Posted by johnX2 on March 13, 2002, at 5:00:45
In reply to Re: Calcium Channel Blockers, posted by jaby on March 12, 2002, at 9:41:27
Hi just a few thoughts...Serzone generally can cause start up anxiety if the medicine is dosed up to quickly. I think that doctors try to put the patient on too strong a dose too fast. If you dig back there were some good posts on PTSD with some serzone titles that described dosing strategies. The deal with Serzone is that it takes at least 1 week for it to "tweak" a particular sertonin receptor than may give start-up anxiety. I have tried it twice and usually it takes about a week to relieve the anxiety, and then I can up the dose.
Some people are just really sensitive to meds, I
would have to guess that the SSRIs did the same
things? Do you have panic attacks ever?The buspar was a placebo for me also. I would think about the Topamax for the pain (A good neurologist recommended it to me, it has a good reputation for tension headache from what I can see).
As far as the depression goes, has your doctor ever tried you on another class of anti-depressant like an MAOI inhibitor? Nardil may be a good medicine for people that get anxiety from SSRIs. Seems a lot of doctor's are a bit hesitant
to go this route, which is a shame if you have not reached a full remission on the anxiety/depression front. People with what is called "atypical depression" often do good on these MAOI inhibitors. (There are some good threads about this if you look around).Another type of medicine that is really good for anxiety and generally quite tolerable is a low dose of an atypical anti-psychotic like Zyprexa.
(Don't let the name scare you). At the lower doses it really is good for stress and sleep
and has anti-depressant properties.You probably are going to need to be in contact with a good psychopharmacologist/psychiatrist to get past that last 10-20% of pain you desribe. I'm not sure what type of doctors/etc you have used to get treatment to date.
I would think your doctor would allow you to try Klonopin over diazepam? That seems a bit odd to me. Klonopin is thought to be of the least abusive of the benzodiazepines. I don't see why your doctor would find it a big deal to switch meds. I haven't tried anything besides Klonopin and Xanax, but I definately notice differences between the too. You may find Klonopin much better than diazepam.
I'm not sure about the CA++ blockers, a neurlogist/pain management specialist would be the most intuned on the used of that medicine for what you are intending. Psychiatrists/pdocs are probably less likely to prescribe those medicines as they deal less with headaches/etc.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. I REALLY hope you
can find/worth a good flexible group of physicians.Please take care.
-John
> > 1) Topamax (anti-convulsant) HAVEN'T TRIED
> > 2) Buspar (anti-anxiety) DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME
> > 3) Serzone (anti-depressant) MAJOR ANXIETY
> > 4) Klonopin (benzdiazepine,anxiolytic) HAVEN'T TRIED
> >
> > (I don't want to get scientific but you mentioned the jargon)
> > In terms of the tension headeache/jaw tension, from what I understand
> > the SSRIs can increase serotonin in an area of the brain that reduces dopamine
> > release. This dopamine usually inhibits firing of neurons that create muscle
> > spasms.
> >
> > - So Serzone is an anti-depressant that blocks the offensive serotonin
> > receptor (thus increasing the dopamine). Serzone enhances sleep and
> > reduces anxiety and is an anti-depressant (via a bunch of mechanisms I
> > won't go into).
> >
> > - Buspar via a serotonergic mechanism inhibits the hyperactive firing of serotonin neurons.
> > When we are anxious, sometimes our serotonin neurons fire too quickly.
> > So Buspar makes us less anxious, and can relieve a tension headache.
> >
> > - Klonopin increased cunductance of a chemical called "Gaba". Gaba is an
> > inhibitor chemical that "dampens" the transmission of other chemicals.
> > In this case Klonopin will mitigate the hyperactive serotonin firing to
> > relieve the tension headache (now I believe Diazepam is similar)
> > and relieve anxiety.
> >
> > - Topamax also increases Gaba conductance in a manner not too unlike
> > Klonopin, but it is not habit forming. But it also mediates another chemical
> > called glutamate (which may cause a bit of start up brain fog).
