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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 Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:07:33
Hi There,
I have been struggling for over 20 years with facial blushing and am completely frustrated that there aren't any medications (that I know of) that will help this. I currently take Lexapro & 1mg Klonopin for Depression & Social Anxiety -- but neither of them do anything with the facial blushing. This problem has made and continues to make my professional and personal life complete hell. I have to go to great lengths to avoid certain situations so I don't blush. Anyone who hasn't suffered from blushing can't imagine what its like -- people treat you like a freak or that you must be really messed up. The funny thing is -- I feel normal and okay about myself -- but the blushing has a life of its own and has nothing to do with how I feel about myself.
I've tried Propranolol -- up to 20-30mg -- but it only lasts for 1-2 hours and then wears off.
Can anyone help with suggestions on ANY type of medication that might help this?
Effexor helped slightly but I had to go off the medication because of the severe side effects (apathy, no motivation or care in life and hypersomnolence -- but the positive was it took away my anxiety & depression -- but to the severe point of me not caring or feeling AT ALL).
THANKS!!!
Andrew B -- do you have any suggestions -- I know you are the guru of medications. I can give you the list of medications I have tried.
Posted by ed_uk on July 18, 2005, at 14:25:31
In reply to Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:07:33
Have you tried clonidine?
~Ed
Posted by Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:39:56
In reply to Re: Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP! » Zoehead, posted by ed_uk on July 18, 2005, at 14:25:31
I haven't tried it yet -- have heard about it but read some posts that it made folks with high blood pressure depressed. I see my doctor tomorrow -- what sort of dose is a good one to start out on with clonidine. It's an alpha blocker right?
Have you had success on this medication?
Thanks Ed -- appreciate your help.
> Have you tried clonidine?
>
> ~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 18, 2005, at 14:46:32
In reply to Re: Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:39:56
Hi!
The usual dose for blushing is 25-75 micrograms twice daily, much lower than the doses used to treat high blood pressure.
It dose sometimes make people depressed.
25 mcg twice daily is a suitable starting dose.
>It's an alpha blocker right?
No, it's an alpha-2 agonist.
>Have you had success on this medication?
I've never tried it.
Kind regards
~ed
Posted by Alvin on July 18, 2005, at 16:31:59
In reply to Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:07:33
I used to have a great deal of blushing that occurred when I was teaching adults; it's hard to control a class when you're always blusing. Low dose SSRI,as well as ativan as needed, solved it for me.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 18, 2005, at 17:02:27
In reply to Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:07:33
You mentioned that you experience social anxiety. Have you had a professional rule out the possibility that you do NOT blush more frequently than other people? I'm asking b/c due to your anxiety disorder it may be possible that you are just more concerned about this symptom than other folks would be. (I know it is certainly possible to struggle with the problem you describe and I'm not doubting you, just throwing out ideas.)
Also, is it possible that your current meds are making the problem worse? I know that my combo of meds makes me flush and sweat (not the same thing, but maybe related?)
Hope you get some helpful answers!
Best,
EE
Posted by Declan on July 18, 2005, at 19:21:28
In reply to Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:07:33
Hey, I know you want to talk about medication, but blushing is so interesting. It's like embarrassment, no? But can you blush without the feeling of being found out? (Don't ask me about what. Once you blush you have been found out as a blusher, perhaps it suggests you have something to hide). It's not the feeling of having been caught out in some (quite possibly nonexistent) subterfuge, is it?
I'm curious as to anyone's thoughts about this.
Declan
Posted by CAROLINA on July 18, 2005, at 23:10:52
In reply to Blushing, posted by Declan on July 18, 2005, at 19:21:28
i know this one is way.... out there but have they ever brought up Roacia or Roashia(sp)? i ask only b/c i knew a girl who for years thought she was blushing and she had a rare form of Roashia?? take care-Carolina
Posted by djmmm on July 19, 2005, at 10:54:48
In reply to Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by Zoehead on July 18, 2005, at 14:07:33
Try Inderal LA (long acting) @ 40 or 60mg. this med will work all day.
Posted by Zoehead on July 19, 2005, at 14:15:56
In reply to Re: Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by djmmm on July 19, 2005, at 10:54:48
okay. I tried 20mg inderal and I built up a tolerance and then it would only work for the first hour.
Do you take inderal LA for FB also -- and does it work. Any side effects?
Thanks a bunch -- really appreciate it.
> Try Inderal LA (long acting) @ 40 or 60mg. this med will work all day.
Posted by Zoehead on July 19, 2005, at 14:17:50
In reply to Re: Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP! » Zoehead, posted by ed_uk on July 18, 2005, at 14:46:32
Thanks for the advice Ed -- will give it a shot. I also read that Clonidine is doesn't interfere with exercise like Inderal does -- you can still get your heart rate up.
