![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 51 to 75 of 75. Go back in thread:
Posted by Leo33 on June 13, 2010, at 11:58:23
In reply to Re: Gone with trimipramine, posted by med-amorphosis on June 9, 2010, at 9:16:24
Med, how do you get prescribed Klonopin when you have an addictive personality especially in the UK??? Second question, is trimipramine contraindicated with an MAOI???
Posted by Brainbeard on June 13, 2010, at 13:28:02
In reply to Re: Gone with trimipramine, posted by Leo33 on June 13, 2010, at 11:58:23
>Second question, is trimipramine contraindicated with an MAOI???
The question may not be for me, but I can't help saying that I THINK combining trimipramine with a MAOI wouldn't cause any trouble since trimipramine doesn't inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and antagonizes 5HT2A receptors, which has been shown to counter serotonin syndrome.
Posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 5:04:38
In reply to Re: Gone with trimipramine, posted by Leo33 on June 13, 2010, at 11:58:23
> Med, how do you get prescribed Klonopin when you have an addictive personality especially in the UK??? Second question, is trimipramine contraindicated with an MAOI???
Basically mate, when you start running outa options, and I'd proven myself with 3+ yrs of sobriety, other options become available. Having a good pdoc who's top of his league helps too ;D. Not only that, I've NEVER found clonazepam 'more-ish'. Quite the opposite- it can worsen depression. But all this is in relation to social anxiety/phobia. I believe my addictive personality stems from my AvPD rather than being an isolated disorder. A coping mechanism which numbs the pain of the isolation social phobia/anxiety & AvPD sufferers inevitably feel. It seems more likely to be addictive with other types of anxiety than mine.
Thanks to Brainbeard for explaining the other part of the question, which is fresh info to me too!
Thanks 4 the question.
Med.
Posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 5:22:36
In reply to Re: Gone with trimipramine » Leo33, posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 5:04:38
So trimipramine is (thankfully) still makeing my waking hours more than bearable. However, my dreams have now turned to vivid nightmares & bad dreams. They are not bizzare dreams, quite life-like infact but more intense. Wake up with a headache. Hopefully its down to stopping the drink and cannabis and they will die back. I'm still slightly lucid too. For example, I had a bad dream this morning but I was able to stop and 'think' to myself "better check this is just a dream"! I woke up almost instantly. The relief was overwhelming.
I know caffein is bad for my sleep but not quite given that up yet. Maybe once I do.... Tomorrow I give up the nicotine. That will stir things up no doubt and following that, in 1-2 weeks the caffein will have to stop too. I'm VERY sensitive to caffein, which itself brings on bad dreams but usually of the 'bizzare' kind- monsters, zombies, etc. They still feel real enough.
Med.
Posted by Brainbeard on June 20, 2010, at 7:49:33
In reply to Oh dear. Nightmares :(, posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 5:22:36
Thumbs up man.
When I quit smoking joints I dreamt I was riding away in panic from a castle where I had been kept imprisoned. Very adequate imagery.
Posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 17:12:33
In reply to Re: Oh dear. Nightmares :( » med-amorphosis, posted by Brainbeard on June 20, 2010, at 7:49:33
> Thumbs up man.
>
> When I quit smoking joints I dreamt I was riding away in panic from a castle where I had been kept imprisoned. Very adequate imagery.Yeah, very adequate indeed! Mine seem to be more about my life before smoking weed, as well as some earlier stuff. NOT that I used weed as an escapism. In fact weed used to often enhance the negative feeling at the time these things happened. All totally based on real-life events which, perhapse, I never dealt with properly. Makes sense, just wish they would go away. I feel I've already dealt with these issues enough & in depth. Maybe its from stopping the drink, but I never had such dreams last time I stopped. But maybe its better this way- in the end.
Med.
Posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 17:26:02
In reply to Re: Oh dear. Nightmares :( » Brainbeard, posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 17:12:33
I still have my lofepramine, which must have left my system over a week ago now. I'm gonna add a small dose back into my regime. Just 70mg, 1/3rd of my previous dosing. And taken at night, away from my trimipramine dosing. There was no need for a wasout period before, just a 2 day break before switching as a precaution. Think the 70mg is safe enough? I'm also only on 1/3rd of trimipramine's max daily dose. And remember, lofepramine works entirely different to trimipramine- its almost pure NRI with perhapse a little but negligable SRI effect. I DO NOT intend to go above 70mg lofepramine, at least not untill I've seen my pdoc at the end of the month.
If anyone cares to correct me on anything I've said, or comment please feel free.
Med.
Posted by med-amorphosis on June 21, 2010, at 7:08:36
In reply to And a little bit of this..., posted by med-amorphosis on June 20, 2010, at 17:26:02
It seems to have worked I tell ya! That little 70mg lofepramine last night 'seems' to have let me sleep more normally. No dreams which I can recollect. Falling asleep was slightly difficult and waking up several time far too early. Maybe change the time of dosing? Its gonna take more than one night to know exactly how well it works but its promising results.
Med.
Posted by med-amorphosis on June 22, 2010, at 14:34:18
In reply to Re: And a little bit of this..., posted by med-amorphosis on June 21, 2010, at 7:08:36
And again! Just adding 70mg lofepramine gave me another dreamless night. I will try withought it at the end of the week just to make sure the dreams haven't subsided by themselves, but I doubt it.
Also, I should mention I've been taking DLPA for the last few weeks to prepare myself for caffein withdrawals. I've already started to cut down slowly. I get extremely depressed whenever I stop caffein- an indication its no good for me. It hinders responses to meds too. I will probably keep the DLPA, if needed, as a caffein substitute. No side effects that I've noticed from it.
Posted by jade k on July 2, 2010, at 10:41:01
In reply to Re: And a little bit of this..., posted by med-amorphosis on June 22, 2010, at 14:34:18
and a little bit of that...;-P
>I've already started to cut down slowly. I get extremely depressed whenever I stop caffein- an indication its no good for me.I always get a headache if I don't get that cup of coffee in the morning
>> It hinders responses to meds too.
I wasn't aware that caffiene hindered med response. Is that what you have experienced or is it true for everyone? I'd never heard that, good to know.
~Jade
Posted by med-amorphosis on July 2, 2010, at 18:42:02
In reply to Re: And a little bit of this... » med-amorphosis, posted by jade k on July 2, 2010, at 10:41:01
> and a little bit of that...;-P
hehe very good lol ;)
> I always get a headache if I don't get that cup of coffee in the morning
Thats a CLEAR indication of addiction. Most people are addicted, or to put it less harshly, rely on caffeine. Just try 1 week of it and watch ur natural energy come back! But You'll at least get headaches as well as depression and great lethergy too if you go cold-turkey. Sound familiar? Im cutting down by dropping 25mg per week (half a pro plus pill). I still need my morning caffeinated tea lol
> >> It hinders responses to meds too.
>
> I wasn't aware that caffiene hindered med response. Is that what you have experienced or is it true for everyone? I'd never heard that, good to know.Every time i've started an SSRI its zonked me out, so I reach for the caffeine, then the med kicks in almost instantly, then poops out after a week or 2 never to return. I KNOW caffeine ruined Nardil for me, i was fine till I started drinking it regularly again. Nardil was at its best when I was TOTALLY caffeine (and all other substances) free. It was perfectly ballanced- neither too stimulating or sedating.
> ~Jade
>
Caffeine is, IMHO, the culprit to a large number of mental illness, esp insomnia , CFS, mild depression, mood swings, etc. Its overlooked 'cause its so common and socially acceptable. Maybe I am more sensitive to it than others but nobody is free from its side effects. Best thing about quiting caffeine is that it makes a fantastic recreational stimulant for occasional use! Easily up there with amphetamines & cocain! Just watch for panick attacks!!! one coffee is plenty once uve given up. Or you will have palpitations, panic &/or anxiety attacks. As well as talk loadsa garbage lol
Posted by Brainbeard on July 3, 2010, at 5:35:21
In reply to Re: And a little bit of this... » jade k, posted by med-amorphosis on July 2, 2010, at 18:42:02
A friend of mine and me once made filter coffee for two cups with a filter filled to the brim with coffee (enough for about thirty people).
