Posted by SLS on June 5, 2004, at 15:05:05
In reply to SLS, how are you?, posted by Emme on June 5, 2004, at 12:09:47
Hi Emme.
Thanks for asking.
I am not doing very well. Memantine stopped working completely, but I am continuing with it at 20mg. I stopped taking Zoloft. I am trying to tweak the dosage of Lamictal to reduce the cognitive impairments I suspect that it is causing. It is possible that the effects that I am blaming Lamictal for are actually features of the depression itself. I really am not sure because I have been taking 300mg for so long. I would like to find out for sure before moving on to Cymbalta (duloxetine). My doctor says that he will be getting an advanced supply of Cymbalta from Eli Lilly prior to its final approval, expected later this summer. I should be starting it in about a month.
The other two drugs that I am looking at are riluzole and mifepristone (RU-486). Riluzole is an antiglutamatergic drug (as are Lamictal and memantine). It is currently available for the treatment of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Mifepristone blocks cortisol receptors, and might work in part by resetting the HPA axis. I don't know how easily obtainable it is. It is currently approved by the FDA only as an abortifacient, and is administered as a single dose. However, it is also an effective treatment for Cushing's Syndrome. The NIMH is conducting clinical trials of both drugs as treatments for bipolar depression.
How have you been doing?
It's a gray, rainy day. That's exactly how I feel.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:354022
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040602/msgs/354057.html