Posted by maverick76 on September 18, 2008, at 22:51:06
In reply to Re: Ixel (milnacipran), posted by bleauberry on August 24, 2008, at 19:19:16
> I am quite med sensitive and found my best dose was customized at 6mg 3 times per day.
>
> There were for me some startup anxiety or sleep issues the first 1 to 3 days, but after that things changed fast. The startup side effects were nowhere near as intense as other ADs. The antidepressant effect was actually noticable already by day 2. By week 2 depression was getting better and previously rampant anxiety was almost nonexistent.
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> I think it worked so fast because of the initial boost in NE and 5ht. After that, I believe further improvements are slow and gradual over weeks and months. On a 1 to 10 scale, I think I improved about 2 or 3 points in just a few days. After that I was improving about 1/10th of a point each day. In contrast with every other med out there that get me feeling worse over time. Milnacipran was creeping along in the correct direction.
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> Overall I rate Milnacipran a topline AD. In Japan it is characterized in a couple pubmed abstracts as remarkable. For it to help me, a failure of countless meds and ECT, says a lot. Endure the startup if any, and give it a go. If for any reason it is too rough, get some empty gel caps and make your own dose sizes like I did.
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> Currently not on it, but when I feel I really need something, it is the one. Getting through the first few days is not very hard for me, which says a lot. Just start low if apprehensive.
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> The lingering side effects for me were decreased appetite, urinary difficulty, and a slight headache if too much time elapsed between doses. I found that the med Flomax (Tamsulosin) blocks the urinary side effects. Tried it and it indeed worked.
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> > I was curious because noradrenergic drugs seem to help (in moderation), but reboxetine is too strong and Wellbutrin is too long acting and disturbs my sleep. Milnacipran looks as though it might fit the bill due to its shorter half life (8 hours), and the evidence showing that it can improve sleep quality and duration. I'm a bit nervous of taking my first dose in case it makes my anxiety worse. Any advice from people who've taken it?
> >
bleauberry - where do you get your milnacipran? What do you think the chances are that the FDA will approve of this medication by 10/08? Or, do you think they'll ask for additional studies and time to followup? I'm dying to try this stuff, but I probably will be disappointed (if I ever get the chance).
poster:maverick76
thread:847800
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080915/msgs/852809.html