My friend had to run for the toilet before he had finished his cup and stayed there for a long while.
I felt very euphoric and couldn't stop talking - even though there was noone to listen to me.. I talked and talked and talked. It was fun.
-------------
Yeah, caffeine has its come-down, just like sugar by the way; and most people won't realize it's the cafeine/sugar causing them to feel down and drained.
Posted by med-amorphosis on July 3, 2010, at 9:14:45
In reply to Caffeine Abuse, posted by Brainbeard on July 3, 2010, at 5:35:21
> Yeah, caffeine has its come-down, just like sugar by the way; and most people won't realize it's the cafeine/sugar causing them to feel down and drained.
Exactly my point. Well said.
Posted by Conundrum on July 3, 2010, at 11:36:45
In reply to Caffeine Abuse, posted by Brainbeard on July 3, 2010, at 5:35:21
I've had that hyperness when I would steep two bags of tea in the same mug, drink it and then make another like that. I used it when doing data entry. It didn't give me any feeling of euphoria though, but then again nothing doses. I also became quickly sensitized to it so I could only do it once in a while.
Posted by jade k on July 3, 2010, at 13:33:50
In reply to Caffeine Abuse, posted by Brainbeard on July 3, 2010, at 5:35:21
> A friend of mine and me once made filter coffee for two cups with a filter filled to the brim with coffee (enough for about thirty people).
>
> My friend had to run for the toilet before he had finished his cup and stayed there for a long while.
>
> I felt very euphoric and couldn't stop talking - even though there was noone to listen to me.. I talked and talked and talked. It was fun.
>
> -------------
I like to get an xtra large hot coffee and a big bowl of icecream, with lotsa chocolate syrup on top of course, (I throw a few almonds in there for health reasons) and off I go...Its awesome for a little while, and I do know I'm gonna pay. No free ride. I geuss its better than hittin the bar for a round of shots (Assuming we all need our vices)
~Jade
Posted by Conundrum on July 3, 2010, at 14:15:33
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse, posted by jade k on July 3, 2010, at 13:33:50
Sumatra is a type of coffee that has a particularly high caffeine content. That is a good idea as well if you want a buzz.
Posted by jade k on July 3, 2010, at 14:35:55
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse, posted by Conundrum on July 3, 2010, at 14:15:33
> Sumatra is a type of coffee that has a particularly high caffeine content. That is a good idea as well if you want a buzz.
Yes. Good idea.
To be on the safe side I'll cut my icream intake by half and titrate to the perfect sugar/caffeine dose (buzz)
Maybe this will even take the edge off this lifehating withdrawal from Pristiq :-I
~Jade
Posted by med-amorphosis on July 3, 2010, at 15:22:06
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse » Conundrum, posted by jade k on July 3, 2010, at 14:35:55
> > Sumatra is a type of coffee that has a particularly high caffeine content. That is a good idea as well if you want a buzz.
>
> Yes. Good idea.
>
> To be on the safe side I'll cut my icream intake by half and titrate to the perfect sugar/caffeine dose (buzz)
>
> Maybe this will even take the edge off this lifehating withdrawal from Pristiq :-I
>
> ~Jade
>
>Best thing I've find as a titrating-down tool is guarana. Its caffeine content, when it comes standardised as a 'whole herb' (NOT extract) is released much more slowly into the blood, avoiding the 'hit' you get from coffee or pure caffeine. That way, once you get to 100mg caffeine or less you can cross-taper with it, so you get the same amount of caffeine but its all from guarana, then it (should) be easier to slowly come of that rather than strait quick-acting caffeine itself. So whilst you'll still be on the same dosage you get used to going without the quick fix but still avoiding the energy lag. Plus, guarana is itself is a herbal 'adaptogen' like ginseng, so will strengthen your body ready for pulling the plug completely. Some sources call its alkaloid 'guaranine', but its pretty much identical to caffeine.
