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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 Donia on August 21, 2004, at 6:29:14
Hello, I am a 32 year old female smoker. I am on 10mg of lexapro. I have endometriosis. I have previously been on birth control and it helps 100% with the endo. I would like to know how safe it is to smoke, take lex, and take birth control together?? Chemist or anyone, do you know? I am worried about the risk of stroke and heart trouble in the years to come. I have been off birth control for a few months and want to go back on. any info appreciated!!
Donia
Posted by chemist on August 21, 2004, at 11:21:52
In reply to does anyone know if this is safe???, posted by Donia on August 21, 2004, at 6:29:14
hello there, chemist here...the recipe for disaster lies in smoking + oral contraceptives, although this is dependent to some degree on (1) whether you are taking an oral contraceptive in the first place and (2) the formulation of said contraceptive. the lexapro ought not to interfere with either added drug, and vice versa. given your worries for cardiovascular trouble, i would suggest as a first remedy to dump the smokes (i know, easy for me to say....), as you would then be in the clear. if at some time pregnancy rears its head, lexapro should not be on board, although i am not aware of your plans in that regard. lexapro is a pregnancy category C drug, and is present in breast milk, so should your day come, make sure you are free-and-clear of the lexapro (and hopefully the smokes, too). i wish you well, and all the best, chemist
> Hello, I am a 32 year old female smoker. I am on 10mg of lexapro. I have endometriosis. I have previously been on birth control and it helps 100% with the endo. I would like to know how safe it is to smoke, take lex, and take birth control together?? Chemist or anyone, do you know? I am worried about the risk of stroke and heart trouble in the years to come. I have been off birth control for a few months and want to go back on. any info appreciated!!
> Donia
Posted by Donia on August 21, 2004, at 12:51:26
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe??? » Donia, posted by chemist on August 21, 2004, at 11:21:52
Thanks Chemist, no pregnancy issues here. I do want to get rid of the smokes. Isnt it crazy, I quit the birth control, which keeps me from having awful pain, because I cant get rid of the smokes!
Donia
Posted by chemist on August 21, 2004, at 12:56:13
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe???, posted by Donia on August 21, 2004, at 12:51:26
> Thanks Chemist, no pregnancy issues here. I do want to get rid of the smokes. Isnt it crazy, I quit the birth control, which keeps me from having awful pain, because I cant get rid of the smokes!
> Doniahello there, chemist here...sounds tough, but you'll get through it, i'm sure...do get some opinions from folks other than i, in that i am of the opposite sex and have not been down this road, even indirectly with any past girlfriends....i do hope you can work things out, and at least the lexapro is doing its job for other ills....all the best, chemist
Posted by Donia on August 21, 2004, at 23:10:36
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe??? » Donia, posted by chemist on August 21, 2004, at 12:56:13
Thanks!!
Donia
Posted by chemist on August 21, 2004, at 23:19:50
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe???/Chemist, posted by Donia on August 21, 2004, at 23:10:36
> Thanks!!
> Doniahello there, chemist here....you're welcome, but i do implore you to consult with the gals and/or your doc on this one.....all the best, chemist
Posted by waki on August 22, 2004, at 22:15:37
In reply to does anyone know if this is safe???, posted by Donia on August 21, 2004, at 6:29:14
Not being a smart @ss, however if you give up that habit you won't have to ask the question now will you?
If you have to work with a doc to quit, you still will yield a nice result that will add years on your life.
:)
Posted by chemist on August 22, 2004, at 22:31:13
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe???, posted by waki on August 22, 2004, at 22:15:37
> Not being a smart @ss, however if you give up that habit you won't have to ask the question now will you?
>
> If you have to work with a doc to quit, you still will yield a nice result that will add years on your life.
>
> :)
>
>
hello there, chemist here...i assume you have read the entire thread....please enlighten me, as i am confused: are you addressing the safety of using lexapro, cigarettes, and contraceptives, as asked by Donia? i am baffled by your post in this regard. you disclaim being a ``smart @ss,'' and mention giving up ``a habit:'' to what do you refer? cigarettes, enjoyed by many for their stimulant effects? contraceptives, used here to ameliorate symptoms of endometriosis in addition to, one assumes, unwanted/unplanned pregnancy? lexapro, used to alleviate depression? please clarify. i can only assume that, because you specifically point to the potential need to ``work with a doc to quit,'' that it is one of the two drugs that require a prescription, as smoking cessation aids are available over-the-counter, and do not require a doctor's supervision. so: you do infer that a combination of cigarettes + contraceptives OR cigarettes + lexapro is the goal for Donia and others in her position. please do share your extended and clear thoughts, i do feel, still, that i am missing something....thank you, and all the best, chemist
Posted by Waki on August 23, 2004, at 1:14:00
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is of use??? » waki, posted by chemist on August 22, 2004, at 22:31:13
cigarettes,
think about it, why take a chance with two potential bad habits. eliminate the cigarette habit and one will not have to manage if it is or is not safe with anything.
i'm not a destiny, nor fate fan as much as i am opportunist. this is an excellent opportunity to try an healthier approach.
Posted by chemist on August 23, 2004, at 5:49:05
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is of use???, posted by Waki on August 23, 2004, at 1:14:00
Posted by Beatrix34 on August 24, 2004, at 13:03:00
In reply to thanks again!, all the best, chemist (nm) » Waki, posted by chemist on August 23, 2004, at 5:49:05
I actually spoke to my DR and he told me that taking low doses of Lex (ie 10mg) should be fine throughout a pregnancy...yike. I asked him twice. I don't feel good about the thought of that either, and I am tapering off the Lex now but that seems odd, maybe you shouldn't breast feed? Hmmmm....confused.
As for the smoking, I know how hard it is to quit. I am a 35 year old female and still on BC pills and take Lex. I have been completely fine on both. Adding the smoking is bad news though. I suggest you give it your all to quit. There are support groups out there to help. It's the hardest thing I have quit, but the most rewarding for sure. Good luck!
Bea
Posted by Donia on August 25, 2004, at 2:46:09
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe, posted by Beatrix34 on August 24, 2004, at 13:03:00
Thanks Beatrix, How did you quit? I am starting school in two weeks and am afraid I will by a nut case if I quit now. I know, we always have an excuse! lol
Donia
Posted by Beatrix34 on August 25, 2004, at 11:34:01
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe, posted by Donia on August 25, 2004, at 2:46:09
I tried everything..gum, the patch, the pills...nothing worked. I went cold turkey. It's BRUTAL for sure but the only way that worked for me. I hear though that the patch and the meds are a good combo. I did go crazy for a while but it does get better. I never thought that I could ever not think about cigarettes but thankfully that obsession is not longer there!
It's amazing, good luck, don't give up! You can do it :)
Posted by owensmar on August 25, 2004, at 23:34:48
In reply to Re: does anyone know if this is safe, posted by Donia on August 25, 2004, at 2:46:09
> Thanks Beatrix, How did you quit? I am starting school in two weeks and am afraid I will by a nut case if I quit now. I know, we always have an excuse! lol
> Donia
Quitting smoking when you're untreated or undertreated for depression/anxiety is hell. I mean, when you are struggling just to get out of bed, just to organize daily life, to squeeze enough dopamine out of your system to allow you go for a walk, giving up the small amount of dopamine rush you get from a cigarette is hard!I keep thinking, I'll finally get my meds right and then quitting will just be hard. I've tried four times, seriously giving it everything I had, and just couldn't do it. The one time I managed to quit for a year was while I was in my one year honeymoon period on imipramine when I was first diagnosed and first put on ADs.
I actually think Effexor makes me smoke more.
Marsha
This is the end of the thread.
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