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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on March 27, 2008, at 4:37:12
I feel like the human guinea pig, trying 40+ prescription drugs, along with another 30+ vitamins, over the past 10 years.
Out of everything, I have discovered two things that, in my opinion, will work for everyone who takes it. However, these two drugs (1) may not work for what you want them to work for and (2) this is taking it alone, and NOT in combination with any other drugs, which may cause a reverse effect.
WHICH TWO ARE THEY?
1) Seroquel: I was telling my pdoc the other day that I think Seroquel will be like the peanut was to George Washington Carver. I'm serious. There is just something special about Seroquel. They just seem to be coming up with more uses of it every single day. In high doses, it is supposed to treat psychosis and mood disorders. BOTTOM LINE: Do you have sleep problems? If so, this will be a miracle drug for you. Taken in low doses (25mg), you will sleep like Rip Van Winkle. It is like being shot with an elephant dart. I promise you, if you take this, and you are not taking any other prescriptions, you will have the absolute BEST SLEEP OF YOUR LIFE. And what is cool about Seroquel is that there is none of this "wait for 6-8 weeks to see if it kicks in." Um, you will know within 30 minutes of your first pill whether or not it works for you. In fact, don't get a prescription, just ask your pdoc for a sample if you need it. Another interesting thing about Seroquel is that the less you take of it, the more sedated it appears to make you. You may not even need 25mg, cut it in half or in thirds.
2) Vitamin B-12 is other winner. Oh my gosh, I had my first B-12 shot the other day, and now I see why all the college and pro athletes get them. Within a couple of hours, I felt like a ball of energy, yet without all the anxiety that usually accompanies that feeling for me. You can get it in pill form, too.
Now I know you expected me to be in here touting the wonderful effects on Nardil. I do think Nardil is one of the best drugs ever made, it has changed my life forever for the better, and it's a shame more pdocs don't prescribe it for anxiety/depression. However, there are too many variables with Nardil for me to give it props like those other two. In other words, I can't say Nardil will do X for you. I KNOW Seroquel will make you sleep and B12 will give you energy.
Now the forum is open: What is the one drug that you know works? And what exactly did it work for? And it can be all kinds of things, ie Prozac was prescribed to treat me for depression, anxiety, etc. but causes me to lose weight, etc.
????
Posted by johnj on March 27, 2008, at 10:23:58
In reply to Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on March 27, 2008, at 4:37:12
Seroquel can give you terrible sleep quality. It made me wake up every hour and I was totally zoned out (25 mg)
50 mg gave me akathisia.
Seroquel made me worse and made me regress physically and mentally. Horrible drug for me.
Posted by torachan on March 27, 2008, at 11:33:08
In reply to Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on March 27, 2008, at 4:37:12
Sorry, but you're just flat out wrong. No other medication in the history of psychotropic medicine has proven more reliable or more effective than benzodiazepines. It's neurochemical mechanism is simple and well understood by neuroscientists. It activates a different site on one of the subtypes of the receptor GABA. GABA is the most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. It produces an anxiolytic reaction in 99% of cases I expect.
Seroquel's mechanism of action is complicated and not well understood affecting several neurochemicals, hence it's unreliability with some patients. Seroquel did not make me sleep like "Rip Van Winkle", but rather like "Tammy Faye Baker."
Remeron, on the other hand...
Posted by undopaminergic on March 27, 2008, at 11:43:28
In reply to Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on March 27, 2008, at 4:37:12
> I feel like the human guinea pig, trying 40+ prescription drugs, along with another 30+ vitamins, over the past 10 years.
>
> Out of everything, I have discovered two things that, in my opinion, will work for everyone who takes it.
>
> Now the forum is open: What is the one drug that you know works? And what exactly did it work for? And it can be all kinds of things, ie Prozac was prescribed to treat me for depression, anxiety, etc. but causes me to lose weight, etc.
>
> ????I would not make any such claims, because even if something worked for me, I know it won't work for everyone, let alone work *well*.
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2008, at 11:52:55
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by undopaminergic on March 27, 2008, at 11:43:28
Was given seroquel in the hospital with chloral hydrate, and benzos and still didn't sleep dose was 50mg and four hours later they repeated it when woke-up and then in the am couldn't speak my brain wanted to talk and words wouldn't come out and almost fainted the docs took me off that day. So will stick with benzos. Glad it works well for you though. Phillipa
Posted by Sigismund on March 27, 2008, at 15:54:21
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2008, at 11:52:55
The drugs that work are the ones you should never take.
