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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 30. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Hi Kids, I am doing some more research, and taking some stats down...here are the questions
1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'
2. Of this medication what dose were you on?
3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?
4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
Thankyou ladies and gents!!!
Ace, your resident Nardil Man!
Posted by mattdds on December 10, 2003, at 22:18:18
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Hey Ace,
Might you also want to add indication or diagnosis as a study parameter? ;). My dx is panic disorder without agoraphobia with major depression, both currently in complete remission.
1. Klonopin
2. Dose ranges from 1.5-2.0 mg daily
3. A doctor once recommended a 4 week treatment with it, but then pulled me off of it. I promptly found a new doctor once I researched long-term benzo safety. I *asked* the second doctor for it.
4. Klonopin (anxiety, depression, panic), and Ambien (sleep) is an "awesome" combo for me.Best,
Matt
Posted by gardenergirl on December 10, 2003, at 23:33:01
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Ace,
The only great,wonderful med for my atypical depression has been Nardil. So to answer your questions:
1. Nardil
2. 45mg
3. I suggested it to my primary care doc at the suggestion of my T. (Incidentally, when I asked for an MAOI, he started rattling off TCA's! Had to look it up in front of me to believe me that he was wrong.)
4. No combo of anything has worked for me. I tried Celexa and Wellbutrin, but no luck. Other SSRI's were taken singly.Take care and thanks for Nardil info. Has been really helpful for me!
Posted by Viridis on December 11, 2003, at 1:32:50
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Best single med for anxiety, panic attacks, and depression: Klonopin, 1 mg/day. Didn't exactly ask pdoc for it, but suspected (hoped) he would prescribe it -- he did on the first visit, and continues to.
Best combo: Klonopin 1 mg/day + Adderall 10 mg/day. "Sort of" asked for Adderall -- had been diagnosed with ADD previously, and in the session where I had planned to ask my pdoc about Adderall or Ritalin, he suggested psychostimulants first, recommending Adderall. Adderall is a great AD for me and really does help with concentration, plus it just seems to have a synergy with the Klonopin in terms of anxiety relief.
Runner-up: Xanax is superb for anxiety and depression, but I'm leery of taking it too often since I developed tolerance rapidly (unlike Klonopin). I do still take it when I really need it though. I do ask pdoc for this, and he'll prescribe limited amounts for occasional use.
Other runner-up: hydrocodone is great for my mood (for 2-3 days after a single dose), but I've only experienced this as a lucky byproduct of a complicated issue with a tooth, during which I received several prescriptions for Vicoprofen. It's remarkably effective stuff, but the chances of a prescription for psychiatric reasons seem very slim.
Posted by btnd on December 11, 2003, at 6:51:55
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
> Hi Kids, I am doing some more research, and taking some stats down...here are the questions
>
> 1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'
>
Amisulpride 50mg/day. Sometimes I add 40mg Adderall to boost motivation. Amisulpride was wonderful.> 3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?
>
>I've convinced my pdoc, by bringing all the studies done on Amisulpride.
> 4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
>Great combo: Amisulpride+Adderall. Although I'd like to try Amisulpride+Amineptine or Amisulpride+Selegiline+Enada NADH.
Posted by Notalis on December 11, 2003, at 7:16:08
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Been on: paxil, prozac, seroxat, effexor, others I can't remember, and none were great for me.
Posted by KellyD on December 11, 2003, at 7:19:37
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful
Klonopin
2. Of this medication what dose were you on?
I use .25mgs-.5mgs per day. I'm smallish, but cuter than a hobbit. We're all different, remember?
3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?Dr. suggested, after failed trials of AD's.
4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
My combo is Klonopin and alternative suppliments. In terms of psychopharm, of the purest sense, I'm monotherapy.
Posted by DanielJ on December 11, 2003, at 7:27:02
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
HI,
I want to put my son's experience down as a success story. Those of us with MI or relatives with MI realize that "successes" may not be permanent but damn it even a small success can seem like a miracle.Schizophrenia Age 16
1. Anti Psychotic = Zyprexa 10mg at first 20 mg now.
2. Anti depressant/anxiety Zoloft 50 mg at first
now 75 mg.Improvement: From acute psychosis paranoia w/delusions and daily psychomotor activity of about 2 hours.
