![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by joemartinez316 on April 29, 2011, at 12:51:52
Hello Everyone,
My name is Joe and I am a big fan of anti-depressant medication. About a year ago I started experiencing sinus pressure/congestion that was induced by my Effexor XR which I was taking for 5 years. I shortly thereafter started to clench my teeth at night which led to TMJ. I'm doing terrible off the medication and have tried a slew of SSRI's and Remeron. Can somebody please let me know if they have experienced the same thing?Thanks,
Joe
Posted by gardenroses on April 29, 2011, at 17:55:16
In reply to SSRI induced Sinus Pressure/Headaches, posted by joemartinez316 on April 29, 2011, at 12:51:52
I have a history of headaches, sinus problems AND depression. I have been through many different meds. For me the SSRI's worsened my headaches. The tricyclics are supposed to cure headaches, however they have antihistamine qualities and Pamelor dried out my sinuses completely in one week. Have you tried Wellbutrin? Though not antidepressants, Topamax, Gabapentin or Lyrica are worth trying as well. I'm on 9 mg Emsam patch now and still getting headaches so the jury is still out on that one.
Posted by mtdewcmu on May 1, 2011, at 23:59:19
In reply to SSRI induced Sinus Pressure/Headaches, posted by joemartinez316 on April 29, 2011, at 12:51:52
> Hello Everyone,
> My name is Joe and I am a big fan of anti-depressant medication. About a year ago I started experiencing sinus pressure/congestion that was induced by my Effexor XR which I was taking for 5 years. I shortly thereafter started to clench my teeth at night which led to TMJ. I'm doing terrible off the medication and have tried a slew of SSRI's and Remeron. Can somebody please let me know if they have experienced the same thing?
>I'm wondering how you know it was the Effexor XR that caused your sinus problems?
Posted by gardenroses on May 2, 2011, at 8:03:49
In reply to Re: SSRI induced Sinus Pressure/Headaches » joemartinez316, posted by gardenroses on April 29, 2011, at 17:55:16
I have decided the Emsam is causing me too much muscle pain and not enough depression relief. Joe, I don't recommend it. Has anyone tried a tricyclic antidepressant that is NOT drying to the sinuses?
Posted by creepy on May 8, 2011, at 0:23:01
In reply to Re: SSRI induced Sinus Pressure/Headaches » gardenroses, posted by gardenroses on May 2, 2011, at 8:03:49
When I was on desipramine I had good relief from allergies. Im not sure if it touches histamine, but the NRI effect will constrict the capillaries in the sinus and help congestion.
One thing I noticed on wellbutrin and higher doses of desipramine was the drying and an annoying tickle at the bridge of my nose that never stopped.
Astelin nasal spray helped with that, but saline spray which is recommended for that didnt.
Posted by joemartinez316 on June 3, 2011, at 8:54:33
In reply to Re: SSRI induced Sinus Pressure/Headaches, posted by mtdewcmu on May 1, 2011, at 23:59:19
I know it's the medication because I was off the medication for a year and no sinus pressure headaches and then once I started taking them I got the sinus pressure headaches. I was able to take Remeron up to 60 mg but it wasn't strong enough for my depression. It seems that SSRI's are too strong for me for some reason.
Posted by creepy on June 10, 2011, at 0:04:18
In reply to Re: SSRI induced Sinus Pressure/Headaches, posted by joemartinez316 on June 3, 2011, at 8:54:33
Some SSRIs do a little something on histamine. When I was on celexa my allergies werent an issue, but dried out sinuses were.
Also, there is the possibility of some antagonism of NE and DA receptors depending on what youre on. NRIs will cause the capillaries in the sinuses to constrict and help with congestion, but they can dry you out and cause a tickle, or headaches.
Drugs that work against those systems may increase congestion. Not sure..
Might be good to experiment and see what helps. Maybe add an NRI to the SSRI.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.