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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 18 to 42 of 42. Go back in thread:
Posted by Roslynn on August 4, 2008, at 16:34:16
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by SLS on August 3, 2008, at 17:06:27
> I am doing well enough to return to work in the fall. That's the plan, anyway.
>
> Currently:
>
> Nardil 90mg
> nortriptyline 150mg
> Lamictal 200mg
> Abilify 20mg
> NAC 1800mg
> Lovaza (fish oil) 1860mg EPA / 1500 DHA
>
>
> - Scott
Congratulations, that is great news.-Roslynn
Posted by theo on August 4, 2008, at 17:24:44
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by SLS on August 3, 2008, at 17:07:19
How do you like Deplin? I'm currently taking Foltx and have also taken Metanx by Pamlab.
> Oops.
>
> Forgot Deplin 7.5mg
>
>
> > I am doing well enough to return to work in the fall. That's the plan, anyway.
> >
> > Currently:
> >
> > Nardil 90mg
> > nortriptyline 150mg
> > Lamictal 200mg
> > Abilify 20mg
> > NAC 1800mg
> > Lovaza (fish oil) 1860mg EPA / 1500 DHA
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
>
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2008, at 7:45:42
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » SLS, posted by theo on August 4, 2008, at 17:24:44
> How do you like Deplin? I'm currently taking Foltx and have also taken Metanx by Pamlab.
Sorry, Theo. I had responded in detail to your post, but I obviously didn't submit it properly. Don't you hate when that happens?In summary, I prefer Deplin because it is pure L-methylfolate and represents a higher dosage than the other products you mentioned. I discovered that methylcobalamin severely exacerbates my depression, so those preparations containing this ingredient is harmful to me rather than being helpful. Be aware, though, that despite a brief "blip" improvement occurring at approximately day 3 of treatment, the true response takes more like 2-3 months to become robust.
- Scott
Posted by UGottaHaveHope on August 6, 2008, at 15:14:43
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » theo, posted by SLS on August 5, 2008, at 7:45:42
Some of you have mentioned that you hesitate to tell your story because you are concerned that it might upset or generate criticism from others on this board.
I just urge you to share your story for the Greater Good of all in here who need some HOPE.
As far as those others who may or may not be upset, you should not worry about that because that's their issue not yours. Believe me, there are far more people (even though they might not all post) who want to read about your success story. Or anything positive, even little steps of progress.
That's what you've got to focus on, that you may HELP.
Posted by theo on August 7, 2008, at 21:54:43
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » theo, posted by SLS on August 5, 2008, at 7:45:42
Do you take one tablet in the morning? I just got samples today.
> > How do you like Deplin? I'm currently taking Foltx and have also taken Metanx by Pamlab.
>
>
> Sorry, Theo. I had responded in detail to your post, but I obviously didn't submit it properly. Don't you hate when that happens?
>
> In summary, I prefer Deplin because it is pure L-methylfolate and represents a higher dosage than the other products you mentioned. I discovered that methylcobalamin severely exacerbates my depression, so those preparations containing this ingredient is harmful to me rather than being helpful. Be aware, though, that despite a brief "blip" improvement occurring at approximately day 3 of treatment, the true response takes more like 2-3 months to become robust.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by SLS on August 7, 2008, at 22:09:21
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » SLS, posted by theo on August 7, 2008, at 21:54:43
> Do you take one tablet in the morning? I just got samples today.
Yes.
Good luck!
- Scott
Posted by theo on August 8, 2008, at 8:08:14
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by SLS on August 7, 2008, at 22:09:21
Thanks! Just out of curiousity, have you heard of any results from anyone taking Luvox CR?
Posted by SLS on August 8, 2008, at 8:18:19
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » SLS, posted by theo on August 8, 2008, at 8:08:14
> Thanks! Just out of curiousity, have you heard of any results from anyone taking Luvox CR?
I don't recall seeing any posts about it - good or bad.
- Scott
Posted by dcruik518 on August 8, 2008, at 10:56:16
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by SLS on August 8, 2008, at 8:18:19
I experience complete remission and then some on the following:
90 mg nardil
2 mg clonazepam
300 mg trazodone at nightThis combo totally wiped out my social anxiety and severe dysthymia--i.e., non-stop depression since adolescence. It also took care of some mild ADD. I decided to stop taking the nardil, though, because I was getting dangerously overweight on it.
