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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2007, at 19:20:04
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin? » crawdad105, posted by Ron Hill on November 6, 2007, at 18:46:31
Saw ob-gyn senior doc who's doing surgery in January on me and he hadn't heard of it . You'd think he would have as this practice takes the high risk births. I explained what it was he understood and said he would have to be on his toes with me. And did you get your mail? Love Phillipa/Jan
Posted by Ron Hill on November 6, 2007, at 20:20:08
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin? » Ron Hill, posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2007, at 19:20:04
Yeah, I saw this in your previous post in another thread. Did you charge him for your time taken to educate him. Seems only fair given that he charges you so much.
-- Ron
> Saw ob-gyn senior doc who's doing surgery in January on me and he hadn't heard of it . You'd think he would have as this practice takes the high risk births. I explained what it was he understood and said he would have to be on his toes with me. And did you get your mail? Love Phillipa/Jan
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2007, at 21:13:39
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin? » Phillipa, posted by Ron Hill on November 6, 2007, at 20:20:08
Ron still have my active nursing license he knows I'm not working and likes older nurses. Medicaire he said would pay for the proceedure. But just did the Deplin check pharmacies the one I use has it and it's across the street from the hospital. Wish I had brochures on it as I would play drug rep and give them to him. Love Jan
Posted by rskontos on November 8, 2007, at 18:54:07
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin? » Ron Hill, posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2007, at 21:13:39
Would deplin work without a an AD if I wanted to go off my SSRI. IT isn't working so well. Thanks rk
Posted by Phillipa on November 8, 2007, at 21:04:17
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by rskontos on November 8, 2007, at 18:54:07
I second that question. Phillipa
Posted by Questionmark on November 11, 2007, at 23:03:41
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by rskontos on November 8, 2007, at 18:54:07
I'm a pessimist, but, if i were to guess, i doubt it. Possible though.
> Would deplin work without a an AD if I wanted to go off my SSRI. IT isn't working so well. Thanks rk
Posted by rskontos on November 12, 2007, at 10:16:02
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin? » rskontos, posted by Questionmark on November 11, 2007, at 23:03:41
Posted by KayeBaby on November 12, 2007, at 22:24:29
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by rskontos on November 8, 2007, at 18:54:07
If low folic acid is the cause or a large portion of your depression, it would help a lot.
If the SSRI is not so good and you have given it a fair trial then try something else in another class. SSRI's don't work well for all.
The right med should make you feel well or close enough to cope.
Best wishes,
Kaye
Posted by Fivefires on November 13, 2007, at 17:43:57
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by crawdad105 on November 6, 2007, at 11:32:19
I'm just now on my way to p/u some samples of Deplin.
I'm in a pretty bad depressive state ... not wanting to get out of bed, cryin' a lot.
I'll have to run down the thread here and read up a bit ... or not! Sometimes the POS can be so influencing I'd rather not know. I just told him I'd had one too many birds sh*t on my head lately and was feeling very abandoned and very rejected. He came up w/ this.
Funny as my gyn said, couple mos back, I needed folic acid and B12 re: last lab tests.
Anyway, pdoc said this should work better and help my depression. He didn't call it an anti-depressant per se. Guess I'll know soon enough. Better hit the road b4 they close their doors.
Any1 feeling the need to warn me of anything in particular would be appreciated, but it would also be appreciated if the 'it didn't work for mes' were held back a bit, at least until I find out for myself ... if ya' know what I mean.
Don't think could take another blow at this time.
Can't believe Thanksgiving is next week.
I'm soooo NOT thankful it's downright selfish.
5f
Posted by sparkle on November 13, 2007, at 20:51:11
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by Fivefires on November 13, 2007, at 17:43:57
iT seems to have helped me in combination with celexa. i am praying it helps you too.
Posted by Fivefires on November 13, 2007, at 22:35:58
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by sparkle on November 13, 2007, at 20:51:11
I'm not on an AD. Hmm.
Guess could use some prayers.
tks
5f
Posted by Ron Hill on November 14, 2007, at 6:33:33
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by Fivefires on November 13, 2007, at 17:43:57
5Fires,
> Funny as my gyn said, couple mos back, I needed folic acid and B12 re: last lab tests.
Interesting.
