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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 95 to 119 of 201. Go back in thread:
Posted by SLS on September 30, 2011, at 7:50:07
In reply to Viibrid Treatment, posted by SLS on September 28, 2011, at 9:13:28
> Hi All.
>
> I am experiencing an unexpected improvement in depression. It would be difficult not to attribute this to Viibryd. The only other thing I can think of is that it might be the result of discontinuing the Nardil with a resultant withdrawal rebound improvement. I believe that it is more likely to be due to Viibryd. You know that I respond to certain drugs for three days, only to relapse afterwards. Today is the third day of improvement. Viibryd differs from the other drugs I have taken in that the improvement began on the very first day. However, this might be the result of having had my 5-HT1a autoreceptors be downregulated by Nardil.
>
> Viibryd works. It doesn't have to be novel on paper (it actually is novel, though) in order to be effective for people who previously were TRD. Viibryd only has to be different to be worthy of consideration as a treatment. Different is different. As proof of this, there are people who respond to Pristiq whom do not respond to Effexor, regardless of dosage. I like what this drug does on paper and in real life. My doctor has had several TRD patients respond to Viibryd. It is his feeling that it will work as a prophylactic against relapse. You know, I am thinking that Viibryd might act to potentiate the therapeutic effects of standard antidepressants. You can probably add Viibryd to anything except MAOIs. I hope I continue to improve and achieve remission with the addition of Viibryd. Ill keep you informed as to how I do with this drug. Lithium might be an important component to my Viibryd treatment. Both drugs act to release serotonin, albeit via different mechanisms.
>
> I am currently taking:
>
> Viibryd 20mg (target dosage is 40mg)
> nortriptyline 150mg
> Lamictal 200mg
> Abilify 10mg
> lithium 300mg
>
> I have a good feeling about Viibryd. Wish me luck.
Today is my fourth day of improvement with this drug. The responsse seems to be growing steadily.Today is my first day at 40mg.
Very cool.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on September 30, 2011, at 8:45:30
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by SLS on September 30, 2011, at 7:50:07
Very cool.
:-)
I like this.
Posted by Phillipa on September 30, 2011, at 12:10:46
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by SLS on September 30, 2011, at 7:50:07
Scott knew it would work it's uphill from here to the very top. Phillipa
Posted by jhj on September 30, 2011, at 23:54:50
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by SLS on September 30, 2011, at 7:50:07
hiSorry to sound pessimistic but it might be a placebo effect.
jhj
Posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 6:36:23
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » SLS, posted by jhj on September 30, 2011, at 23:54:50
Hi.
How would one be able to distinguish between a placebo effect and a true antidepressant response?
- Scott
Posted by jhj on October 1, 2011, at 6:48:01
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » jhj, posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 6:36:23
hii am not sure.
I think if the antidepressant effect is sustained for reasonable period of time i.e.few months may be.
jhj
Posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 7:40:13
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » SLS, posted by jhj on October 1, 2011, at 6:48:01
>
> hi
>
> i am not sure.
>
> I think if the antidepressant effect is sustained for reasonable period of time i.e.few months may be.
>
> jhj
Frederick Quitkin, MD (RIP) addressed the phenomenology of placebo the effect and its effects on the assessment of clinical antidepressant trials. He and his research team published a few articles about this. One of the things that they reported was that placebo responders "relapsed" rather quickly compared to those taking active antidepressant compounds.As for me, I don't think that I have the potential to feel better on placebo. Recently, I tried a series of nutriceuticals in an effort to improve my chances of responding to my ongoing drug treatment. I was pretty convinced that the vitamins and supplements would make a big difference. Some made me feel worse, while the rest were without effect. I should think that I would have had a placebo "response" to these things because of how optimistic I was that they would work as well for me as they did for the friend of mine who suggested I take them.
There are at least two reasons why I might be less apt than others to feel improved on placebo.
1. I am bipolar.
2. My depression is rated as very severe. I score over 35 on depression scales - Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD).
I am glad that you posted your feedback about my medical condition. Thanks you.
- Scott
Posted by Conundrum on October 1, 2011, at 9:33:55
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by SLS on September 30, 2011, at 7:50:07
Awesome Scott. :D
Are you taking advantage of the good feelings? Going out and doing things?
Posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2011, at 19:19:20
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by Conundrum on October 1, 2011, at 9:33:55
Scott how's it going today? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 19:21:26
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by Conundrum on October 1, 2011, at 9:33:55
> Awesome Scott. :D
>
> Are you taking advantage of the good feelings? Going out and doing things?
YES!I went to an antique car show with a friend today and took pictures. It was nice to feel well enough to WANT to go somewhere and be around people. The Viibryd is still helping, and I am feeling better than I did on Nardil. I expect to feel very well in a few months. Today represents day 6 of treatment. I have sustained an improvement beyond my usual transient 3-day response pattern. This is very significant. I believe it is an indicator of my being able to achieve remission. Remission is the goal, of course, but I would be grateful for anything above a 50% improvement. I think I can work with that.
Thanks for asking...
- Scott
Posted by zonked on October 1, 2011, at 19:50:06
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » Conundrum, posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 19:21:26
>
> YES!
>
> I went to an antique car show with a friend today and took pictures. It was nice to feel well enough to WANT to go somewhere and be around people. The Viibryd is still helping, and I am feeling better than I did on Nardil. I expect to feel very well in a few months. Today represents day 6 of treatment. I have sustained an improvement beyond my usual transient 3-day response pattern. This is very significant. I believe it is an indicator of my being able to achieve remission. Remission is the goal, of course, but I would be grateful for anything above a 50% improvement. I think I can work with that.
>
> Thanks for asking...
>
>
> - ScottOh wow. I am really glad for you, and I hereby wish to all relevant deities that the torturous "blip" responses you've gotten are finally over.
I'll be keeping an eye on your progress (I would anyway); I have heard a lot of good about this one... on other boards, as well.
Scott, has low energy or concentration ever been symptoms for you? I know it's early, but how is treatment affecting these symptoms (if you have them).
You know, if Viibryd is as good for old-fashioned MDD as it may be for TRD, Forest could have a blockbuster on its hands. I think the reason we haven't seen much press is because major marketing hasn't started.
(Anyone want to predict the animations they use in the commercials this time?)
I digress. The fact that you are enjoying something that you SHOULD enjoy rather than dragging yourself along and not "feeling" it (boy do I know what that's like) is pretty damned good news.
-z
Posted by Phillipa on October 1, 2011, at 21:04:51
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » SLS, posted by zonked on October 1, 2011, at 19:50:06
Scott congrats knew this med would work!!! Phillipa
Posted by FrustratedMama on October 1, 2011, at 21:21:59
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » Conundrum, posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 19:21:26
So so so happy for you!!!! Your posts always help me - glad you are getting some relief!
Posted by floatingbridge on October 1, 2011, at 21:26:15
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » Conundrum, posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 19:21:26
Yay!
Posted by Conundrum on October 2, 2011, at 1:17:56
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » Conundrum, posted by SLS on October 1, 2011, at 19:21:26
> > Awesome Scott. :D
> >
> > Are you taking advantage of the good feelings? Going out and doing things?
>
>
> YES!
>
> I went to an antique car show with a friend today and took pictures. It was nice to feel well enough to WANT to go somewhere and be around people. The Viibryd is still helping, and I am feeling better than I did on Nardil. I expect to feel very well in a few months. Today represents day 6 of treatment. I have sustained an improvement beyond my usual transient 3-day response pattern. This is very significant. I believe it is an indicator of my being able to achieve remission. Remission is the goal, of course, but I would be grateful for anything above a 50% improvement. I think I can work with that.
>
> Thanks for asking...
>
>
> - ScottThats great! You have a lot of living to catch up on! :)
Posted by SLS on October 2, 2011, at 4:34:40
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by Conundrum on October 2, 2011, at 1:17:56
> Today represents day 6 of treatment. I have sustained an improvement beyond my usual transient 3-day response pattern. This is very significant. I believe it is an indicator of my being able to achieve remission. Remission is the goal, of course, but I would be grateful for anything above a 50% improvement. I think I can work with that.
