Posted by Mitch on November 26, 2001, at 23:16:40
In reply to Re: New Drug 4 Social Phobia. BPII. » Mitch, posted by Krazy Kat on November 26, 2001, at 17:23:42
> Mitch:
>
> Do you know any more about it? Does it have the same low side effect profile?I think it has the same paranoia surrounding it that Neurontin (gabapentin) did about pancreatic tumors (I think phase III trials were stopped briefly because of that). There evidently was supposed to be a slight risk of that-well we know where slight risks can lead to these days. Many "useful" meds that are quite old probably would have much trouble being approved with today's standards. There also are a lot of folks with intractable epilepsy that may find relief with Pregabalin as well. I know there are trials in my hometown with Neurontin as *monotherapy* for generalized ("grand-mal") epilepsy. It is much easier to get an anti-convulsant approved as an adjunct (an "add-on"), than it is to get it approved as monotherapy (it's cheaper and easier).
>
> Thanks for your comments previously re: my problems with Depakote and Prozac. I have lowered the Prozac and the anxiety/mania have gone down, and I lowered the Depakote. I'm doing better but still tired. I think I may need to lower the Prozac more due to a recent manic episode though (I almost left my husband!). I still can't understand how one can go through that and not see it, especially when it happens frequently.FWIW, When I was on Prozac, the MAX I could handle (period) was 5mg/day. Doses as low as 2.5mg/day could still trigger hypomania. It puzzles and frustrates me that SSRi's help my SP symptoms the best, but they also aggravate hypomania. Oddly enough, I *like* Depakote as far as positive effects go (at low doses), but the weight gain and cognitive dulling/fatigue really hinders things.
>
> Neurontin is still my "favorite" med - it just wasn't strong enough for me.I have found through a LOT of trial and error that antidepressants can't be avoided entirely. It seems that if you can find the absolute minimum dose of an AD that has the most positive effects for you-stick with that. THEN, add the mood stabilizer(s) in a little at a time, DON'T start upping AD's to compensate for sfx of the "mood stabilizers", back off the dosage of the MS or switch, etc. to get things straightened out.
Mitch
>
> This is exciting.
>
> Hope you're well.>
> - K.Yes, I am doing relatively OK. My major depressions seem to respond better to stim-like AD's in low doses for me (Wellbutrin/nortriptline), with a little Zoloft (2mg/day) to "dust" the 5-Ht transporters with to combat anxiety/panic/SP stuff.
Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:85200
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85254.html