> Anyway, pdoc said this should work better and help my depression. He didn't call it an anti-depressant per se.Are you currently taking an antidepressant? I ask because Deplin is typically used to help the antidepressant medication to work better. However, in your situation (i.e.; low folate) it may help you even without an antidepressant on-board. Have you read the Deplin web site? Here is the link. Click through all the web pages.
Deplin is 100% Metafolin. Metafolin is L-methylfolate, although it is called several different names. The drug company Merck has patents on the production process of L-methylfolate. Here is the link to the Metafolin website:
Click through all the links on the Metafolin page. This is technical information, but worth the read. Just scan the parts you don't understand, if any.
> Any1 feeling the need to warn me of anything in particular would be appreciated,
I find it best to split the dosage; one-half in the morning, and the second half at about 2 pm. When I started out taking the entire daily dosage in the morning, the positive effects of Deplin would wane in the afternoon and evening. I believe this is due to the short half-life of Deplin in blood plasma as illustrated in the dose/response curve at the bottom of the following webpage on the Deplin site:
http://www.deplin.com/HealthcareProfessionals,Deplin
Please notice in the dose/response graph at the bottom of the webpage, that the plasma levels of 6(S) 5-MTHF (another name for L-methylfolate -- i.e.; Deplin) declines. This correlates well with my personal reaction to Deplin.
I take 15 mg/day, 7.5 mg in the morning and 7.5 in the early afternoon. I was looking for a reason why the benefits of Deplin dropped off after about six hours. When I saw the graph, it made sense to me, so I have been spliting my daily dosage ever since.
For me, the positive effects of Deplin kicked-in on the second day, and it continues to provide good results. However, I have only been taking it for 24 days, so time will tell if it continues to work on a long-term basis. In any case, as always, your mileage may vary.
It is ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, ESSENTIAL for all patients taking Deplin to also take B12. For the reason why this is true, see page five of this document on the Metafolin website:
http://www.metafolin.com/pdfs/Scientific_Review_13.12.pdf
Also, buy and use methylcobalamin (methyl-B12), not cyanocobalamin, the cheaper and more common form of B12. The cyanide functional group is not healthy.
Take the methyl-B12 sublingually, hold under tongue until the tablet is fully dissolved and gone. Here is a good methyl-B12 product, and there are others on this site. Search the iherb site for methyl B-12, and the other name for the same thing, methylcobalamin:
http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=129
I also take P-5-P, the coenzymatic form of B-6. This is very good stuff to take, especially when taking Deplin. I take about 50 mg/day. The upper limit of P-5-P is 200 mg/day. Further, I take about 30 or 40 mg/day of zinc. Zinc has antidepressant qualities, but do not take more than 100 mg/day. If the P-5-P or zinc causes some nausea, just eat a little food after taking them.
> I'm soooo NOT thankful it's downright selfish.
Not so. You are depressed, not a selfish person at your core.
I wish you well and I hope Deplin helps you.
-- Ron
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
Posted by Ron Hill on November 14, 2007, at 6:35:40
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by Ron Hill on November 14, 2007, at 6:33:33
Posted by Ron Hill on November 14, 2007, at 6:39:06
In reply to Above Post is For FiveFires (nm) » Ron Hill, posted by Ron Hill on November 14, 2007, at 6:35:40
Posted by Fivefires on November 14, 2007, at 16:59:41
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by Ron Hill on November 14, 2007, at 6:33:33
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?'
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.
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.
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.
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
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2007, at 18:27:17
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by Fivefires on November 14, 2007, at 16:59:41
Five Fires where have you been? Phillipa
Posted by Fivefires on November 14, 2007, at 20:44:59
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Deplin? » Fivefires, posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2007, at 18:27:17
I wish I could say 'I've been somewhere', but nope, just here. Have had an onslaught of uncomfortable issues hit me the last couple weeks which took be down a bit, so much I guess I've not posted much at all.
stillhere, 5f
Posted by brooke484 on November 15, 2007, at 11:02:39
In reply to Anyone tried Deplin?, posted by KayeBaby on September 24, 2007, at 17:08:31
My doctor has never heard of Deplin and I want to give him some information about it when I see him next month. Does anyone know where I can find some? I know about the website, but I didn't want to print all of that out. I want something short and to the point.
Thanks so much,
Brooke
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.
