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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 16:30:17
This is really strange. For the last couple of days I've noticed that I blink excessively. I try to control myself, but I can't. I notice the blinking when I'm out. I'm not blinking excessively now, so I wonder if it has to do with bright light.
I found out that excessive blinking is called blepharospasm. I'm wondering if it could be a side effect of the meds I'm on. I'm on 40 mg Celexa, 40 mg Prozac and 0.75 mg Risperdal. I just started the Prozac not too long ago. Could it be the Prozac? Maybe it's the combo?
Deneb*
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2007, at 17:45:58
In reply to Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking, posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 16:30:17
Deneb I've had rapid blinking all my life before meds. So I doubt it's meds. I'd be more inclined to think it might be bright light. Do you wear sunglasses? Love Phillipa
Posted by Fallen4MyT on January 9, 2007, at 18:18:14
In reply to Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking, posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 16:30:17
Hey ya Deneb....can you sit in a dark room and see if you are still blinking rapidly? If you cannot control it I would think this type of dystonia can be from the meds and a call to the doc just for a tweak of a med adjustment would do the trick. Good luck.
> This is really strange. For the last couple of days I've noticed that I blink excessively. I try to control myself, but I can't. I notice the blinking when I'm out. I'm not blinking excessively now, so I wonder if it has to do with bright light.
>
> I found out that excessive blinking is called blepharospasm. I'm wondering if it could be a side effect of the meds I'm on. I'm on 40 mg Celexa, 40 mg Prozac and 0.75 mg Risperdal. I just started the Prozac not too long ago. Could it be the Prozac? Maybe it's the combo?
>
> Deneb*
Posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 19:00:59
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking » Deneb, posted by Fallen4MyT on January 9, 2007, at 18:18:14
Right now I'm not blinking excessively, but I was while I was in the shower 10 mins ago.
I don't know what is going on. If my eyes are extra sensitive to bright light, then why did I start blinking again while in the shower (low light)? Also, what would cause my eyes to be suddenly sensitive to bright light anyways? If my eyes are irritated or dry, why do I stop blinking sometimes? Maybe it's my brain and not my eyes. Could it be psychological? I don't know.
I'm going to pay extra attention to this and try to figure this out.
What are some things I should be looking for?
Deneb*
Posted by Fallen4MyT on January 9, 2007, at 19:13:12
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking, posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 19:00:59
Wow Debeb..it could be many things even anxiety so I kinda hate to put more fears and thoughts into your head ...you seem scared enough...That is why I would see a doc..like your PDOC who knows your meds. Low light no blinking excessively could rule some things out. Do they blink fast in the dark? I could also be youre coming down with a virus..odd as this sounds many get very sensitive to light..could be meds....could be so much....Just to be sure and to feel more at ease I would call your doc.
> Right now I'm not blinking excessively, but I was while I was in the shower 10 mins ago.
>
> I don't know what is going on. If my eyes are extra sensitive to bright light, then why did I start blinking again while in the shower (low light)? Also, what would cause my eyes to be suddenly sensitive to bright light anyways? If my eyes are irritated or dry, why do I stop blinking sometimes? Maybe it's my brain and not my eyes. Could it be psychological? I don't know.
>
> I'm going to pay extra attention to this and try to figure this out.
>
> What are some things I should be looking for?
>
> Deneb*
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2007, at 19:51:27
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking » Deneb, posted by Fallen4MyT on January 9, 2007, at 19:13:12
I do blink excessively for years from anxiety I guess. Also have dry eyes which obviously you didn't in the shower. Just call and ask your pdoc . What can it hurt? Love Phillipa
Posted by laima on January 9, 2007, at 21:26:46
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking, posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2007, at 19:51:27
It could be a side effect from meds- after all, the eyes are tied in with the nervous system. Maybe the action is related to twitching? But I'm only speculating. I've experienced brief episodes of some sort of twitchiness before too- but it goes away. Mostly it happens when I am exhausted but have had too much coffee. Whatever it is happening with your blinking, I seriously doubt it's permanent, so please don't worry yourself sick. Actually, I'm quite positive it's a temporary glitch. I think you should tell your doctor though, and be very clear about when it started, too. If he or she is just stumped, then I'd try an eye doctor- but try your pdoc first. I actually often have dry eyes myself, and they don't make me feel like blinking, for that makes them feel even worse.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 9, 2007, at 21:39:07
In reply to Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking, posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 16:30:17
I can hear my lids move when I blink. It's a scratchy kind of noise. If I move my eyes around while my lids are down, I can hear the muscles move them around.
