![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by v on April 13, 2001, at 13:13:04
i've been with psycho-babble for some time now, although i also disappear for long stretches... so i've been out of touch
i went off my meds about 8 mos ago (effexor, buspar, ritalin) because i still felt lousy but things became SO MUCH worse i recently went back on... but...
has there beenn anything new on the horizon on the past year or so that i could consider? my biggest fear is weight gain as i have eating disorders... that side effect is one that is NOT TOLERABLE...
i've never been so fat... or so miserable... i hide in the house and can't or won't let myself live... i've had to get drunk to even write this... i'm not good at asking for help....
i'm desperate... and very scared as i don't see any way out... today is the first really hot day of the many to come and i'm having to face being 40lbs overweight and sluggish... that may sound trite but believe me when i say my weight is my ticket out of the house.. i've always been athletic and know i need to start back but just can't seem to initiate anything... i'm frozen!!!
please help
thanks
v
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 13, 2001, at 13:28:27
In reply to anything new?, posted by v on April 13, 2001, at 13:13:04
Well, there is a new Depakote _ER_ formulation designed to minimize side-effects;
Selegiline is gaining wider acceptance as an antidepressant outside of Parkinson's disease. 60 mg of Selegiline is supposed to be comparable to 30 mg of phenelzine.
Pramipexole has been studied and proven effective in depression. Some people on this group have had success with it: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10812530&dopt=Abstract
A new atypical neuroleptic called Geodon is on the market, which promises to augment antidepressants. Few people have tried it, but it seems tolerable.
Have you tried these: Nefazodone - great for sleep; no sexual dysfunction; no anticholinergics side-effects.
Lamotrigine - good side-effect profile; most antidepressant properties
Carbamazepine - less side effects than Lithium or divalproex sodium
Topiramate - the newest mood-stabilizer; it promotes weight loss
Desipramine - the least side-effects of all the Tricyclics; one of the SNRIs
High-dose Venlafaxine - at higher doses Venlafaxine affects more chemicals than SSRIs.
Buspirone - an effective antidepressant and anxiolytic at high doses.
"Power Combinations" - Remeron+Effexor; Wellbutrin+Remeron, RemeronProzac
Augmentation of anything you have tried before with Lithium, Pindolol, or Buspar (i took pindolol
Foreign medications to the US: the RIMA Moclobemide; Reboxetine; Amisulpride, etc
Atypical Neuroleptics/Antipsychotics with antidepressant properties: Risperidone, Olanzapine, Seroquel
Provigil - a stimulant that is possibly effective
Irreversable MAOIs - Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. Extremely Effective.
--The Salvation Army ARC Command: Faith in Action
Posted by JaneB on April 13, 2001, at 14:02:33
In reply to Re: anything new? » v, posted by SalArmy4me on April 13, 2001, at 13:28:27
Why isn't Celexa/Remeron ever mentioned as a powerful combo as Effexor/Remeron? Is it because of the tiredness already caused by Celexa?
JaneB
Posted by ChrisK on April 14, 2001, at 4:00:30
In reply to anything new?, posted by v on April 13, 2001, at 13:13:04
I've had success with Mirapex to get rid of apathy and anhedonia recently. There is no weight gain and it may help motivate you to get out. Also Geodon is now out and is like Zyprexa without the weight gain. These two may be able to replace your Buspar and Ritalin.
Also have you tried Adderall instead of Ritalin? Some people react better to one than the other.
Posted by JohnL on April 14, 2001, at 4:31:37
In reply to Re: anything new?, posted by ChrisK on April 14, 2001, at 4:00:30
> I've had success with Mirapex to get rid of apathy and anhedonia recently. There is no weight gain and it may help motivate you to get out. Also Geodon is now out and is like Zyprexa without the weight gain. These two may be able to replace your Buspar and Ritalin.
>
> Also have you tried Adderall instead of Ritalin? Some people react better to one than the other.I agree wholeheartedly with ChrisK's comments. I think the dopamine type drugs offer the most hope. Different ones need to be sampled though to find which is best for you. Stimulants and/or antipsychotics often work miracles when antidepressants alone don't. Ritalin, Adderall, Zyprexa, Risperdal, Amisulpride, Adrafinil. That's a good universe to choose from.
As for weight gain, many times it will level off after a few weeks and can be controlled with changes in eating habits and exercise. I gained 10 pounds in my first two weeks on Zyprexa, but then it levelled off and now I'm starting to lose some of the weight without even trying. It's helps to purposefully eat less at mealtimes, and steer clear of that snack craving.
John
Posted by v on April 14, 2001, at 6:07:05
In reply to Re: anything new?, posted by JohnL on April 14, 2001, at 4:31:37
i just want to thank you all for responding so quickly and with so much information... this gives me plenty to look into...
thanks again... i'll keep you posted
blessings,
v
Posted by vince on April 14, 2001, at 12:46:31
In reply to Re: anything new? » v, posted by SalArmy4me on April 13, 2001, at 13:28:27
>
> Selegiline is gaining wider acceptance as an antidepressant outside of Parkinson's disease. 60 mg of Selegiline is supposed to be comparable to 30 mg of phenelzine.
>
> ...
>
> --The Salvation Army ARC Command: Faith in ActionSalArmy, Didn't you try Selegiline recently? If so how did it work for you? What was it like?
Vince
Posted by Cateb on April 14, 2001, at 20:02:20
In reply to anything new?, posted by v on April 13, 2001, at 13:13:04
Hi,
I have no idea if Topamax would be appropriate for you, but I have bipolar II and I lost 30 pounds on it...it is for mood swings. It didn't work well for me but others on this thread got good results. I also have eating disorders and had no issues there with it. However, I got racing thoughts and agitation. Good luck.
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 15, 2001, at 3:18:50
In reply to Re: anything new? - Selegiline? » SalArmy4me, posted by vince on April 14, 2001, at 12:46:31
Yes, I was on Selegiline for two weeks. I took about 60 mg of it and beyond. I couldn't stand the overstimulation which made me seem out of breath (anxiety, I guess). But I thought it was working after only one week. I stopped it because I couldn't calm myself down and was too tired of medications + too shy to ask the doc to add a benzo.
I think its worth a shot for everyone who has tried and failed SSRIs, Tricyclics, and regular MAOIs. Hell, try it before you run and get ECT. Also, I think it would be great for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.> SalArmy, Didn't you try Selegiline recently? If so how did it work for you? What was it like?
>
> Vince
Posted by v on April 16, 2001, at 6:41:45
In reply to Re: anything new? » v, posted by Cateb on April 14, 2001, at 20:02:20
thanks for the input
i tried topomax but was really concerned about its "stupidity" reputation... i stayed on a low dose - it didn't affect my weight either way - but at that dose, it didn't do much good either...
there's a website called "the good drug guide" url ia xxx
i found it very interesting but wondered what others think about it... it made selegiline sound almost too promising...v
> Hi,
>
> I have no idea if Topamax would be appropriate for you, but I have bipolar II and I lost 30 pounds on it...it is for mood swings. It didn't work well for me but others on this thread got good results. I also have eating disorders and had no issues there with it. However, I got racing thoughts and agitation. Good luck.
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 16, 2001, at 7:43:35
In reply to Re: anything new? v / Good Drug Guide, posted by v on April 16, 2001, at 6:41:45
I don't like xxx, they make everything look like a wonder drug. There is no substitute for the Psychopharmacology Tips.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.