> >
> > I'm currently taking 400 mg of Topamax with no side effects
> > and also 300 mg of Serzone. The Serzone helps my sleep tremendously.
> > I also take medicines for my bipolar (manic-depression).
> >
> > So, I guess those are some good medicines to talk about with your
> > doctor. I wouldn't be afraid to explore new alternatives like Topamax.
> > It works fast (its not like anti-depressants).
> >
> > The Serzone may not be a bad option to look into
> > if your physician feels that it fits your needs
> > in regards to your mental health concerns. Serzone
> > won't exacerbate your headache, it ought to help it.
> >
> > You need to express your concerns with a
> > trusted doctor carefully. I'm wondering why you feel
> > that your treatment has gone a bit "resistant" for so
> > long?
> >
> AS FAR AS RESISTANCE, I HAVE DONE BETTER ON SOME THINGS THAN OTHERS, BUT AM AIMING FOR 90-90% WHICH I HAVE NOT YET ATTAINED
> > I don't know if I can add much more. As far as the calcium
> > channel blockers go, I have no experience except research
> > interest (I'm always poking into random things).
> I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING THE Ca++ BLOCKERS. I THINK VERAPAMIL AND NIMODOPINE AND THE MOST WIDELY USED.
>
> Please remember
> > I'm not a physician. These are just my experiences and
> > ramblings so to speak. ;).
> >
> > Please take care.
> > John
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > Hey John,
> > > I've read a lot of good posts from you. I have problems with GAD/depression. I have used most of the more conventional meds, but haven't had a doctor that has been willing to let me try out different benzos, which I would like to do with caution.
> > >
> > > Anyhow, I had read from a post here (maybe not the best source) I think that lamictal effects the calcium channels. If it does indeed have an effect on the NMDA receptors, I think that would warrant consideration of calcium regulation since it seems to be one of the more important ions involved at this site.
> > >
> > > I currently take 3.75 mg diazepam and 3200 mg neurontin. I am also trying to play with a start up/washout deal with lamictal. I was totally cured for 2 days when I first took it, had that gradually diminish, and then just experienced side effects. Yesterday was my first day of the re-trial and it hasn't been like before.
> > >
> > > I honestly think that I just have an anxiety disorder, which hasn't been treated correctly. Again, I woul dlike to try different benzos since they seem to be most effective. Since I have not been adequatelty treated and have had to deal with this for 5 years now, I think it has been allowed to tranform into other things.
> > >
> > > So how do you like topomax? It's one I would like to try, but am turned off by it's dumbing profile. I have troubles with my neurontin and recall already.
> > >
> > > I think it may have been you that was thinking of trying a CCB. In what little research there has been, it seems that nimodipine(sp?) has shown the most promise. It is very expensive however.
> > >
> > > I would be curious to hear if you have tried a CCB as well as what meds have done what best for you.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I have chronic tension headaches (been through many treatments).
> > > > Also bad bruxism (teeth grinding). This is exacerbated by
> > > > SSRIs like Zoloft.
> > > >
> > > > Can I pick your brain and swap stories?
> > > >
> > > > I found Topamax, Klonopin, and Serzone effective
> > > > cures.
> > > >
> > > > I also take Lamictal for Bipolar II disorder.
> > > >
> > > > But Lamictal doesn't help the headache, in fact
> > > > if I raise the dose too much, things get worse.
> > > > Neurontin doesn't help much either.
> > > >
> > > > Are you just taking the meds for tension headache?
> > > >
> > > > I've read that CCB may be healpful in some cases
> > > > to help headaches. what medicines were you thinking?
> > > >
> > > > Can you give us some insight on Lamictal's calcium
> > > > ion channel mode of action (any research ptrs would
> > > > be interesting)? I haven't really heard much about that
> > > > one.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks a lot!
> > > >
> > > > -John
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Has anyone had any luck with CCB's? I have had my best response to neurontin and lamicatal which have significant effects on the calcium ion channels. So this seems like it might make sense and overlap with the tension headches I experience. I would appreciate all input (whether it makes sense, experiences, etc.). Thanks.
poster:johnX2
thread:97448
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/97752.html