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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SLS on July 30, 2009, at 12:32:07
In reply to Re: Tapering with kindling Scott?, posted by qbsbrown on July 30, 2009, at 10:39:01
You don't really know what you can tolerate by judging your reaction to a particular dosage of a drug after only one day. I think you should stay at 400mg for at least 5 days and go up 200mg every 5 days thereafter if tolerated. That is still more rapid than what the PDR recommends. I can't imagine that you would need more than 800mg.
Dry mouth is side effect of Tegretol, so I don't think you can use that as an index of withdrawal symptomatology.
It is important that you get blood tests to check for agranulocytosis when taking Tegretol. You should work with your doctor to determine a schedule for frequency of testing.
If it were me, there is no way I would try to taper the diazepam until I were taking the Tegretol for at least a week. Give your brain a chance to recover from the insult of withdrawal.
I understand your rush, but I can almost guarantee that rushing will make matters worse, not better. You will not be able to go "cold turkey", so don't even try. If you taper too rapidly, you will end up breaking through the Tegretol and render it useless.
- Scott
Posted by qbsbrown on July 30, 2009, at 12:44:15
In reply to Re: Tapering with kindling Scott?, posted by SLS on July 30, 2009, at 12:32:07
Thanks Scott.
I think it turns out that the XR version is MUCH better. This generic works really well for 2 hours, then drops off big time. I'm really bad w/ peaks and valleys of meds, so I might as well cough over the money for it. Only have to take 2 times daily.
Regards,
Brian
PS- You should do some publishing on kindling. there are far too many people out there suffering from benzo wd, that might be able to benefit greatly from the theory, practice, and anticonvulsants.
Regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 0:14:03
In reply to Re: Tapering with kindling Scott?, posted by qbsbrown on July 30, 2009, at 12:44:15
Well either the whole kindling theory is correct, and we're really onto something, that, or that a couple of other docs (2-3) were right w/ the BPII DX, although 2 of the times I was in bad BZD wd/tolerance.
I guess we won't know until the benzos are gone for a while, the i try removing the tegretol.
The Tegretol is helping immensely.
I thank you greatly!
And forget that i wrote this, because when i report something good, it backfires.
Kind regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 9:56:06
In reply to You're right Scott, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 0:14:03
Ok, took 600mgs of generic immediate release yesterday. Pretty bad dysphoria today. I get the xr version today. Do you think to hold 400mgs for at least a week before 600? Or maybe 400 is even my ceiling.
But in general, I was much better, and I even feel ready to being tapering. But it looks like I should hold tegretol 1-2 weeks before tapering?
Regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 11:13:50
In reply to Re: You're right Scott, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 9:56:06
Oh yeah, too much depression/dysphoria from 600mgs. Looks like 400mgs is the sweet spot.
I found this from a benzo exper in my area.
"Carbamazepine 200-800mg daily (or valproic acid 250
mg tid) + BZP for 1-2 weeks and then taper BZP over
4 weeks; continue anticonvulsant alone for 2-4 weeks"Sound pretty reasonable doesn't it?
Regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 15:31:03
In reply to Re: You're right Scott, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 11:13:50
Well I was stupid and greedy thinking that I could go to 600mgs on my second day, and am paying the price dearly. I told you, if i mention positive effects, it turns on me.
I will stay at 400mgs, 200 xr 2 times a day. Hopefully I can settle in nicely.
So you do not think that I should make my 1mg cut every 2 weeks, which is coming up on tuesday?
Regards,
Brian
Posted by SLS on July 31, 2009, at 16:49:43
In reply to Re: You're right Scott, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 15:31:03
> So you do not think that I should make my 1mg cut every 2 weeks, which is coming up on tuesday?
Are you experiencing withdrawal symptoms right now?
- Scott
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 17:01:15
In reply to Re: You're right Scott, posted by SLS on July 31, 2009, at 16:49:43
The withdrawal became much worse from taking the 600mgs yesterday. After my first 2 200mg pills (morning, 2pm), i felt great. i was looking at jobs, i was talking about going to the gym etc, ready to go for a ride/drive, although i did get a rocking headache.