TO: Return to near normal physical and academic activities. Sense of humor and personality improvement to near normal.
Thank God. We hope it lasts indefinitely
Posted by SandyWeb on December 11, 2003, at 8:49:16
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Diagnosis: Social Anxiety with Avoidant Personality, Obsessive Thoughts
1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful':Ativan, Neurontin, and Inderal LA.
2. Of this medication what dose were you on?Ativan 2mg/day
Neurontin 1600mg/day
Inderal LA 160mg/day
3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?Except for the Ativan, I have suggested every med that I'm now on. I even had to bring in research to show my doc that Neurontin has been used to treat social anxiety. I'm also taking Celexa 60mg, at my suggestion, but it doesn't seem to be doing much yet.
4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?The Ativan is wonderful for those times of anxiety that have no reason.
The Neurontin and Inderal LA work hand-in-hand in combatting my anxiety. I love them!!!!!! As well, I never could have tolerated the start-up anxiety from Celexa without those two meds in my system.
Posted by Flipsactown on December 11, 2003, at 10:40:32
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
1. First ever AD, prozac, second AD, zoloft. Also Lamictal. All were awesome.
2. Currently on 100mgs prozac. No longer on zoloft, but it was the max; currently, 400mg lamictal.
3. pdoc
4. Prozac/Desipramine; Zoloft/Desipramine and currently prozac, remeron and lamictal. I am depression free. I hope you post the results. Should be very interesting.
Flipsactown
> Hi Kids, I am doing some more research, and taking some stats down...here are the questions
>
> 1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'
>
>
> 2. Of this medication what dose were you on?
>
>
> 3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?
>
>
> 4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
>
>
>
>
> Thankyou ladies and gents!!!
>
>
> Ace, your resident Nardil Man!
>
>
Posted by Bill LL on December 11, 2003, at 14:53:37
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Good topic!
> Hi Kids, I am doing some more research, and taking some stats down...here are the questions
>
> 1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'Lexapro/Wellbutrin combo
>
>
> 2. Of this medication what dose were you on?
>
Lex- 30 mg and Wellbutrin 100 mg>
> 3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?I decided on Lex. Doc decided a year later (ie 2 weeks a go) to add Wellbutrin when I said I wanted something to help concentrate.
>
>
> 4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
>
>
>
>
> Thankyou ladies and gents!!!
>
>
> Ace, your resident Nardil Man!
>
>
Posted by ace on December 11, 2003, at 18:08:52
In reply to Re: ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE! » ace, posted by mattdds on December 10, 2003, at 22:18:18
> Hey Ace,
>
> Might you also want to add indication or diagnosis as a study parameter? ;).Good point Matt...but throughout the years I really have come to shy away from diagnosis. Essentially I believe diagnosis is (for the most part)illusory, innacurate and unhelpful.
I believe the symptoms are most important but they need not fit into any 'box'.
For instance, I don't believe their is such an entity as OCD or Panic D/O with a universal biological aetiology. I believe people may experience somewhat SIMILIAR symptoms but the underlying cause in everyone is different. Some might have too much of this chemical another too little. One might have faulty ionic transport across the membranes...but, IMO, it's different for everyone. Sometimes maybe slightly, sometimes greatly, but always different.
It's best to look at a person and their symptoms as a whole and not 'box'.
Let me know what you think!
Take Care mate,
Ace.
Posted by ace on December 11, 2003, at 18:09:34
In reply to Re: ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by Bill LL on December 11, 2003, at 14:53:37
Posted by Kon on December 11, 2003, at 18:20:25
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
All benzos I've tried so far, especially clonazepam. Benefits:
I can take them as-needed and adjust dose according to situation, they're effective for my anxiety, have few side-effects and they're cheap...Sometimes I take them 3-4 times/week, other times I takes them maybe once over a 2 month period. Dose of clonazepam I use varies from 0.5 -1.5 mg/situation.
Posted by MelD on December 11, 2003, at 18:58:59
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
> Hi Kids, I am doing some more research, and taking some stats down...here are the questions
>
> 1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'
> Parnate, Mate!
>
> 2. Of this medication what dose were you on?
