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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
Hi everyone,
I have Bipolar type I disorder and have been suffering from a *severe* depressive episode for over 7 months now. My psychiatrist has basically given up on me as we've tried almost all available anti-depressants and mood stabilizers on the market. Basically, the only thing that healed me the last time around was waiting it out (took about a year).
I stumbled upon tianeptine as a last resort. I first started taking the recommended 12.5mgx3 dosage, and after 2 weeks I did not notice anything.
I decided, for the heck of it, given that is has no toxicity issues, to up my dosage to 12.5mgx12 dosage (150mg total) all in one daily dose.
With this large dose, I have finally, for the first time in 7 months, experienced a major lift in mood, cognitive ability and outlook on life. If I had to compare the effects, it feels slightly like an opiate high without the mental dulling or side effects. I finally feel like I can go out and get a job and start doing something with my life once again.
I thought I finally found my miracle drug until I started reading about tianeptine withdrawal. I don't have enough money to stay on this regimen forever (2 months max), so I am going to have to discontinue some day. I have read many reports of people having severe withdrawal symptoms when stopping the regular dosage. I can't imagine what I'll experience at the dosage I'm using right now!
I thought tianeptine's neuroprotective, repairing properties would outshine the withdrawal symptoms but now I'm starting to have my doubts.
I've been on it for 4 weeks now and I wanted your guys opinion on weather I should continue for as long as I can (or go back to being completely non-functional and suicidal) or stopping right now and finding a different solution.
Thank you all for your time.
Posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 16:41:15
In reply to Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
I can't answer your questions about whether you should stay on it or not, but I took it for a couple of years at 3 tabs a day and gave it up over a month or so without any difficulty.
I certainly know what you mean about not being able to do anything because you don't have the energy or optimism.
Posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 19:16:12
In reply to Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
>to up my dosage to 12.5mgx12 dosage (150mg total) all in one daily dose.
How long does the effect of that dose last for?
Posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 21:46:36
In reply to Re: Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by sigismund on January 31, 2011, at 19:16:12
A solid 5-6 hours and a soft 2 hour comedown.
Posted by sigismund on February 1, 2011, at 3:15:34
In reply to Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
Many people with sever depression say tianeptine is not noticeable or very little help.
The fact that you have responded to it at all is interesting.
I was in one of those states where you can't do anything and I added 400mg SAMe to the 25mg agomelatine I take at night and there was a real improvement today.
I only mention this because I did reasonably well on tianeptine, except for at the end when it seemed to make me feel edgy.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 1, 2011, at 7:51:32
In reply to Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
I read a report from one person with Bipolar who said that tianeptine was the only AD that ever helped her, but that it took two months at the normal recommended dosage to take effect, so if you're patient, it might be worth waiting it out. Just something to consider . .
Posted by Chocamine on February 1, 2011, at 12:36:26
In reply to Re: Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 1, 2011, at 7:51:32
Yeah that may very well be. It's kind of hard though when you have the immediate solution sitting right in front of you. The thing is Bipolar depression isn't like most others because once a certain amount of time passes, you're back to being stable, or even hypo(manic) so if the tianeptine would be within the crossover timeframe I wouldn't really know what's what until I stop it.
I know ultimately I'm the one that is to decide but I'll like some more opinions..
Posted by Elanor Roosevelt on February 2, 2011, at 10:05:37
In reply to Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
I took Tianeptine on an as needed basis. I found it to be both pro-social and pro-sexual. Unfortunately it gave me headaches and made me teary if I took it on a steady basis.
For you, now that the meds have kicked in at a high dose, you may be able to lessen your dose now, still have the Tianeptine work, and stretch your budget. I'm so sorry that money is going to get in the way of your use of an effective med.
Posted by Chocamine on February 11, 2011, at 10:41:29
In reply to Re: Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 1, 2011, at 7:51:32
Well I tried the usual 3x a day a few times and it's just not cutting it at all. Luckily if everything gets through I'll get another 60 day supply at my 12x a day dose. I'm stocked :D
It's expensive but so relieving to find something that works. Anyway, the mice studies they did with tianeptine used crazy high dosages.
Posted by sk85 on February 11, 2011, at 18:45:13
In reply to Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
>feels slightly like an opiate high without the mental dulling or side effects.
Tianeptine actually does have an effect on the opiate system. I can understand you wishing a solution for your depression but such a high dose increases the drugs potential for toxic side-effects. Tianeptine can cause fatty liver for example. However I doubt you'll experience a major withdrawal. I took it for a year and quit it cold turkey without major events.
Posted by alchemy on February 16, 2011, at 22:00:43
In reply to Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
does anyone know how it might affect rapid cycling?
Posted by Chocamine on February 17, 2011, at 7:30:01
In reply to Re: Is tianeptine worth it?, posted by alchemy on February 16, 2011, at 22:00:43
You won't know until you try it. I would think it would most likely make it worse.
This is the end of the thread.
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