Then this morning, total dysphoria/depression/feeling drunk, minutes feeling like hours (which is the norm). After my first 2 doses yesterday, the day was almost going by at a normal rate, to where i wasn't even thinking about when i take my valium doses. I'm normally watching the clock like crazy.
So yeah, taking that much sure jacked me and my symptoms up, so i'll for sure have to stay at 400 for a bit.
Would you recommend the XR version over the generic immediate release? You only have to take 2 times a day, as opposed to 3-4 (although dosing at same time as valium was nice), and probably much smoother blood levels.
Thanks for you help.
Posted by SLS on July 31, 2009, at 17:23:18
In reply to do you think the xr version is better?, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 17:01:15
> Would you recommend the XR version over the generic immediate release? You only have to take 2 times a day, as opposed to 3-4 (although dosing at same time as valium was nice), and probably much smoother blood levels.
>
> Thanks for you help.
I haven't read anything about the clinical advantages of using the XR version. I like the idea of keeping blood levels as steady as possible, though.Why don't you stay at 400mg until Tuesday, and not make any decisions until you know how you feel by then.
- Scott
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 18:11:56
In reply to Re: do you think the xr version is better?, posted by SLS on July 31, 2009, at 17:23:18
Yeah, XR sounds nice, but generic immediate release is dirt cheap, and I like dosing at same time as valium. Gives me some psychosomatic buffer i think lol.
But yeah, after my first 2 doses of 200 yesterday, was really excited felt great. Ready to tackle the world, and thought this might be easier, only to be bit in the *ss by me taking that 3rd dose of 200, totaling 600mgs.
You mean wait til tues to see if im ready to drop valium dose, or to raise to 600mgs?
In your estimation, do you think that i would experience the same dysphoria/depression on 600mgs a week from now, as i did today? Just as i had on 500 of depakote?
That expert did give the range of 200-800 of tegretol to come off. Perhaps I'm in the middle at 400.
Regards,Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 20:28:25
In reply to Re: do you think the xr version is better?, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 18:11:56
Well I got 50 dollars worth of the xr version, and still have the generic.
Now while i was feeling great on the generic, then why was i frantically calling the doc to call in the xr version? i thought it would make it even easier and smoother
I assume they will both provide the same benefit, perhaps the xr version providing a smoother release and blood levels. The generic was pretty harsh, would feel well for 2 hours, then crash out. But it had a good psychosomatic buffer that i would take it at the same time as my valium doses, 3 times a day.
Being quite agoraphobic right now, being able to take it midday with my midday dose of valium, i felt buffered and not afraid to leave the apartment.If i was only dosing 2 times a day w/ the xr, morning and night, i might be afraid to leave the house during midday. I'm not sure.
Plus i had a great day on the generic, but then why was i trying to change it? Do i listen to that?
Which would you go with?
If generic, should i dose 200-100-100? or 100-100-200? Probably doesn't matter
Regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 22:15:49
In reply to It's a tough call, which would you take?, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 20:28:25
fine, i think that i will stick w/ the generic. I'm guessing that my ceiling is 500mgs. I believe that 600mgs of tegretol, is equal to 900 mgs of trileptal, correct me if i'm wrong, and at that dose, it is mimmicing some of the adverse symptoms.
So perhaps 500 is my ceiling. Like i said, i took 200mgs morning and mid day, and was golden. Apparently it was the 3rd 200mg pill that put me over the edge.
Regards,
Bri
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 22:17:32
In reply to It's a tough call, which would you take?, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 20:28:25
Do you think that i could try 500mgs tomorrow, or is that too much of a gamble? I think it's my ceiling, and i'd go 200-200-100. But probably better to wait at least 3-7 days huh?
Posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 23:36:37
In reply to Re: It's a tough call, which would you take?, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 22:17:32
If I tried the XR version for a week, and didn't like it, would that lessen my chance of the generic immidiate version working?
Brian
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2009, at 6:27:06
In reply to Re: It's a tough call, which would you take?, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 22:15:49
> fine, i think that i will stick w/ the generic. I'm guessing that my ceiling is 500mgs. I believe that 600mgs of tegretol, is equal to 900 mgs of trileptal, correct me if i'm wrong, and at that dose, it is mimmicing some of the adverse symptoms.
