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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 12:49:07
I almost hesitate to ask this because I am sure it sounds weird but I really would like answer.I'm a 26 year female. I wear deodorant (yes, I am going somewhere with this).
Up until I started these "drugs" (Lexapro, benzos, etc..), I never, ever noticed problems with under arm smells (also known in most parts of the world as BO).
But for some weird reason, since I Started all this medicine, I notice an increase in sweat there and even a slight smell.
I exercise 4-5 days a week- I'm a runner and even when I run 3 or 4 miles I've never had this problem (yes, I sweat but not smell).
Suddenly, I can smell this. It is disguisting me.
I'm a girl's girl. I like to smell good. I like perfume, and hand lotions, etc..
My husband swears he doesn't smell it ( I think he's lying to be nice) but I KNOW it's there.
Would there be any medical explanation for this?
It started a few weeks into these drugs.
* I can not believe I actually asked this question outloud*
Posted by Shame on March 7, 2005, at 13:12:39
In reply to The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 12:49:07
My guess is that its an increased sensitivity in your sense of smell. I know that Trazadone, Nefazodone and Mirtazapine can effect you like that. Any time you tinker with your brain chemistry you have to understand that you may get strange side-effects. I lost my sense of taste for a few days while changing meds once (I dont remember which one caused it offhand).
Hope this helps.
Posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 13:20:11
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably » Spriggy, posted by Shame on March 7, 2005, at 13:12:39
Oh man, plllleeeease don't tell me that I always smelled like this and just didn't notice.That would be even worse. (ha)
Posted by just so sad on March 7, 2005, at 13:23:13
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 13:20:11
I have noticed I sweat alot more, alot easier - I'm on effexor. If this is hapening to you, it may be the reason the smell appears more obvious...i.e. more sweat = more smell??
Posted by stresser on March 7, 2005, at 13:41:37
In reply to The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 12:49:07
I am there with you! I am also a runner and work out/teach at a gym. I notice that I smell also, and sometimes can't stand myself!! I laugh it off, but you know...it could be the meds. I have been taking an anti-depressant for around 13 yrs., so I guess I haven't thought about it lately! -L
Posted by Shame on March 7, 2005, at 14:38:40
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 13:20:11
I base some of this on the fact that I would tell MY wife if she asked. Better to tell her than let her think she is crazy, right?Sure fire way to test :
Get your husband in a headlock. If he gags, you smell.
Posted by Maxime on March 7, 2005, at 14:48:41
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 13:20:11
Believe me, I have seen weirder questions. Before you put on your deoderant, try using some rubbing alcohol first. See if that makes a difference.
Maxime
Posted by Dinah on March 7, 2005, at 17:27:20
In reply to The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 12:49:07
You mentioned you were getting yeast infections. Yeast can also grow under the arms, and it does cause an unusual odor. If you get the yeast infections under control, it might take care of the odor.
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2005, at 17:41:15
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably » Spriggy, posted by Dinah on March 7, 2005, at 17:27:20
Spriggy, That's a new one to me! The only time I sweated more was when I was in menopause. You're too young. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 18:06:40
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2005, at 17:41:15
You people are brilliant. BRILLIANT I say..
*put hubby in headlock to see*
*get yeast infection under control*
I love you all.
Posted by fires on March 7, 2005, at 18:27:59
In reply to The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 12:49:07
Are you smelling any other smells that you haven't before?The fact that your husband doesn't smell it seems significant to me.
Posted by rainbowbrite on March 7, 2005, at 18:28:11
In reply to The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 12:49:07
I dont know about the drugs you are taking but some drugs can increase sweating. My best guess is that because you are conscious of the sweating you are more aware and sensitive to smells. You probably don't smell bad but if my theory is right you are just sweating more. Sweat leads to BO (so maybe you are smelling more than before but when you shower it will go away)
I hope that made some sense im too tired to make sense lol
Posted by jasmineneroli on March 7, 2005, at 19:46:59
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably » Spriggy, posted by rainbowbrite on March 7, 2005, at 18:28:11
First of all, husband's have no sense of smell!! It's a well know fact........I ask if he can smell the new citrus odour spray at my gym...."what citrus smell?" he says. 1 hour later, a woman comes in and says "mmmmmmm nice citrussy smell in here!". ;).
I found SSRI's to cause sweats, whether exercising or not. So you maybe sweating more. And I agree that you may be paying more attention to it, than you normally would. Just for peace of mind, maybe try a strong, long-lasting anti-persipirant.