Posted by dbc on March 27, 2008, at 16:38:27
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by Sigismund on March 27, 2008, at 15:54:21
Lamictal (probably mood stabilizers in general)
Amphetamine
BenzosNot particularly in that order. But my experience is limited compared to some members of the board that have been going at this for 10+ years.
Posted by dbc on March 27, 2008, at 16:41:32
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by dbc on March 27, 2008, at 16:38:27
Keep in mind everything that i said previously is completely ancedotal and certain substances on my list will definetly flip some people the hell out into psychosis (you know which one).
Posted by bob on March 27, 2008, at 17:30:48
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by Sigismund on March 27, 2008, at 15:54:21
> The drugs that work are the ones you should never take.
Huh?
Posted by dbc on March 27, 2008, at 18:09:54
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work » Sigismund, posted by bob on March 27, 2008, at 17:30:48
> > The drugs that work are the ones you should never take.
>
> Huh?Anyone who's explored uhh the more exotic world of pharmacology that exists outside a clinical setting knows that the ones that are the best, the ones that work the most are the ones you can never take or your wax wings will melt and you'll fall far down.
Posted by bob on March 27, 2008, at 19:30:02
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by dbc on March 27, 2008, at 18:09:54
> > > The drugs that work are the ones you should never take.
> >
> > Huh?
>
> Anyone who's explored uhh the more exotic world of pharmacology that exists outside a clinical setting knows that the ones that are the best, the ones that work the most are the ones you can never take or your wax wings will melt and you'll fall far down.
>
>So if one was to define "work" as a sustained response that returned a person to full functionality, then even these drugs don't qualify.
Posted by dbc on March 27, 2008, at 20:33:05
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work » dbc, posted by bob on March 27, 2008, at 19:30:02
> So if one was to define "work" as a sustained response that returned a person to full functionality, then even these drugs don't qualify.
>Yes, for me that substance would be dexedrine and probably for numerous others on this board. It will give you all those things and much more but its eventual failing and major fault is that it makes you sustainability functional or even function beyond your capacity and when that falls apart its not pretty.
Posted by Sigismund on March 28, 2008, at 0:42:56
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work » dbc, posted by bob on March 27, 2008, at 19:30:02
>So if one was to define "work" as a sustained response that returned a person to full functionality, then even these drugs don't qualify.
They would if they hadn't been refined.
But I don't want to make a pest of myself.
Posted by bob on March 28, 2008, at 13:40:43
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by Sigismund on March 28, 2008, at 0:42:56
> >So if one was to define "work" as a sustained response that returned a person to full functionality, then even these drugs don't qualify.
>
> They would if they hadn't been refined.
> But I don't want to make a pest of myself.
Wouldn't mind hearing your theory, actually.
Posted by bleauberry on March 28, 2008, at 18:57:35
In reply to Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on March 27, 2008, at 4:37:12
> I feel like the human guinea pig, trying 40+ prescription drugs, along with another 30+ vitamins, over the past 10 years.
Me too.
>
> Out of everything, I have discovered two things that, in my opinion, will work for everyone who takes it.Neither Seroquel or B12 shots had the effects on me that they do for you. Seroquel at best gave me 4 hours of fake sleep, while B12 made me more anxious and more depressed with no effect on energy. I sleep better than seroquel with a simple baked potato and milk before bed. B12 was not well liked by my biochemistry.
Ok, so what do I think would work for everyone? Well, here is my two cents. If someone has cold hands all the time, or cold feet, or they feel cold when other people aren't...Maca root powder will restore the feeling of warmth. My hands are ice cold. With Maca they are soft and warm within one day. At forums I visited, this effect was felt by 100% of people who tried it.
For drugs, I don't know of anything that is 100% reliable. But of them all, I would have to put my vote in for Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam as being more reliable in what they do than Serquel or B12 for what they do.
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on March 29, 2008, at 4:33:46
In reply to Seroquel, no thanks, posted by johnj on March 27, 2008, at 10:23:58
JohnJ: Its unfortunate that you had your experience on Seroquel. Were you taking any other meds at that time? Any for emotional challenges? Any for other physical ailments [high-blood pressure, acid reflux, arthritis?]
