Posted by Chocamine on January 31, 2011, at 16:31:04
Hi everyone,
I have Bipolar type I disorder and have been suffering from a *severe* depressive episode for over 7 months now. My psychiatrist has basically given up on me as we've tried almost all available anti-depressants and mood stabilizers on the market. Basically, the only thing that healed me the last time around was waiting it out (took about a year).
I stumbled upon tianeptine as a last resort. I first started taking the recommended 12.5mgx3 dosage, and after 2 weeks I did not notice anything.
I decided, for the heck of it, given that is has no toxicity issues, to up my dosage to 12.5mgx12 dosage (150mg total) all in one daily dose.
With this large dose, I have finally, for the first time in 7 months, experienced a major lift in mood, cognitive ability and outlook on life. If I had to compare the effects, it feels slightly like an opiate high without the mental dulling or side effects. I finally feel like I can go out and get a job and start doing something with my life once again.
I thought I finally found my miracle drug until I started reading about tianeptine withdrawal. I don't have enough money to stay on this regimen forever (2 months max), so I am going to have to discontinue some day. I have read many reports of people having severe withdrawal symptoms when stopping the regular dosage. I can't imagine what I'll experience at the dosage I'm using right now!
I thought tianeptine's neuroprotective, repairing properties would outshine the withdrawal symptoms but now I'm starting to have my doubts.
I've been on it for 4 weeks now and I wanted your guys opinion on weather I should continue for as long as I can (or go back to being completely non-functional and suicidal) or stopping right now and finding a different solution.
Thank you all for your time.
poster:Chocamine
thread:978410
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110130/msgs/978410.html