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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anita on September 28, 2000, at 20:49:16
Hi,
Just thought some of you might want to know about amantadine...
I few days ago I started taking 100mg/day (in hopes of alleviating apathy and social phobia), in addition to my usual Zoloft, Lamictal, and SJW. It is very mildly stimulating -- I feel awake, but not hyper. There is some slight nausea and dry mouth. The problem so far is that about an hour after I take it, I feel quite nauseous, even if I've eaten, and there's this whooshing sound in my ears. Also, colors seem a little bright and sounds loud, and I have trouble focusing on anything. However, within 3 hours these things are gone.
I just switched to taking 100mg every other day, which is better, and the mild stimulation does last. Since 100mg is the smallest dose, I'm going to ask my pharmacist if I can dissolve the capsule and take half per day.So far I can't say if it's helping depression or social phobia -- it always takes a few weeks for me to evaluate that -- but I'm pleased with the wakefullness, and just hope the side effects will go away with time.
I'll post another update in one or two weeks, for those who are interested. BTW, does anyone know how much of amandatine you're supposed to take for depression? I'm just winging it...
anita
Posted by AndrewB on September 29, 2000, at 0:31:32
In reply to My amantadine experience so far, posted by anita on September 28, 2000, at 20:49:16
Anita,
Thanks for the report. I'm wishing you good luck with the amantadine! I'm looking forward to your next report. Amantadine has a complicated action and tends to have side effects and possibly withdrawal symptoms. Normal dosages I believe are 100 to 300mg/day. Nausea may very well be transient.
AndrewB
Posted by Darby on October 2, 2000, at 22:42:00
In reply to My amantadine experience so far, posted by anita on September 28, 2000, at 20:49:16
Anita:
Amantadine is available in a liquid/syrup form for more precise dosing. Ask your doctor about it.
Good luck.
Darby
Posted by Sassy on October 5, 2000, at 13:00:56
In reply to My amantadine experience so far, posted by anita on September 28, 2000, at 20:49:16
Anita,
Thanks for the feedback.
I went off it temporarily because it was making
me anxious until I go through this problem
period (can't deal with any more anxiety)
then will try it again.Please continue to post. I'll be looking.
Sassy
I was interested in your feedback too.
> Hi,
>
> Just thought some of you might want to know about amantadine...
>
> I few days ago I started taking 100mg/day (in hopes of alleviating apathy and social phobia), in addition to my usual Zoloft, Lamictal, and SJW. It is very mildly stimulating -- I feel awake, but not hyper. There is some slight nausea and dry mouth. The problem so far is that about an hour after I take it, I feel quite nauseous, even if I've eaten, and there's this whooshing sound in my ears. Also, colors seem a little bright and sounds loud, and I have trouble focusing on anything. However, within 3 hours these things are gone.
> I just switched to taking 100mg every other day, which is better, and the mild stimulation does last. Since 100mg is the smallest dose, I'm going to ask my pharmacist if I can dissolve the capsule and take half per day.
>
> So far I can't say if it's helping depression or social phobia -- it always takes a few weeks for me to evaluate that -- but I'm pleased with the wakefullness, and just hope the side effects will go away with time.
>
> I'll post another update in one or two weeks, for those who are interested. BTW, does anyone know how much of amandatine you're supposed to take for depression? I'm just winging it...
> anita
Posted by anita on October 5, 2000, at 21:15:37
In reply to Re: My amantadine experience so far, posted by Sassy on October 5, 2000, at 13:00:56
Alas, I had to discontinue the amantadine, mostly at my pdoc's insistence because he is uncomfortable prescribing it. The sick feeling after dosing did not go away or get better, nor did the mild ever-present nausea. The increased wakefulness persisted and was pleasantly mild, but the drug didn't seem to have any effect on depression or social phobia, tho obviously I didn't take it long at all.
I do think it is worth a try for others who have benefited from dopamine agonists.
anita
> > Hi,
> >
> > Just thought some of you might want to know about amantadine...
> >
> > I few days ago I started taking 100mg/day (in hopes of alleviating apathy and social phobia), in addition to my usual Zoloft, Lamictal, and SJW. It is very mildly stimulating -- I feel awake, but not hyper. There is some slight nausea and dry mouth. The problem so far is that about an hour after I take it, I feel quite nauseous, even if I've eaten, and there's this whooshing sound in my ears. Also, colors seem a little bright and sounds loud, and I have trouble focusing on anything. However, within 3 hours these things are gone.
> > I just switched to taking 100mg every other day, which is better, and the mild stimulation does last. Since 100mg is the smallest dose, I'm going to ask my pharmacist if I can dissolve the capsule and take half per day.
> >
> > So far I can't say if it's helping depression or social phobia -- it always takes a few weeks for me to evaluate that -- but I'm pleased with the wakefullness, and just hope the side effects will go away with time.
> >
> > I'll post another update in one or two weeks, for those who are interested. BTW, does anyone know how much of amandatine you're supposed to take for depression? I'm just winging it...
> > anita
Posted by Cass on October 6, 2000, at 20:57:01
In reply to New update on Amantadine, posted by anita on October 5, 2000, at 21:15:37
I took a drug called Amantadine one time. I thought it was an antiviral or antibiotic though. If we are taking the same drug, be extremely cautious about it. Amantadine sent me into a severe, extremely suicidal depression. In all honesty, it jeopardized my life. I consider myself lucky to be alive. I looked the drug up on the web when I was feeling bad, and it said side effects for depressed people could be suicide!!!! Oh my God!!! I stopped taking it immediately and went back to feeling normal.
Be careful, good luck.
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