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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1306 to 1330 of 1838. Go back in thread:
Posted by stresser on December 8, 2004, at 19:23:26
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by PoohBear on December 8, 2004, at 18:41:03
I was just reading the posts about effexor, and am wondering what the bad side effects are. My daughter was put on it for a short time one summer ago, but didn't stay on it long enough for any bad side effects to take place....thank goodness.
I am thinking about buying some 1-tryptophan for myself and trying it, because the welbutrin isn't working anymore, and I don't know if there's anyting out there that will. What are the side effects from that? I do need the sleep at night.....that would be a plus!!!-L
Posted by MKB on December 9, 2004, at 1:42:44
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by stresser on December 8, 2004, at 19:23:26
L-Tryptophan is worth a try. I'm sticking with it as there are no bad side-effects. You might have some weird dreams in the beginning. Pharmaceutical L-tryptophan is what you want to try to get, not the 5HTP. You'll probably have to purchase it online. There are several websites that offer it. I get mine from www.healthrecovery.com.
Posted by headachequeen on December 9, 2004, at 12:42:08
In reply to effexor, posted by rainy on December 7, 2004, at 21:08:03
> anybody, what have been your experiences with effexor? weight gain? withdrawal syndrome? does it work?
>
> rainyI don't remember all the side effects that were listed with the brochure the pharmacist gave me with the effexor the first time I was given it, but I do remember her warning me that it would cause weight gain and it did...
it did turn me into a zombie and of course it was the wrong medication for the situation as we know now...
although it did help at the time as I was really becoming stressed, almost panic-stricken given the circumstances surrounding the seizures I was having... the loss of days and so on...
When I decided it was time to stop taking it, I quit it and zyprexa at the same time
simply quit taking them ...
decided as I walked home that I was not happy with them and that they were doing nothing but suppressing my emotions so that it was time to stop.
I had no problems with the stopping...
no withdrawal symptoms, no reactions, nothing, although I was told afterward that many people have a terrible time coming off either and or both...it is not something I would recommend for a person with weight problems and not something I would recommend based on what I learned from my doctors after I quit 'cold turkey'...
had I known what could happen before I quit I would have been much more cautious -- and about starting to take it in the first place
kat
Posted by headachequeen on December 9, 2004, at 12:47:35
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by PoohBear on December 8, 2004, at 18:41:03
> > Triptophan is what is in turkey and bananas that makes you sleepy. Does the prescription or OTC not make you just really sleepy? I would be afraid it would just knock you out and not have any other effect other than just making you so laid back you didn't care. Isn't that called somnolence?
>
> The main reason people get "sleepy" after eating turkey is not the l-tryptophan necessarily, nut the massive amount of food that normally goes along with a traditional turkey dinner. All that food hitting your gut causes your body to shift your blood supply to your stomach and away from your head, causing you to feel drowsy.
>
> Tony
>
>Triptophan in turkey has been identified as being something that does cause one to be drowsy... and it is present in bananas too... one of the reasons they recommend bananas or a turkey sandwich as a bedtime snack for certain people
for instance, with certain tests that are coming up, I cannot take any meds that are meant to induce sleep by turning off the brain as it takes two to three weeks to eliminate them from the system but I am allowed to have a banana or two before bed because of the triptophan ... even a turkey sandwich as long as I don't eat the bread...
kat
Posted by ask on December 9, 2004, at 23:42:56
In reply to effexor, posted by rainy on December 7, 2004, at 21:08:03
I'm not sure if the Effexor is helping my depression. My level of depression seems to be more affected by my general attitude based on what's going on in my life than on the medication. Has anyone felt this too? If so, what did you do to fix the problem? Up the med? Taper it down and start a new med?
Many thanks.
Posted by rainy on December 10, 2004, at 4:37:09
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by ask on December 9, 2004, at 23:42:56
Hi, ask. You've posed a big question; can I ask you a couple in return? What's your diagnosis and who made it--a psychiatrist or your family practitioner? How long have you been on Effexor? I guess all these meds have a poop out factor. Also, it takes time to find the right medication.
