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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by starlight on May 24, 2003, at 11:56:47
Has anyone found that they're more susceptible to upper respiratory infections on these drugs. I've had 5 sinus infections in as many months and feel as though my immune system doesn't fight this stuff off. I'm a singer who performs a lot! and it's incredibly frustrating not to have more resilient health. I've considered the idea that beneath the meds I'm currently on the depressed side of my bipolar disorder, but then again, I've got a good amount of energy and being sick makes me more depressed so that's a catch 22. A friend suggested that it might be the med combo - any thoughts?
Starlight
Posted by dddiane on May 25, 2003, at 5:45:18
In reply to Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by starlight on May 24, 2003, at 11:56:47
Starlight,
I was on Tegetol for many years, which is the older generation of Trileptal, and I was plagued with sinus infections until I had a sinus surgery and learned some preventive steps.
You might want to try the following: Sleep with a humidifier. Use Ayr or Ocean (nasal saline) to keep your nose moist, buy an atachment for your Waterpik so you can irrigate your nose and use with warm salt water. You can get the attachment for around $20 from an ENT, from Waterpik, and it it is included with some Waterpik models. This sounds weird, but it is very refreshing and will help with colds and allergies as well. Or you can buy a Netti pot, which is a small ceramic pot for the same purpose. You can get these in natural foods stores.
Also Quefenesen can help. It is a generic perscription drug, an expectorant. My allergist suppliest me with this. You find it in most cough medicines but it doesn't spce you out or interact with other meds, it does break up tight mucus when that is a problem.
Hope this helps,
Diane
I wrote this message previously but it didn't seem to post - so if I am repeating myself, yes, I am repeating myself! :)
Posted by Ritch on May 25, 2003, at 11:24:39
In reply to Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by starlight on May 24, 2003, at 11:56:47
> Has anyone found that they're more susceptible to upper respiratory infections on these drugs. I've had 5 sinus infections in as many months and feel as though my immune system doesn't fight this stuff off. I'm a singer who performs a lot! and it's incredibly frustrating not to have more resilient health. I've considered the idea that beneath the meds I'm currently on the depressed side of my bipolar disorder, but then again, I've got a good amount of energy and being sick makes me more depressed so that's a catch 22. A friend suggested that it might be the med combo - any thoughts?
> StarlightTrileptal made me very nauseated and would increase my acid reflux problem at night-sometimes causing aspiration and sore throat as a result. If you've got acid reflux troubles, it might be aggravating that.
Posted by starlight on May 25, 2003, at 16:27:50
In reply to Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by starlight on May 24, 2003, at 11:56:47
Thanks for your comments. I do irrigate as much as possible, and am at a loss for having been so susceptible to colds and sinus problems for the past 5 months. I wish I knew what to do to boost my immune system. It's tough because I have a lot of energy, but think that underneath it I'm depressed, so maybe trying to do so much has weakened me over time.
starlight
Posted by missliz on May 26, 2003, at 1:04:35
In reply to Re: Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by starlight on May 25, 2003, at 16:27:50
I'm having exactly the same thing- upper respitory trouble is listed in the Trileptal side effects, but the shrinks don't beleive it. I've had sinus infections for years, coinciding with Tegretol and then Trileptal use. But they're the only drugs that keep me sane, so what to do?
I'm going to get tests to figure out how this is happening and see if there's a better way to live with this. My ENT says certain drugs will just make your mucous membranes swell, and thats all it takes for infection. "When the hole closes up and you quit draining, you get infection" she says. She did put me on Singulair, wich has helped a lot. It calms down an immune subsystem the Trileptal may irritate. We'll see- so far so good. I had surgury, I irrigate, I take guafenisen, all the stuff.
