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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by maryhelen on July 24, 2007, at 21:47:25
Okay ..... how can I stoop so low and ask this question. It is about an odour coming (I think) through my urine. I can't really describe it but it is a smell I have never experienced before. It is quite unpleasant and is indescribable. I am taking five different meds so who knows what could be causing this. I am too embarassed to ask my psycdoc about it.
It also could be that it is not from the meds at all.
Has anyone experienced anything like this before, even perhaps in different areas and thinking that it may be from a med.
I can't believe I am going to send this. I was thinking of going to the doctor but I don't know how to explain it.
maryhelen
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2007, at 22:01:12
In reply to Unidentified odour ...., posted by maryhelen on July 24, 2007, at 21:47:25
Lots of things can cause a strange odor in your urine. For instance asparagus does to me. Med wise a lot can. What meds are you on? Love Phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 24, 2007, at 22:03:50
In reply to Unidentified odour ...., posted by maryhelen on July 24, 2007, at 21:47:25
I'm going to go out on a limb, and ask if you've been eating asparagus? Or perhaps, using the antioxidant supplement CoQ10? Many people metabolize sulphur compounds from asparagus to produce a malodorous urine. I get a similar aroma after CoQ10 (ubiquinone), for some reason, although it contains no sulphur.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2007, at 22:10:04
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » maryhelen, posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2007, at 22:01:12
Lar we must have posted at the same time. So asparagus is the culprit again? Love Phillipa
Posted by maryhelen on July 25, 2007, at 18:58:32
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » maryhelen, posted by Larry Hoover on July 24, 2007, at 22:03:50
Thank you Phillipa and Larry for your responses. I really wasn't sure if I would get one.
Actually, I do not eat asparagus. I was surprised to see that you both mentioned this simutaneously. In fact, I have a horrible diet. I eat oatmeal a.m., whole wheat toast & honey at noon, and maybe some fruit, grab a piece of pizza and some salad, although I usually don't eat anything for supper. At this time I am not on any supplements.
I will list the meds that I am on and it probably is going to look a little strange ..... I don't know.
Buprenorphine 8 mg
(clinical trial in Canada)
Effexor XR 450 mg
Divalproex 1000 mg
Dextroamphetamine 20 mg
Seroquel 500 mg
Zopiclone 7.5 mgI have been battling this depression for most of my life, as most of us have. I have been on pretty much all of the meds available over a period of 30 years and have become treatment resistant. I have had 3 different rounds of ECT in the last 15 years. Losing count on how many psych hospitalizations (at least 8) as well as 5 or 6 treatment centres for my dependence on pain medications. Tried the MAOI's. Here is the crux of my problem .... The only anti-depressant response I get is from opiates. I understand that there are many in the same position. We all know the problem this presents.
Well ... I won't continue on. I usually do not post as reading others give me many answers and comfort that I am not alone ..... and I thank all of you for that.
One more thing .... since my last hospitalization in early February this year, I have gained 50 pounds. I figure that it must be from the Seroquel. I feel horrible with the extra weight on but if I stop taking it, as I have done a few times, I will not sleep. Tried many alternatives.
If the med combo seems strange, there really is a reason for doing this, but I can't keep going on. The problem is .... I am a mess and still struggle everyday and now I have this odour on top of everything.
Thank you so much for listening.
maryhelen
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 20:24:18
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour ...., posted by maryhelen on July 25, 2007, at 18:58:32
Is the odor only urine? As a poster had ECT and developed an altered sense of smell I believe. Love Phillipa ps not to be rude but has someone else smelled it too as if you're depression is so bad could it be delusional. Sorry for your troubles. Love Phillipa could be a urinary tract infection
Posted by ClearSkies on July 25, 2007, at 20:29:03
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » maryhelen, posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 20:24:18
> Is the odor only urine? As a poster had ECT and developed an altered sense of smell I believe. Love Phillipa ps not to be rude but has someone else smelled it too as if you're depression is so bad could it be delusional. Sorry for your troubles. Love Phillipa could be a urinary tract infection
....or not delusional, Phillipa, but a symptom of recurrent depression. Jeez.
ClearSkies
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 20:36:15
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » Phillipa, posted by ClearSkies on July 25, 2007, at 20:29:03
Clear Skies really? Urine has an odor in recurrent depression? What causes it seriously I've never read or heard of this before. And I've never had it????? I am serious it's not even on depression questionarires and no pdoc ever asked about it? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 21:48:39
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » Phillipa, posted by ClearSkies on July 25, 2007, at 20:29:03
Searched the internet and no mention of depression and an odd odor of urine. Causes per internet, aparagus, brocolli, urinary tract infection. One person mentioned providgil for a strange urine smell. So I'd get a culture and sensitivity of your urine . And drink plenty of water and cranberry juice is good for urine too. Love Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on July 25, 2007, at 21:53:35
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour ...., posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 21:48:39
> Searched the internet and no mention of depression and an odd odor of urine. Causes per internet, aparagus, brocolli, urinary tract infection. One person mentioned providgil for a strange urine smell. So I'd get a culture and sensitivity of your urine . And drink plenty of water and cranberry juice is good for urine too. Love Phillipa
How about depression causing odour maladies? I notice that my sense of smell and taste changes as easily as my moods do.
