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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 29. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 16:38:37
There are so many new drugs that I've never even heard of. Please post the drugs you take and what they are - I'll start.
Effexor XR - Antidepressant - anti anxiety
Lamictal - Anticonvulsant
Trileptal - Anticonvulsant, relative of Tegretol with an extra oxygen molecule which negates the side effects of Tegretolstarlight
Posted by SLS on July 23, 2004, at 17:19:39
In reply to So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 16:38:37
> There are so many new drugs that I've never even heard of. Please post the drugs you take and what they are - I'll start.
>
> Effexor XR - Antidepressant - anti anxiety
> Lamictal - Anticonvulsant
> Trileptal - Anticonvulsant, relative of Tegretol with an extra oxygen molecule which negates the side effects of Tegretol
>
> starlight
I am now trying Zonegran (zonisamide) 200mg, an anticonvulsant, in an attempt to treat bipolar depression. I have been on it for just over three weeks, and it has given me no signs of improvement yet. It has, however, produced a great deal of fatigue and tiredness. I am also taking imipramine, Lamictal, Namenda, and Abilify.
- Scott
Posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 17:55:38
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by SLS on July 23, 2004, at 17:19:39
What is Imipramine
Namenda &
Ambilify?
Posted by SLS on July 23, 2004, at 18:03:48
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 17:55:38
> What is Imipramine
Also known as Tofranil. Trycyclic antidepressant.
> Namenda
Also known as memantine. Now used for Alzheimer's Disease, but showing promise in treating depression.
> Ambilify?
Also known as aripiprazole. A neuroleptic antipsychotic known to have antidepressant properties.
- Scott
Posted by King Vultan on July 23, 2004, at 19:02:52
In reply to So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 16:38:37
Nardil - MAOI for unipolar depression and social phobia since March 1 of this year.
Halcion, Benadryl - for sleep, using Halcion one night, Benadryl the next, and so on.
I will be meeting with my pdoc Tuesday and will ask to taper down and transition over to Parnate, as the Nardil is simply not dopaminergic enough to treat my anhedonia, low libido, etc. He is not a big fan of Parnate, but I believe he will prescribe it for me.
Todd
Posted by Sad Panda on July 24, 2004, at 1:16:58
In reply to So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 16:38:37
I am taking so much stuff that I rattle when I walk. :)
I am a fat man with hypertension, depression, anxiety & arthritis.
Ramipril 10mg/day - ACE Inhibitor to lower blood pressure.
Metformin 1500mg/day - Primarily a Diabetes drug, it reduces glucose uptake in the intestine, reduces insulin resistance & reduces appetite.
Thyroxine 300mcg/day - Treats my hypothyriodism, has helped me alot.
Testosterone 250mg/2 weeks - Oily depot injection in the bum fortnightly. Early days, have only had two shots so far.
Effexor XR 225mg/day - Great AD, but doesn't help with lethargy & apathy.
Nortriptyline 75mg/day - Using this as an axiolytic, sleep aid, stimulant & diarrhoea stopper.
Celebrex 200mg/day - COX-2 Inhibitor for knee arthritis pain.
Glucosamine & Fish Oil - Snake oil for my knees.5 drugs, 2 hormones & 1 suppliment.
How many is too many?Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Cressida on July 24, 2004, at 3:57:19
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by Sad Panda on July 24, 2004, at 1:16:58
Why not let the world know:
*Metoprolol 100mg (antihypertensive)
Prinzide 10mg/12.5mg (ACE inhibitor + thiazide diuretic) [haven't taken in a while]
*Celexa 20mg (SSRI)
*Adderall-XR 20-40mg (ADD)
*Seroquel 20-50mg (insomnia) [sometimes don't take]
Zyrtec or Zyrtec-D (antihistamine for allergies) [lately been taking it sparingly]The drugs prefixed by a * I take regularly.
Posted by TJO on July 24, 2004, at 7:25:31
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by King Vultan on July 23, 2004, at 19:02:52
Hi
The "magic combo" for me anyway (finally)
Abilify 30 mg am (atypical AP)
Neurontin 1200 mg 600 am, 600 pm (mood stabilizer)
Seroquel 700 mg 300 am, 400 pm (atypical AP)
Wellbutrin XL 150 mg pm (antidepressant)Tam
Posted by Racer on July 24, 2004, at 9:18:30
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by Sad Panda on July 24, 2004, at 1:16:58
> Glucosamine & Fish Oil - Snake oil for my knees.
>Got a question about these: why the glucosamine alone? Why not Glucosamine and Chondroitin? And have you tried adding MSM to it? (Asking because I take all three for my arthritis, it seems to help, and the veterinary studies I've read have suggested all three together. I wanna know what you know that I don't...)
