
selegine(sp?) MAOI 15mgs
atenelol-25-50mgs
compounded thyroid-80-120mgs
lisinopril-20mgs
metformin-1200mgsSSRIs always made me too hot.The profuse sweating and now the accompanying anxiety attacks are making it hard to deal with! The last few days I've been having LOW(ish)BP 90/60, High pulse-100-110 and anxiety.But I've also been down with a stomach bug.My anx. symptoms have changed over the last 30+years. All these problems were starting before I was on any-except maybe the atenelol-of these current meds. I think you're right on target when you talk about the automatic regulation system being out of whack! My thermostat is definitely broken! I really want to get to the bottom of this!!!(I guess that's what we all say!)Thanks!
Posted by desolationrower on May 7, 2010, at 20:58:16
In reply to Re: HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by annabamma on May 3, 2010, at 23:48:51
i'd try a different blood pressure med than the beta blocker. there are other ways to control BP that might reduce these side effects.
-d/r
Posted by annabamma on May 8, 2010, at 8:06:12
In reply to Re: HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by desolationrower on May 7, 2010, at 20:58:16
> i'd try a different blood pressure med than the beta blocker. there are other ways to control BP that might reduce these side effects.
>
> -d/rYes, My bp has been all over the place, lately! What's the problem with beta-blockers? I used to take a little extra for anxiety, but it just seems to be doing other weird things now. Newly prescribed klonopin has not yet helped with bp or hr or headaches!
Posted by desolationrower on May 9, 2010, at 1:10:36
In reply to Re: HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by annabamma on May 8, 2010, at 8:06:12
> > i'd try a different blood pressure med than the beta blocker. there are other ways to control BP that might reduce these side effects.
> >
> > -d/r
>
> Yes, My bp has been all over the place, lately! What's the problem with beta-blockers? I used to take a little extra for anxiety, but it just seems to be doing other weird things now. Newly prescribed klonopin has not yet helped with bp or hr or headaches!well, i just don't like them much because they don't improve health outcomes much, and they make people fat and tired.
from what i can tell, alpha receptors->vasoconstriction in skin, though less effectivly the older you get, and it maxes out easily. b-blockers are used for flushing, but with selegiline it might be too much activity at alpha adrenoceptors hence blood pressure fluctuations, and you body can't settle on the right amount of dilation/blood pressure. have you tried TCAs in the past? I wonder if an alpha2 agonist might help with anxiety and bp more effectivly. personally, i noticed much less heat/sweating issue on bupropion, and more on yohimbe (i always sweat/am too hot)
-d/r
Posted by annabamma on May 10, 2010, at 3:46:59
In reply to Re: HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by desolationrower on May 9, 2010, at 1:10:36
> > > i'd try a different blood pressure med than the beta blocker. there are other ways to control BP that might reduce these side effects.
> > >
> > > -d/r
> >
> > Yes, My bp has been all over the place, lately! What's the problem with beta-blockers? I used to take a little extra for anxiety, but it just seems to be doing other weird things now. Newly prescribed klonopin has not yet helped with bp or hr or headaches!
>
> well, i just don't like them much because they don't improve health outcomes much, and they make people fat and tired.
>
> from what i can tell, alpha receptors->vasoconstriction in skin, though less effectivly the older you get, and it maxes out easily. b-blockers are used for flushing, but with selegiline it might be too much activity at alpha adrenoceptors hence blood pressure fluctuations, and you body can't settle on the right amount of dilation/blood pressure. have you tried TCAs in the past? I wonder if an alpha2 agonist might help with anxiety and bp more effectivly. personally, i noticed much less heat/sweating issue on bupropion, and more on yohimbe (i always sweat/am too hot)
>
> -d/rFrom reading these posts most of this stuff makes people tired and fat! I tried TCAs a long time ago. As I remember they didn't work very well -I do remember they made me sweat! I was on Wellbutrin for years. I've taken it with and without SSRIs. But I think it just lost it's effectiveness. I got the doc to prescribe me Clonidine a few years ago, but I never tried it. I've got to get a new doc, maybe I'll see what she says. I've got do a complete "overhaul" on my b.p. meds, for sure! Thanks for your help!
Posted by aminated on May 13, 2010, at 16:23:59
In reply to HOT HOT and HOT!, posted by annabamma on April 30, 2010, at 23:21:12
I used to get unnaturally, exceptionally hot and sweaty--a side effect of SSRIs (and many others). A (really good) pharmacist recommended ginger root--ONLY RAW GINGER, NOT CAPSULES OR LIQID EXTRACTS--just a slice a day about the size of a nickel, broken or torn into 4 or 5 little pieces, swallowed like a big pill, every day. It takes a week or two to kick in, but it works really well, and has done so reliably for me for 5 or 6 years. No side effects, and it costs less than a dollar for a month's worth at any grocery (it should be fresh--keep it refrigerated and replace it if it gets old and dried out).
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