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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:06:27
My doctor and I have been competing for the "craziest idea" award. His latest random thought: donepezil (Aricept), a cholinesterase inhibitor most commonly used for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Does anyone have experience with this sort of drug? If so, what have you used it for, and what happened? I'm also worried about the possible side effects, especially effects on sleep (though Parnate may counteract that).
Thanks.
Posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:11:15
In reply to Aricept, posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:06:27
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention what it would be for: concentration/attention difficulties (stimulants don't seem to help).
Posted by anita on September 16, 1999, at 2:44:17
In reply to Aricept, posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:06:27
> My doctor and I have been competing for the "craziest idea" award. His latest random thought: donepezil (Aricept), a cholinesterase inhibitor most commonly used for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this sort of drug? If so, what have you used it for, and what happened? I'm also worried about the possible side effects, especially effects on sleep (though Parnate may counteract that).
>
> Thanks.My old pdoc said that Aricept had helped a number of her patients who had cognitive problems on antidepressants and mood stablizers. I don't think it's a terribly unusual use for Aricept. I'd say try it and see how it goes!
good luck,
anita
Posted by Chris A. on September 18, 1999, at 0:38:07
In reply to Re: Aricept, posted by anita on September 16, 1999, at 2:44:17
My consulting psychopharmacologist recently recommended Aricept for cognitive difficulties, particularly memory. He felt it could help with cognitive deficits regardless of their origin. He also cited some research (from Biological Psychology??) that indicated it might be helpful as a mood stabilizer. He also said it might help to counteract some of the GI side effects caused by taking high doses of Omega 3s. He is no dummy and was serious. I haven't tried it yet as we're not done giving the previous strategy a fair trial.
If you try it please let me know how it goes.
Chris A.
Posted by Elizabeth on September 19, 1999, at 6:46:01
In reply to Re: Aricept, posted by Chris A. on September 18, 1999, at 0:38:07
What sort of cognitive problems? Chris, you mentioned memory -- what about its twin sister, attention? (I think my memory is fine.) Also, out of curiosity, who is your consultant? (Email me, shapere@aol.com, if that would be more comfortable.) Out of curiosity, what are the side effects of high-dose omega-3's?
Right now I am giving clorazepate 15mg b.i.d. a chance, in hopes that it will help with the distractibility. Stimulants (methylphenidate, pemoline, d-amphetamine) and antipsychotics both failed.
Aricept has been used in bipolar disorder, but I don't know of anything to support this, beyond case reports.
Posted by dj on September 26, 1999, at 14:11:17
In reply to Re: Aricept (followup), posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:11:15
Elizabeth,
In a thread above you wrote:
" Feeling genuinely "recovered," getting A's in my classes, and having gotten into what seems (so far) to be a very successful relationship have helped restore my self-confidence. So I guess I'd say, treat the depression first, then try to deal with all that other stuff."I'm curious what you did to achieve the sense of
" Feeling genuinely "recovered," & whether you did find something to handle your "concentration/attention difficulties"? And what about memory boosers -- particularly short term, any insights to share there?> Oh yeah, I forgot to mention what it would be for: concentration/attention difficulties (stimulants don't seem to help).
Posted by acm on September 27, 1999, at 15:18:28
In reply to Aricept, posted by Elizabeth on September 15, 1999, at 1:06:27
> My doctor and I have been competing for the "craziest idea" award. His latest random thought: donepezil (Aricept), a cholinesterase inhibitor most commonly used for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this sort of drug? If so, what have you used it for, and what happened? I'm also worried about the possible side effects, especially effects on sleep (though Parnate may counteract that).
>
> Thanks.There was a study done at the University of Rochester (NY) sleep lab in January 1998 that tested Aricept on clinically depressed people who had problems sleeping. I was a part of it. In fact, I went there because I couldn't sleep, they screened me, and that's how I first was diagnosed with depression.