> 60mg
>
> 3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?
> pdoc - i was resistant to it for over 10 years (duhhhhhhhhh)
>
> 4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
>
> 60mg Parnate, 50mg Topamax
>
>
> Thankyou ladies and gents!!!
>
>
> Ace, your resident Nardil Man!
>
>
Mel, your non-resident Parnate gal.
Posted by mattdds on December 11, 2003, at 22:05:39
In reply to Re: ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE! » mattdds, posted by ace on December 11, 2003, at 18:08:52
Ace,
Actually, I totally agree with your notion that psychiatric diagnosis is vague and illusory, at best. Mental illness tends to express itself differently in every case, and the "clear cut" cases of anything are the exception rather than the rule. This is how it seems to me, at least.
I merely suggested you ask that because it gives the reader a pretty good idea of what problem is being treated (e.g. anxiety, depression, insomnia, OCD, etc.)
Psych diagnoses in my opinion *can* provide a loose framework upon which the problems can be attacked. But ultimately, I agree that symptoms should be treated specifically.
With other diseases, say tooth decay, accurate diagnosis is crucial, and we understand well the etiology of these disease, and have a good rationale behind why the treatment works. In psychiatry, on the other hand, we have no idea what the causes are (although we may have some decent leads), and it is arrogant to pretend we have a silver bullet to "cure" any psych disease.
So why not just admit we don't know what the hell is going on and just do what works (namely, treating the symptoms).
That's just my opinion, of course.
Best,
Matt
Posted by tensor on December 12, 2003, at 8:05:06
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Hi Ace! Good thread!
Best so far for depression is still remeron even though it doesn't work anymore, successful treatment on both 30 and 15mg(maintenance).
On doc's recommendation.For GAD and social phobia, klonopin 2-4mg daily, on my recommendation(she/doc had never heard of it.)
For sexual functioning: 8mg reboxetine daily, gives me impotence, premature ejaculation(if any), ache in testicles etc. ;)
/tensor
Posted by Sebastian on December 12, 2003, at 12:21:43
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
zyprexa! Best ever, going on 5-6 years.
Doc gave it to me
10 mg most of the time
Right now: 7.5 mg zyprexa, 3.75 mg abilify, 60 mg celexa, 300 mg wellbutrin SR
Seb
Posted by Interject79 on December 12, 2003, at 12:42:55
In reply to Re: ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by Sebastian on December 12, 2003, at 12:21:43
ADD (inattentive) symptoms, including low self-esteem: Adderall XR (best by far) 30mg.
Depression/anxiety: Lexapro low-dose 5mg
Obsessiveness: Adderall XR, surprisingly
Zyprexa low dose 2.5mgParanoia, delusional thinking: Zyprexa
Adderall XR+low-dose Lexapro has worked nicely for a while. Zyprexa gets me in 'check' if I start to feel overly obsessive or paranoid, or want an extremely good night's rest.
Posted by Karen_kay on December 12, 2003, at 17:15:35
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
> Hi Kids, I am doing some more research, and taking some stats down...here are the questions
>
> 1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'<<<TOPAMAX!!!!!!!
>
> 2. Of this medication what dose were you on?<<<300 mgs 2x daily
>
> 3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?
>
SUGGESTED IT TO THE DOCTOR
> 4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
>
<<<TOPAMAX 300 MGS 2x DAILY
NEURONTIN 300 MGS (AS NEEDED FOR ANXIETY)> Thankyou ladies and gents!!!
>
>
> Ace, your resident Nardil Man!
>
>
Posted by Karen_kay on December 12, 2003, at 17:21:53
In reply to Re: ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by Karen_kay on December 12, 2003, at 17:15:35
Good thing I'm not a pharmacist!
That is 150 mgs Topamax 2x daily
Posted by noa on December 12, 2003, at 20:35:07
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
Ace,
I would say success is relative. I can't say I have found that miracle drug that I would describe as 'awesome'.
However, I do have a combo that works. It isn't perfect at all. There are still side effects I would of course rather do without. And I'm not completely symptom free.
But I am so much better than I was!! The way I see it is that this combo is very good--until something really new and different comes out in the med world. One can only hope, right?
