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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jane (janey girl) on October 13, 1999, at 11:15:43
Peyronie's Disease is a very rare side effect of
Dilantin/phenytoin. As a nurse, we saw it in diabetic
men more than any other "universe" of patients, and we
saw it very, very rarely.To read more about Peyronie's Disease, go here:
http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9705/htm/peyronie.htm
It's the Mayo Clinic site on the syndrome.
Posted by Brandon on October 13, 1999, at 12:46:23
In reply to Dilantin, phenytoin, side effects, Peyronie's Dise, posted by Jane (janey girl) on October 13, 1999, at 11:15:43
> Peyronie's Disease is a very rare side effect
Hi everyone,I read Dreyfus's book on Dilantin and just got back from my doc's office an hour ago with a script. I just took the first pill and from my reading I should feel a beneficial effect in an hour or so. I'm only going to take 100mg. a day so I think that any risk of developing that disorder is very rare (I hope)!...Well I'll let everyone know if it is as good as it is hyped to be in the book. Wish me luck!
Brandon
Posted by dj on October 16, 1999, at 12:43:04
In reply to Re: Dilantin, phenytoin, side effects, Peyronie's Dise, posted by Brandon on October 13, 1999, at 12:46:23
So Brandon, how is it so far? BTW, there were cautions in the literature I scanned about it effecting gum growth in negative ways, though I don't know what sort of dose that would involve or over what period ot time...
> > I should feel a beneficial effect in an hour or so. I'm only going to take 100mg. a day so I think that any risk of developing that disorder is >very rare
Posted by Brandon on October 17, 1999, at 0:01:13
In reply to Re: Dilantin, phenytoin, side effects, Peyronie's Dise, posted by dj on October 16, 1999, at 12:43:04
> So Brandon, how is it so far? BTW, there were cautions in the literature I scanned about it effecting gum growth in negative ways, though I don't know what sort of dose that would involve or over what period ot time...
>
I'm only going to take 100mg. a day...Hi dj,
Well I tried the 100mg a day approach that Dreyfus uses in the book and I experienced some relief that would unfortunately wear off at the end of the day. So my doc and I decided to raise the dose to 100 tid. One in the morning in the afternoon and before bed. This approach works much better and if the results last I will probably stick with this med for awhile.
This drug definetly serves as a stabilizer and it's AD effects are extremely subtle so much so that I didnt notice any until the dose wore off. Main effects that I get from it are enhanced concentration, much relief from anxiety, and mood enhancing effects. I can tell when its working now...about an hour or so after each dose I feel very peaceful and centered. Very relaxed and in control of my thoughts. I think that this med would benefit people like me who have overactive minds that are obsessive and worrying. I notice very little performance anxiety which used to be very bad.
Anyway I am babbling now but I think that this is a good med that warrants a fair trial. I do believe that most people who have different disorders of the psyche would need higher doses like the one I am on. One more thing...I have experienced absolutely no side effects from this med...NONE! That alone is enough incentive for me to continue using this until I have made a fair judgement on how it has benefitted my life.
Thanks...Hope this helps...Brandon
Posted by dj on October 24, 1999, at 9:10:00
In reply to Phenytoin, posted by Brandon on October 17, 1999, at 0:01:13
Brandon,
Are the postive effects of Phenytoin continuing?
Excuse my ignorance but what is a tid?Back in July I believe you were taking Selegiline & the effects of that were positive for your concentration. Did that wear off or did you have side effects or was it insufficient or..?? Are you still taking it & what else, if anything are you taking?
Sante!
DJ
> Well I tried the 100mg a day approach that Dreyfus uses in the book and I experienced some relief that would unfortunately wear off at the end of the day. So my doc and I decided to raise the dose to 100 tid.
.. Main effects that I get from it are enhanced concentration, much relief from anxiety, and mood enhancing effects. I can tell when its working now...about an hour or so after each dose I feel very peaceful and centered. Very relaxed and in control of my thoughts.
>
Posted by Brandon on October 24, 1999, at 22:46:28
In reply to Re: Phenytoin, posted by dj on October 24, 1999, at 9:10:00
> Brandon,
>
> Are the postive effects of Phenytoin continuing?
> Excuse my ignorance but what is a tid?
>
> Back in July I believe you were taking Selegiline & the effects of that were positive for your concentration.Hi dj,
Sorry I didnt reply earlier I've been a little busy with midterms coming up. Back to Phenytoin. I was taking the selegiline for a few months, and it did have numerous benefits but none that really fixed my core problems, which are anxiety and depression with add (or so my doc thinks...I think the add part is just anxiety).