Posted by mary on September 30, 1999, at 19:16:45
In reply to Re: Aricept, posted by acm on September 27, 1999, at 15:18:28
I currently take 10mg of Aricept(prescribed by a neuorlogist. A brain scan shows some abnormalities most probably related to that seen in depressive individuals not those with Althzeimer's) Originally, I took it in the evening. The resulting intense dreams were extremely disturbing and way too realistic. When I woke up, I often carried the events of the dream into my life. I remembered dream details so vividly that I expected things to happen in real life that had occurred in the dreams. I have since swtiched to an AM dose and the number of intense dreams is diminished but still occurs occasionally. I have been on the 10mg dose for at least one year. I am taking it for memory loss - I keep asking things I've just asked about, I use wrong words and, for a while, prior to taking Aricept, I would write the wrong thing. I have a reasonably strong vocabulary but find that I am more likely to use simple language and nondescript vocabulary like "thing". I also work with language disabled children maybe they are rubbing off on me. At any rate, I have taken Ritalin in the past to help with lapses in concentration, magnified by major depression. I did notice an increased ability to concetnrate, stick with a task and complete a decent professional evaluation. I do not receive the same from Aricept. In fact, now that I am back at work with the new school year, I have consulted with my pdoc about adding the Ritalin again.
Bottom line, for me, Aricept has no effect on concentration and minimal positive effect on memory. Maybe I would have more memory problems without it. Falling asleep was not a problem the vivid dreams were!
Good luck.
Mary> > My doctor and I have been competing for the "craziest idea" award. His latest random thought: donepezil (Aricept), a cholinesterase inhibitor most commonly used for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
> >
> > Does anyone have experience with this sort of drug? If so, what have you used it for, and what happened? I'm also worried about the possible side effects, especially effects on sleep (though Parnate may counteract that).
> >
> > Thanks.
>
> There was a study done at the University of Rochester (NY) sleep lab in January 1998 that tested Aricept on clinically depressed people who had problems sleeping. I was a part of it. In fact, I went there because I couldn't sleep, they screened me, and that's how I first was diagnosed with depression.
Posted by Elizabeth on October 17, 1999, at 18:07:56
In reply to Re: Aricept, posted by mary on September 30, 1999, at 19:16:45
> I currently take 10mg of Aricept(prescribed by a neuorlogist. A brain scan shows some abnormalities most probably related to that seen in depressive individuals not those with Althzeimer's)
Do you happen to know what sort of brain scan it was? I've had NMR imaging of my brain twice, and it was normal both times. Also, my problems are not so much with memory as attention.
>Originally, I took it in the evening. The resulting intense dreams were extremely disturbing and way too realistic.
Yeah, too much cholinergic activity will do that to you. This is the sort of thing I had worried about - I have a sleep disorder that might be related to narcolepsy, and cholinergic drugs have the potential to make it worse.
It sounds like Ritalin would be a good thing for you to try again. I'd go for it.
Take it easy!
Posted by mary on October 21, 1999, at 20:07:55
In reply to Re: Aricept, posted by Elizabeth on October 17, 1999, at 18:07:56
I just got back to the web site today after being sick. Sorry for the delay in responding. I
I do not remember the exact name of the scan without doing some research. Does SPECT scan sound possible? That's what comes to mind at this time. As soon as I retrieve the exact name, I will post again.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm trying to function without the Ritalin but at least I know I can fall back on it if I need to!!!
Mary> > I currently take 10mg of Aricept(prescribed by a neuorlogist. A brain scan shows some abnormalities most probably related to that seen in depressive individuals not those with Althzeimer's)
>
> Do you happen to know what sort of brain scan it was? I've had NMR imaging of my brain twice, and it was normal both times. Also, my problems are not so much with memory as attention.
>
> >Originally, I took it in the evening. The resulting intense dreams were extremely disturbing and way too realistic.
>
> Yeah, too much cholinergic activity will do that to you. This is the sort of thing I had worried about - I have a sleep disorder that might be related to narcolepsy, and cholinergic drugs have the potential to make it worse.
>
> It sounds like Ritalin would be a good thing for you to try again. I'd go for it.
>
> Take it easy!
Posted by Elizabeth on October 26, 1999, at 18:54:12
In reply to Re: Aricept, posted by mary on October 21, 1999, at 20:07:55
> I do not remember the exact name of the scan without doing some research. Does SPECT scan sound possible?
Single positron emission computerized tomography. Yup. It's sort of "PET lite" (shows less, but easier to do becaused you don't need to have a cyclotron in the next room).
This is the end of the thread.
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