Posted by SandyWeb on May 11, 2007, at 11:10:59
In reply to Off kilter off my feed off balance, posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 14:47:53
Oh scratchpad, I'm sorry that you're not doing so well. Maybe go lay in a bathtub full of Jello Pudding. That should make you feel whacky and oozy rather than hurting!!!
I don't know if you've tried this, and I'm NOT a doctor, but you might want to ask your doc about this:
Topamax is used for migraines (added benefit of weight loss, too. WooHoo!), AND is also used as a mood stabilizer when added on to an AD.
Migraine
The recommended total daily dose of TOPAMAX® as treatment for prophylaxis of migraine headache is 100 mg/day administered in two divided doses. The recommended titration rate for topiramate for migraine prophylaxis to 100 mg/day is:
Morning Dose Evening Dose
Week 1 None 25 mg
Week 2 25 mg 25 mg
Week 3 25 mg 50 mg
Week 4 50 mg 50 mgDose and titration rate should be guided by clinical outcome. If required, longer intervals between dose adjustments can be used.
-----------------------------
As for the Cymbalta, that is the "newer" version of Effexor. Just like Lexapro is the newer and supposedly better version of Celexa. Maybe see if you can go on the Effexor XR (I don't think you'd even need a wash-out period), and get past the 150mg dose as quickly as possible. It rather sounds like you have enough Serotonin in your system, so the problem is probably another neurotransmittor (like with me, it's norepinephrine). Norepinephrine begins to be impacted at about the 150mg dose, and just gets better at a higher dose. I guess people with real anxiety disorders will go to 375mg, although a handful will even take 400mg (although not really tested to see if it's any better or not). You may have a bad time starting at the 75mg because it ONLY impacts serotonin....but the steady state is reached in 3 days, and then just jump right into the 150mg. And you can even jump into the 225mg in another 3 days if 150mg is just getting you there. But stay at 225mg for a little while to give your body time to adjust.So, you would have an AD (Effexor XR), a mood stabilizer AND migraine prophelaxis (Topamax), and stick with your anti-anxiety pills as well. The Effexor works wonders for the anxiety, but the benzos are always good to have as well! :)
By the way, take the Effexor XR first thing in the morning. It will give you terrible insomnia, especially when you first begin it.
If all else fails, Trazadone is used for the treatment of migraines and is supposedly a great sleeping aid. It used to be prescribed as an AD, but I don't think they do that anymore.
Anyways, I don't know what you have been trying for the past while....maybe you've already tried this route. I wish you all the best, kitty.
God bless,
Sandy
poster:SandyWeb
thread:757506
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070502/msgs/757771.html