If you're willing, would you share a little more about your situation?
rainy
Posted by rainy on December 10, 2004, at 6:01:27
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by ask on December 9, 2004, at 23:42:56
Anybody had experience with trileptal as a mood stabilizer? Adverse effects?
rainy
Posted by iris2 on December 10, 2004, at 11:51:28
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by ask on December 9, 2004, at 23:42:56
I would think that if your mood is generally more affected by outside influences than medication than you should consider therapy and learn how not to get depressed about things in your life. If you are able to change your reactions and not be depressed or anxious or whatever than you should not have a need for medication. Too many of us reach for medication and do not try to solve things with diet, exersise, and therapy. It is a simpler more long term and healthier answer if it can be occomplished. Medications should be the last resort not the first. Another thing to remember is that everyone experiences bad times in life and it does not always mean there is something wrong.
irene
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 10, 2004, at 15:21:58
In reply to Re: effexor » ask, posted by iris2 on December 10, 2004, at 11:51:28
I agree. If you know what makes you depressed. Don't do those things. Stay away from those things. Just from what you said it makes me wonder why you need medication. It sounds like you would better benefit from a counselor than any kind of meds. Maybe herbal stuff at the worst. Massage therapy, exercise. Things that naturally boost your body's endorphines. THat and Effexor is horrid horrid stuff. BE CAREFUL when you come off or you will have some BAD BAD stuff. Brain shivers are what I had. Where you feel like someone just took your head and shook it. Randomly. I am bipolar or I wish I didn't have to take medication. People act like I CHOOSE to take it, like I just LOVE taking medication or it's a cop out. Oh yeah, I just LOVE spending extra money I don't have every month!! :P Riiiiight. Also, do you take your B vitamins? That is another thing to consider. If there is any other way besides medication and you can do it, DO IT! :)
Posted by rainy on December 14, 2004, at 5:42:35
In reply to Re: effexor, posted by bridgey1128 on December 10, 2004, at 15:21:58
Week two of titrating up from 300 to 400 mgs Topamax. This from a woman who wanted to go down to 200. I've been at 325 for a week without too much serious forgetfulness (other than letting our expensive, anniversary present tea kettle boil dry)and plan to stay here for another week before upping to 350. It was at 350 last year that I became disorented while driving and couldn't hold my own in a conversation, so I'm leery of it.
Down to 200 mgs wellbutrin (unless I forget to take the PM dose, then it's 100) and I'm experiencing less anxiety. I want to try niacinimide, magnesium and taurine--as in cat food, move over kitties--for anxiety before I go back to pdoc in late December. The search for a new one, pdoc, is fizzling--my referrals either cost $225 per visit or require therapy as adjunct. Can't afford. I'm considering disability; at least I could afford medication.
If the natural stuff doesn't work then I think I'll ask her if trileptal is OK as an add on mood stabilizer. From what I've been reading on Psych Education or another site, a lot of bipolar people aren't on ADs at all-just mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics.
I'm realizing that I don't know as much as i thought I did about bipolar disorder and medication--when pdoc suggested Abilify, I sort of freaked--"I'm not psychotic--yet!" I need to read some more. I also didn't know how this site worked--like I've thought up until this week that this thread was the med board. Talk about provincial.
Hoo boy.Thanks for all your feed back about Effexor. No way will I take it.
Kat, where art thou???
Stresser, how's M doing on the higher dose of topamax? Any cognitive problems?
merry, how are you and the holidays getting along?
rainy
Posted by redscarlet on December 14, 2004, at 10:21:13
In reply to Going to the Max, posted by rainy on December 14, 2004, at 5:42:35
raniy ~
"From what I've been reading on Psych Education or another site, a lot of bipolar people aren't on ADs at all-just mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics."
Can you please share the names of these websites, I'm bipolar and I'm always looking for good website for information... Thanks
Posted by rainy on December 14, 2004, at 17:18:14
In reply to Bipolar meds, posted by redscarlet on December 14, 2004, at 10:21:13
By far the most helpful site has been Psycheducaion.org. I google it. It gives links to articles and sourses on some of the comments that the moderator, a Dr. Phelps, makes. That way you can do your own research. McMan's Web is another good resource with a hook in to Medscape, but I don't have the correct address at hand--I'll post it later. NIMH has some published research abstracts that aren't much help, too short, but are interesting.