You aren't the only one.missliz
Posted by dddiane on May 26, 2003, at 7:29:43
In reply to Re: Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by missliz on May 26, 2003, at 1:04:35
Missliz & Starlite,
You are dead on that it is the Trileptal that is causing the infections. I have been off of Tegretol now for 16 months and have had no colds or sinus infections, not even irritations. I still do some preventative care, but nothing like before. Tegretol also made my skin weirdly thin, I bled if I scratched a misquito bite. Eventually I developed a bleeding rash all over my body and my serum sodium dropped to 125, and that was the end of the road for Tegretol. But this happened after many years of successful use.
Unfortuntely you are right Missliz about the stabliity issue. I am now working my way up on Lamictal, and so far so good. But it is still a wait and see, though it feels good so far, and better that other options we have tried.
Diane
Posted by starlight on May 26, 2003, at 14:56:12
In reply to Re: Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by missliz on May 26, 2003, at 1:04:35
I see him on Thursday (pdoc) have you tried just the Lamictal? I can't continue to take something that irritates or makes me more susceptible to sinus problems. My singing schedule is too hectic right now, and I've already had to many down days where my health was less than 100%. That will impact my career and is just unacceptable. I've basically had a sinus infection every month this year. I tried taking advair but dysphonia is a side effect of that, haven't tried singulair - how is that different from advair?
Thanks.
Starlight
Posted by dddiane on May 28, 2003, at 7:23:21
In reply to Re: Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by starlight on May 26, 2003, at 14:56:12
Starlight,
I've probably already answered you in another post :) but I didn't want to ignor this question in case I didn't answer already.
I take Lamictal with Topamax and I have not yet tried it solo. I am moving in that direction, but this is still experimental.
Since it takes so long to ramp up on the Lamictal, due to rash, why not suggest to your pdoc a slow substitution of more Lamictal and less Trileptal, and just see how you do? I think slow changes are better anyway, your body/brain gets a chance to reset itself, and your life isn't so impacted.
Diane
Posted by ST on May 29, 2003, at 5:49:45
In reply to Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory , posted by starlight on May 24, 2003, at 11:56:47
Hi Starlight!
I am also a singer (and actress). I was plagued by my asthma and bronchitis and sinus infections for years. After trying everything else, I tried acupuncture in 1991. I faithfully followed doctor's orders (no dairy and sugar, which, as a singer, you already know), took the herbs he gave me and received acupunture twice a week for about 9 months. After a few months of seeing the doc, my asthma attacks stopped, I felt my immune system get stronger and I stopped getting bronchitis and sinus infections every month. I was healthy like this for almost 9 years! My asthma and sinus/lung problems were then triggered again in 2000 by working in a very smoky nightclub in NY that had no ventilation. I finally got around to seeing a new acupuncturist and sure enough, my immune system got stronger again!
I don't know anything about whether the drugs you're on are causing this. I wouldn't be surprised, though.
I highly recommend acupuncture to stimulate your immune system, flush out toxins and to stimulate your lungs to heal and become healthier. It's no "hocus pocus" - it has worked for myself and other people with similar health problems. I hope you get healthy and strong again. I know how frustrating it is to only have half your voice available to you because you've been sick and coughing all night!
Good luck!
ST
> Has anyone found that they're more susceptible to upper respiratory infections on these drugs. I've had 5 sinus infections in as many months and feel as though my immune system doesn't fight this stuff off. I'm a singer who performs a lot! and it's incredibly frustrating not to have more resilient health. I've considered the idea that beneath the meds I'm currently on the depressed side of my bipolar disorder, but then again, I've got a good amount of energy and being sick makes me more depressed so that's a catch 22. A friend suggested that it might be the med combo - any thoughts?
> Starlight
Posted by starlight on May 30, 2003, at 12:56:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal - Trileptal - upper respiratory » starlight, posted by ST on May 29, 2003, at 5:49:45
Hi ST and others,
Thanks so much for your post. I have followed your suggestion and made an appointment for next friday with the acupuncturist. Had my pdoc appt yesterday and he increased my dose of lamictal (we're leaving the trileptal alone for now) and I feel better already. I'm looking forward to seeing if the acupuncture helps. I hope so!
Thanks for your comments and of note, I had a fantastic show last night.
Cheers,
Starlight
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