Med
Posted by jade k on July 3, 2010, at 16:01:29
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse » jade k, posted by med-amorphosis on July 3, 2010, at 15:22:06
> > > Sumatra is a type of coffee that has a particularly high caffeine content. That is a good idea as well if you want a buzz.
> >
> > Yes. Good idea.
> >
> > To be on the safe side I'll cut my icream intake by half and titrate to the perfect sugar/caffeine dose (buzz)
> >
> > Maybe this will even take the edge off this lifehating withdrawal from Pristiq :-I
> >
> > ~Jade
> >
> >
>
> Best thing I've find as a titrating-down tool is guarana. Its caffeine content, when it comes standardised as a 'whole herb' (NOT extract) is released much more slowly into the blood, avoiding the 'hit' you get from coffee or pure caffeine. That way, once you get to 100mg caffeine or less you can cross-taper with it, so you get the same amount of caffeine but its all from guarana, then it (should) be easier to slowly come of that rather than strait quick-acting caffeine itself. So whilst you'll still be on the same dosage you get used to going without the quick fix but still avoiding the energy lag. Plus, guarana is itself is a herbal 'adaptogen' like ginseng, so will strengthen your body ready for pulling the plug completely. Some sources call its alkaloid 'guaranine', but its pretty much identical to caffeine.
>
> MedThanks Med.
I'll look into that. If that doesn't work, maybe I'll just hook up to a steady drip...(no pun intended)
~Jade
Posted by Conundrum on July 4, 2010, at 0:47:50
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse » Conundrum, posted by jade k on July 3, 2010, at 14:35:55
Have you been on Pristiq long? I tried it for little more than a month and didn't have trouble getting off it. I just switched to 20 mgs prozac for a couple days and then started cutting back.
Posted by Brainbeard on July 12, 2010, at 4:26:32
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse » jade k, posted by Conundrum on July 4, 2010, at 0:47:50
I've switched to a cocktail of fluvoxamine (Luvox) and clomipramine, and since both drugs but especially Luvox inhibit 1A2, the group of enzymes repsonsible for breaking down caffeine, I can get by now with only one cup of coffee in the morning. It takes about five hours before I notice the caffeine being excreted in my urine.
Posted by med-amorphosis on July 12, 2010, at 5:12:42
In reply to Caffeine Boost, posted by Brainbeard on July 12, 2010, at 4:26:32
> I've switched to a cocktail of fluvoxamine (Luvox) and clomipramine, and since both drugs but especially Luvox inhibit 1A2, the group of enzymes repsonsible for breaking down caffeine, I can get by now with only one cup of coffee in the morning. It takes about five hours before I notice the caffeine being excreted in my urine.
interesting thanks! I wonder which enzymes my meds inhibit? I better check!
Posted by Brainbeard on July 12, 2010, at 5:59:25
In reply to Re: Caffeine Boost » Brainbeard, posted by med-amorphosis on July 12, 2010, at 5:12:42
> interesting thanks! I wonder which enzymes my meds inhibit? I better check!You've said it, brother.
Posted by jade k on July 13, 2010, at 13:20:30
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse » jade k, posted by Conundrum on July 4, 2010, at 0:47:50
> Have you been on Pristiq long? I tried it for little more than a month and didn't have trouble getting off it. I just switched to 20 mgs prozac for a couple days and then started cutting back.
Hey Conundrum,
Sorry, I missed this one. I was on Pristiq for 7 months. I tried twice to discontinue without taper and was unsuccessful. My new pdoc had me go every other day-one week, every 3rd day second week. I'm done.
I did have some w/d's, I can't tolerate SSRI's and so declined the offer of prozac to help ease off. I no longer have any w/d symptoms.
~Jade
Posted by Conundrum on July 13, 2010, at 20:29:55
In reply to Re: Caffeine Abuse » Conundrum, posted by jade k on July 13, 2010, at 13:20:30
Thats good enough then!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.