Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 843887

Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Milnacipran - available in Canada ?

Posted by ricker on August 3, 2008, at 12:36:38

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been asked before. Is Milnacipran available in Canada?

I just stumbled across it this a.m. and was wondering if anyone has tried it?

Regards, Rick

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » ricker

Posted by Larry Hoover on August 3, 2008, at 14:22:10

In reply to Milnacipran - available in Canada ?, posted by ricker on August 3, 2008, at 12:36:38

> Hi all,
>
> Sorry if this has been asked before. Is Milnacipran available in Canada?

Milnacipran (Ixel) has not been approved in Canada.

Lar

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?

Posted by WhatToDoNext on August 3, 2008, at 16:16:24

In reply to Milnacipran - available in Canada ?, posted by ricker on August 3, 2008, at 12:36:38

Nortriptilyne is basically the same medication, ratio is 3:2

Steve

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » WhatToDoNext

Posted by Bob on August 3, 2008, at 17:13:04

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?, posted by WhatToDoNext on August 3, 2008, at 16:16:24

> Nortriptilyne is basically the same medication, ratio is 3:2
>
> Steve

But wouldn't milnacipran tend to have less side effects, especially in terms of anticholinergic type stuff?

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?

Posted by WhatToDoNext on August 3, 2008, at 17:27:25

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » WhatToDoNext, posted by Bob on August 3, 2008, at 17:13:04

That I wouldn't know, but if thats your biggest concern, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of them have the anticholenergic effect. I'd rather have that then increased anxiety, n/v, diarrhea, etc.

I've been on Nortriptilyne for 3 days and already notice a difference. SSRI's had more side effects for me than I've had with the Nortriptilyne which so far have been nill.

My anxiety is terrible, so when I say I notice a difference, it's not gone, but I will say I notice a definant decrease, and I havn't today I'm starting to titrate up. I'm praying this will work. Go to www.askapatient.com and type it in, you will see that most people have great success with it.

Best of luck,

Steve

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?

Posted by ricker on August 3, 2008, at 18:15:22

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?, posted by WhatToDoNext on August 3, 2008, at 17:27:25

> That I wouldn't know, but if thats your biggest concern, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of them have the anticholenergic effect. I'd rather have that then increased anxiety, n/v, diarrhea, etc.
>
> I've been on Nortriptilyne for 3 days and already notice a difference. SSRI's had more side effects for me than I've had with the Nortriptilyne which so far have been nill.
>
> My anxiety is terrible, so when I say I notice a difference, it's not gone, but I will say I notice a definant decrease, and I havn't today I'm starting to titrate up. I'm praying this will work. Go to www.askapatient.com and type it in, you will see that most people have great success with it.
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Steve

Hey Steve,

I can relate to the anxiety issues whith certain A/D's.

So, I've been thinking of giving cymbalta a shot, but I think my anxiety/irritability will become too much of an issue!

After reading the thread on "Knowledge is Power",
I'm really considering the nortriptyline. I'm already taking zoloft 100mg, lamactil 50 mg and rivitrol 0.5 mg/tid. I can't get past 50 on the lamactil....no sleep, whicked headaches and increased irritability.

I need something to get out of this "I just feel empty and don't care" feeling.
The site spoke rather highly of nortriptyline augmented with zoloft?
That may be a better option for me, at least a less invasive trial. If the nortriptyline gives me the push I'm looking for, then great, if not, I would then consider cymbalta.

Any thoughts?

Regards, Rick

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » WhatToDoNext

Posted by Bob on August 3, 2008, at 19:29:18

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?, posted by WhatToDoNext on August 3, 2008, at 17:27:25


> My anxiety is terrible, so when I say I notice a difference, it's not gone, but I will say I notice a definant decrease, and I havn't today I'm starting to titrate up. I'm praying this will work. Go to www.askapatient.com and type it in, you will see that most people have great success with it.
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Steve


I don't pray much these days, but I am hoping it works for you and works well. If it does work, hopefully I'll hear about it here.

Best wishes.

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » ricker

Posted by Bob on August 3, 2008, at 19:30:33

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?, posted by ricker on August 3, 2008, at 18:15:22

> > That I wouldn't know, but if thats your biggest concern, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of them have the anticholenergic effect. I'd rather have that then increased anxiety, n/v, diarrhea, etc.
> >
> > I've been on Nortriptilyne for 3 days and already notice a difference. SSRI's had more side effects for me than I've had with the Nortriptilyne which so far have been nill.
> >
> > My anxiety is terrible, so when I say I notice a difference, it's not gone, but I will say I notice a definant decrease, and I havn't today I'm starting to titrate up. I'm praying this will work. Go to www.askapatient.com and type it in, you will see that most people have great success with it.
> >
> > Best of luck,
> >
> > Steve
>
> Hey Steve,
>
> I can relate to the anxiety issues whith certain A/D's.
>
> So, I've been thinking of giving cymbalta a shot, but I think my anxiety/irritability will become too much of an issue!
>
> After reading the thread on "Knowledge is Power",
> I'm really considering the nortriptyline. I'm already taking zoloft 100mg, lamactil 50 mg and rivitrol 0.5 mg/tid. I can't get past 50 on the lamactil....no sleep, whicked headaches and increased irritability.
>
> I need something to get out of this "I just feel empty and don't care" feeling.
> The site spoke rather highly of nortriptyline augmented with zoloft?
> That may be a better option for me, at least a less invasive trial. If the nortriptyline gives me the push I'm looking for, then great, if not, I would then consider cymbalta.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Regards, Rick
>
>

What's the Knowledge is Power thing you're referring to?