> Thats great! You have a lot of living to catch up on! :)
Yes. You understand.Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2011, at 19:12:43
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » Conundrum, posted by SLS on October 2, 2011, at 4:34:40
So day 7 higher dose and still working fabulous. Phillipa
Posted by Seige on October 4, 2011, at 4:40:21
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment » SLS, posted by Phillipa on October 2, 2011, at 19:12:43
Great to hear you have found some relief SLS.
Posted by morgan miller on October 4, 2011, at 11:30:25
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by Seige on October 4, 2011, at 4:40:21
Hope the improvement continues!
Morgan
Posted by SLS on October 4, 2011, at 11:33:35
In reply to Re: Viibrid Treatment, posted by morgan miller on October 4, 2011, at 11:30:25
Posted by huxley on October 5, 2011, at 4:10:34
In reply to 40%, posted by SLS on August 23, 2011, at 6:42:25
> Hi All.
>
> Patience.
>
> Apparently, my brain has taken another major step in its process of recovery and healing. I am perhaps 40% improved. It has been a year since I began taking Nardil. I was afraid that I might be "stuck" at 35%. So, what explains this protracted process? I haven't encountered anyone else who has had to wait so long to recover from MDD or BD depression. My doctor feels that this is the product of severity and the length of time spent in the depressive state.
>
> Patience.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott,
I hope you don't take this post as an attack or that it is offensive to you.
Have you thought that maybe you have damaged your brain with the amount of drugs you have taken and that your extended depressive state is actually caused by the very thing that is purporting to cure it?
Seems to me that it would be quite easy to destabilize the delicately balanced complex brain equilibrium.
Posted by SLS on October 5, 2011, at 5:54:46
In reply to Re: 40%, posted by huxley on October 5, 2011, at 4:10:34
Hi Huxley.
> Hi Scott,
>
> I hope you don't take this post as an attack or that it is offensive to you.
>
> Have you thought that maybe you have damaged your brain with the amount of drugs you have taken and that your extended depressive state is actually caused by the very thing that is purporting to cure it?
>
> Seems to me that it would be quite easy to destabilize the delicately balanced complex brain equilibrium.
No offense taken. I am extrememly happy and feel fortunate that you should offer me feedback about my illness. To a great degree, you are absolutely right. It seems rather obvious that repeated antidepressant drug exposures induce a resistance to an array of treatments. Unfortunately, my treatment resistance and pattern of tachyphylaxis (poop-out) showed up with the very first drug I tried: imipramine.As you so accurately portray, I have grown more and more resistant to treatment. My only extended remission was achieved using a combination of Parnate and desipramine. My doctor at that time proceeded to withdraw these medications after 9 months of remission out of concern for the appearance of mania. Of course, in retrospect, this was a decision that was to cost me two decades of my life. I never responded to that treatment ever again, despite trying it multiple times.
Question: What better choice did I have but to treat the depression with what has been available?
Thanks for your thoughtful feedback.
- Scott
Posted by ihatedrugs on October 5, 2011, at 17:06:55
In reply to Re: 40%, posted by SLS on October 5, 2011, at 5:54:46
Scott
Have you ever considered ECT?
ihatedrugs
Posted by SLS on October 5, 2011, at 18:09:56
In reply to Re: 40% » SLS, posted by ihatedrugs on October 5, 2011, at 17:06:55
> Scott
>
> Have you ever considered ECT?
>
>
> ihatedrugs
Yes.I underwent a series of 15 treatments in 1991. The first 6 were unilateral left. The remaining 9 were bilateral. I have no idea what the dosage was. It proved ineffective. Max Fink told me that I could try the more current procedures in which unilateral right was used at higher dosages.
- Scott
Posted by Conundrum on October 5, 2011, at 18:59:22
In reply to Re: 40% » ihatedrugs, posted by SLS on October 5, 2011, at 18:09:56
> > Scott
> >
> > Have you ever considered ECT?
> >
> >
> > ihatedrugs
>
>
> Yes.
>
> I underwent a series of 15 treatments in 1991. The first 6 were unilateral left. The remaining 9 were bilateral. I have no idea what the dosage was. It proved ineffective. Max Fink told me that I could try the more current procedures in which unilateral right was used at higher dosages.
>
>
> - ScottIn Scott's last few posts he said that he was doing better on Viibryd. So why would he try ECT or be worried about brain damage?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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