Thanks!
Posted by BrittPark on July 24, 2004, at 10:06:49
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by Racer on July 24, 2004, at 9:18:30
I'll pitch in.
300mg imipramine
50mg desipramine
50mcg T3
5mg Abilify
1mg Klonopin (at night)
4mg Xanax
10mg Ritalin TID
5/500 Vicodin TIDIt's a crazy mix but it keeps on a more or less even keel.
Be well all,
Britt
Posted by theo on July 24, 2004, at 10:55:57
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by SLS on July 23, 2004, at 17:19:39
How do you like imipramine? I am currently taking 75mg of Lamictal titrating up to 100mg. My pdoc might want to add an antidepressant and I have never tried a tricyclic, only SSRI's which seemed to never really fit my needs. I also may be a little ADD and have read imipramine can also help that. Dr. Amen also praises imipramine over SSRI's for Type 3: Mixed Anxiety and Depression.
Your input, both good and/or bad would be appreciated on imipramine.
Posted by jlbl2l on July 24, 2004, at 15:51:57
In reply to So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 16:38:37
neurontin
minocycline
zopiclone
midazolam
Posted by badmood on July 24, 2004, at 18:25:13
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by BrittPark on July 24, 2004, at 10:06:49
is your doctor comfortable with you on all those meds, or do you go to various doctors.
My God that's alot prescriptions. I would lose them all.
Posted by SLS on July 24, 2004, at 19:28:11
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by jlbl2l on July 24, 2004, at 15:51:57
> neurontin
> minocycline
> zopiclone
> midazolam
What's the minocycline for?Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Ktemene on July 24, 2004, at 23:18:33
In reply to So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by starlight on July 23, 2004, at 16:38:37
Since my meds are unusual, I'll chip in.
Dx: Atypical unipolar depression (hypersomnia, fatigue, anhedonia most prominent symptoms)
ADHD (inattentive type)Meds: 5 mg Selegiline
10-20 mg Adderall
200-400 mg ProvigilI started Selegiline less than two months ago, after trying a lot of other meds for a lot of years. The Selegiline actually seems to be working, but it is early days yet.
Posted by CindyLou on July 25, 2004, at 9:53:00
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by Ktemene on July 24, 2004, at 23:18:33
Prozac - 5 mg. (just switched from Lexapro; this is my 5th time on Prozac. It always poops-out after two months, but we are hoping the Lithium may keep it from pooping out this time.)
Lithium - 450 mg (doc wants me to increase to 900 mg., but I can't tolerate the fatigue.)
Dexedrine - 5 mg. or 10 mg., once or twice a day for energy
Xanax - .25 mg. as needed (not daily)
Beer - 1 or 2 a day (late afternoon, evening). The best med yet. Trying to stop this, however!
My diagnosis: depression, anxiety and/or BPII.
cindy
Posted by BrittPark on July 25, 2004, at 12:31:59
In reply to Re: BrittPark, posted by badmood on July 24, 2004, at 18:25:13
It's all one doctor. He's aggressive. I'm aggressive and we trust each other. My father had a stroke about a month ago (he's recovering as well as can be expected) and it sent me for a loop. We added the ritalin and the abilify to stop a rapid downturn from chronic dysthymia to major depression, and it seems to be working. Also remember that imipramine+desipramine can be thought of as one drug as can the klonopin+xanax.
Nevertheless it's a lot of pills. Luckily I'm a rapid metabolizer and have rarely suffered from medication side-effects. My pill drawer is kind of scary ;) but I've gotten used to it. I certainly wouldn't recommend my regime as a general thing, but it's what works and that finally is all that matters.
Be well all,
Britt
Posted by theo on July 25, 2004, at 13:53:54
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by SLS on July 23, 2004, at 17:19:39
How do you like imipramine? I am currently taking 75mg of Lamictal titrating up to 100mg. My pdoc might add an antidepressant and I have never tried a tricyclic, only SSRI's which seemed to never really fit my needs. I also may be a little ADD and have read imipramine can also help that. Dr Amen also praises imipramine over SSRI's for Type 3: Mixed Anxiety and Depression.
Your input, both good and/or bad would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 15:06:03
In reply to SLS, imipramine question » SLS, posted by theo on July 25, 2004, at 13:53:54
I'm sorry, Theo. I forgot all about you.
:-)
> How do you like imipramine? I am currently taking 75mg of Lamictal titrating up to 100mg. My pdoc might add an antidepressant and I have never tried a tricyclic, only SSRI's which seemed to never really fit my needs. I also may be a little ADD and have read imipramine can also help that. Dr Amen also praises imipramine over SSRI's for Type 3: Mixed Anxiety and Depression.
> Your input, both good and/or bad would be greatly appreciated.