But in the meantime, this combo is working for me, as I had a very treatment resistant double depression, and am now doing quite well.
My combo:
30 mg Adderall XR (morning)
225 mg Effexor XR (morning)
500 mg Serzone (night)
.25 mg lorazepam (night--to counter rls-like effect of Effexor)I also take:
synthroid and cytomel (for hypothyroidism)
Glucophage XR (for insulin resistance)
chromium polynicotinate
Fish oil (equal to an amount of EPA that ranges from about 2400 to 3600 mg)
Folic acid
Selenium
Zinc
Multivitamin
Calcium/magnesium (taken in the evening to counter rls-like side effect of Effexor)
Posted by NightOwl_Trisha on December 12, 2003, at 20:48:26
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'
XANAX
2. Of this medication what dose were you on?Started on 3/4 mg a day 18 years ago (scared to take any meds so we started low). I am on 3 mg day now. I was completely agoraphobic, unable to even step into a store or leave my house except when 100% necessary and then I panicked enough to end up in the ER.
Xanax allowed me to fly (on planes not with wings lol), go boating, cruising, go to a concert with 60,000 other people (YIKES), raise my kids and do most things that "nomal" people do. It didn't completely take away anxiety but it allowed me to go out and do the things I was afraid to do because it worked so well and so fast. Now I am on the long acting formula and like it a lot. Many dis Xanax. I can't say enough good about it.
> 3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?My doctor TOLD me I had to take it after my son was born. I was just not able to care for him alone, I was a panicky mess. He gave me Xanax and Inderol but I have low blood pressure and had to stop that real fast or I would have fainted. I stayed on the Xanax only and within a couple weeks, was able to focus on my baby and his needs and not my heart pounding or my physical symptoms. I was terrified of the medicine but finally took it and I am not sorry I did.
4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
Never found one yet.
I was on Effexor XR and what a terible drug it was for me! Getting on was awful. 150 mg made me retain urine, 75 made me sleep all the time and become completely lethargic. Getting off it was the worst experience I ever had.
I just started Lexapro 5mg (day 2) because I am feeling pretty down and have been facing a severe phyiscal injury. I honestly doubt I will find an awesome conbo. The s/e for me are just really difficult to handle. But I will give Lex a try ...
Wonderful to hear stories of drugs that work for a change. I admit to being scared witless when I read things here. So much negative! I only hope many people out there are having good responses and just not documenting them here.
Posted by Jake E on December 13, 2003, at 2:16:10
In reply to Re: ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by NightOwl_Trisha on December 12, 2003, at 20:48:26
1. Adderall (30mg twice a day): This is the ultimate performance-enhancing drug.
2. Remeron (15mg): This is the only drug I've found that eliminates the Adderall-induced insomnia.
3. Klonopin (1-2mg): I'm using this to relieve the anxiety created by the Adderall. It's somewhat effective. I still feel a little bit of nervousness and anxiety though.
If Memantine actually prevents amphetamine-tolerance, and if Amisulpride is a better anti-anxiety drug than Klonopin, then I might have found my best.
Posted by lucy00 on December 13, 2003, at 15:16:40
In reply to ALL MEDICATION SUCCESS STORIES HERE!, posted by ace on December 10, 2003, at 21:51:35
> Hi Kids, I am doing some more research, and taking some stats down...here are the questions
>
> 1. Would medicine have you taken which you could say was 'great', 'awesome', and/or 'wonderful'
>
combination of lexapro and wellbutrin sr
>
> 2. Of this medication what dose were you on?> 10 mg lexapro/once a day and 150 mg wellbutrin/twice a day (10 mg of lexapro and 150 mg of wellbutrin in the a.m.; 150 mg of wellbutrin in the afternoon)
>
> 3. Did you decide this med for yourself (suggest to doctor) or did the doctor?> lexapro was suggested by doctor, then I tried to switch to wellbutrin and realized that I needed wellbutrin and lexapro together; found out that this had been successful in other cases and my doctor approved the combo
>
> 4. What 'great' or 'awesome' combination of drugs have you been on?
>
> this is addressed above
>
>
> Thankyou ladies and gents!!!
>
>
> Ace, your resident Nardil Man!
>
>
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Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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