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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lynne on April 25, 2000, at 16:50:45
My Pdoc gave me Norvasc to try to help my binge eating. He said he had a few patients which this drug has helped. Well.... it didn't help with my eating,but it has made a nice improvement in my mood and has helped with depression. The only side effect is edema(water retetion). He then gave me Maxzide for the edema but it makes me too dizzy and tired.Does any one know of a diuretic that doesn't affect blood pressure?I really like Norvasc and want to stay on it.
Posted by saint james on April 25, 2000, at 16:57:00
In reply to Norvasc (calcium channel blocker) as AD ???, posted by Lynne on April 25, 2000, at 16:50:45
Does any one know of a diuretic that doesn't affect blood pressure?
James here....
I think this is a contrdictary statement. All diuretics lower BP as they reduce volume.
j
Posted by Chris A. on April 25, 2000, at 17:44:47
In reply to Norvasc (calcium channel blocker) as AD ???, posted by Lynne on April 25, 2000, at 16:50:45
Lynne,
A post a couple of days ago spoke of water as nature's diuretic. That's not just a theory, but a medical fact. Try drinking 8 - 12 glasses a day for three or four days and see if the edema decreases. If not, then you would have to bug the doc for a prescription one that might have fewer side effects for you.Blessings,
Chris A.
Posted by Andy on April 25, 2000, at 19:11:02
In reply to Norvasc (calcium channel blocker) as AD ???, posted by Lynne on April 25, 2000, at 16:50:45
> My Pdoc gave me Norvasc to try to help my binge eating. He said he had a few patients which this drug has helped. Well.... it didn't help with my eating,but it has made a nice improvement in my mood and has helped with depression. The only side effect is edema(water retetion). He then gave me Maxzide for the edema but it makes me too dizzy and tired.Does any one know of a diuretic that doesn't affect blood pressure?I really like Norvasc and want to stay on it.
Hi Lynne: I never heard of that drug used for depression. You and your Doc maybe on to something here. A family member of mine uses it for bp problems.
I have some relatively mild depression but with anxiety and panic. Is this the only med you take for your mood disorder and what dose do you take?
I've taken prozac in the past but it lost some of its effectiveness and am looking to improve it again.
Andy
Posted by Cam W. on April 25, 2000, at 19:57:58
In reply to Norvasc (calcium channel blocker) as AD ??? WHAT !, posted by Andy on April 25, 2000, at 19:11:02
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have be tried as adjuncts to mood stabilizers with limited success. The fat-soluble, L-type ones (like nimodipine) seem to work better than the one's used for hypertension (diltiazem or verapamil).The theory behind using CCBs to augment mood stabilizers is that one proposed mechanism of action of mood stabilizers is to interfere with an overactive phosphoinositol cycle (PIC)-(cAMP manufacturer and intracellular calcium regulator) in neurons. By blocking calcium ion channels (that the PIC open) you are helping to regulate the influx of calcium into the nerve cell.
In bipolar disorder the PIC is overactive and allows calcium ions to enter from outside the nerve cell, as well as releasing them from the endoplasmic reticulum. This extra intracellular calcium interferes with the conduction of the electrical signal along the axon of the nerve cell.
In theory CCBs should work, in real life they have a modest effect. I have a theory why CCBs don't work in vivo as well as they do on paper (therefore the theory is probably not totally correct). CCBs have an affinity for vascular smooth muscles (arteries) and cardiac striated muscles, more so than for neurons (I think), so the affect in neurons is not that pronounced. Can anyone corroborate or disclaim this theory. I would be extremely interested to understand what is really going on with mood stabilizers and CCBs.
Thanks - Cam W.
Posted by Chris A. on April 25, 2000, at 21:30:31
In reply to CCBs as Mood Stabilizer Adjuncts?, posted by Cam W. on April 25, 2000, at 19:57:58
Cam,
Steven Dubovsky at U. of Colorado is the doc's brain you want to pick on CCBs. He's been researching them since the early 80s. Verapamil didn't work well, but I took Nimodipine for about nine months, until Bayer Corp. stopped supplying it. It is incredibly expensive, at least in the US. If it were a miracle drug I would've continued on it. For me it was as good as any other mood stabilizer, and I've been on them all. Thanks for all of your hard work here.Chris A.
Posted by Lynne on April 25, 2000, at 23:08:22
In reply to Norvasc (calcium channel blocker) as AD ??? WHAT !, posted by Andy on April 25, 2000, at 19:11:02
I take 5mgs of Norvasc and I also take Dexedrine 10mgs for ADD. I have tried many AD's All of the SSRI,Marplan,Parnate,Selegiline and many,many more. They all had too many side effects for me. Norvasc has been amazing for me. I noticed I felt better after taking one tablet. I know why I am having the problem with the edema is because I work retail and stand on marble floors all day.I have been on Norvasc for a month and I love it!
Lynne
Posted by medlib on April 26, 2000, at 3:01:26
In reply to Re: Norvasc (calcium channel blocker) as AD ??? WHAT !, posted by Lynne on April 25, 2000, at 23:08:22
> I take 5mgs of Norvasc and I also take Dexedrine 10mgs for ADD. I have tried many AD's All of the SSRI,Marplan,Parnate,Selegiline and many,many more. They all had too many side effects for me. Norvasc has been amazing for me. I noticed I felt better after taking one tablet. I know why I am having the problem with the edema is because I work retail and stand on marble floors all day.I have been on Norvasc for a month and I love it!
*********************
Lynne--Sounds like your problem is not so much generalized edema as poor venous return in your legs (common among those who stand in one place alot, i.e. OR nurses, production line workers, etc.). Some nonmedical aids include:
--Wear maximum-support pantyhose/stockings.
--Avoid "locking" (hyperextending) your knees-- keep your knees slightly bent.
--Change body position frequently.
--Exercise to promote strong leg muscles (promotes better venous return).
--Decrease salt/sodium intake!
--Drink lots of water (as other posters have mentioned.)
--Rest with feet higher than heart level when possible.Maxzide contains two compounds and is a dual-action/potassium-sparing diuretic which is available in only one strength. You could try taking it after work, when you need not be so active (it is short-acting). Or you might ask your doc to let you try a single-acting/nonpotassium-sparing diuretic which you can take in a smaller amount.
Hope this some of this helps.--medlib
Posted by AndrewB on April 26, 2000, at 11:22:02
In reply to Re: CCBs as Mood Stabilizer Adjuncts?, posted by Chris A. on April 25, 2000, at 21:30:31
Chris,
I know a cheap overseas source of nimodipine. Contact me if you want info. (andrewb@seanet.com).
What are nimodipine's side effects as a mood stabilizer.
AndrewB
Posted by Chris A. on April 26, 2000, at 18:21:16
In reply to To ChrisA, Nimodipine, posted by AndrewB on April 26, 2000, at 11:22:02
> What are nimodipine's side effects as a mood stabilizer.
>
The main side effect was orthostatic hypotension, particularly at higher doses. That just meant I had to learn not to jump up so quickly.Best,
Chris A.
This is the end of the thread.
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