The alternative board here has links to interesting research but it takes some sifting to get to it.
I've been glued to Psycheducation for most of the past week. You probably already know most of this stuff though--you've been diagnosed for longer than I have.
The big Psycho Babble Board has more stuff on Effexor than I wanted to know--it surely did help me make up my mind about both it and Abilify--no no no!
So good luck and please, let me know what you find out. I'll get back to you about McMan. His newsletter is very useful.
rainy
Posted by headachequeen on December 14, 2004, at 19:09:39
In reply to Going to the Max, posted by rainy on December 14, 2004, at 5:42:35
> Week two of titrating up from 300 to 400 mgs Topamax. This from a woman who wanted to go down to 200. I've been at 325 for a week without too much serious forgetfulness (other than letting our expensive, anniversary present tea kettle boil dry)and plan to stay here for another week before upping to 350. It was at 350 last year that I became disorented while driving and couldn't hold my own in a conversation, so I'm leery of it.
>
Rainy, I am here... but just LOL
spent a delightful ???? time at club med and I don't mean the tropical club Med either while they attached more electrodes to my head and ecg wires and I forget what-all to try and figure out what it is that does or does not make me tick...
then the sleep lab...now, that was an experience ...
the tech informed me that I do not sleep very well... no kidding? I do not have sleep apnea; she thinks that the nurse who told me that I do was really missing seizures... they were supposed to be checking every few minutes to see if they could catch a seizure occuring to see what happens when it does and the tech figures (and I have secretly thought the same thing) that the sudden stoppage of breathing accompanied the start of the rigid comatose type of tonic clonic seizure I have at night... she also suggested that perhaps this nurse did not belong on a neurological service if she could not recognise this behaviour...
another thought that was occurring to me as she was suggesting what the breath stopping might be...
she is going to hand the stuff over to the doctor for evaluation of course...
besides, apparently as soon as I reach deep sleep I waken; she told me I wakened at least ten times during the night in a soundproofed room so it is not the neighbour's dog barking or a car door slamming that wakens me, it is me or something in me...
she said it was the oddest thing... I gave her permission to say it was wierd <g>... and she would be interested in discussing it with the sleep doctor who would be talking with my doctor and the neurologist about it...
here we go again thinks I...
so in a couple of weeks I meet with this doctor and perhaps with the other two at the same time to see if there is some way to get all this sorted and have a normal response to sleep at least...
or to see what effect the epilepsy is having on my sleep or vice verse....
tomorrow it is off to the clinic and to meet with the neurologist in charge or whatever he is called...
such fun...
I can't think of a better way to spend the week...
not
meanwhile I have been reading articles and things that keep popping up about depression and weight and sleep and so on...
there is a definite link between too much sleep and the wrong kind of sleep and overweight...
and now a definite link between the lack of omega3 and depression. we knew that, but a lack of it is a definite link to post partum depression and there is considered to be a definite link to bipolar...
going to dig out the info and post it...
this psychiatrist who is preeminent in his field to quote someone or other, insists his patients treat themselves to one salmon oil capsule a day...
I am not depressed but I am surely anxious about this sleep thing... another thought the tech had was that the treatment for this deviated septum might have helped if there had been sleep apnea but she still suspects it is seizure related, so why the snoring (and I was always taught that ladies do not snore... sigh another rule of etiquette broken)
and back to this broken sleep and constant fatigue which does not help the seizure thing...
so I am going to try the salmon oil thing...
I will even eat salmon if it helps...
can't hurt....
kat
Posted by redscarlet on December 14, 2004, at 20:57:45
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds » redscarlet, posted by rainy on December 14, 2004, at 17:18:14
Rainy ~ Thanks for the info on the website, I'll check it out.
I tried Abilify in the summer of 2003, I got BAD akathisia from just the lowest starting doses and had to stop taking it.
