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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FourFeathers on February 28, 2009, at 17:21:41
I wanted to share my recent Deplin experience in hopes that someone may be able to help me understand what may have occurred.
About 3 weeks ago I started taking Deplin (7.5mg) as an adjunct to my Cymbalta (40mg). I began to notice effects the first day, primarily of increased energy and ability to concentrate (both which were lacking for me). After about a week of taking this daily I found myself feeling better than I had in years, I found myself literally feeling like I had 15 years ago. This was not a hypomanic state I don't believe, but rather just a feeling of what "normalness" would be to me. I continued taking the Deplin and Cymbalta, and about 4 days later started feeling fatigued, had a major headache in the temples(and neckache in the back of my neck), insomnia, increased heart rate, chills, nausea, and my blood pressure had gone up to 165/95. This had been well controlled with Lisinopril at about 120/80 or less to this point. I felt like crap at this time! I immediately quit taking the deplin and continued on the Cymbalta dosage and started feeling back to my pre-Deplin state about 5 days later and my blood pressure had returned to normal.
My body obviously reacted to the Cymbalta and Deplin combo. My question is this...my symptoms appear to be similar to what could occur in a mild serotonin syndrome case or perhaps a vitamin B toxicity. Would it be conceivable that my body is unable to properly process folic acid, and Deplin was allowing this to now get in the brain, and when it had this the Cymbalta caused too much of a build up of the serotonin and other neurotransmitters? Or, is it more likely that the Deplin created a vitamin B toxicity event which made me feel the way I did?
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any information is greatly appreciated.
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2009, at 22:59:06
In reply to Deplin Experience Question, posted by FourFeathers on February 28, 2009, at 17:21:41
I'm truly interested in others responses as tried 15 of Deplin for two weeks myself. Phillipa
Posted by Ron Hill on March 1, 2009, at 14:44:38
In reply to Deplin Experience Question, posted by FourFeathers on February 28, 2009, at 17:21:41
Four Feathers,
For what it's worth, several months ago I added 7.5 mg/day of Deplin my to my combo (see list below). My initial reaction was like yours. It was GREAT for a couple of weeks, but then it quit working. No adverse side effects; it just quit working.
I still take Deplin periodically because I take Lamictal which can lower folate. However, I do not feel any effect when I take it.
For information about the reaction of others, search the archives for the word "Deplin".
-- Ron
dx: Bipolar II, with ultra rapid cycling (15 days for one complete cycle), and mild OCPD
300 mg/day Trileptal
200 mg/day Lamictal
250 mg/day Keppra
60 mg/day Nardil-----------------------------
> I wanted to share my recent Deplin experience in hopes that someone may be able to help me understand what may have occurred.
>
> About 3 weeks ago I started taking Deplin (7.5mg) as an adjunct to my Cymbalta (40mg). I began to notice effects the first day, primarily of increased energy and ability to concentrate (both which were lacking for me). After about a week of taking this daily I found myself feeling better than I had in years, I found myself literally feeling like I had 15 years ago. This was not a hypomanic state I don't believe, but rather just a feeling of what "normalness" would be to me. I continued taking the Deplin and Cymbalta, and about 4 days later started feeling fatigued, had a major headache in the temples(and neckache in the back of my neck), insomnia, increased heart rate, chills, nausea, and my blood pressure had gone up to 165/95. This had been well controlled with Lisinopril at about 120/80 or less to this point. I felt like crap at this time! I immediately quit taking the deplin and continued on the Cymbalta dosage and started feeling back to my pre-Deplin state about 5 days later and my blood pressure had returned to normal.
>
> My body obviously reacted to the Cymbalta and Deplin combo. My question is this...my symptoms appear to be similar to what could occur in a mild serotonin syndrome case or perhaps a vitamin B toxicity. Would it be conceivable that my body is unable to properly process folic acid, and Deplin was allowing this to now get in the brain, and when it had this the Cymbalta caused too much of a build up of the serotonin and other neurotransmitters? Or, is it more likely that the Deplin created a vitamin B toxicity event which made me feel the way I did?
>
> Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any information is greatly appreciated.
Posted by Netch on March 2, 2009, at 6:37:23
In reply to Re: Deplin Experience Question » FourFeathers, posted by Ron Hill on March 1, 2009, at 14:44:38
I've tried a low dose of methylfolate (400 mcg) and it just made me agitated and sleepless.
Posted by Phillipa on March 2, 2009, at 19:04:33
In reply to Deplin Experience Question, posted by FourFeathers on February 28, 2009, at 17:21:41
Only think felt was a bit better on day three and then gone hence stopped the med. Google Henyro he did mavelous on it. Have you googled Deplin's official site? Phillipa
Posted by henryo on March 4, 2009, at 1:54:21
In reply to Deplin Experience Question, posted by FourFeathers on February 28, 2009, at 17:21:41
I love Deplin
Posted by SLS on March 4, 2009, at 6:29:48
In reply to Deplin Experience Question, posted by FourFeathers on February 28, 2009, at 17:21:41
Hi.
It is my guess that 7.5mg of Deplin (L-methylfolate) may be far too much for some people. My positive response to it followed a time-course much the same as yours. In the end, the improvement faded and I had vivid, fitful, nightmarish dreams. When I stopped the Deplin, the dreams disappeared. It seems that too much L-methylfolate begins to push certain biochemical reactions in opposite directions. There might be too much SAMe being formed.
I hadn't thought to restart the Deplin at a lower dose. You might want to try using one quarter of a pill and go from there. You would want to continue to monitor your blood pressure, of course, knowing that high blood pressure is a side effect of Cymbalta. If you begin to have exceptionally vivid dreams or nightmares, it may be a sign that you are taking too much.
I think it is worth giving Deplin another try at 1/4 to 1/2 pill. If you decide to try this, please post your results.
- Scott
Posted by FourFeathers on March 4, 2009, at 9:22:57
In reply to Re: Deplin Experience Question » FourFeathers, posted by SLS on March 4, 2009, at 6:29:48
Thank you all for your feedback on my post. I am going to give my body a bit longer to "wash out" and then will likely reinitiate Deplin at a lower dose. I will definitely post my results with this trial.
This is the end of the thread.
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