>
> So perhaps 500 is my ceiling. Like i said, i took 200mgs morning and mid day, and was golden. Apparently it was the 3rd 200mg pill that put me over the edge.Just remember, Tegretol induces its own metabolism. You might have to raise the dosage at some point just to compensate for the reduction in blood levels.
I would remain at 400mg for another 5 days and not reduce the diazepam.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2009, at 6:31:15
In reply to Re: It's a tough call, which would you take?, posted by qbsbrown on July 31, 2009, at 23:36:37
> If I tried the XR version for a week, and didn't like it, would that lessen my chance of the generic immidiate version working?
>
> BrianI very much doubt it.
What can lessen your chances is too rapid a taper of diazepam. The more you allow the forest to burn (kindling), the harder it will be to put the fire out. I wouldn't begin tapering until the Tegretol puts out the fire that is currently burning.
There really is no rush.
- Scott
Posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 11:05:33
In reply to Re: It's a tough call, which would you take?, posted by SLS on August 1, 2009, at 6:31:15
Well it seems that the XR version really mimics a lot of the same things as the trileptal, which is both good and bad. Made the day seem SO slow (which is normal during wd, but worse w/ trileptal, and apparently this xr version). I would look at the clock, and it'd say only 4 pm, and i'd be like, are you serious. With trileptal, i couldn't wait til my 6-7 pm dose, as then things would seem normal, i could watch tv, and fall asleep naturally.
Then it also allowed me to be able to watch tv at night, which I usually can't do, due to concentration problems with the wd. And I got a little naturally tired, and slept pretty well, which i usually don't get naturally tired one bit, so that was nice.
That said, with generic, i was improving with every dose. Time was going by faster, i had high hopes that the taper would eventually be easier. Even though i wasn't sleeping well, didn't get tired, couldn't watch tv, my mood was improving with every dose (until i tried 600mgs). Plus had the psychosomatic buffer of taking at same time as diazepam (there might be something to that seeing that they are both immediate releasing, right?).
So weighing those positives and negatives, which would you go with? I'm leaning towards the generic. Plus i think that it would be easier to add 100mgs when needed, and that coming off in smaller incriments would be easier, correct?
God I hope that we can get this gravy train back on board Scott.
Regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 11:19:17
In reply to Re: It's a tough call, which would you take?, posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 11:05:33
The first day, i went 100-100-100, and felt improvement in mood, concentration etc. Second day was 200-200-200.
After the first 200mg on the second day, i did feel some dysphoria. But time did not go so slow, after second dose, things finally slowed down a little bit, was ready to go out, got a rocking headache, took the third, then really bad dysphoria/depression/revved up symptoms the next day.
That said, I could hold 200-100-100, either until 5-7 days have passed, or when that dysphoria passes from the first dose has past, which i think it has? Then I could add another 100mgs, 200-200-100. How does that sound?
Do you think that there is something to be said about taking it at the same time as valium, as they are both immediately released?
Regards,
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 12:16:33
In reply to Does this sound prudent Scott?, posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 11:19:17
Do you think that 500mgs is too much for now? 200-200-100. As I felt so great after those first 2 200mg doses.
Or play it safe, and stay at 400?
Brian
Posted by SLS on August 1, 2009, at 14:22:58
In reply to Re: Does this sound prudent Scott?, posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 12:16:33
> Do you think that 500mgs is too much for now? 200-200-100. As I felt so great after those first 2 200mg doses.
>
> Or play it safe, and stay at 400?
>
> BrianI feel strongly that you should remain at 400mg for at least 5 more days.
Try not to look at things so microscopically all day long. Just take the drug and try to relax. Things might get a little weird at first. It is difficult to predict how your system will react to the exposure to a new drug. It is likely much of what you are experiencing is startup side effects that will disappear with time.
Let's see how you feel after five days at 400mg.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 15:55:15
In reply to Re: Does this sound prudent Scott?, posted by SLS on August 1, 2009, at 14:22:58
Thanks Scott. And yes, a HUGE part is my fault. 300 first day, 600 second, 500 3rd (2 XRs, and 1 regular; stupid), and will go 400 today (2 XRs). Basically suicide lol. These changes and additions to my already super delicate brain.
Today i am taking 2 xr's and will decide tomorrow which one to continue with, generic or XR, and STICK with it.