I'm having a touch of akathisia on the 40mgs of Geodon that I take, but because it works so well I'm willing to live with it.
However I think it may bother other people, I can't sit still to well, and stuff like going to the movies is a true test of my friends patients.
Out of all the meds I've been on, I've never been on Effexor, and nor would I be !!! I know all to well to stay away from that one ! The only SSRI I can take is the Wellbutrin.Here's a website that has some med info, if you don't already know about it...
There's a lot of info about Topamax from other people's experience with it.
Well, so much to read and so little time !!! :-)
Posted by rainy on December 15, 2004, at 8:15:04
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by redscarlet on December 14, 2004, at 20:57:45
> Rainy ~ Thanks for the info on the website, I'll check it out.
> I tried Abilify in the summer of 2003, I got BAD akathisia from just the lowest starting doses and had to stop taking it.
> I'm having a touch of akathisia on the 40mgs of Geodon that I take, but because it works so well I'm willing to live with it.
> However I think it may bother other people, I can't sit still to well, and stuff like going to the movies is a true test of my friends patients.
> Out of all the meds I've been on, I've never been on Effexor, and nor would I be !!! I know all to well to stay away from that one ! The only SSRI I can take is the Wellbutrin.Don't mean to be a know-it all but wellbutrin is one of the few ADs that's "allowed" for us bipolars and it isn't an SSRI. It falls into some other class of the little things. That's probably why you(and I) can tke it.
Here's a website that has some med info, if you don't already know about it...
> There's a lot of info about Topamax from other people's experience with it.
>>Yes, I've gotten some useful information from it, but the last time I looked it had been shut down for repairs or something--at least the trileptal info part had. I also found the tone rather negative, but maybe that's because I was.
Another good one is Remedyfind, because I don't have complete address, I Google that one.
There's where I got a lot of good "reviews" of Effexor, but not enough. They all mentioned the yuck, even though it was working for them.
Does Geodon cause weight gain--I know his is an issue for you--and does it help with depression? I'm going down the tubes again on the lower dose of wellbutrin--100 just doesn't cut it. 200 is here we go with the anxiety. That's why, along with the fish oil Kat mentions (although not salmon, according to other research) I'm thinking of trileptal.rainy
>
> Well, so much to read and so little time !!! :-)
>
Posted by rainy on December 15, 2004, at 8:37:05
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by redscarlet on December 14, 2004, at 20:57:45
Hi Kat. Glad you're home safely; I was getting worried about you. It seems like you've been dealing with this stuff for ages. I certainly hope it resloves soon.
Very selfishly, I'm glad you're back because I want to know about your experience with trileptal. I'm considering suggesting it to my pdoc as an alternative to the Abilify she gave me a sample of. I'm not entirey sure what she was thinking about but I think it was mood stabilizer-antidepressant all in one.
If you have time can you tell me what kind cognitive problems you've had with it? Weight gain? Anxiety? You know, the usual run down, even though you don't have the usual symptoms.
Thanks.And again, glad you're back for yourself, not just for information.
rainy
Posted by redscarlet on December 15, 2004, at 10:52:31
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by rainy on December 15, 2004, at 8:15:04
Rainy ~
"Don't mean to be a know-it all but wellbutrin is one of the few ADs that's "allowed" for us bipolars and it isn't an SSRI. It falls into some other class of the little things. That's probably why you(and I) can tke it."Ya, I meant to say antidepressant not SSRI. I've been on 450mg of Wellbutrin for a year now so I know quite a bit about it.
The website is just like this one, just a group of people sharing their options. You have to take the information for what it's worth to you.
I was on Trileptal over three years ago, before the Topamax, I stayed on it for a few months but the stomach pain was just to much for me and I had to stop taking it. Maybe you'll have better luck with it, hope so... :-)
Geodon has not caused me any weight gain and is supposed to be weight neutral. Not sure what's helping with the depression side of my bipolar, if it's the Wellbutrin or the Geodon or the combination of the two, but I'm doing OK.