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » WhatToDoNext

Posted by bleauberry on August 3, 2008, at 19:43:02

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ?, posted by WhatToDoNext on August 3, 2008, at 16:16:24

Nortriptyline and Milnacipran are not at all basically the same. Maybe on paper they appear to have similar affinities for serotonin and norepinephrine, but that's as far as it goes. On paper only. These two meds feel a world different. I've been on both and there are no similarities in how they feel. To me anyway. Milnacipran was by far the most effective and fast and fewer side effects. It lifted my spirits within 48 hours in a way that felt reminiscent of Ritalin, except without the stimulant part of it.

> Nortriptilyne is basically the same medication, ratio is 3:2
>
> Steve

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » Bob

Posted by ricker on August 3, 2008, at 20:32:32

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » ricker, posted by Bob on August 3, 2008, at 19:30:33

Oh, sorry,

I believe this is from "West's" original thread?

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080718/msgs/841488.html

 

Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » bleauberry

Posted by Bob on August 3, 2008, at 20:36:11

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » WhatToDoNext, posted by bleauberry on August 3, 2008, at 19:43:02

> Nortriptyline and Milnacipran are not at all basically the same. Maybe on paper they appear to have similar affinities for serotonin and norepinephrine, but that's as far as it goes. On paper only. These two meds feel a world different. I've been on both and there are no similarities in how they feel. To me anyway. Milnacipran was by far the most effective and fast and fewer side effects. It lifted my spirits within 48 hours in a way that felt reminiscent of Ritalin, except without the stimulant part of it.
>

So I gather from your post that you've been on a reasonable trial of nortriptyline at some point in the past?

 

Re: Milnacipran - for me a lifesaver :)

Posted by hopefullynow on August 4, 2008, at 2:46:28

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » bleauberry, posted by Bob on August 3, 2008, at 20:36:11

Hy
I just started on Ixel (milnacipram) after an failed trial of Stablon (tianeptine).I must say that after an fair trail(I think) of 10 days I suddenly stopped tianeptine due to side effects and deteriorated afectional state.Anyway, the fact about Ixel is that is amazing.In almost 9 years I tried a dozen of Pdocs and all the AD available, tryciclics, SSRI-s,SNRI-s, atipycals, antypsichotics, cominations, augumentations, Da agonists, mood stabilizers, so, nothing leaded me closely to an remitted state.
I must say that I am amazed, started with 25 mg the first two days, them 50 mg.After the first dose taken at 8 p.m.I slipped into an peacefully state of relaxation, something like an combination between an opoid and a benzo.I slept like a baby 8 hours, waked fully refreshed.I didn't thouth in a miracle after sooo many trial and errors, so day after day, i felt that something has changed, REALLY.Motivation, joyness, felling happy and peace, the so long forgotten joy of my workouts and so...There are so many things to say, but i stop here for now.I'm so sad that isn't available in States and Canada, the only alternatives being Cymbalta and Effexor which for me were ineffective(in fact it makes sense, reading that the 5ht-NE ratio is 200:1 (!)for Effexor-more like an SSRI).And reading in the above posts about milnacipran and nortryptiline - they are nothing in common, really, maybe on paper, like bleauberry sad.
Regards

 

Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry?

Posted by hopefullynow on August 4, 2008, at 6:23:52

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - available in Canada ? » WhatToDoNext, posted by bleauberry on August 3, 2008, at 19:43:02

> Milnacipran was by far the most effective and fast and fewer side effects. It lifted my spirits within 48 hours in a way that felt reminiscent of Ritalin, except without the stimulant part of it.

Bleauberry, are you still on milnacipran?If so, what's your experience so far?I'm so curious, because i've read about a few people on milnacipran, and never a roubust experience, here on P-Babble.


 

Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry? » hopefullynow

Posted by bleauberry on August 4, 2008, at 20:51:58

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry?, posted by hopefullynow on August 4, 2008, at 6:23:52

I too have seen negative reports on Milnacipran. Like any med out there, psych or otherwise, mileage varies depending on biochemistry and whatever the underlying malfunction is. I have seen enough good reports though to have this med stand out in a crowd. It seems to be one of those that works when so many others didn't, regardless that its basic mechanism doesn't seem much different than the others. Heck, if it is good enough to have helped at least 2 people I am aware of that both failed ECT, well, that's a pretty good med in my book. I mean, I couldn't see any other ssri or snri doing that.

