Posted by Ritch on January 26, 2002, at 21:45:47
In reply to Re: Depakote/Neurontin/Amitrip » Ritch, posted by Chloe on January 26, 2002, at 18:30:46
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> > You've had trouble before with lithium at doses that are going to be helpful. I found I have to get my dose up to about 450mg/day to really notice a difference-but for me those doses make me *really* foggyheaded and cause severe cramping and diarrhea.
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> Mitch,
> You know what is funny, I really like the "foggyheaded" feeling. I feel really sensitive to noise and things around me. I prefer not being so *sharp*. I know that must sound strange. But I find the world very harsh, and I like how lithium tones things down, or reduces the volume for me...Is there any chance Depakote will do that at low doses? I don't remember feeling much cognitive "dulling" at all after adjusting to the stuff...But perhaps it has a different way of reducing the volume???Well, Chloe, all I can say is that you are lucky in some ways not to be bothered with this stuff. My job is so horrendously demanding-so left-brained-so draining. *Anything* that reduces my cognitive abilities-it shows straight away.
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> > The Neurontin also seems to help you (I think you said it does?). So you could leave that one in-and you appear to tolerate it ok.
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> There is something about neurontin that makes it so I can't stop it! Everytime I try to reduce the dose, I go crashing into an unmodivated, teary depression. And oh, my body aches, and I get horrible charlie horses in my arches and calves...I really do like N. But I think it adds to my skin troubles. And feel mixed about leaving it out, but I just can't!
> So, I would like to increase the dose a bit. I think it's useful for calming me, and not letting me get too enraged. But everytime I increase the dose, I get such dry skin and scalp pain. Go figure. So people take 3600 mgs of this stuff without a side effect! Not me!Neurontin was the first *anticonvulsant* I have tried that had a clear antidepressant effect-but I can't take more than about 400mg/day. Otherwise-I get blunting from it as well-esp. at doses above 600mg/day.
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> > So, the tiny dose of amitrip. is definitely helping your neuropathic pain, right? It probably is working together with the Neurontin on that one. It does help you sleep better. I was taking nortrip. with my Celexa before (also nortrip. and Zoloft) and it worked fairly well. The NE boost *can* increase the likelihood for raging behavior. I popped off a little more often than otherwise-but I could focus a *lot* better at work and it didn't make me anxious.
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> I know it's the ami that's making me "pop off." But I would describe it as I feel like my "blood is boiling." And the first person to look at me wrong is going to get hurt! Backing off to 10 mgs of ami has helped with the rages already...But my scalp is more "burny" with the lower dose. Also, I do wonder if it's causing my hair to fall out. I haven't even started the dep. and I seem to be shedding an awful lot. I thought I saw alot of scalp today, too...My hair is just not tolerating any of these meds well. My long thick hair is definitely no more. I just hope I can have moderate amount of hair, not desperately thin hair, where I am headed :(
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> > So...the only thing left to try is the Depakote... I would suggest it. I have extra 125mg, 250mg, and 500mg tabs around just in case. I didn't notice any increased hairloss on it. I *did* gain some weight though. You could try adding just 125mg to your current mix (ditching the lithium) and see what happens. I have to take 125mg-250mg every so often when I get a mild mixed state and it really helps that.
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> I have never heard of depakote prn...And you gained weight on lower doses of 500 or less? Was it related to increased appetite? God, I dread that. I hate the idea that medication can change the way I desire and consume food. Just doesn't seem fair...I do remember gaining weight when I was on 750 a few years ago. It was amazing. The weight just appeared. I never really felt any shift in eating or exercise...Well, Depakote prn is what I *do*. I can take 250mg if I am feeling unusally agitated or panicky and it augments the Neurontin/Klonopin I am taking and makes things a lot easier.
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> > Yes, I am starting to have an increased level of agitation and may need to start taking some Dep. a little bit here myself. That goes away by the end of March and then I just deal with plain-old bubbly hypomania during April, March, and part of June-which I don't mind :)
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> Boy, I love how predictable your cycling is. At least you have some idea as to when all hell is going to break loose! But I am sure it doesn't make you suffering any less.
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> Many thanks, Mitch
> Chloe
Predictability *is* nice-but you have to get your pdoc tuned in to the graph! They have this tendency to think that your "troubles" are the same all year round(static). I think I am going to have to do a Powerpoint presentation and bring in all the hardware, etc. I don't really think they *want* to be lazy, but for what I am paying.......Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:90799
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020124/msgs/91726.html