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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KaraS on December 30, 2004, at 0:46:22
I've recently developed eye floaters and I'm wondering if that could be a problem for my plan to start on an MAOI. I've read that hypotension can cause floaters and MAOIs can cause low blood pressure... so now I"m wondering if this wouldn't be a bad move.
Ironically, I had been worried about a hypertensive crisis making the floaters worse but from the limited reading I've done so far, it appears that the low blood pressure is more dangerous here.
If anyone can add some information or advice, I'd be very grateful.
Thanks,
K
Posted by Ktemene on December 30, 2004, at 2:34:49
In reply to Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs, posted by KaraS on December 30, 2004, at 0:46:22
> I've recently developed eye floaters and I'm wondering if that could be a problem for my plan to start on an MAOI. I've read that hypotension can cause floaters and MAOIs can cause low blood pressure... so now I"m wondering if this wouldn't be a bad move.
>
> Ironically, I had been worried about a hypertensive crisis making the floaters worse but from the limited reading I've done so far, it appears that the low blood pressure is more dangerous here.
>
> If anyone can add some information or advice, I'd be very grateful.
>
> Thanks,
> KHi Kara,
I have heard that a lot of things can cause eye floaters, and of course most of us were born with floaters. I remember noticing my floaters as a child and telling my grandmother, which was a big mistake. She promptly gave me a big nasty dose of castor oil on the theory that pretty much anything could be cured by castor oil. My grandmother was right about a lot of things, but she was wrong about castor oil and the floaters. I still have them. Most of the time I don't notice them, but they are always there.
If you have noticed a lot of floaters quite recently that you are sure you didn't have before, then you might have an infection or the beginning of a retinal detachment. Is there some reason that makes you think that your floaters are caused by hypotension? Have you had problems with hypotension before? And are you having any other symptoms that might be caused by hypotension like fainting or getting dizzy when you stand up suddenly? Do you take your own blood pressure or get your bp checked at a local clinic or pharmacy?
I was sorry that your Selegiline trial did not work out, and I was hoping that Parnate (or Nardil) would work for you. I am still using Selegiline and DLPA (and Adderall and Provigil). But I have added Remeron to my cocktail to deal with Selegiline-insomnia and anxiety caused by my work situation. (Gosh, that seems like a lot of medication when I write it out. But I don't take Adderall and Provigil every day, and I only use them for ADD.) I can really recommend Remeron for great sleep and anxiety reduction. I tried Niacinamide after you and Larry recommended it, and it also is helping.
Ktemene
Posted by KaraS on December 30, 2004, at 11:01:32
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs » KaraS, posted by Ktemene on December 30, 2004, at 2:34:49
> > I've recently developed eye floaters and I'm wondering if that could be a problem for my plan to start on an MAOI. I've read that hypotension can cause floaters and MAOIs can cause low blood pressure... so now I"m wondering if this wouldn't be a bad move.
> >
> > Ironically, I had been worried about a hypertensive crisis making the floaters worse but from the limited reading I've done so far, it appears that the low blood pressure is more dangerous here.
> >
> > If anyone can add some information or advice, I'd be very grateful.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > K
>
> Hi Kara,
>
> I have heard that a lot of things can cause eye floaters, and of course most of us were born with floaters. I remember noticing my floaters as a child and telling my grandmother, which was a big mistake. She promptly gave me a big nasty dose of castor oil on the theory that pretty much anything could be cured by castor oil. My grandmother was right about a lot of things, but she was wrong about castor oil and the floaters. I still have them. Most of the time I don't notice them, but they are always there.
>
Hi Ktemene,It's reassuring to hear about others living with floaters. I cringed when reading about the castor oil treatment. Yuck!
I did just recently discover the floaters but I don't know what caused them in my case. Some people are born with them while others develop them due to functions associated with aging. I suspect I fall into the latter category. I don't currently have any problem with hypotension. I read that it may also be a cause of floaters though. My concern was that that an MAOI might cause hypotension and therefore make the floaters worse.
> If you have noticed a lot of floaters quite recently that you are sure you didn't have before, then you might have an infection or the beginning of a retinal detachment. Is there some reason that makes you think that your floaters are caused by hypotension? Have you had problems with hypotension before? And are you having any other symptoms that might be caused by hypotension like fainting or getting dizzy when you stand up suddenly? Do you take your own blood pressure or get your bp checked at a local clinic or pharmacy?
