Posted by KaraS on March 12, 2005, at 17:04:11
In reply to Re: Can a lightbox cause this? » KaraS, posted by tealady on March 12, 2005, at 16:00:09
> > I've been using a lightbox steadily for about 3 weeks now. I haven't seen any benefit yet but I'm recently experiencing some symptoms and I wonder if the lightbox could be responsible. I'm experiencing a fluttering feeling in my chest - like maybe my heart is skipping a beat now and then. Very scary. It could just be anxiety or from the doxepin (even though I'm only taking 25 mg.). The other thing I'm experiencing is irritability. I have been quite depressed lately but not nearly as irritable as I am now. Is there a chance that either of these things might be caused by the lightbox? Could I be using it too much? I'm using it about an hour a day, sometimes a little more.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Kara
> >
>
> Hi Kara,
> Umm How do you know it's not the doxepin?
> I've heard of lots of good reports from light box users.
> I would have tried one myself in winter months but nopone over here sells them. Last year I mostly was overseas. Going to Vanuatu and the other side of the world worked well :-))except for the month left of winter /spring when I got back.
>
> It sounds maybe like lack of potassium? Could doxepin cause a potassium depletion?...I know nothing about doxepin(and don't want to know:-, but check if its a possibility. If it is, just eat a banana every day or something like that.
> Not sure if any help. Let us know.
>
> Jan
>
Hi Jan,I don't know that it's not the doxepin. Cardio problems are common place with tricyclic ADs. My doctor had told me that I probably wouldn't have any problems like this if I kept the dosage under 100 mg. I'm only taking 25 mg. Also, I've been on 25 mg. for at least a month now and just recently developed the symptoms. I would like to believe that it's not the doxepin since it has been working miracles in terms of my anxiety issues.
I'm stopping the lightbox for now and I'll see where that leads me. Chances are it is the doxepin or perhaps some combination of the doxepin with lightbox that is responsible for the palpitations.
In terms of the irritability, I think that is due to the lightbox. I may have a soft bipolar condition and instead of experiencing traditional hypomania, I get agitated and irritable instead. I'll see what happens since stopping the lightbox.
Potassium is a possibility. I just bought some bananas so I'll make sure to have one daily. Can't hurt!
Thanks.
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:469760
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050225/msgs/470160.html