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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Scrdykat on June 8, 2004, at 9:36:08
Hi,
Im new to writing but have been reading archives ever since I started taking meds. I hope someone can help, Im on a whole slew of things and wonder if anyone out there has taken similar combinations and possible alternatives:
Effexor 150mg
Xanax XR 1mg 2x day
Propranolol 20mg 2x day
Gabitril 10mg
Lamictal 100mg
Seroquel 150mg
Provigil 200mg
This is not working!!!!!!!
I'm exhausted (obviously because all the meds minus the Provigil are "downers," I think.) The Provigil isn't working anymore and I'm back to sleepy time. My pdoc is going to have me try either Adderall or Dexaamphetamine, but I'm afraid of this as in the past I had a severe addiction to both types of illegal stimulants ("C" and "CM" I cant even say or spell them without having a major panic attack). Is this going to produce the same effect? Also, I think Ive built up a tolerance to the Xanax. Will switching to a different anti-anxiety help? Also, if anyone knows, what would be a similar dose? I dont know if anyone can answer these. I talk to my doc and she just switches meds around and then I panic more and more. Any advice or comforting words would be nice. She has been playing "Chemistry experiment" for about 5 months now :(
Posted by Charm on June 8, 2004, at 10:41:17
In reply to Medication Cocktail :(, posted by Scrdykat on June 8, 2004, at 9:36:08
Hello Skrdykat -
Unfoprtunately I can't offer any advice - my cocktail is much more simplistic than yours (Effexor 150, Zyprexa 15, and Buspirone 45). I supplement these with Sam-e, fish oil, DHEA and DMAE.
Really I'm just writing to offer you some encouragement to keep on trying. However, I do agree that by simply switching from one type of anti-anxiety medication to another after you've developed a tolerence can be really helpful.
For myself, the buspirone has been really helpful and also doesn't cause me any drowsiness.
Finally, I'd have to say that I would much rather have a doctor that's willing to experiment rather than one who under treats.
Best Wishes to you!
Charm
Posted by Racer on June 8, 2004, at 11:13:43
In reply to Medication Cocktail :(, posted by Scrdykat on June 8, 2004, at 9:36:08
Yech. It is pretty frustrating when your doctor won't communicate with you about why she's doing what she's doing. Some doctors think that their job is to 'reassure' you by pretending that they know the answer, and it's so esoteric you won't be able to understand it. You know, the old, "Don't you worry your pretty little head about it, just let me prescribe for you" routine. There's a lot of good in that, for a lot of people, so there's nothing wrong with that approach per se. The problem comes when someone like you comes along -- or me, for that matter -- who *needs* to be aware of what's going on. I do think it's a Need, not a Desire, by the way.
The only thing I can suggest to you about it, is to ask at your next appointment if you can discuss the whys and wherefores of your treatment, and explain to her how much the "chemistry experiment" is increasing your anxiety. Tell her about your fears that a stronger stimulant will bring back your past problems with stimulating substances. Tell her that you're becoming so frightened by not knowing why she's trying what she's trying that it's interfering with your ability to comply fully with your own treatment. (That's my interpretation from what you've written, by the way, and it might be a projection of my own issues. It's not so much that I think you're non-compliant, either -- I just think that if you approach a doctor by saying, "I think I could respond better if I understood all this more" is often helpful. Doctors like having their egos scratched, kinda like dogs like their ears scratched, you know?)
Anyway, other than better communication with your pdoc, I guess I don't have much to offer. I do offer my best wishes to you, though.
Posted by Ilene on June 8, 2004, at 13:48:17
In reply to Medication Cocktail :(, posted by Scrdykat on June 8, 2004, at 9:36:08
> Hi,
> Im new to writing but have been reading archives ever since I started taking meds. I hope someone can help, Im on a whole slew of things and wonder if anyone out there has taken similar combinations and possible alternatives:
> Effexor 150mg
> Xanax XR 1mg 2x day
> Propranolol 20mg 2x day
> Gabitril 10mg
> Lamictal 100mg
> Seroquel 150mg
> Provigil 200mg
> This is not working!!!!!!!When I was taking Lamictal I was told 200 mg. was the effective dose.
Posted by CareBear04 on June 9, 2004, at 0:12:05
In reply to Re: Medication Cocktail :(, posted by Ilene on June 8, 2004, at 13:48:17
dear scrdykat,
i feel for you. i've been on a minimum of six meds--including some of the ones you're on-- for over a year now. right now, i'm on the following:zoloft: 50 mgs
lithium: 1800 mgs
strattera: 50 mgs
propranolol: 20mgs, 4 x a day
xanax: 1mg 4 x a day
ativan: 2mg at nightmaybe you might ask to try abilify instead of seroquel? i've been on both and have found abilify to be much less sedating once you get used to it. i think lamictal is supposed to be somewhat activating, at least at a therapeutic dose. also, when i was on effexor, the activating effects didn't kick in until i got past a certain dose-- i think over 150mg. you might try increasing the dose.
good luck!cb
Posted by SCRDYKAT on June 9, 2004, at 14:11:37
In reply to Re: Medication Cocktail :( » Ilene, posted by CareBear04 on June 9, 2004, at 0:12:05
Thanks guys!
Its so nice to know that there are people dealing with the same situations. Its easy to get caught up in feeling completeley alone, especially when those close to you have no experience with this sort of thing. I think I'll stick with it, possibly ask for an increase in Lamictal as above stated 200mg may be activating. I am thinking about switching to Wellbutrin as Ive heard it is more of a stimulating anti-depressant than Effexor, my doc doesnt want to go this route though, not sure why. Thanks again!
Posted by starlight on June 9, 2004, at 15:16:12
In reply to Re: Medication Cocktail :( » Ilene, posted by CareBear04 on June 9, 2004, at 0:12:05
That seems like so many meds. I expressed to my last Pdoc that I wanted to be on the most nominal drug regimen as possible and he was so wierd about it - he thought it was because of the stigma that I attach to being on medication. In reality, it's efficiency, and wanting to keep my body functioning as normally as possible. I don't want to be doped up and I don't want something that makes me sleep and something else that keeps me awake. Just something to ease depression when I need it and something to control my moods if I need that too. I understand that some people need cocktails, but also feel there is a definite tendency to overprescribe multiple drugs. I had a friend who was on so many drugs that her own personality was just nowhere to be found. She was miserable from the considerable weight gain she experienced and finally went to someone different, who changed her regimen completely. It was hard withdrawing from what she was on, but in the end, she feels so much better, and her personality is back. The body is just not meant to be innundated with so many chemicals.
Good luck, investigate more, and I hope you feel better.
starlight
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