From what I've read, most floaters are just annoying and not dangerous. It's when they get severe and you have other symptoms along with them like shooting stars (light specks that move) that you need to be concerned about retinal detachment. Also, those with more chance of serious problems tend to be nearsighted and I have close to 20/20 vision. I will probably see an opthamologist just to be on the safe side though.
> I was sorry that your Selegiline trial did not work out, and I was hoping that Parnate (or Nardil) would work for you. I am still using Selegiline and DLPA (and Adderall and Provigil). But I have added Remeron to my cocktail to deal with Selegiline-insomnia and anxiety caused by my work situation. (Gosh, that seems like a lot of medication when I write it out. But I don't take Adderall and Provigil every day, and I only use them for ADD.) I can really recommend Remeron for great sleep and anxiety reduction. I tried Niacinamide after you and Larry recommended it, and it also is helping.I really didn't give selegiline a fair trial. I will probably go back at some point and give it another try. I do think of you and how well the selegiline + DLPA has worked for you. The fact that it put me to sleep was a hindrance along with the fact that all of a sudden I started having these strange health problems that are getting in the way of everything - not to mention scaring me to death and causing great anxiety because I don't have health insurance.
I don't think you're taking that much medication - but then I hang out here :-). I'm glad it's all working for you so well though. Have you gained weight on Remeron or does the selegiline counteract that? Why do you also use the niacinamide if the Remeron is already so good for the anxiety and insomnia?
Thanks for your help here.
Kara
Posted by Cairo on December 30, 2004, at 18:06:34
In reply to Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs, posted by KaraS on December 30, 2004, at 0:46:22
Do you have Fibromyalgia? If so, this might be of interest to you:
http://www.ctds.info/eye-floaters.html
I find Sandy Simmons whole website to be very informative.
Cairo
> I've recently developed eye floaters and I'm wondering if that could be a problem for my plan to start on an MAOI. I've read that hypotension can cause floaters and MAOIs can cause low blood pressure... so now I"m wondering if this wouldn't be a bad move.
>
> Ironically, I had been worried about a hypertensive crisis making the floaters worse but from the limited reading I've done so far, it appears that the low blood pressure is more dangerous here.
>
> If anyone can add some information or advice, I'd be very grateful.
>
> Thanks,
> K
Posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 2:18:09
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs » KaraS, posted by Cairo on December 30, 2004, at 18:06:34
> Do you have Fibromyalgia? If so, this might be of interest to you:
>
> http://www.ctds.info/eye-floaters.html
>
> I find Sandy Simmons whole website to be very informative.
>
> Cairo
Thanks. I don't have fibromyalgia but there's a lot of food for thought in that article.k
Posted by ravenstorm on December 31, 2004, at 11:19:05
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs » Cairo, posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 2:18:09
I've had floaters for over 15years. I got checked out by a specialist and they said there is nothing to worry about.
Posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 14:48:22
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs, posted by ravenstorm on December 31, 2004, at 11:19:05
> I've had floaters for over 15years. I got checked out by a specialist and they said there is nothing to worry about.
Thanks. That does seem to be the case for most people but there are, unfortunately, a few for whom it's a serious problem. I'll have it checked out and then hopefully I'll relax a bit more about it (and not let it disrupt my plans to try an MAOI).
Have your floaters ever gone away at times or have they been there consistently for the past 15 years? I hate the idea of them being there all the time but I suppose you get used to it.
K
Posted by ravenstorm on December 31, 2004, at 16:05:13
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs » ravenstorm, posted by KaraS on December 31, 2004, at 14:48:22
Well, it is very interesting. When I first noticed them, I thought, I am never going to get used to these! Especially when I would read, the floaters really "showed up" against the white background. Interestingly enough the more I worried about it the more I noticed it. Once I got into the specialist and was reassured that in my case (as in most) I was perfectly healthy and that some people just have them, I hardly noticed them anymore (over time).
After seeing your post, I started "paying attention" to them again and yep, I still have them. Now, I just have to start ignoring them again. Believe it or not, when you stop thinking about it, your brain will start to "not notice" them as much anymore and go about its business!! Good Luck!
