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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alienatari on April 20, 2005, at 4:25:35
Hey all. I saw a new pdoc today. I was not expecting much but I was actually quite pleased with the outcome.
He said it was too early to say though or something like this, because he hasnt seen it first hand, but I might not actually have Bipolar disorder afterall and might have had a breif psychotic episode which may have been caused by all the drug use at the time. But anyway he is leaving me on Depakote just in case. He agree's with the diagnosis that two other psychatrists have made saying that I have OCD, and also anxiety and depression.
Anyway so now he has put me on 10mg of Valium, 75mg Anafranil (to be increased to 150mg next time i see him) and the 1000mg of Depakote I already take.
To be honest, Im quite scared of going back on Anafranil. I only lasted 1 week on it before. It made me soooooooo constipated and I found it hard to urinate. I guess this time if this happens I will take laxatives but what should I do about the urination thing if that happens? Cranberry juice ive heard can help is that true?
I just hope i can stand the side effects of Anafranil. Everyone keeps telling me how great it is but im scared :(
Take care all and thanks
Posted by ed_uk on April 20, 2005, at 8:00:28
In reply to Anafranil and other stuff, posted by alienatari on April 20, 2005, at 4:25:35
Hi Alien!
I hope you've recovered from your Tegretol ordeal :-)
>75mg Anafranil (to be increased to 150mg next time i see him)
WOW!! That is a very high starting dose for someone who has previously had bad side effects from Anafranil!! I would start at 10mg/day if possible- 25mg/day at the very most. Anafranil often needs to be titrated gradually to minimise side effects- 75mg to 150mg is a very large increase. The 10mg tabs/caps are useful for titration. Anyway, you might not even need 150mg :-)
> I guess this time if this happens I will take laxatives but what should I do about the urination thing if that happens?
You could get a prescription for bethanechol, it might also help the constipation.
Kind regards,
Ed.PS. Don't be scared of Anafranil, just don't take 75mg as a starting dose!
Posted by banga on April 20, 2005, at 11:56:51
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on April 20, 2005, at 8:00:28
> >75mg Anafranil (to be increased to 150mg next time i see him)
>
> WOW!! That is a very high starting dose for someone who has previously had bad side effects from Anafranil!!My reaction too-that seems like high dosing. I felt some benefit by even 25 mg of Anafranil. 75mg was plenty effect-wise for me. I took it up 25mg at a time--but I had little side effects so that worked fine.
Each pdoc has strengths and weakensses--I learn my pdocs' and try to counterbalance. Your pdoc sounds sympathetic, a good diagnostician--most important!! but may be a bit liberal regarding med dosages. So you may want to check with your own research about the meds and dosing periodically.
I have the same situation with my current pdoc. Need to check whether I really need to take as much of a med as he prescribes, and I sometimes suggest a less aggressive med schedule. I think he prescribed 300mg of Luvox from the getgo for me...currently I only take 50mg, 1/6th of his suggestion!
Good luck.
Posted by temoigneur on April 20, 2005, at 15:02:27
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on April 20, 2005, at 8:00:28
Don't be scared of Anafranil, just don't take 75mg as a starting dose!
here here! I started too high on anafrinil and thought my head was going to spin off, start low 25 or 10mg - that's a 'mantra' with many drugs, could be quite important with Anafrinil
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2005, at 17:53:29
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff » ed_uk, posted by temoigneur on April 20, 2005, at 15:02:27
Banga, 50mg is the usual starting dose of luvox from what I know. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by alienatari on April 20, 2005, at 18:52:31
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on April 20, 2005, at 8:00:28
Thanks. Yea i did some reading last night after i posted and I noticed they said they usually start on 25mg for 3 days then increase right?
I wonder why he did this hmm..
But thanks ill take your advice. Unfortunatly here in Australia we only have the 25mg pills so i have to start at 25mg :(
Take care
Posted by alienatari on April 20, 2005, at 18:54:02
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff, posted by banga on April 20, 2005, at 11:56:51
> > >75mg Anafranil (to be increased to 150mg next time i see him)
> >
> > WOW!! That is a very high starting dose for someone who has previously had bad side effects from Anafranil!!
>
> My reaction too-that seems like high dosing. I felt some benefit by even 25 mg of Anafranil. 75mg was plenty effect-wise for me. I took it up 25mg at a time--but I had little side effects so that worked fine.
>
> Each pdoc has strengths and weakensses--I learn my pdocs' and try to counterbalance. Your pdoc sounds sympathetic, a good diagnostician--most important!! but may be a bit liberal regarding med dosages. So you may want to check with your own research about the meds and dosing periodically.
>
> I have the same situation with my current pdoc. Need to check whether I really need to take as much of a med as he prescribes, and I sometimes suggest a less aggressive med schedule. I think he prescribed 300mg of Luvox from the getgo for me...currently I only take 50mg, 1/6th of his suggestion!
>
> Good luck.Thanks. Gosh thats a big dose of Luvox to start out with. LOL maybe our pdocs are related hehe
Posted by alienatari on April 20, 2005, at 18:54:56
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff » ed_uk, posted by temoigneur on April 20, 2005, at 15:02:27
> Don't be scared of Anafranil, just don't take 75mg as a starting dose!
>
> here here! I started too high on anafrinil and thought my head was going to spin off, start low 25 or 10mg - that's a 'mantra' with many drugs, could be quite important with AnafrinilThanks I will do that, starting tonight. Glad I posted here before taking 75mg :)
Posted by ed_uk on April 21, 2005, at 10:23:56
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff, posted by alienatari on April 20, 2005, at 18:54:56
Hi Alien!
Tell us how it goes :-)
What dose of Anafranil did you start on when you tried it before??
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by alienatari on April 23, 2005, at 8:08:28
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on April 21, 2005, at 10:23:56
Changed from another tricyclic (forget which one) and went straight onto 75mg, that was probably my problem i guess. I seem to be tollerating the 25mg pretty well. I know its only a low dose but still Im a bit shocked I thought I wouldnt be able to handle it at all. I guess time will tell if I can handle the 150mg dose he wants me to aim at reaching in the next few months. I just hope it works :)
Take care
> Hi Alien!
>
> Tell us how it goes :-)
>
> What dose of Anafranil did you start on when you tried it before??
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.
Posted by tom_traubert on April 27, 2005, at 21:34:23
In reply to Re: Anafranil and other stuff » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on April 21, 2005, at 10:23:56
Hi,
I was on 275-300mg of Anafranil for years. That's a pretty damn high dose. I was fine, the constipation and dry mouth was very tolerable. I hope it's not too difficult for you.
Good Luck
tt
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