For the first few weeks I did have noticeable improvement with it but looking back I believe now that the fact that I was in such a low state at that time that any improvement was welcome. Eventually I came to recognize that some form of anxiety was at the core of my symptoms and the selegiline was contributing to it. I was on a low dose 25mgs. and I did like it...if my current regimen fails I will probably go back to it.I was taking Huperzine and vinpocetine with my dilantin but chose to stop to see if the dilantin was really making that much of an improvement on my concentration. Well so far it has and I am very pleased with it. No foggy brain and I dont feel euphoric or depressed just stable. Anxiety for the most part is gone except for all the crap I'm going through for school. So far so good, I will try to keep you posted if you are interested. Oh yeah t.i.d. is med speak for three times daily...
Hope this helps...Brandon
Posted by dj on October 24, 1999, at 23:33:26
In reply to Re: Phenytoin, posted by Brandon on October 24, 1999, at 22:46:28
I'm looking forward to hearing how you continue to progress.. hopefully very well...I don't know if you've been following any of the discussion threads about the Vagus Nerve Stimulator device. It was originally developed to deal with epilepsy and they found that the moods of people using it improved & perhaps the same happens with Dilantin which was developed to deal with epilepsy as well...
Selegiline is primarily used with folks combatting Parkinson's. Is that not like epilepsy a dis-ease which assaults the brain & the body, as depression also does in its various ways...I wonder how many researchers are looking into links between these dis-eases, if any are...??
BTW, whar are huperzine and vinpocetine for & how long were you taking them prior to the Dilantion?
Cheers!
DJ
Posted by Brandon on October 26, 1999, at 11:45:21
In reply to Re: Thanks Brandon!...& Vagus link, etc..., posted by dj on October 24, 1999, at 23:33:26
>
> BTW, whar are huperzine and vinpocetine for & how long were you taking them prior to the Dilantion?
>>
Hi dj,
Vinpocetine is officially listed as a cerebral oxygenator and activator. It is a lot like ginko except more effective. It increases blood flow to the brain without decreasing bloodflow to other areas of the body. Huperzine A is a natural acetylcolinestearase inhibitor...it basically acts like the synthetic drugs tacrine and cognex to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Both significantly enhanced my memory and thinking ability. I was taking them for many months before the dilantin but I discontinued so I could get a objective view of how dilantin was affecting my mental processes.Epilepsy and Parkinsons are diseases with a direct biological cause...I guess what I mean to say is that there is no debate on whether there is any psychology involved with the diseases and their causes. Depression on the other hand is seems to be a bit shady with no strong evidence to support it's cause. Reading Dreyfus's book I like you was intrigued by the idea that depression is similar to an electrical storm in the brain and dilantin helped to regulate it. I can tell you from personal experience that so far it has helped a lot. I am definitely a much calmer relaxed person and most pessimistic thoughts are gone. Sorry if most of this is confusing I had a late night.
Hope this helps...Brandon
Posted by Elizabeth on October 26, 1999, at 19:07:32
In reply to Re: Vinpocetine, Huperzine and other novel app..., posted by Brandon on October 26, 1999, at 11:45:21
> Vinpocetine is officially listed as a cerebral oxygenator and activator. It is a lot like ginko except more effective. It increases blood flow to the brain without decreasing bloodflow to other areas of the body.
A friend recommended this to me, actually.
> Huperzine A is a natural acetylcolinestearase inhibitor...it basically acts like the synthetic drugs tacrine and cognex to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine.
*Reversible* AChE inhibitor. (The irreversible ones are neurotoxins!) I'd be worried about potential exacerbation of depression from this sort of drug, though it definitely could be expected to act as a cognitive enhancer.
I wonder if a cholinesterase inhibitor would help with anticholinergic side effects from tricyclic antidepressants? Anyone tried this?
> Epilepsy and Parkinsons are diseases with a direct biological cause...I guess what I mean to say is that there is no debate on whether there is any psychology involved with the diseases and their causes. Depression on the other hand is seems to be a bit shady with no strong evidence to support it's cause.
I think this is because the present diagnostic criteria for major depression cover so many different syndromes that probably have different causes. Anyway, "psychological" factors can contribute to diseases of all types. And diseases like epilepsy, Alzheimer's, etc. don't have clear-cut *causes*, although their pathophysiology (what is going wrong, regardless of what set it off/caused it to go wrong) is better understood.
> Reading Dreyfus's book I like you was intrigued by the idea that depression is similar to an electrical storm in the brain and dilantin helped to regulate it.
Out of curiosity, what sort of signs & symptoms did Dreyfus describe in himself? (As noted, "depression" could mean a lot of things.)
> I can tell you from personal experience that so far it has helped a lot. I am definitely a much calmer relaxed person and most pessimistic thoughts are gone.
Cool. Whatever works for you is "right." :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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