That's what I meant.
cs
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 22:06:26
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » Phillipa, posted by ClearSkies on July 25, 2007, at 21:53:35
Maybe ask Lar as he said what I did about the asparagas? That's all I know. Hasn't happened to me but hey wer're all different. But wouldn't it make a good topic for a research paper. I could start a thread and see if it's happened to others. I think I will. Thanks for the idea. Hope you're doing well Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2007, at 22:47:38
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour ...., posted by maryhelen on July 25, 2007, at 18:58:32
Maryhelen oh depakote. Do you have dark urine or any blood in it? That is a side effect of depakote. That's your mood stabalizer. Love Phillipa ps if the answer is yes than tell your pdoc as he should know and it's not embarrassing remember it's a doctor. Love Phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 26, 2007, at 15:26:44
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour ...., posted by maryhelen on July 25, 2007, at 18:58:32
It's nice to hear from a fellow Canuck. Sorry to hear it's such a struggle, though.
I looked through the complete monographs of the drugs you're taking, and I can't find anything that would explain this odour thingy. I hope you do mention it to your doctor, though. It's pretty unlikely to be anything serious, but some serious things are best managed by finding them early on. If you develop any other urinary tract symptoms, or if your urine becomes discoloured, I'd suggest a quick trip to the doctor's office. Routine liver and kidney tests and urinalysis would end the concerns.
Best,
Lar
Posted by FredPotter on July 26, 2007, at 15:45:54
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » maryhelen, posted by Larry Hoover on July 24, 2007, at 22:03:50
Larry thanks for the info. I have the problem too and thought it might be rhabdomyolisis since I have myopathy, I believe from statins. Although I'm not eating asparagus at the moment, I am taking CoQ10 to try and repair the statin damage. It's not quite the same smell as that caused by asparagus. Also not everyone produces the smell from asparagus
Fred
Posted by zatar on July 26, 2007, at 17:49:41
In reply to Unidentified odour ...., posted by maryhelen on July 24, 2007, at 21:47:25
Have you ruled out a urinary tract infection? Or maybe acidic urine (and the smell in some people) goes along with an increase in anxiety.
-zatar
> Okay ..... how can I stoop so low and ask this question. It is about an odour coming (I think) through my urine. I can't really describe it but it is a smell I have never experienced before. It is quite unpleasant and is indescribable. I am taking five different meds so who knows what could be causing this. I am too embarassed to ask my psycdoc about it.
>
> It also could be that it is not from the meds at all.
>
> Has anyone experienced anything like this before, even perhaps in different areas and thinking that it may be from a med.
>
> I can't believe I am going to send this. I was thinking of going to the doctor but I don't know how to explain it.
>
> maryhelen
Posted by OzLand on July 27, 2007, at 22:40:34
In reply to Unidentified odour ...., posted by maryhelen on July 24, 2007, at 21:47:25
I had this horrible smell of burning wax and smoke in my nose, and the doctor first thought it was a seizure condition. But, they could find nothing from the MRI, from the 48 hour videotaped EEG, or from the blood work. When I quit taking Desipramine, the odor went away, and so it was likely the cause. It made me nuts, and I would even put Vicks Vaporub in my nose to get rid of the smell. So, for sure check with your doctor.
OzLand
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2007, at 17:45:41
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » maryhelen, posted by OzLand on July 27, 2007, at 22:40:34
For maryhelen the odour was from modafinil she e-mailed me and said she lost the posts and is depressed so I thought I help and let you all know. Love Phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 29, 2007, at 20:10:15
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour ...., posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2007, at 17:45:41
> For maryhelen the odour was from modafinil she e-mailed me and said she lost the posts and is depressed so I thought I help and let you all know. Love Phillipa
Modafanil? It wasn't on her list of meds.
Yes, it makes the urine smell.....It's in the monograph as "urine abnormality". Descriptors vary, but many people think it's similar to the taste of the med. I'd hate to think anyone would confirm that supposition by experiment.
Lar
Posted by nolegirl23 on July 29, 2007, at 22:42:19
In reply to Re: Unidentified odour .... » maryhelen, posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2007, at 22:01:12
> Lots of things can cause a strange odor in your urine. For instance asparagus does to me. Med wise a lot can. What meds are you on? Love Phillipa
Coffee has the same effect on me. If I drink more than one cup, I notice the smell when I urinate..
Not so pleasant, but it could be much worse.
I took the issue to my MD, and he said that what you eat and what you drink can haVe a strong impact on the 'smell' of your urine.I wouldn't worry unless you have other symptoms.
Good luck!
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