Imipramine is really the gold standard by which the efficacy of all other antidepressants have been compared to. It is a powerful drug that has brought many people with severe depression into remission. It has also been prescribed for adult ADD as well.The problem with imipramine is that it produces side effects, many of which are anticholinergic. Some find them difficult to deal with. I find that they abate over time. These include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, sweating, urinary retention... Believe it or not, this stuff is tolerable for a lot of people, and you won't know unless you try. No sexual side effects, except perhaps an exaggerated cremasteric reflex (infrequent). Imipramine is particularly effective if you have an agitated or melancholic depression and have trouble sleeping, particularly in the early morning; morning being the worst time of day.
How would you describe the condition(s) you are trying to treat? What are your symptoms.
- Scott
Posted by jlbl2l on July 25, 2004, at 15:10:57
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!! » jlbl2l, posted by SLS on July 24, 2004, at 19:28:11
believe it or not, minocycline helps with a lot of stealth infections in many neurological and CNS disorders that may not be apparent to you. imo its prudent to eliminate the pathogens to get better,
Posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 15:58:28
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!!, posted by jlbl2l on July 25, 2004, at 15:10:57
> believe it or not, minocycline helps with a lot of stealth infections in many neurological and CNS disorders that may not be apparent to you. imo its prudent to eliminate the pathogens to get better,
At my last visit, my doctor prescribed doxycycline to treat what looks like bipolar depression. He's really into Lyme disease and other pathogenic encephalopathy stuff. So I guess he is thinking along those same lines. It's nice to see that someone else has the same ideas. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
- Scott
Posted by jlbl2l on July 25, 2004, at 16:10:02
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!! » jlbl2l, posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 15:58:28
i study autoimmune diseases and a lot of other immune related diseases. i am a volunteer researcher for the national chronic fatigue foundation, so i know quite a bit and have numerous hookups.
Posted by theo on July 25, 2004, at 22:52:16
In reply to Re: SLS, imipramine question » theo, posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 15:06:03
Low motivation, lack of interest in a lot of areas. When good things happen to me, I don't even feel excited at all anymore, but the 75mg Lamictal is helping me stay middle of the road but not alive. It's weird because I'm not sad, just have no interest in anything which can be depressing in itself. I also suffer from speaking in front of people and walking into or leaving a room full of people, so I guess I can add social anxiety to the mix.
I finally went to a pdoc after all this time, I'm 40, and we're in the trial and error phase but starting with the Lamictal.
In the past through my general doctor, I tried every SSRI and Paxil worked great but I completely lost the ability to have sex with it, so I had to drop it. My girlfriend is very understanding but had I had to put myself in her shoes.
Anyway, the Lamictal seems pretty good but I don't know if taking it alone and increasing the dose is the answer versus staying at about 100mg and adding some other med. I'm at 75mg now and will be going to 100mg in a few days. What do you think?
Posted by zeebop on July 26, 2004, at 4:30:57
In reply to Re: So Many New Drugs!!!! Post your drugs!!! » SLS, posted by theo on July 24, 2004, at 10:55:57
imipramine is my no1 ad. i tried lots of ads and nothing worked better for major depression with anxiety plus add.
side effects go away in a week or so and easy to tolerate by escalating the dose slowley over 2 weeks.
Posted by zeebop on July 26, 2004, at 4:36:04
In reply to Re: SLS, imipramine question » theo, posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 15:06:03
> I'm sorry, Theo. I forgot all about you.
>
> :-)
>
> > How do you like imipramine? I am currently taking 75mg of Lamictal titrating up to 100mg. My pdoc might add an antidepressant and I have never tried a tricyclic, only SSRI's which seemed to never really fit my needs. I also may be a little ADD and have read imipramine can also help that. Dr Amen also praises imipramine over SSRI's for Type 3: Mixed Anxiety and Depression.
>
> > Your input, both good and/or bad would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
> Imipramine is really the gold standard by which the efficacy of all other antidepressants have been compared to. It is a powerful drug that has brought many people with severe depression into remission. It has also been prescribed for adult ADD as well.
>
> The problem with imipramine is that it produces side effects, many of which are anticholinergic. Some find them difficult to deal with. I find that they abate over time. These include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, sweating, urinary retention... Believe it or not, this stuff is tolerable for a lot of people, and you won't know unless you try. No sexual side effects, except perhaps an exaggerated cremasteric reflex (infrequent). Imipramine is particularly effective if you have an agitated or melancholic depression and have trouble sleeping, particularly in the early morning; morning being the worst time of day.
>
> How would you describe the condition(s) you are trying to treat? What are your symptoms.
>
>
> - Scott
I totally agree about what you said about imipramine ,scott.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Script revised: February 4, 2008
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