Posted by Bill LL on November 29, 2005, at 13:32:54
In reply to Re: SUCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » jclint, posted by bigcat on November 29, 2005, at 7:05:08
Matt- what dose of Seroquel do you take for sleep. What about the next day. Is there tiredness. Is there further relief of anxiety?
I would like to answer the questions that you directed to me, as well as give some other observations I've had.
First the most important question you asked; My dog is a Sheltie. Very cuddly and lovable. But hates other dogs for some reason. Might need Prozac. My friend's sheltie likes other dogs.
You wanted more info on Lyrica. It recently hit the US market. The generic name is pregabalin. Here is a blurb that I pasted:
Lyrica (LEER-ih-kah) is the brand name used in the United States and some other countries for the seizure medicine pregabalin (pree-GABA-lin).
Lyrica is similar in structure to one of the major chemical neurotransmitters in the human brain, GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid). GABA is the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter—that is, it prevents nerve cells in the brain from firing too quickly, as they do in seizures. As it turns out, however, Lyrica does not act like GABA in the brain.
Lyrica was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005.
End of quote; it’s me again
It’s possible that Lyrica might soon be FDA approved for generalized anxiety disorder. If memory serves, it compared very well with Klonopin in a clinical trial. But memory might not serve.For me, it works great for anxiety and sleep without making me tired, just more calm. I feel a lot better on the 600 mg dose, than on the 300 mg.
Now your issue of going over “maximum” doses. I could not agree more. Clinical trials are usually done for a 6 week period. That has little or no predictive value for long term use.
You also raised the issue of being aggressive. Right on. My previous doc (internist) got offended when I did things on my own such as suggesting other drugs or changing my dose without first consulting with him. But consulting with him is not always easy. Many times I can’t just call and get a response. I might need to wait 4 weeks for my next appointment. And I would not be able to get a new prescription for a different drug until then. I’m not a patient person when I feel miserable.
I then switched to a different doc that I heard good things about. He is also an internist. What a difference. He respected, and even encouraged me to do my own research, and to play around with the doses (within certain limits) on my own to see what works best. He is very down to earth and doesn’t try to come across as the world’s smartest man.
As for credentials, in an issue of Baltimore Magazine, he was one of only 2 doctors named as the best internist in the Baltimore area. The voting was done by a panel of other doctors in Baltimore. In a different issue of the same magazine, he was named as the best doctor in Baltimore for infectious diseases. His office is in a John’s Hopkins building, so I assume he is in a Hopkins group, although I don’t know for sure.
Wouldn’t one think that this doctor would be uppity? He is in fact is as friendly as can be, and very receptive to my drug suggestions. I can make an appointment and see him within 3 days. Because of his flexibility, I can change doses without telling him. Then when I do see him and tell him that I changed doses or medications, he is totally ok with that.
My first doc had just an ok knowledge of drugs and was therefore hesitant to prescribe a drug that he was not familiar with . My current doc knows a heck of a lot and can on the spot let me know if my suggestions are safe.
What this means is that with the right doctor, either internist or pdoc, an aggressive person can get better in a much shorter time period than otherwise.
You related your feelings that despite possible adverse side effects, you would still try these type of drugs to try to get relief from anxiety and/or depression. That is exactly how I feel. Nothing, and I repeat nothing is worse than crippling anxiety and depression.
As for another coincidence, I too was around 10 years old when I became aware of my miserable mental changes. In 4th grade, I began feeling bad. In 5th and 6th grades and later, I was even more miserable with anxiety and sad feelings and did not get treatment for many years.
Once again, congratulations in your progress.
poster:Bill LL
thread:583052
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051126/msgs/583346.html