I never noticed these noises until I went on my medications. I thought at first that they were causing the noise. Now I think that in evaluating how I feel on a day to day basis - are my meds working? - will I be able to hold myself together to get through a day? - I pay much closer attention to what my body does.
So far, all the weirds things I think my body is doing, are all normal, or a normal part of aging. I worry about something new every week, I think.At the moment I'm certain that I need hearing aids and bifocal lenses. Unfortunately, that is probably true.
((((Deneb))))See how you feel in another couple of days or so? It is better, or worse?
ClearSkies
Posted by laima on January 9, 2007, at 21:40:08
In reply to Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking, posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 16:30:17
I just noticed another thread (higher up on the page) where someone is using Celexa and having a blinking situation! Did you see?
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2007, at 22:07:19
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking » Deneb, posted by ClearSkies on January 9, 2007, at 21:39:07
Deneb seriously don't worry about the blinking as I say I've had it for years but just when you have time call you doc. You will be fine. Love Phillipa
Posted by cgd092 on January 9, 2007, at 22:23:31
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking » Deneb, posted by Fallen4MyT on January 9, 2007, at 19:13:12
I posted about this a few days ago! But guess what; the blinking went away. I'm sure it was caused by my news meds (Lamictal) but now I don't have to worry about it because it's pretty much gone. So perhaps you just need to wait a day or two! :) Try not to worry (said the anxiety person to all the anxiety people) :)
--Katy
Posted by stargazer on January 9, 2007, at 22:41:21
In reply to Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking, posted by Deneb on January 9, 2007, at 16:30:17
Why both Prozac and Celexa, both SSRI's. Could be related to excessive serotonin. If it started since you increased Prozac I would call your pdoc and let him know.
Celexa and Prozac are an unusual combination and could be an early sign of SS (Serotonin Syndrome), better play it safe than sorry and report in to the doc. You probably need to come off or reduce one of the two meds.
Stargazer
Posted by Deneb on January 10, 2007, at 0:58:42
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinkingDeneb, posted by stargazer on January 9, 2007, at 22:41:21
> Why both Prozac and Celexa, both SSRI's. Could be related to excessive serotonin. If it started since you increased Prozac I would call your pdoc and let him know.
>
> Celexa and Prozac are an unusual combination and could be an early sign of SS (Serotonin Syndrome), better play it safe than sorry and report in to the doc. You probably need to come off or reduce one of the two meds.
>
> StargazerWow, thanks everyone for your responses! I'm not too anxious about my blinking. I'm more concerned about my tremors, but even that isn't worrying me too much. I'm just sort of living with them and they don't bother me too much.
My blinking just gets annoying sometimes, it does obscure my vision a little bit.
The prozac was added recently to treat my bulimia. I'll tell my pdoc about this blinking. I think she forgot about my tremors. I'll mention that again too.
Deneb*
Posted by Sebastian on January 13, 2007, at 15:35:01
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinking » Deneb, posted by ClearSkies on January 9, 2007, at 21:39:07
Since stoping the geodon, my vision is much clearer. I take Abilify in its place. I think abilify is better than geodon. I found that the higher the dose of geodon the blurier my vision.
Posted by yxibow on January 15, 2007, at 19:04:49
In reply to Re: Possible side effect?: Excessive blinkingDeneb, posted by Deneb on January 10, 2007, at 0:58:42
> > Why both Prozac and Celexa, both SSRI's. Could be related to excessive serotonin. If it started since you increased Prozac I would call your pdoc and let him know.
> >
> > Celexa and Prozac are an unusual combination and could be an early sign of SS (Serotonin Syndrome), better play it safe than sorry and report in to the doc. You probably need to come off or reduce one of the two meds.
> >
> > Stargazer
>
> Wow, thanks everyone for your responses! I'm not too anxious about my blinking. I'm more concerned about my tremors, but even that isn't worrying me too much. I'm just sort of living with them and they don't bother me too much.
>
> My blinking just gets annoying sometimes, it does obscure my vision a little bit.
>
> The prozac was added recently to treat my bulimia. I'll tell my pdoc about this blinking. I think she forgot about my tremors. I'll mention that again too.
>
> Deneb*
Always suspect the most recently added medication, but yes, blepharospasms occur spontaneously as a human condition. Some people have them up to 6 months or more, and if they really get bad, have botox therapy. However this can cause eyelid drooping as a side effect, which will go away when the 3 months of botox wears off. People usually alternate Botox A and B to prevent tolerance to any botox therapy. Not saying you should rush out and get botox. It is probably medication related but not necessarily. The more thought placed about it though, the more annoying it becomes. I've had it at times too.Hope you feel better
-- tidings
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