Milnacipran is about the only med on the planet that actually helps, even at a subtherapeutic dose. I have major side effects in the way that I have to conquer...urinary retention, and flare-up of dormant DeGuerveins (a wrist/thumb tendonitis). Both seem to me to be from the noradrenergic squeeing of tissues. So I gotta figure out how to block that.

There is soemone else in this thread with a long history of failed meds who is seeing early benefits with Milnacipran. There was another poster here in the last few months, ATM Lady? Something like that? I'm not sure that's right. Anyway, last report was doing great on Ixel, and thus the absence here at pbabble. That person had tried lots of different meds and cocktails.

> > Milnacipran was by far the most effective and fast and fewer side effects. It lifted my spirits within 48 hours in a way that felt reminiscent of Ritalin, except without the stimulant part of it.
>
> Bleauberry, are you still on milnacipran?If so, what's your experience so far?I'm so curious, because i've read about a few people on milnacipran, and never a roubust experience, here on P-Babble.
>
>
>
>
>

 

Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry? » bleauberry

Posted by Bob on August 4, 2008, at 21:28:23

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry? » hopefullynow, posted by bleauberry on August 4, 2008, at 20:51:58


> Milnacipran is about the only med on the planet that actually helps, even at a subtherapeutic dose. I have major side effects in the way that I have to conquer...urinary retention, and flare-up of dormant DeGuerveins (a wrist/thumb tendonitis). Both seem to me to be from the noradrenergic squeeing of tissues. So I gotta figure out how to block that.
>


bleauberry - Please describe to me what this dormant DeGuerveins problem is. I've been having increasing problems ever since ECT with pain in my joints, especially my hands and feet (specifically the base of the thumb joints and some knuckles). This pain becomes more pronounced in the presence of an activating drug, like Abilify, Cymbalta, or Welbutrin. It's very worrisome to me and I never have had this problem before!

- Bob

 

Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry? » bleauberry

Posted by atmlady on August 5, 2008, at 17:24:29

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry? » hopefullynow, posted by bleauberry on August 4, 2008, at 20:51:58

Nope. Not absent from the group; I read the posts just about every day but only post if I feel I have something of value to say. And as for Ixel? It's been great for me. The ONLY bad thing I can say about it is that you have to take it twice a day (sometimes it's hard to remember that evening dose)! Good things - it works, it's cheap, it's strong and yet you don't feel "drugged", even when starting up. And none of the SSRI side effects such as anorgasmia, yawning, teeth-grinding, etc. A benefit to me was that my body temp (or my experience of it) has changed. I used to be SO COLD all the time (if you suffer this, you know how miserable it is, you feel so achy and ill, even in summer) and now I feel warm enough that I don't have to wear sweater and socks to bed. Maybe its because I feel less cold, or maybe its something else, but I also feel less achy in general. I have attributed it to Ixel because, after all, it is a fibromyalgia drug in the US, so aches and pains (or your perception of them) is supposedly what Ixel is said to help with. Ixel plus Provigil brought me out of a pretty bad depression this past winter, and I can't say enough good things about it.

 

Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry?

Posted by hopefullynow on August 5, 2008, at 21:39:26

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry? » bleauberry, posted by atmlady on August 5, 2008, at 17:24:29

Bleauberry, thanks a lot for your experience on Ixel!I'm glad too see again ATMLady and to report that the only annoying thing is the short life of milnacipran.For me the urinary thing wasn't a problem, it's true I felt an discomfort, but nothing bothersome so far.I'm in the 5th day of treatment and there's something that scares me a little : the thing is that I begun to felt some anxiety combined with sweating especially in social interaction moments, like a shyness.Definately this is an adverse effect which I hope will pass.I surprised myself to become more and more social avoidant and I don't like this at all because this is part of my anxiety/depression who hold me back so many years.Also, my dreams are more vivid and unpleasant which let me in a bad mood for the next day.I feel that i'm a slow metabolizer of milnacipran (I don't know if that's possible)and the half life of 8 hours lasts longer, so the 50 mg/ day split in two seems too much.The good part is that my back pain is much better, also my knees and tendons does'n hurt so much, thing that I always beleived was due to overtrain.I hope that these unpleasant things will be gone.Maybe I should have started with an lesser dose.Bleau, I'm sorry for your tendonitis, for me, Ixel worked in reverse, like an opoid, sorry...

 

Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry?

Posted by Sigismund on August 6, 2008, at 17:27:07

In reply to Re: Milnacipran - Bleauberry?, posted by hopefullynow on August 5, 2008, at 21:39:26

>Maybe I should have started with an lesser dose.

I wondered that too.

>Bleau, I'm sorry for your tendonitis, for me, Ixel worked in reverse, like an opoid, sorry...

Interesting that, isn't it, that it could work in such different ways?


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