I am not doing as well now as I was on the Nardil, but my current cocktail definitely helps and I experience very few side effects. I am not in remission though, but definitely better than I without the meds. Current cocktail:
Pristiq 50 mg
Clonazepam 4 mg
Abilify 10 mg
Trazodone 100 mg
Neurontin 1200 mg
Posted by dcruik518 on August 8, 2008, at 10:59:26
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depressio, posted by dcruik518 on August 8, 2008, at 10:56:16
Oh, I forgot Adderall 60 mg -Dwight
Posted by dcruik518 on August 8, 2008, at 11:45:06
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depressio, posted by dcruik518 on August 8, 2008, at 10:56:16
> I experience complete remission and then some on the following:
>
> 90 mg nardil
> 2 mg clonazepam
> 300 mg trazodone at night
>
> This combo totally wiped out my social anxiety and severe dysthymia--i.e., non-stop depression since adolescence. It also took care of some mild ADD. I decided to stop taking the nardil, though, because I was getting dangerously overweight on it.
>
> I am not doing as well now as I was on the Nardil, but my current cocktail definitely helps and I experience very few side effects. I am not in remission though, but definitely better than I without the meds. Current cocktail:
>
> Pristiq 50 mg
> Clonazepam 4 mg
> Abilify 10 mg
> Trazodone 100 mg
> Neurontin 1200 mg
> Adderall 60 mgI realize six medications is a lot and I'm taking more than would be ideal. I also occassionally take Requip for sleep. I would like to trim my meds down to 3 or 4 at most as I'm sure that would be safer. I just don't know what I can cut from this current regimen as everything on it does something different that helps me in some way. I'm thinking, however, if I found a more ideal antidepressant treatment, I might be able to cut out a few of these. I'm really interested in the Zoloft + Nortryptyline combo, which some people and researchers are saying is especially effective. See: http://www.psychotropical.com/dual_action_ads.shtml
I think I might be able to cut the trazodone by taking the Nortryptyline at night. Also the Pristiq and perhaps the Abilify, which are both really expensive. And maybe the neurontin if the combo does a good enough job treating my anxiety.
We'll see.
~Dwight
Posted by theo on August 8, 2008, at 21:59:24
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by SLS on August 7, 2008, at 22:09:21
I'm actually starting it alone to see what happens. Have you heard of any results with Deplin monotherapy?
> > Do you take one tablet in the morning? I just got samples today.
>
> Yes.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on August 9, 2008, at 5:23:00
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » SLS, posted by theo on August 8, 2008, at 21:59:24
> I'm actually starting it alone to see what happens. Have you heard of any results with Deplin monotherapy?
No. Deplin is thought of as an augmenter to standard antidepressants for people who maintain a partial response to them.
You must be on Deplin for 2-3 months to glean a significant antidepressant response from it. It would not hurt to give Deplin a try as monotherapy. It is a rather benign substance. If you fail to respond to it, I would keep it on board, though, while you try adding antidepressants. You might even want to try again the antidepressant that you felt worked best.
- Scott
Posted by theo on August 9, 2008, at 14:37:21
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » theo, posted by SLS on August 9, 2008, at 5:23:00
Thanks for the input. Haven't been here in a while and nice to see some familiar folks.
> > I'm actually starting it alone to see what happens. Have you heard of any results with Deplin monotherapy?
>
> No. Deplin is thought of as an augmenter to standard antidepressants for people who maintain a partial response to them.
>
> You must be on Deplin for 2-3 months to glean a significant antidepressant response from it. It would not hurt to give Deplin a try as monotherapy. It is a rather benign substance. If you fail to respond to it, I would keep it on board, though, while you try adding antidepressants. You might even want to try again the antidepressant that you felt worked best.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by theo on August 9, 2008, at 15:04:00
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » theo, posted by SLS on August 9, 2008, at 5:23:00
Through all of my trials, I've never tried a small dose (250mg) of Depakote ER for a mood stabilizer. Will Deplin also be good with an anticonvusant since they are suppose to deplete folic acid? I was thinking about trying Lamicatal again but I hate feeling instantly great only to get a nice response with each dose increase and after that, poop out.
> You must be on Deplin for 2-3 months to glean a significant antidepressant response from it. It would not hurt to give Deplin a try as monotherapy. It is a rather benign substance. If you fail to respond to it, I would keep it on board, though, while you try adding antidepressants. You might even want to try again the antidepressant that you felt worked best.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on August 10, 2008, at 4:59:57
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » SLS, posted by theo on August 9, 2008, at 15:04:00
> Through all of my trials, I've never tried a small dose (250mg) of Depakote ER for a mood stabilizer. Will Deplin also be good with an anticonvusant since they are suppose to deplete folic acid?
