Posted by West on September 1, 2008, at 15:21:13
In reply to Re: Ixel (milnacipran) » West, posted by Quintal on September 1, 2008, at 13:43:56
> Sorry for revealing too much West, I was posting under the influence of zopiclone and it loosened my tongue. I think I wrote a few other posts elsewhere but I'm afraid to look. Do you find zolpidem more effective than other hypnotics?
>
> I hope Ixel works better than Cymbalta for you. What does Cymbalta feel like? My new pdoc suggested it when I asked for an antidepressant last, but I wanted to try lofepramine instead. I don't trust these newer drugs and don't respond well to anything that shores up too much serotonin either. I ended up with Lyrica, but it caused strange side effects and disinhibition. Maybe I should do what blueberry does any try smaller doses? I find Ixel hair-raisingly strong at normal doses. I'd be interested to see how you get on with Ixel.
>
> QI think zolpidem does help to put me to sleep faster than zopiclone. It feels completely different too. I only take the 5mg but within 5 minutes i start to yawn and my eyes begin to water. With zopiclone there's the intital pleasant feeling and muscle relaxation - my body feels heavier on the mattress, but although the hypnotic effect is heavier/headier than with zolpidem, i am perfectly happy to just read or watch tv for an hour or two, like a bad (different? i suppose it's subjective) approximation of the anxiolysis one might get from a benzo, just more hypnotic.
I try not to read or watch anything i actually enjoy or follow since i don't remember a moment of it the next day (actually i exaggerate: worse than not remembering something is having the faint idea that you know that scene comes next. Or something like that. None of the surprise, all of the familiarity.)
Cymbalta to me seems very distinct in its two seperate mechanisms, like taking two different drugs. As someone had said before, the serotonin effect is very strong at 60mg, but there is definitely the norepinephrine band marching away in the background. This is important as it offsets the fog and apathetic response one would get from an ssri alone, and at times it is surprisingly strong. I have charged dizzily up hills and through thickets and bracken, got heated and grandly vocal on subjects i know i would have payed no heed to before, and generally felt more powerful and in charge of things, (when not lying on my bed passed out in the middle of the day in the throes of lassitude) so for now there exists a bit of dichotomy in its effect which may transform into a joyful union a few weeks down the road, who can really say though. Mostly though you don't notice the jazzing up of the CNS until you try and have a nap and you realise that nodding off really isn't a reality despite the fatigue, or that your heart is subtly beating a good bit faster than normal.
Yes. I would try giving smaller doses a try, you have nothing to lose after all. It sounds as though like me, you probably have what might be termed a 'sensitive disposition' which could be a better description than the more popular 'med-sensitive.' Your paradoxical reaction to sedatives is evidence of this (possibly), although all of us are presumably lacking in some areas more than others, or have lower tolerances to stimulatory/sedative effects of drugs, and your reasoning that lofepramine be a better option than cymbalta may be well founded in this respect.
I got the prescription today for everything i requested. I simply said "I'd like to try x and have 2 weeks more of y so that..." She didn't even consider the studies i had prepared, just said she didn't see why not to give it a go. Before i went i was ridiculous enough to print a sort of script so i would now what to say and exactly how to word it, the chief goal being that i sound informed and responsible (I had a premonition before going there that since our mental health is in question, many doctors must naturally question what we say). I think your care makes such a huge difference + depends on which doctor you happen to end up with. If you feel as if you're being painted in an untrustworthy light i would just register with someone else until you find someone responsive and kind. I'm lucky in that my GP is basically my next door neighbour out here and knows my family. I must say i am sort of pleased about getting modafinil. Quicker than any internet pharmacy and infintesimally cheaper, it arrives tomorrow, no doubt couriered in on some sleek motorbike specially, and at great cost to the NHS. Ah, good old NHS.
BTW i think you SHOULD try taking the ixel more regularly, albeit at small doses, and if it feels safe, WITH your tianeptine. (make a post in geography to your address and make a link from the main board and i will put my hoarded stash in the mail for you) The premise of this is that it's unlikely you will reap any benefit from taking something inconsistently and that doing so is probably little more than a waste of your funds and an added complication to the daily functioning of your brain.
God, what a rambler. My apologies.
West
poster:West
thread:847800
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080822/msgs/849757.html