The only reason I ask is because I was talking about taking only Seroquel, and absolutely no other drugs or even vitamins. Hoping you are doing well now, Michael
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on March 29, 2008, at 4:46:30
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by torachan on March 27, 2008, at 11:33:08
I am flat-out wrong? lol. Thas funny. How can I be wrong if I never claimed to be factually correct? If you read the initial post, I clearly said it was MY OPINION. I have mine, you are entitled to yours. I respect yours. And with all due respect, I politely disagree with your opinion: I have been taking Klonopin for 11 years, and it has helped some but other times I feel nothing. But in MY OPINION, I do think benzos [after MAOIs] are the "most undeserved to get a bad wrap but do anyways" drug out there. They are a great drug, and help many people who take them for the proper reasons. They are safe and not nearly as addictive [in my OPINION] as they are made out to be. In FACT, I am taking less Klonopin now than I was years ago.
Thanks for the feedback, might have to try some of that Remeron :)
> > > > > >
>
>
>
> Sorry, but you're just flat out wrong. No other medication in the history of psychotropic medicine has proven more reliable or more effective than benzodiazepines. It's neurochemical mechanism is simple and well understood by neuroscientists. It activates a different site on one of the subtypes of the receptor GABA. GABA is the most prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. It produces an anxiolytic reaction in 99% of cases I expect.
>
> Seroquel's mechanism of action is complicated and not well understood affecting several neurochemicals, hence it's unreliability with some patients. Seroquel did not make me sleep like "Rip Van Winkle", but rather like "Tammy Faye Baker."
>
> Remeron, on the other hand...
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on March 29, 2008, at 4:51:24
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2008, at 11:52:55
Jan: Sorry for your experience. But again, I was talking about taking Seroquel alone, and not w/chloral hydrate and benzos. Hope you are feeling well, Michael
>>>>> Was given seroquel in the hospital with chloral hydrate, and benzos and still didn't sleep dose was 50mg and four hours later they repeated it when woke-up and then in the am couldn't speak my brain wanted to talk and words wouldn't come out and almost fainted the docs took me off that day. So will stick with benzos. Glad it works well for you though. Phillipa
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on March 29, 2008, at 4:56:58
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by Sigismund on March 27, 2008, at 15:54:21
Im lost [not the first time], but lost. Please help with an explanation.
> The drugs that work are the ones you should never take.
Posted by Sigismund on March 29, 2008, at 16:05:15
In reply to Re: The drugs that work .. we are not to take? » Sigismund, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on March 29, 2008, at 4:56:58
Hi Michael
Take benzos.
They were good and therapeutic, I think, my doctor thought, in 1974 and since.
I probably needed something, but I doubt that benzos were the best thing. Unkind and unsympathetic people may have (one doctor did!) suggested I join the army. I can see their point. A drug was not what I needed. What I needed was not something a doctor could prescribe.
My bias comes from the fact that the only branch of medicine to give me much help has been nutritional medicine.
Posted by Basia on March 30, 2008, at 3:39:15
In reply to Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by UGottaHaveHOPE on March 27, 2008, at 4:37:12
Seroquel is finally working after three months. Has kicked my depression in the butt, gives me a proper night's sleep for the first time in years and has stopped my psychosis. However, although it's anti-psychotic properties manifested immediately along with its sleep-inducing properties, it made my HPPD worse. After giving up alcohol and only taking it at night, this has disappeared.
The best drug for psychosis and HPPD was, I found, Sulpiride. It worked immediately.The only problem was it caused high prolactin. However, I could actually drink on it without any of the negative effects I have found occur with alcohol and Seroquel. Sulpiride is more activating.
Lamictal was the best drug, I found, for bipolar depression. At the beginning, it caused some slight hypomania, but the sort that makes you feel so productive and happy, not the full-blown dangerous type. That went after a few months.
Supplements that helped immensely - Vitamin B complex and Omega 3.
Posted by atmlady on April 2, 2008, at 19:25:03
In reply to Re: Drugs you KNOW that work, posted by bleauberry on March 28, 2008, at 18:57:35
Bleauberry - Interesting info on the Maca root. I may look into that.
UGotta - If we're including comments on drugs other than those for mental health, I gotta add Miralax to the list of drugs you can count on working. And I'm only mentioning this because (as I found out the hard way - ha ha) anti-depressants are one of the many drugs that can cause constipation - like chronic! Miralax .... great stuff.
This is the end of the thread.
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