That seems like an additional reason to take Deplin. It is hard to predict what will work for you without the benefit of a crystal ball. I don't know if Deplin works when combined with Depakote alone. I tend to think that you would need an antidepressant to work in conjunction with Deplin. Deplin increases the rate of synthesis of NE, 5-HT, and DA. So, here we are, dealing with a possible synergy between drugs that act on these same neurotransmitters.
> I was thinking about trying Lamicatal again but I hate feeling instantly great only to get a nice response with each dose increase and after that, poop out.Yes. Your experience with Lamictal is typical. However, it might still prove essential in a treatment regimen. I take two antidepressants, but feel like crap if I don't also take Lamictal 200mg.
What drugs had the best effect on you?
- Scott
Posted by theo on August 10, 2008, at 9:05:52
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » theo, posted by SLS on August 10, 2008, at 4:59:57
Actually, Paxil worked wonders but I absolutely cannot have sex and that adds quite a bit of stress on a marraige. Next good combo was Wellbutrin XL 150mg and 1mg Xanax XR twice daily.
Do you still take Abilify? I had a good response to it before but had a weird side effect and it scared me a bit. I was squating down working on an outside faucet in some pretty cold weather. I jumped up and ran inside and had this feeling of extreme vertigo that wouldn't stop. Room spinning feeling like I was going to pass out, actually almost went to the ER. I can't remember the term but I later read this sensation can be a side effect of Abilify and some tricyclics. I was also scared of tardive d. Now that it is actually approved for depression, it's a possibility to revisit. Since it actually works on dopamine and doesn't shut it down like older antipsychotics, it seems to be less likely to cause TD. What do you think?
> What drugs had the best effect on you?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by llurpsienoodle on August 10, 2008, at 9:09:01
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » theo, posted by SLS on August 10, 2008, at 4:59:57
I've been in remission since June on this cocktail. My Dx is BipolarII and I had a major depressive episode that lasted (with brief remissions) for 2.5 years. The anxiety had never gone away, though I was able to use klonopin to take the edge off and make me somewhat functional.
Lamictal 300mg (been on this for over a year)
Zoloft 100mg (this dose for about 8 months)
Abilify 10mg
WellbutrinSR generic -- when I started at 150 mg I had intensification of suicidal thoughts, and had to be hospitalized, but I stuck it out. Anxiety went away but came back every day as the dose wore off. About 6 weeks ago, added another 150mg to take in the afternoon. Now, I no longer take klonopin, except for emergencies (yes, I still have anxiety in extreme situations, like any human, I suppose)
sonata 10mg prn for sleep (when I wake up in the middle of the night)
I recently complained to pdoc about lack of energy, (I was sleeping way too much) and he and I decided to eliminate abilify from the cocktail.
I went from 10mg to 5mg for 3 weeks (noticed nothing!) then to 0mg a week ago, and had some aural stuff (an incredibly loud incessant stream of very energetic classical music that kept me awake for 48 hours. yuck. -- thank god that klonopin shut up my internal iPod. felt some gastic upset (barf) and headaches, dizziness. NOTHING as bad as coming off of an SNRI, though.
so, currently cocktail is
occasional sonata and klonopin
lamictal, zoloft, wellbutrin.Eventually, I'd like to eliminate or reduce the zoloft, because I'm sick of sexual S.E. and weight gain. I hope I can make it on wellbutrin and lamictal alone. X cross your fingers for me!
-Ll
Posted by SLS on August 10, 2008, at 9:39:49
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » SLS, posted by theo on August 10, 2008, at 9:05:52
> Do you still take Abilify?
Yes. I take 20mg a day.
You were experiencing vertigo, which is an infrequent side effect of Abilify. I have no idea if it resolves with time.
- Scott
Posted by theo on August 10, 2008, at 11:22:58
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » theo, posted by SLS on August 10, 2008, at 9:39:49
What do you think about the tardive scare with Abilify. I definitly got a motivational dopamine boost from this med. If it is amplifying dopamine, wouldn't it be less likely to cause any tardive d? Also, do you take it at night or in the morning?
> > Do you still take Abilify?