So most of this is my fault. I was feeling better with every pill i was taking. So the obvious more is better mentality set in.
I have a bad history, of raising lowering, adding/changing meds, hence me needing to get off of them.
I'll take the 400 mgs today, and assess tomorrow to stick w/ the generic (dirt cheap), or the MUCH more expensive XR version.
Thanks Scott.
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 19:59:13
In reply to Re: Does this sound prudent Scott?, posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 15:55:15
Hey Scott. Is the Tegretol habit forming? Or tolerance building? I know it's not addictive addictive, but i noticed that at the beginning that it made me feel better, and the wd easier, so i couldn't wait til the next dose. A great welcome relief.
One could argue that all psychotropic meds are addictive, and tolerance building (as does Peter Breggin). Like i remember that during a benzo wd, a doc gave me an antidepressant that made my depression worse, and believe it or not, my obsessions and compulsions worse.
But she gave me 5mgs of zyprexa for the flight home from china to the US. It knocked me out for the entire flight. Then came home, and slept for 20 hours straight.
Needless to say, i ended up taking 30mgs zyprexa (that's beyond me) for my racing thoughts, just to be able to drive long distances, and would take when i came home from work, and it wouldn't make me tired. The racing thoughts all along have been benzo wd.
Anyway, well the tegretol xr i took this morning, gave me a kinda pleasurable euphoric drunk feeling (I'm an alcoholic who hasn't drank in a year, so it felt good). To where it was making me crave my next dose. You did say that you need to raise the dose because it begins to metabolize itself quicker, right? Plus I'm a very fast med metabolizer, so i might even have to take this med 3 times a day, same as it's derivitive trileptal.
Today will be my 3rd day at 400mgs or higher. I've seen that this med is usually raised every week, but i've seen publications that said 2-5 days.
Just let me know what you think.
I greatly appreciate it.
Brian
PS-If you think that we should email personally, I'm [xxx] at [xxx]
I always look forward to hearing from you
Posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 22:24:52
In reply to Re: Does this sound prudent Scott?, posted by SLS on August 1, 2009, at 14:22:58
Ok Scott. I'm gonna go generic immediate release for the next 5 days and let you know from there. I'll go 200-100-100, unless you think it makes any difference to have the big dose at night.
The ER version is simply acting too much like the trileptal that i didn't like.
I was SO excited w/ our initial progress and hope, only to have my symptoms ramped up by me going up too high, too fast, and then mixing er w/ generic.
Hopefully we can get back on track. I'll do 5 days of the 400mgs, then we can assess to go up to 500mgs, or to continue tapering.
Thank you very much for your help.
Regards,
Brian
Posted by SLS on August 2, 2009, at 7:13:03
In reply to Re: Does this sound prudent Scott?, posted by qbsbrown on August 1, 2009, at 22:24:52
> Thank you very much for your help.My privilege.
- Scott
Posted by qbsbrown on August 2, 2009, at 14:45:54
In reply to Re: Does this sound prudent Scott?, posted by SLS on August 2, 2009, at 7:13:03
To a highly kindled system. A jacked up, damaged, compromised CNS. Is a small amount of an antidepressant a dangerous thing to try?
At the beginning of this taper, I even had like 20mgs of tryptophan, and gave me depression.
All of the antidpressants always gave me worse depression, and even more compulsions (paradoxical reactions)
The only antidepressant that ever worked was lexapro. Still some adverse and paradoxical reactions. It would usually work for a week, then turn on me and give me what docs called "mixed mood" episodes, induced mania before, and even screwed up one of my valium tapers once i was down to 1mg (the doc raised the lexapro from 10mgs to 20mgs, sent me through the roof, had to re-instate). Probably too risky huh.
But it usually helped the dysphoria/depression from the anticonvulsants.
Do you think that once my brain/body is accustomed to the tegretol, that it might be worth a shot for gad and panic, anticipatory anxiety? Or is it simply too risky right now at this juncture?
Took 400mgs of tegretol yesterday (ER version, took an er version this morning, but thinking about the generic), went out and about today, everything still felt weird, looked weird, sounded weird, etc. But not absoulte and total dysphoria as i experienced w/ that depakote trial.
Let me know what you think. I greatly appreciate it.
Regards,
Brian
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