Posted by KaraS on January 1, 2005, at 2:21:08
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs, posted by ravenstorm on December 31, 2004, at 16:05:13
> Well, it is very interesting. When I first noticed them, I thought, I am never going to get used to these! Especially when I would read, the floaters really "showed up" against the white background. Interestingly enough the more I worried about it the more I noticed it. Once I got into the specialist and was reassured that in my case (as in most) I was perfectly healthy and that some people just have them, I hardly noticed them anymore (over time).
>
> After seeing your post, I started "paying attention" to them again and yep, I still have them. Now, I just have to start ignoring them again. Believe it or not, when you stop thinking about it, your brain will start to "not notice" them as much anymore and go about its business!! Good Luck!
That makes a lot of sense. (Sorry to have gotten you thinking about them again.)Kara
Posted by cubbybear on January 3, 2005, at 4:34:59
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs » ravenstorm, posted by KaraS on January 1, 2005, at 2:21:08
In my case, the floaters developed a few weeks after I banged my head. The opthalmologist asked, "Did you recently have a head injury?" And then I remembered the accident in the living room. This occurred four years before I started taking MAOI Parnate, and the drug has had no effect, either way on my floaters. Like others who have posted here, I was very upset when I first learned about it, but within a month's time, I had fully gotten used to the condition.
Posted by KaraS on January 3, 2005, at 12:48:55
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs, posted by cubbybear on January 3, 2005, at 4:34:59
> In my case, the floaters developed a few weeks after I banged my head. The opthalmologist asked, "Did you recently have a head injury?" And then I remembered the accident in the living room. This occurred four years before I started taking MAOI Parnate, and the drug has had no effect, either way on my floaters. Like others who have posted here, I was very upset when I first learned about it, but within a month's time, I had fully gotten used to the condition.
>Thanks. Good to know this hasn't been an issue for you. I'm trying to think if I banged my head at all... I don't recall that happening but I guess it really doesn't matter what precipitated the condition as long as it's not a major problem.
Take care,
Kara
Posted by KaraS on January 3, 2005, at 16:10:42
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs, posted by cubbybear on January 3, 2005, at 4:34:59
> In my case, the floaters developed a few weeks after I banged my head. The opthalmologist asked, "Did you recently have a head injury?" And then I remembered the accident in the living room. This occurred four years before I started taking MAOI Parnate, and the drug has had no effect, either way on my floaters. Like others who have posted here, I was very upset when I first learned about it, but within a month's time, I had fully gotten used to the condition.
>
Actually, now that I've thought about it more, I might have banged my head and caused the floaters. But anyway, I also wanted to ask you if the Parnate caused you to have on-going hypotension and whether or not you ever had a hypertensive crisis on it.
Posted by cubbybear on January 3, 2005, at 23:16:16
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs » cubbybear, posted by KaraS on January 3, 2005, at 16:10:42
, I also wanted to ask you if the Parnate caused you to have on-going hypotension and whether or not you ever had a hypertensive crisis on it.
I'm resending this post since I had a problem with the server earlier.
I never had a hypertensive crisis. Hypotension with very low blood pressure was always a problem for the first week or two after I restarted Parnate, but my pdoc said not to worry about it. After the first couple of weeks, my blood pressure would stabilize and is usually pretty good at around 120/80. However, I always get lightheaded if I crouch down for about a minute (e.g. to look at books on the lower shelves in a bookstore) then stand up. The feeling passes after about a minute.
>
Posted by KaraS on January 3, 2005, at 23:44:33
In reply to Re: Floaters, hypotension and MAOIs » KaraS, posted by cubbybear on January 3, 2005, at 23:16:16
> , I also wanted to ask you if the Parnate caused you to have on-going hypotension and whether or not you ever had a hypertensive crisis on it.
>
> I'm resending this post since I had a problem with the server earlier.
>
> I never had a hypertensive crisis. Hypotension with very low blood pressure was always a problem for the first week or two after I restarted Parnate, but my pdoc said not to worry about it. After the first couple of weeks, my blood pressure would stabilize and is usually pretty good at around 120/80. However, I always get lightheaded if I crouch down for about a minute (e.g. to look at books on the lower shelves in a bookstore) then stand up. The feeling passes after about a minute.
> >
>I'm used to the orthostatic hypotension from my years on the tricyclics. If that's the worst of it, then I'll be fine.
Thanks,
K
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