Posted by Fivefires on November 16, 2007, at 11:07:53
In reply to Deplin Has Made rHill Well (So Far, As of Day 26 ) » Fivefires, posted by Ron Hill on November 16, 2007, at 1:08:35
Gosh I hate to rain on this parade, and this may just be something else, but ...
Day 2 of Deplin, and I can't go to PCP to get B12 shot today because I had stomach cramping and diarrhea all day yesterday and all night, and then awakened this a.m. w/ very bad head/neck/back pain. I have C2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6 disc extrusions managed w/ Percocet and an NSAID and a muscle relaxant.
Called pdocs office and they said to check net and weren't even going to tell my doc.(?)
Called pcps office and they said to call the pharmacy and weren't going to tell that doc.(?)
I've already had flu and pneumonia shots this year.
Any1 experiencing any such effects w/ the Deplin?
I'm alone and you all are my support I'm afraid. I will do some googling once the Percocet takes the edge off and enables me to sit up and read the screen for any length of time.
This dual diagnosis of mine makes for a real mess sometimes. It's as if some of the psych meds actually zoom in on the extruded discs and exacerbate pain or cause breakthrough pain.
I don't know for sure this is because of Deplin, could be a coincidence or just some viral thing, but felt should post in case any1 is having similar reactions.
Pharmacist said only thing he could see was it might interfere somehow w/ anti-epilectic meds, but I'm not on one of these.
5f
Posted by sparkle on November 16, 2007, at 11:37:57
In reply to Any1 have flu symptoms or back pain w/ Deplin?, posted by Fivefires on November 16, 2007, at 11:07:53
i have been taking deplin for more than 6 weeks and have never had any of the symptoms you are describing. sounds a virus to me. hope you are feeling better
Posted by Fivefires on November 16, 2007, at 15:55:23
In reply to Re: Any1 have flu symptoms or back pain w/ Deplin?, posted by sparkle on November 16, 2007, at 11:37:57
You think so? Because, now, I'm really skiddish to take Deplin today. The cramping had me thinking it might be something serious enough for those damn 6hr ERs! And the back pain had me thinking I'd have to take extra narcotic, which is way 'unliked by pcp'.
I'd planned on getting vite-B shot today, but too ill to drive.
Think I can take it w/o the B for today anyway?
I don't know what to do you guys. I got a glimmer and now I'm scared it's gone or something.
I'm definitely going w/ the sublingual vite-B route so something like this doesn't happen again. Maybe will call about that right now.
I really really hope I'm totally wrong about this being the Deplin. I guess the only way to find out for sure is to take it again.
Guess that's what I'll do.
5f
Posted by stargazer2 on November 16, 2007, at 17:21:54
In reply to Re: Any1 have flu symptoms or back pain w/ Deplin?, posted by sparkle on November 16, 2007, at 11:37:57
What results are you having with Deplin, good enough or significantly better? Want to know whether I should try some myself...Thanks for any feedback and include other meds you are on and your diagnosis if you don't...Stargazer
Posted by Fivefires on November 16, 2007, at 17:44:27
In reply to Results w Deplin/Sparkle, others, posted by stargazer2 on November 16, 2007, at 17:21:54
Hi stargazer2. Just took a tab about 10minutes ago. A test of sorts. Will try and post later if can put my finger on, or identify, results. Some here say needs coinciding AD. My only other psych meds are Xanax and Provigil. (Yeah. I know.)
5f
Posted by sparkle on November 16, 2007, at 18:33:27
In reply to Re: Results w Deplin/Sparkle, others, posted by Fivefires on November 16, 2007, at 17:44:27
since you are having such miserable gastro-intestinal symptoms, i think it would be wise to take as little medicine as possible today until your stomach and cramping improves. Start with clear liquids and work your way up to solid foods and your meds and then try the deplin again. I have been dx with an atypical bipolar 2, which means i have mood swings from major depression to agitation and difficulty sleeping for days. This time of year i typically get really depressed, lethargic have alot of trouble getting going in the am. The deplin seems to have increased my energy level, concentration and kept me from getting really depressed. maybe it is coincidental but i am not ready to stop it. I have also divided the dose as was previously suggested to keep a steadier level of effectiveness. I also take carbatrol, celexa, 7.5mg deplin and rotate sleep meds as necessary lunesta, restoril or ambien. blessings, sparkle
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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