Posted by SLS on January 13, 2008, at 7:21:46
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Emme, posted by Cecilia on January 13, 2008, at 6:20:29
Folate is not folate is not folate.
Deplin can be seen as is a legitimate drug (medical food). The semantics really don't matter, really. The body ingests folic acid and other folates all the time. However, L-methylfolate (Deplin) is the active form of folate that is used by the brain. It is normally not found in human foodstuffs. Folic acid must first be converted to L-methylfolate to be of any use by the brain. It is a very slow process - too slow. The body would need a pound of folic to equal a teaspoon of L-methylfolate. Deplin has been shown to be effective, even if a blood test shows *blood* folate to be normal.
Deplin is a drug. Don't even bother trying to replace it through nutrition. Take Deplin and see what it does for you. It's nothing that you are not doing already with other drugs. Some insurance companies already cover it through their prescription plans.
Deplin accelerates the synthesis of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. I have seen it especially effective in combination with MAOIs, even Emsam. Deplin is a bit of a surprise arrival. Clinicians have yet to assess its efficacy and side effect profile.
For me, Deplin produces no side effects with the exception of mild to moderate flatulence. There are no sexual side effects. In fact, my libido and orgasms have improved - most probably because the drug has simply and truly reduced the depression and *all* of its symptoms through its addition to the other drugs I take. Deplin should probably best be thought of as an augmentor.
You gotta' take this stuff for awhile. Some people experience a brief increase in energy for a few days during the first week of treatment when initiated at 7.5mg / day. Energy then retreats to pre-treatment levels. The true, robust antidepressant response does not occur for 4-8 weeks.
Patients with drug trials is essential to win the game. If you need to, take a break between trials if they leave you drained of tolerance to psychotropic or other side-effects. It seems to me that some people have unreasonable expectations of drugs, and go on them and then of them before giving them a 3 week trial. Don't expect to experience anything other than side effects during the first 2-4 weeks. A quality response often occurs in weeks 4-6. Do not be so intent on looking for "signs" of success or failure during the first week. I think this only induces less patients, not more.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:804699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080105/msgs/806125.html