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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 5:43:35
Few days (7-8) in. Ixel seems a very gentle creature compared to other members of the nasty brood. Provides a warm glow, doesn't muck about with sleep like others in its class, no 'switched on' happy mode. Some dizziness on standing, and mild headache, no body/mind toll like cymbalta*. Nightcap of 3.75mg Zopiclone + 100mg 5-HTP terminates the day and provides an extremely solid 8 hours. Looks very promising.
Disclaimer: Life circumstances are v free and easy atm - totally undemanding - might shape experience somewhat.
* Raise in heart rate + 7-8 bpm as documented. Slight raise in blood pressure. Both imperceptible during waking activity/sedentary tasks like writing these words now.
Posted by bulldog2 on November 2, 2008, at 8:10:31
In reply to La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 5:43:35
> Few days (7-8) in. Ixel seems a very gentle creature compared to other members of the nasty brood. Provides a warm glow, doesn't muck about with sleep like others in its class, no 'switched on' happy mode. Some dizziness on standing, and mild headache, no body/mind toll like cymbalta*. Nightcap of 3.75mg Zopiclone + 100mg 5-HTP terminates the day and provides an extremely solid 8 hours. Looks very promising.
>
> Disclaimer: Life circumstances are v free and easy atm - totally undemanding - might shape experience somewhat.
>
>
> * Raise in heart rate + 7-8 bpm as documented. Slight raise in blood pressure. Both imperceptible during waking activity/sedentary tasks like writing these words now.Wish I could take Ixel. Any drug that does ne interferes with my ability to pee.
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2008, at 10:07:33
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by bulldog2 on November 2, 2008, at 8:10:31
I didn't know that? So no cymbalta etc not that is worked for me. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2008, at 10:08:39
In reply to La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 5:43:35
West good luck and seriously how did you manage the no stress atmosphere? Didn't know that was possible. Phillipa
Posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 11:10:41
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel » West, posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2008, at 10:08:39
No signs of apathy or the 'goldfish bowl' detachment effect i got from taking escitalopram. En plus it doesn't seem to have thrown much of a spanner in the sexual works either which is nice because it's another thing not to have to worry about. Will check in later on with an update. God bless.
Posted by Sigismund on November 2, 2008, at 13:45:35
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 11:10:41
How much are you taking?
I liked the effect, *except* for the NE part.
The obvious conclusion is that I should try an SSRI, but I won't be doing that.
Posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 17:12:46
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by Sigismund on November 2, 2008, at 13:45:35
100mg a day. Noteworthy are the headache, hot flashes, increased heart rate about an hour-in and retarded, painful ejaculation. Very bad orthostatic hypotension. Mood is certainly less dark, cognition seems unaffected, not well enough to comment on changes in libido yet, unmedicated sleep is also unwise on beginning treatment from what i can gather.
Most of these side effects are transient and gradually fade with time. Quite a few reports of early waking with difficulty getting back to sleep which i do not like the sound of much.
Lots of stuff on french forums. I have been typing 'ixel' and various french words into google and reading the translations. Quite useful.
The serotonin effect seems to be quite insubstantial as far as i can gauge it. Nothing like the ssris at all, different sort of calm effect.
Posted by bleauberry on November 2, 2008, at 19:07:12
In reply to La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 5:43:35
I like Ixel a lot. I think it deserves a much more prominent spot in psychiatry. It just blows so many other popular meds in the weeds.
I have a real problem with it though in terms of ability to pee, and lack of appetite. I'm too skinny to not be hungry. I have since learned that taking a low dose of Flomax, a prostate med, blocks the peeing difficulty of Ixel.
I still keep my supply handy cause I don't think I'm done with it yet. All I know is that when all other ssris and snris were trash, didn't work, made me more depressed, or had wicked bad side effects, and ECT did not work and wiped out a portion of my memories and life, Ixel actually works with tolerability and it does so within days. Amazing drug as far I can say. There is something a lot more going on with it than just the norepinephrine uptake. No idea what, but it just feels so different than every other med out there.
I'm not on Ixel right now. I am trying something else that is actually a non-psychiatric med, but could work. Long story. But if/when the time comes, Ixel is at the top of the list.
Posted by Sigismund on November 2, 2008, at 19:21:27
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 17:12:46
>100mg a day
Wow.
I never made it past 25, and that was for only one day.
Posted by Sigismund on November 2, 2008, at 20:17:11
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by Sigismund on November 2, 2008, at 19:21:27
But I *did* like the calmness that came with it.
It had a really nice quality.