I also take Omega-3 flax seed oil with high DHA and EPA fish oil daily, been doing that for over two years. Not sure it has any effect on my mental state but I guess it's good for me so it doesn't hurt to take it.
Sorry to hear your not feeling to well, I know how hard this illness can be. I was official diagnosed in 1998 but was told I've had bipolar since I was a young child. And I've been on the med roller coaster since then. It seems almost every month or two I'm having to adjust my meds some. I've been hospitalized twice and have done an out patient program also. However today (now) I'm the best I've been so far and have great hope for a full and happy life, and I wish that for you as well.
:-)
Posted by stresser on December 15, 2004, at 21:50:23
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by redscarlet on December 15, 2004, at 10:52:31
I'm happy to hear everyone's input on the meds. and I, just like rainy, thought this was a med board. What is it? I'm really confused now as to exactly what this is...it's the blond coming out in me, darn it! My daughter is taking 300mg of topamax, and is just starting to notice a difference in her cravings, but she won't be seeing her pdoc until Jan. I want her to increase it before then, and I don't know what to do about that. From what you have all said, 400mg seems to be the magic number as far as controling binge eating. Should I increase another 25mg at night? She has been on 300mg for one month, my husband says be careful, so I don't really know what to do. Maybe I should call the doc. just to be sure, but mabye he will never take her that high. Then what? I press on? I do think it's leveling out her moods, and she told the new doc it was helping her in many ways. I have also read that bipolar people are taking mood stablizers for that condition more and more these days. There must be something to that. Advice PLEASE. -L
Posted by rainy on December 16, 2004, at 6:38:44
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by stresser on December 15, 2004, at 21:50:23
L, is her new pdoc a psychiatrist and did he/she say to go up to 400? It sounds from what you've written that you're doing this on your own. Not so, right? What might be the most prudent thing to do would be to call him/her, and get some advice from the medical person and then, first, ask M what she thinks. Is she having cognitive problems? Forgetting stuff? Slowing at all in her thinking? What does she want to do? Is she stable? What's her goal? The more she's involved in her medication management, the better she'll feel about it, I think (all of this is my own opinion, you understand).
I'm in my second week at 325, up from 300 and I'm having more trouble now than in week one. The Dopamax factor. But M's half a century younger than I am, too--that's got to factor in.This is a thread on the med board. That's why Ellen Brodie heads it up. The med board itself is about three feet long--I was like surprised. Hello!!
rainy
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 16, 2004, at 9:09:39
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by stresser on December 15, 2004, at 21:50:23
I take an Omega fatty acid capsule it has 3, 6 and 9 in it. It's flax seed, borage oil and fish oil. t's for heart health as well. Dunno about mental health. I don't eat any kind of fish or seafood whatsoever. I have noticed that my fingernails are growing like mad and they never have grown much in my entire life! The rolfing went well but he wasn't anything like I had thought. He didn't do much massage but did more manipulation and taught me how to breathe better, which was fantastic! My auditions were Monday night, had a call back last night and got to see ALL my competition and I was pretty confident. I find out next Wed! ARGH! Anyway, Topomax doing ok for now. I don't think I am going to go up on it any time soon because I am still having mental blockage and waiting for that to go away first. I don't want to have a huge mental fart onstage!!! ACK! Anyway, hope you all are having a good season and Kat I hope all your testing goes well. Wouldn't it just be nice to be able to wipe the slate clean and start over!!
Posted by rainy on December 16, 2004, at 11:38:56
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by bridgey1128 on December 16, 2004, at 9:09:39
Let us know immediately about the audition, Bridgey!! It sounds like you've got a whole leg in the door, though, to break later. I just bought fish oil, which I'm going to return ($23) for cheaper and stronger ($6.99.) Target vs "Natural Pharmacy." It's supposed to be a mild mood stabilizer--see Psych education.org. It's listed along with lithium and other anti convulsants.
Sure know what you mean about brain farts, although I hadn't thought of the Topamax blank outs quite that way--between them and brain shivers we're getting a real vocabulary for the people who write the package inserts for the meds we take. I like your lizard tongue for tardive dyksinesia, for example (which hasn't quite gone away, by the way.)
