Menthol symptoms and conditions

53 year old, otherwise healthy Type1 diabetic. HCA1 scores are typically 6.5-6.7. I lead an active, athletic lifestyle, with no circulation issues. Prior to Lisinopril, I have never experienced allergic responses to meds, hives or any similar issues. I have never experienced blood pressure issues; but Doc suggested Lisinopril for preventative maintenance, protecting kidneys. I took Lisinopril 5 mg. once daily, for almost 5 months without issues. In the middle of month 5, Urticaria appeared around mid-calf area, accompanied by a nerve-racking itch. In the next 2 weeks, itching started in hairline of scalp, moving spreading all the way down to ankles. I was almost 2 weeks into an elimination diet before discovering on a blog that urticaria was a possible side effect of Lisinopril. Discontinued Lisinopril 1.5 weeks ago, several days after starting 30mg Cetirizine & 30mg Loratadine . Itching is still present; but all urticaria have subsided, save for scalp. Menthol has been the only effective comfort for the itching.
Prior to taking Lisinopril, my only urticaria experience originated from exposure to poison ivy. I am convinced Lisinopril is the root cause.

I'm glad this website is running this information because I realized today that after taking 1500 mg over the last 3 days I'm not going nuts or am having an adverse reaction to the cough medicine prescribed to me as I completely stopped taking it.

My symptoms are: Increased heart rate-fluxuating, skin crawling/itching, tingling feeling throughout my body, horrible menthol-like taste in my mouth, and strangely an increased libido.

Trust me when I say that the increased libido isn't worth all of the other horrible reactions to this medication. I initially took it for severe cough and flu-like symptoms. I also suffer from severe NES, and degenerative disc disease. No doubt I will be stopping this regiment.

I have been on Zyrtec for three years (Every day) haven't noticed mood swings in myself? My mother also takes them every other day and is not particularly moody. Although she has trouble sleeping which she attributes to the menopause But if i don't take one within 24hrs I get very itchy and hive up..now that I'm breastfeeding I've just noticed my daughter is very irritable..and am beginning to think it's related to the zyrtec. I'm changing to claratyne in the morning to see if there's a change..very,very interesting and scary reading all the side-effects!!

I had been on doxycycline for 4 1/2 days. I was out in the sun by the pool briefly on day 2 with 45 sunsreen - no problem. On day 4 was out by the pool with 45 sunscreen and within 15 minutes I began to feel strange. My face and arms and hands felt like they were burning. I went in the pool to cool off and found that my hands felt like pins and needles, like I had put them in menthol, and that I had fine string on the tops of my hands. (I didn't. It was just that sensation). I called the doctor who didn't think I was having an allergic reaction and suggested I take my next dose as prescribed to determine whether these symptoms were actually from the doxycycline, to which I said "no thank you." I'd really rather have theses symptoms dissipate than possibly escalate. This is day 5 and the symptoms have decreased but my hands are still tingly in water even with rubber gloves on. Additionally, I am also allergic to penicillin. Is anyone else? by lmhsea

sylvia,
wow what an awful experience! i have had problems with my ear since aug 05, same thing,was given pseudoephidrine to clear the "congestion" of course it did not work as my ear is not congested. the only thing that happened,similar to your experience is that the pseudoephidrine gave me palpitations and hightened my anxiety! i later found out this is a common side effect. i now take mucron,it contains ephidrine not pseudoephidrine and does not seem to cause the same reaction. i went to spain this year and took 1 mucron 2 hours before the flight then another as i boarded the plane. i also took a menthol inhaler as menthol will keep sinuses clear on the flight and also i chewed gum and sucked menthol sweets. and drank loads of water and my flight was problem free.i had no problems with my ears or nausea at all. hopefully some of this will be helpful to you. look up blocked Eustachian tube . may be some tips on flying with this problem?

sarah

I experienced a hike in b/p after taking benedryl. I was placed on Lisonpril. After two weeks, I experienced extreme difficulty walking, weakness and fatigue, vertigo, persistent cough, panic attacks and anxiety. My skin felt like I was bathed in menthol or vicks vapor rub. I am not sure if it is the same "tingling" or "burning" that has been reported by others. E/r visits, ekg, cat scans, blood tests came back normal. I received inconsistent medical advice from e/r docs, cardiologist and internist (i.e. stay on the med, but change it, take it only if your b/p is high, get off of it completely- you dont have high b/p and dont need it). I decided to get off of it. Its been three weeks off the Lisinopril. I have improved daily; however, I am not back to normal. Anxiety and "menthol-like" skin sensations still remain. This web site has helped tremendously with jsut knowing that I am not crazy or alone. Thanks.

I have been on Zocor for approx 4 months. Everyone in my family has died from a heart attack and dr. thought it best to be on zocor. I bruised easy but had no other side effects. I got put an anti-depressent because of being practically evil to everyone. I've been ont he anti-depressent for 7 days and for the last 2 or 3 I've felt like I've been dipped in a vat of menthol...I tingle and have numbness all over. After reading this...I'm dying from a heart attack regardless...I'm quitting the zocor.