So how do you know about this med and if it works since you've never taken it...just curious...:-)
> Hi!
>
> The usual dose for blushing is 25-75 micrograms twice daily, much lower than the doses used to treat high blood pressure.
>
> It dose sometimes make people depressed.
>
> 25 mcg twice daily is a suitable starting dose.
>
> >It's an alpha blocker right?
>
> No, it's an alpha-2 agonist.
>
> >Have you had success on this medication?
>
> I've never tried it.
>
> Kind regards
>
> ~ed
Posted by Zoehead on July 19, 2005, at 14:19:52
In reply to Re: Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP! » Zoehead, posted by Alvin on July 18, 2005, at 16:31:59
i heart you -- public speaking will bring it out in me also. Funny - but most of the SSRI's tend to excacerbate the blushing. weird huh? Well, Zoloft actually helped -- but I had to discontinue it because I developed a rash all over my face and chest that continued for 2 months. Other than that - Zoloft was a great SSRI. Bummer.
> I used to have a great deal of blushing that occurred when I was teaching adults; it's hard to control a class when you're always blusing. Low dose SSRI,as well as ativan as needed, solved it for me.
Posted by Zoehead on July 19, 2005, at 14:23:07
In reply to Blushing, posted by Declan on July 18, 2005, at 19:21:28
interesting comments -- but I think its a sympathetic reaction that I have no control over -- and I think if anyone blushed and others noticed it and commented on it -- psychologically you would feel a bit ashamed or at least embarrassed -- because blushing is connecting to being embarrased. But the problem is -- I'm not embarassed at all. The blushing makes me feel that way -- because people think something is wrong -- its no different than talking to someone whose eyes begin to turn purple....:-)
> Hey, I know you want to talk about medication, but blushing is so interesting. It's like embarrassment, no? But can you blush without the feeling of being found out? (Don't ask me about what. Once you blush you have been found out as a blusher, perhaps it suggests you have something to hide). It's not the feeling of having been caught out in some (quite possibly nonexistent) subterfuge, is it?
> I'm curious as to anyone's thoughts about this.
> Declan
Posted by djmmm on July 20, 2005, at 14:14:26
In reply to Re: Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by Zoehead on July 19, 2005, at 14:15:56
> okay. I tried 20mg inderal and I built up a tolerance and then it would only work for the first hour.
>
> Do you take inderal LA for FB also -- and does it work. Any side effects?
>
> Thanks a bunch -- really appreciate it.
>
>
> > Try Inderal LA (long acting) @ 40 or 60mg. this med will work all day.
>
>I have used Inderal LA for several years (off and on) I use it to control the physical symptoms of social anxiety (blushing, sweating, heart palpitations, tremors)
I have found it works VERY well, because blushing is part of the "cycle" of social anxiety... by preventing the blushing, you stop this "cycle" (nervousness-->blushing-->fear that people notice you are blushing--> increased blushing-->sweating/heart palpitations-->fear and avoidance)
I have noticed that, after being on a MAOI for a few years, I no longer need the inderal. I believe MAOIs downregulate beta-adrenergic receptors
Posted by Zoehead on July 20, 2005, at 15:39:22
In reply to Re: Medications for Facial Blushing - HELP!, posted by djmmm on July 20, 2005, at 14:14:26
Really -- that's great to hear. What dosage and do you take the long acting form? Have you noticed any side effects like lethargy,inabiliy to exercise or weight gain?
Interesting you mention MAOI -- I mentioned that to my MD -- he said no way. I am currently on an SSRI -- I've tried about 10 of them so far with no success (due to side effects, or it doesn't help my depression, makes me more anxious (and increases blushing, or they make me so sleepy).
Which MAOI do you take and to you take it for depression & social anxiety -- what dose and what kind of side effects have you encountered.
Sorry for the 20million questions -- I've been struggling with medications for the past 10 year -- I'm 32 now and have almost given up. I suffer from depression (atypical) and facial blushing which I believe has given me social anxiety (the cycle and fear of blushing -- so I shy away from being social or speaking at work). The SSRI's seem to almost increase the anxiety -- but do help with the depression -- so I've got 2 battle going on at once ...
Many thanks for your time and words....
> I have used Inderal LA for several years (off and on) I use it to control the physical symptoms of social anxiety (blushing, sweating, heart palpitations, tremors)
>
> I have found it works VERY well, because blushing is part of the "cycle" of social anxiety... by preventing the blushing, you stop this "cycle" (nervousness-->blushing-->fear that people notice you are blushing--> increased blushing-->sweating/heart palpitations-->fear and avoidance)
>
> I have noticed that, after being on a MAOI for a few years, I no longer need the inderal. I believe MAOIs downregulate beta-adrenergic receptors
This is the end of the thread.
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