Posted by West on November 3, 2008, at 9:39:09
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by Sigismund on November 2, 2008, at 20:17:11
Was hurting after a relatively rapid taper from cymbalta so started at 50mg for 3 days then began taking the full 100mg (i believe the recommended dosage). Today - Day 8? -woke up depressed. First euphoric flashes after morning dose joined by reduction in appetite and a decrease in inhibitions (sexual or otherwise) flashbacks or 'reconnection' of old pre-depressed self, very natural, undrugged sense of well-being with subtle physical element. Beginning perhaps to show some sensitization of D1/2 receptors? Who knows.
Posted by West on November 4, 2008, at 17:02:40
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 3, 2008, at 9:39:09
Day 10? Mood seems better though i suspect its effects will be more subtle than the blunt hammer in your face careless-style-of-happiness of the SSRIs.
Bit more strength to get out and face the day, all very positive.
Seem to be eating an awful lot ! (probably irrelevant)
Some early waking.
Hopeful,
West
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 6, 2008, at 0:28:52
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 4, 2008, at 17:02:40
i still have some ixel around
i've started to take meds at night
think i'll try it again
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 7, 2008, at 23:52:10
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 4, 2008, at 17:02:40
how is it going with the ixel?
Posted by West on November 9, 2008, at 16:44:48
In reply to La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 2, 2008, at 5:43:35
Still needs to show itself to be more robust and lift me up totally, though still early days.There have been very positive periods.
125mg (+25mg) yesterday and today provided too much bad energy about half as bad as i got with wellbutrin (very irritable, not very nice)
Onwards!
Posted by West on November 11, 2008, at 0:44:13
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by elanor roosevelt on November 7, 2008, at 23:52:10
Day 18 - Insomnia is very bad plus my heart Rate is way up and so is my blood pressure. No proper response yet. Unfortunately it is proving to be quite trying.
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2008, at 19:02:28
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 11, 2008, at 0:44:13
West sorry how long will you continue you must be miserable. Phillipa
Posted by West on November 13, 2008, at 16:49:05
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by elanor roosevelt on November 7, 2008, at 23:52:10
REVIEW: Tapering off since this medicine doesn't want to go quietly. I cannot recommend NRIs The energy they provide is not good (even if ixel is subtler then cymbalta)- it is merely tension - and that the NRI mechanism is common in so many meds is misleading.
I can see for example that if i were being observed for depressive symptoms in clinical trial, i would be more animated. To have spent ages being morbidly depressed and introverted to have your adrenal system jacked up and speaking the rubbish in your head as it occurs to you is demeaning and peverse.
For me, the shift in mood and mind state from tianeptine to ixel really shows the SNRIs to be blunt and unpleasant instruments they are in mood alteration.With tianeptine you begin at least to feel and explore the world, you have a sense of your place in it, not speeded-up or displaced or labotomised. I also won't sleep tonight, like every other night.
Tianeptine won't be enough in itself for me, i will only touch non reuptake inhibiting drugs from now on, i hate who they turn me into and how i feel on them. Maybe i'll start mirtazapine soon. Maybe even the tricyclics don't destroy the imagination or turn you into a thoughtless odiot. I am 23. I have literally lost 4 years of myself to SSRI drugs, and the ones before that painful and troublesome, but at least i was...me.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 16, 2008, at 22:03:04
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 13, 2008, at 16:49:05
I am so sorry the ixel didn't work for you
even sorrier to hear your tone of defeat
that feeling of lost time is awfuli do hope that you find something that will be more helpful soon
know tis difficult
but hang in there
Posted by Sigismund on November 19, 2008, at 13:38:51
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by West on November 13, 2008, at 16:49:05
>I cannot recommend NRIs The energy they provide is not good (even if ixel is subtler then cymbalta)- it is merely tension -
Yes, it's not a feeling I liked at all.....the NE part of Ixel.
Posted by YOGI BRONX on November 26, 2008, at 12:37:59
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by Sigismund on November 19, 2008, at 13:38:51
Hello. I just found this forum and this thread today.
I notice that one poster said that he used Flomax to counter dysuria. Does anyone know of an OTC remedy for this condition?
I just started taking Milnacipran yesterday and the above side effect was horrendous throughout last night after taking the second 25 mg. dose.
Thanks.
Cordially,
YOGI
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2008, at 19:09:34
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by YOGI BRONX on November 26, 2008, at 12:37:59
Hi Yogi just wanted to welcome you to babble. Hopefully someone will answer your question. Love Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on November 26, 2008, at 21:42:22
In reply to Re: La vie en Ixel, posted by YOGI BRONX on November 26, 2008, at 12:37:59
none that I am aware of.
-d/r
This is the end of the thread.
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