>
> Yes. I take 20mg a day.
>
> You were experiencing vertigo, which is an infrequent side effect of Abilify. I have no idea if it resolves with time.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on August 10, 2008, at 11:40:05
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression??? » SLS, posted by theo on August 10, 2008, at 11:22:58
> What do you think about the tardive scare with Abilify. I definitly got a motivational dopamine boost from this med. If it is amplifying dopamine, wouldn't it be less likely to cause any tardive d?
> Also, do you take it at night or in the morning?I take 20mg in the morning. It's like taking sugar pills. I have no side effects from it. Because of the regional differences in the deposition of Abilify compared to all the other approved antipsychotic drugs, it tends to affect limbic structures and not striatal. There is little potential for tardive dyskinesia. However, one probably should be wary of tardive akathisia.
- Scott
Posted by Peter S. on August 11, 2008, at 18:25:23
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by SLS on August 10, 2008, at 11:40:05
Hi Scott,
Are you finding that the Deplin is working for you? You said it may kick in after 1-2 months- is this how it happened for you? I started it 2 weeks ago- but so far no effects- positive or negative.
Thanks!
> > What do you think about the tardive scare with Abilify. I definitly got a motivational dopamine boost from this med. If it is amplifying dopamine, wouldn't it be less likely to cause any tardive d?
>
>
> > Also, do you take it at night or in the morning?
>
> I take 20mg in the morning. It's like taking sugar pills. I have no side effects from it. Because of the regional differences in the deposition of Abilify compared to all the other approved antipsychotic drugs, it tends to affect limbic structures and not striatal. There is little potential for tardive dyskinesia. However, one probably should be wary of tardive akathisia.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on August 12, 2008, at 11:46:33
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by Peter S. on August 11, 2008, at 18:25:23
> Hi Scott,
>
> Are you finding that the Deplin is working for you? You said it may kick in after 1-2 months- is this how it happened for you? I started it 2 weeks ago- but so far no effects- positive or negative.I am still taking Deplin. During the first week, I experienced a brief improvement that quickly disappeared. It wasn't for another few months that I received a significant and stable response. I still have some residual depression that I am impatient to resolve. Because of this, I have added N-acetylcysteine and fish oil in an attempt to accelerate the healing process. I have not plateaued, but the improvement from week to week is very slow. However, I would not consider my case as being exemplary of treatment. My depression had been severe in magniture and chronic in course for over 30 years. I must expect that my recovery will be slower than most.
What other drugs are you taking?
- Scott
Posted by Peter S. on August 13, 2008, at 14:13:43
In reply to Re: Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by SLS on August 12, 2008, at 11:46:33
I've been mildly/moderately depressed for 43 years- since age 4. I've tried about everything. Lamictal has been a life saver but it only works for about 4-5 hours per day.
Right now I'm taking:
10mg fluoxetine (have been up to 80 mg a long time ago- don't think it's doing much)
50mg Lamictal- any more and I'm more wired but is no more effective in dealing w/depression
300mg Neurontin- seems to help w/Lamictal effect but not totally sure
7.5mg DeplinI'm really glad to here that the Deplin works for you- at least to a good extent. I'll give it another 3 months just to see if it kicks in.
Regards,
Peter
> > Hi Scott,
> >
> > Are you finding that the Deplin is working for you? You said it may kick in after 1-2 months- is this how it happened for you? I started it 2 weeks ago- but so far no effects- positive or negative.
>
> I am still taking Deplin. During the first week, I experienced a brief improvement that quickly disappeared. It wasn't for another few months that I received a significant and stable response. I still have some residual depression that I am impatient to resolve. Because of this, I have added N-acetylcysteine and fish oil in an attempt to accelerate the healing process. I have not plateaued, but the improvement from week to week is very slow. However, I would not consider my case as being exemplary of treatment. My depression had been severe in magniture and chronic in course for over 30 years. I must expect that my recovery will be slower than most.
>
> What other drugs are you taking?
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Posted by elanor roosevelt on August 15, 2008, at 21:18:19
In reply to Success stories for meds for anxiety/depression???, posted by UGottaHaveHope on August 3, 2008, at 15:44:01
I had an excellent almost-year on celexa.
It was me on a good day.
Day after day.
Was life perfect?
No, but I was okay.
And I laughed a lot (which I used to do)I wish I could go back but the meds melted down on me and I can't go there again. I keep trying.
This is the end of the thread.
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