Posted by jrbecker on August 22, 2002, at 13:24:00
In reply to Re: Gepirone and Atypical Depression » jrbecker, posted by pc on August 21, 2002, at 20:50:57
pat-
I'll let you know how it goes. I start the treatment phase tomorrow. Of course, there's only a 1/3 chance I'll get the gepirone treatment since it's being tested against both Paxil and placebo.
Although rumors have been positive coming back from the study, I am trying not to be too overly-optimistic about this drug. My hunch is that it will be unlikely that anybody who has very severe depressive symptoms will choose this treatment over the SSRIs/MAOIs. It's basically a close cousin to Buspar (which I've taken and didnt find effective against my depression). HOWEVER, all of the data has shown that gepirone has much more AD efficacy than buspar. And it is mildly stimulating, another plus for for some atypical depressives. Moreover, it will most likely have negligible weight gain, somnolescence, and sexual side effects (big yes!). So for moderate atypical types, it sounds right up our alley.I've always thought my depression was somewhat mild to moderate, so I've never wanted to go the way of MAOIs despite being unsatisfied with most SSRIs.
Couple of questions for you now:1)Never tried Klononpin. What's it like, any AD effect?
2)Do you have soft biploar 2 symptoms or is this or anxiety? Have occassionally used Neurontin, although I usually only take 100-200mg three times daily. Only finds it knocks me out and might even be making my depression worse at times. Can't believe you're able to handle that high of a dosage. As an atypical sufferer, doesn't this make your already hypersomnolescence symptomology worse?
> Yes. Please let me know if this helps your atypical depression. I suffer from atypical depression and the only stuff that's helped me has been Nardil and Klonopin. I don't take Nardil any more, because of the side effects, especially the weight gain and I also built up tolerance to it. Klonopin is addictive, and I would like to get off that as well. I'm only on 0.75 mg right now, but I also take 4800 mg of Neurontin.
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> Anyway, I have had e-mail discussions with Dr. McGrath, who I guess you've worked with. I used to see Dr. Quitkin, but I moved to FL. I heard that Gepirone has a high success rate amongst atypical depressants -- over 60%, so I can't wait to try it.
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> God bless.
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> Pat
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poster:jrbecker
thread:80214
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117399.html