Posted by Ron Hill on November 16, 2007, at 1:08:35
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by Fivefires on November 14, 2007, at 16:59:41
5Fires,
> Talk about 'going off like a rocket'!
> Deplin 7.5mg had me laughing and giggling and behaving 'like a silly school girl' within an hour after taking it last eve!
> I thought to myself 'is this what mania feels like?'I'm very happy for you 5F! It feels good to be able laugh and feel well again, doesn't it? Good for you. Get the word out, as best ya can 'cause I suspect Deplin might help several people here in PB land.
I am Bipolar II, so I am very familiar with what hypomania feels like; this is not it. This is just normal. I had forgotten what it feels like to laugh and enjoy the world around me, and enjoy the people around me. Further, Deplin has stopped my dysphoric mood states, which is a blessing to me and my wife.
5f, I can't speak for you, but for me this is NOT hypomania. Instead, it is just a very nice normal.
It's pretty cool when it works, huh?
> It was so much fun and I was so excited, I could hardly settle down to get to bed, but managed to take care of that situation.Yes, I hear ya. I picked up my first script at 9 pm on 10/22, and I was so eager to try it that I did not wait until the next morning. So I took it in the late evening and, like you, I had trouble getting to sleep.
As I stated earlier, I find it best to split my dose and take them morning and early afternoon. You might want to try something similar, as you indicate below.
> I 'SO' 'WAY' hear what you're saying about meds waning Ron, and will keep this in mind.
>
> I've noticed even extended release or slow release meds don't last their official half-times when I'm concerned. Think I'm a megatabolizer!
>
> Prob' should have started on half tab' last eve, b4 I realized how good I could actually feel o_o. Recalled no instructions per pdoc phone conversation. Will try handle appropriately.Same here. The Prescribing Information document makes no reference to splitting the daily dosage. However, splitting the dose works best for me, and it makes sense from the dose response graph.
As you know, Deplin tabs are not scored. When I was taking 7.5 mg/day, I used my teeth to bite the tablet in two. Half of the tablet is outside my mouth and the other half is inside. I set the dry one aside for my early afternoon dose.
I currently take 15 mg/day, but based on what you have written, it sounds to me that 7.5 mg/day will be plenty for you. But, of course, you know what's best.
> As a result of recent labs, was not only told to start folic acid or folate, but also B12 shots monthly, so already got that one covered.
Once the shots get you into the normal B-12 range, I'd bet that you can very easily maintain an optimal level using a sublingual methylcobalamin (methyl-B12) tablet daily.
Sublingual administration works great because the methyl-B12 goes directly into the bloodstream. However, when swallowed down-the-hatch, the intestines transfer only about 1% of the dose to the blood stream.
In my opinion, sublingual administration has a couple advantages over the periodic B-12 shots. First, the B-12 levels in the body stay more constant when the body is supplied the vitamin on daily basis instead of periodic boost followed by a decline over time until the next booster shot.
Second, most people dislike getting poked with needles! Plus, the pt has to drive to the clinic, and pay the copay.
If you think it is important, you might want to take a couple of B-12 blood tests over time in order to determine if you are taking an adequate sublingual dosage.
I posted the following links before, but I'll post them again. The links take you to a site that shows some methylcobalamin products. However, whichever product you buy, make sure it is sublingual and make sure that it is methylcobalamin, absolutely NOT cyanocobalamin.
http://www.iherb.com/Search.aspx?c=1&kw=methylcobalamin
In particular, I like these two the best:
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=129&at=0
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=117&at=0
The only difference in the two products is the amout of methyl-B12 in the tablets.
> Feelin' a lil guilty about getting down on my pdoc re: lack of commmunication. Think he made a good call here. I'm going to continue down this Deplin path and get every drop of good feeling out of it I can.5f, do me a favor if you have time. Tell me your dx and list all of the meds and dosages that you take.
Thanks. I'm happy for you! Relief at last!!
When you reply, change the subject line of your post to reflect your positive response to Deplin. It might cause more people to read this thread if they see that you also are finding success with Deplin.
Congratulations. Let's hope Deplin continues to work over the long term. To me, it feels like it will, but as always, time will tell.
-- Ron
Currently in full remission.
dx: Bipolar II, with ultra rapid cycling (15 days for one complete cycle), and mild Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
600 mg/day Trileptal
200 mg/day Lamictal
875 mg/day Keppra
90 mg/day Nardil
15 mg/day Deplin
4 pumps of Androgel testosterone on a prn basis.
poster:Ron Hill
thread:784893
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071115/msgs/795408.html