Posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 23:43:31
In reply to Re: tachycardia vs. bradycardia » KaraS, posted by SLS on July 11, 2004, at 19:42:38
> > > > Perhaps a longer lasting benzo like Klonopin would work better - but don't the benzos increase depression?
>
> > > Generally speaking, I would say no. However, Klonopin is the one that I would point at as being the exception.
>
> > I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying that Klonopin is the one that does or doesn't increase depression?
>
> From what I have seen, Klonopin has a higher rate of increasing depression than the other benzodiazepines.
>
> > I'm so sorry to hear that you're not doing well, Scott. Is it too early for judgment on the imipramine or are you trying to find something else to take at this point? What has worked for you in the past?
>
> The only thing that ever worked well for me was a combination of Parnate + desipramine. Unfortunately, my doctor took me off of it prematurely due to a manic reaction. When I relapsed back into depression two months later, he elected to avoid the original combination and decided to try Prozac. To make a long story short, now nothing works. I have responded partially or transiently to a few TCAs, Parnate, Nardil, Effexor, Lamictal, and Namenda. I also experience rebound improvements upon abrupt discontinuations of TCAs and MAOIs that can last a week or two. It ain't no way to live.
>
> I am currently taking:
>
> imipramine 300mg
> Lamictal 300mg
> Zonegran 200mg
> Namenda 20mg
> Abilify 10mg
>
> The Zonegran is the newbie. I have been on it for only two weeks. I can't pass judgment on it for several more. I am waiting for Cymbalta (duloxetine), an antidepressant that inhibits the reuptake of both NE and 5-HT, to be approved by the FDA. It had been scheduled to arrive over a year ago. Now it's actionable date has been pushed back until late September. The drug company insists that it will be out this summer. I don't know what to think. Of course, the date of September 21 would satisfy both proclamations. I'll know more when I speak to the doctor sometime this week.
>
>
> - Scott
>Scott, unfortunately I don't know much about treating bipolar disorder. Was that your first episode or have you been battling that for a while now? I imagine it does make treatment a lot trickier. I've been straight unipolar depression so I don't have the fear of feeling too high. You said that you haven't had the same response to Parnate since your episode. Did you also add in the desipramine again? I would think that if that combo worked, you could add something else to keep the mania in check. I am probably showing my naive perspective with that remark but I felt I had to ask.
I have been following Cymbalta for quite a while now also. Since I had a partial response to Effexor and needed more of the NE response and Cymbalta supposedly has that, I was convinced that would be an ideal med for me too. I think it will eventually be released. In the meantime there are many other things in the pipeline. I'm especially interested in the selegiline patch as well. Don't know if that's anything that you're interested in. Also, do you have a lot of confidence in your doctor?
Have you ever considered trying any herbal, nutritional or nutraceutical remedies in addition to the meds? They could have some interesting adjunctive benefits.
Anyway, wish I could give you a hug but since I can't, I'll just say hang in there. It may take longer than you'd like but there are still plenty of options.
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:13117
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040710/msgs/365197.html