Anyway, you want your brain to behave. So do I. Want your brain to behave in a Bridgey way. I was going to say ladylike which of course excludes farting, but Bridgey is what I meant.
rainy
Posted by headachequeen on December 16, 2004, at 22:05:34
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by stresser on December 15, 2004, at 21:50:23
> I'm happy to hear everyone's input on the meds. and I, just like rainy, thought this was a med board. What is it? I'm really confused now as to exactly what this is...it's the blond coming out in me, darn it! My daughter is taking 300mg of topamax, and is just starting to notice a difference in her cravings, but she won't be seeing her pdoc until Jan. I want her to increase it before then, and I don't know what to do about that. From what you have all said, 400mg seems to be the magic number as far as controling binge eating. Should I increase another 25mg at night? She has been on 300mg for one month, my husband says be careful, so I don't really know what to do. Maybe I should call the doc. just to be sure, but mabye he will never take her that high. Then what? I press on? I do think it's leveling out her moods, and she told the new doc it was helping her in many ways. I have also read that bipolar people are taking mood stablizers for that condition more and more these days. There must be something to that. Advice PLEASE. -L
Thought what was a med board??? this is a topomax board isn't it? doesn't that make it a med board? or have I missed something in all the chaos of late???
at 400 mg if one titrates slowly up to it of course, says the broken record, there is little loss of cognitive function and little risk of it...
but one has to do things slowly...
higher doses can lead to problems and to toxicity...
just a warning there... the increase is best at night... with the balance following later in the am... so that the doses are balanced night to morning...
and I keep meaning to ask the neuros why...
oh there are so many things I keep meaning to ask them and I have this list that I keep forgetting to complete the question series when I am there...
so next time it will be a loooonnnngggg session....400 mg is the level at which weight loss is best achieved according to anyone I have spoken to about weight concerns...
and oversleep must be avoided too....and don't forget the salmon oil capsules...
what a life this is...
kat
Posted by merry on December 16, 2004, at 23:57:55
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds » stresser, posted by headachequeen on December 16, 2004, at 22:05:34
Feeling terrible of late. These past several days have been bad. Mixed moods. Hypo/depressed. Up one minute down the next. Can't get my moods stabled. I feel like the topomax pooped out on me. I've been taking my meds on time. I never skip. My schedule is always the same but I don't know what the heck is going on with me now. Maybe it's the holiday stress but I don't feel stressed. That's just what people tell me it could be. I am going to see my new pdoc next week. Maybe I need to go up on the topomax.
Anyway....hope you all are feeling better than I am. :(signed....Not Feeling Too Merry
Posted by rainy on December 17, 2004, at 3:05:10
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds, posted by merry on December 16, 2004, at 23:57:55
Ugh, merry, I'm sorry. What meds are you on? I seem to remember wellbutrin, klonopin and Topamax. From all that I read, Topamax is no great shakes as a mood stabilizer for a fair number of bipolar II people. I read an article this week in which a psychiatrist said she used it to treat the stuff that goes along with the disease rather than the mood swings themselves.
The wellbutrin does have a poop out factor, I think. I haven't read about it as much as with the SSRIs, but after having been on it since 2001, I think it's much mushier than it was at first. Of course if you're not on these meds all of this is about me and not you, which isn't my intention at all.
How's your diet? And are you doing extra stuff like baking or preparing for guests or anything out of your usual routine? I guess it really doesn't matter what is causing you to be so up and down, what matters is that you are. I hope your new pdoc can help--the rapid cycling is so awful. The alternative board might have some helpful information for you.
good thoughts to you
rainy
Posted by rainy on December 17, 2004, at 8:22:47
In reply to Re: Bipolar meds » stresser, posted by headachequeen on December 16, 2004, at 22:05:34
Kat, I think I wrote I thought it was THE med board, not A med board. I didn't realize it is a thread until I went to the BIG Psycho Babble med board and saw all the entries. This even after reading the entire Ellen Brodie Topamax thread. How dense could I be?? Really dense.
rainy
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