Posted by Mitch on January 4, 2002, at 10:25:25
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug????? » Mitch, posted by MB on January 3, 2002, at 20:53:48
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> > > Well, at 150 mg, the Trileptal gave me insomnia. Then, when I increased the dose to 300 mg, I didn't notice a change until the third night at that dose, after which I slept 14 hrs. Maybe I'm just catching up on the sleep I missed when I first started taking it. Also, today was the third day without caffeine...that can cause hypersomnia too. I just took my bedtime dose an hour ago (I take it a little early so I can get it in with some food) and I don't notice any sleepiness. Maybe I'm adjusting! All in all, it is really tolorable. I realize how much I disliked the Gabitril!! One weird thing, though: When my last dose started to "kick in" I began to have the physical sensations of a panic attack but it never got too bad...just dissipated
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> > I would hazard a guess that it will probably be a little while and at somewhat higher doses of Trileptal before you are going to see what it is going to be like taking longer-term. I believe the dose "target" for seizures (as monotheraphy) is 1200mg/day (600mg/bid). Usually when you get into the range used for epilepsy you are more likely to see a lot of unwanted side effects (I am thinking here of cognitive sfx). Maybe your pdoc will be "nice" and you will get a good response before you get "there". Trileptal is related to Tegretol. I knew someone in college that had been on lithium for about 20 years for bipolar (he was a Navy vet)and he complained about the cognitive sfx of his lithium and they switched him to Tegretol. He definitely liked it a lot better. It would be nice to hear about a Trileptal success since Tegretol can cause nasty blood disorders (rare, but dangerous).
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> So, what is the target dose of Trileptal in treating "rage attacks"? I haven't been diagnosed as bipolar, but I assume the dose to treat hypomania would be about the same needed to treat bad anger outbursts?? I'm at 450mg a day (150 tid). At this point, I don't think I would be willing to go any higher. I'm just starting to feel "icky". Not really sick, but a general malaise. I haven't really felt like leaving the house for about three days, and I feel like my depression is getting worse. Kinda depressed and chilled and headachy...I've come close to falling over in the shower a few times. That's OK when you're drunk because you feel so good, but when you feel shitty and you keep falling over, is it worth it? Also, I'm feeling a discomfort in my right side that I think is my liver. I've felt it a few times after I've had alcohol poisoning. I don't think I'm really happy with this stuff. But, then again, I've never been happy with medications: no benifit, all side effects. That's why I got the spect scan...figured that on the "right" med, I'd be willing to put up with the side effects, because I'd be feeling better in my mind. The AE merry-go-round is turning out to be very similar to the AD merry-go-round. How long do you give one of these meds (AE) before you know if the side effects are going to go away?
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> ...starting to get discouraged,
Well, I *doubt* if the Trileptal would be messing with your liver much (it is mostly excreted by your kidneys), but the "ickiness" and "malaise" could be mild hyponatremia (low blood sodium) which the Trileptal can provoke. If you are dizzy that could be lowered blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension-have you checked your BP? I would call the doc and see if you can get a serum sodium done (perhaps a liver panel would be smart here, too). If it is ok, then the sfx might fade over a few days if you hold your dosage steady. You did mention that you haven't had any rage attacks on the Trileptal-right?
FWIW, the meds that helped me the most with hostility were low-dose SSRI, lithium, and Neurontin.
poster:Mitch
thread:86944
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020103/msgs/88738.html