Posted by Pfinstegg on May 7, 2006, at 9:11:19
In reply to Re: Do you know tianeptine?, posted by Racer on May 7, 2006, at 1:59:42
When I mentioned that it's a bit scary to take a drug that's not marketed here in the US, it's because I have had to educate my pdoc about it, and be the one taking full responsibility. The Pdoc I have has copies of many of the articles I've found, and has become a solid supporter of my taking it- it's just that it has to be entirely my decision.
I don't want to run the risk of a PBC, too much, so I'll just describe the process generally. No prescription is required, but no insurance company will reimburse you, either, for an unapproved drug. So I just order it online, using my credit card, from the same company from whom I order fish oil and B vitamins. It takes just a minute or two, and doesn't require any more information than if you were ordering a favorite pair of slacks from LLBean! You can easily find the two companies which market it online by a simple google.
The cost, for three doses per day of 12.5 mg. is about $3.00. It would be much nicer to be able to be reimbursed by insurance, but it is SO good to take a medication which appears to be so non-toxic, and which really helps. As I mentioned, for me, anyway, it acts as more of a mood-stabilizer and anti-anxiety agent. I still do get into depressed moods, but they are more moderate, and easier to get out of. As I have an Ego State Disorder related to PTSD and abuse, my mood has a lot to do with which ego-state I'm in, and these can change in a second. I am working as hard as I can, in my therapy, to integrate my ego states better, or at least to recognize better where 'things are coming from". That IS a slow process! But I am so pleased to have such a non-toxic medication to help me avoid going to emotional extremes all the time. There have been a few reports of abuse of tianeptine from the European literature, but they have occurred in people with histories of severe prior substance abuse. I haven't noticed any need to increase the dosage, or take it more frequently- it's just good as it is.
Maybe the best approach, if you would like to try it, is to gather up some of the articles from Medscape/Medline, as well as some of the comments about it made by Bruce McEwen of Rockefeller University and Robert Sapolsky of Stanford. They are both so highly respected in neuroscience that any pdoc would probably listen to their views thoughtfully. Once you have your pdoc's support, you could go ahead and order it without feeling so uncertain or alone in your decision.
Although I haven't been able to find much written about it, I'm assuming that it's better not to take it with SSRI's, SNRI's or MAOI's. It apparently acts completely opposite to the way they all do- enhancing uptake rather than blocking it. Another thing which I've also found helpful is to take Cytomel, rather than Synthroid, to keep my TSH below 0.5. It has a definite anti-depressive action- for me. Those two are all I'm willing to take now.
Good luck if you decide to try, Racer! I'd love to know how it turns out for you.
Pfin
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:638142
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060504/msgs/640909.html