And definitely not the weirdest question.
Good luck,
Jas
Posted by Cairo on March 7, 2005, at 20:38:11
In reply to The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 12:49:07
While the others posters have mentioned that perhaps your sense of smell is heightened, I think there is something else going on. My 16 y/old daughter is on Lexapro and we've noticed that she has increased body odor. One of the things I came across is that a magnesium deficincy can cause body odor:
http://www.mgwater.com/rod17.shtml
I wonder if this deficiency is due to SSRI use, or if it is caused by stress-induced magnesium wasting. We give magnesium supplements to our daughter, but not consistently or maybe not enough Mg.
Cairo
>
> I almost hesitate to ask this because I am sure it sounds weird but I really would like answer.
>
> I'm a 26 year female. I wear deodorant (yes, I am going somewhere with this).
>
> Up until I started these "drugs" (Lexapro, benzos, etc..), I never, ever noticed problems with under arm smells (also known in most parts of the world as BO).
>
> But for some weird reason, since I Started all this medicine, I notice an increase in sweat there and even a slight smell.
>
> I exercise 4-5 days a week- I'm a runner and even when I run 3 or 4 miles I've never had this problem (yes, I sweat but not smell).
>
> Suddenly, I can smell this. It is disguisting me.
>
> I'm a girl's girl. I like to smell good. I like perfume, and hand lotions, etc..
>
> My husband swears he doesn't smell it ( I think he's lying to be nice) but I KNOW it's there.
>
> Would there be any medical explanation for this?
>
> It started a few weeks into these drugs.
>
> * I can not believe I actually asked this question outloud*
>
>
Posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 20:44:03
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Cairo on March 7, 2005, at 20:38:11
Wow the magnesium thing is very interesting.
I would say I am pretty certain it's not just a heightened sense of smell. I'm sweating so much more as well.
I am losing weight for no apparent reason as well so maybe this is all just stress related..
AND.. I'd be curious to know what the strangest question asked has been. ha ha ha..
Actually, maybe I don't wanna know.
Posted by anastasia56 on March 7, 2005, at 23:12:57
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 13:20:11
gawd, how funny your line was, finding out you always smelled but just never knew. My nose is the bane of my existence...i smell everything. I knew we had a gas leak before i even went outside to where the gas pipes enter the house. i smell the mexican food my husband ate for dinner three nites ago. i smell some sort of funky animal smell on my puppy...the answer turned up when he brought me a furry rabbits leg from the back yard. don't want to know where the rest of that rabbit is. was he Gus' dinner that night? yuck.
so anyway, on the stench issue. I am now the reigning queen of underarm stench since i am smack dab in the middle of menopause. Everyone knows menopausal women sweat like little magpies. so if you need an unbiased scent sniffer to ease your mind on whether you are 'putting out' to phrase it gently, let me know. you could mail me a tee shirt you've worn and i will let my two dogs sniff it too. Once they have established the scent, off we will go thru rain and snow and freezing temperatures to find you and bring you the best anti-perspirant money can buy. the end
Posted by Maxime on March 8, 2005, at 21:17:49
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Spriggy on March 7, 2005, at 20:44:03
Have you been tested for candida (did I spell that right). You know .. "The Yeast Connection".
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2005, at 22:27:07
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by Maxime on March 8, 2005, at 21:17:49
Yup, you spelled it right. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by justbegun on March 10, 2005, at 14:05:09
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2005, at 22:27:07
I laughed a lot in sympathy ... SSRIs make lots of women sweat like a pig. A friend of mine (a nurse in an OB/GYN clinic), had to switch meds because the sweat would drip off her forehead and nose right onto her patients'... well, you know.
It might also be your nose
It might simply be, also, that you smell and taste differently now. Some antidepressants do change body chemistry and can leave a metallic taste in your mouth, and other mucus membranes (maybe you can ask your husband to do a full-body check with his tongue next time you have sex!)
In the meantime, get one of those prescription-strength deoderants. They really work.
Posted by ed_uk on March 10, 2005, at 14:39:21
In reply to Re: The weirdest question ever asked probably, posted by justbegun on March 10, 2005, at 14:05:09
Hi,
>SSRIs make lots of women sweat like a pig.
Not just women! I also sweat heavily on SSRIs, when I was working in a shop the sweat was dripping off my face/head on to the counter, it was very embarassing. My shirt was soaked with sweat and stuck to my body.
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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