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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emme on December 13, 2005, at 8:28:18
Or late night snack of champions - except for the Abilify (morning). I thought the board could use a positive report.
This combination has brought a greater degree of stability and normalcy than I've had in a long time with a minimum of side effects. Not perfect, but pretty decent. I still have down days, but I think they are in large part due to situational stressors now. I have a lot of anxiety, but xanax is a good drug for me and gives me a lot of flexibility in controlling things. Memantine seems to be going the distance. Abilify seems to be good for reducing apapthy. Sleeping issues are still there, but it's improving gradually.
The core ingredients: Lamictal 100, memantine 1.25, abilify 2.5 every 2-3 days.
Secondary players: seroquel 6.25 (to help with sleep), atenolol and xanax prn for anxiety.
It sounds like a lot of medication, but the doses are pretty low.
emme
Posted by SLS on December 13, 2005, at 10:15:37
In reply to Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of champs, posted by Emme on December 13, 2005, at 8:28:18
Hi Emme.
I just wanted to say hi and extend to you my wishes for your continued recovery.
:-)
Be well.
- Scott> Or late night snack of champions - except for the Abilify (morning). I thought the board could use a positive report.
>
> This combination has brought a greater degree of stability and normalcy than I've had in a long time with a minimum of side effects. Not perfect, but pretty decent. I still have down days, but I think they are in large part due to situational stressors now. I have a lot of anxiety, but xanax is a good drug for me and gives me a lot of flexibility in controlling things. Memantine seems to be going the distance. Abilify seems to be good for reducing apapthy. Sleeping issues are still there, but it's improving gradually.
>
> The core ingredients: Lamictal 100, memantine 1.25, abilify 2.5 every 2-3 days.
>
> Secondary players: seroquel 6.25 (to help with sleep), atenolol and xanax prn for anxiety.
>
> It sounds like a lot of medication, but the doses are pretty low.
>
> emme
>
>
>
>
Posted by Emme on December 13, 2005, at 20:45:29
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of champs » Emme, posted by SLS on December 13, 2005, at 10:15:37
Hi Scott,
> I just wanted to say hi and extend to you my wishes for your continued recovery.
Thanks for the good wishes. :)
How are you doing? Any progress on the mifepristone?
emme
Posted by SLS on December 13, 2005, at 21:25:02
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of ch » SLS, posted by Emme on December 13, 2005, at 20:45:29
> Hi Scott,
>
> > I just wanted to say hi and extend to you my wishes for your continued recovery.
>
> Thanks for the good wishes. :)
>
> How are you doing? Any progress on the mifepristone?
>
> emme
I'm hanging in there. Adding a small amount of Keppra has been helpful, but it appears that I can't go below 150mg on the Lamictal, or I begin losing what little benefit it gives me. It really does affect my memory and is somewhat cognitively blunting at that dosage, though, which is the reason I tried to reduce and remove it.Lamictal 150mg
Parnate 80mg
nortriptyline 100mg
Abilify 10mg
Keppra 750mgWe are down to the final step in the acquisition of mifepristone. I submitted all the paperwork to an IRB (institutional review board), a hurdle that we didn't think would be necessary. The board has its hearing Thursday morning. I don't know how soon after that I will know their decision, but I have a doctor's appointment next week. Hopefully, I'll know definitely one way or the other.
Ultimately, I think mifepristone will be approved for cancer. I wish the FDA would make up their minds about psychotic depression, though. Mifepristone was supposed to be on the "fast track" for approval for that indication.
- Scott
Posted by theo on December 13, 2005, at 22:04:44
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of ch » Emme, posted by SLS on December 13, 2005, at 21:25:02
Hey Scott,
I noticed you dropped from 1000mg to 750mg Keppra. Are you taking it twice daily, 250mg AM and 500mg PM?
Posted by SLS on December 13, 2005, at 22:29:41
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of ch » SLS, posted by theo on December 13, 2005, at 22:04:44
> Hey Scott,
>
> I noticed you dropped from 1000mg to 750mg Keppra. Are you taking it twice daily, 250mg AM and 500mg PM?I'm taking 250mg t.i.d. I could probably divide it up as you suggest, but I have to dose other drugs three times a day, so I just opt to include Keppra along with them. I find that too much Keppra worsens my depression. It does help enough at the lower dosages that I decided to keep it for now.
How are you doing?
- Scott
Posted by theo on December 13, 2005, at 23:23:16
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of ch » theo, posted by SLS on December 13, 2005, at 22:29:41
Not to good at the moment. I was taking Abilify which was working okay, but I experienced a dizzy, almost faint spell, paniced and stopped it just to make sure it was the Abilify. What happened was I ran outside in the freezing cold to cover a faucet then came back inside to a very warm house. Come to find out, Abilify can mess with your bodys thermal regulation and it was probaly the cause.
I also had a desire to try Adderall XR, which was speedy and inconsistant, not smooth like Concerta was for me. I like trying drugs alone if possible and although this is a long tedious process, at least if I go back and do a combo, I'll know which med is doing what.
I'm thinking about restarting the Abilify and if I experience a little anxiety, take Keppra along with it. Do you like these two meds together?
I'm now wishing I hadn't stopped the Abilify because it did help with motivation and depression better than any med I've tried. I'm also a little scared about TD, although this med is sort of in a class by itself and it may not be much to worry about.
Posted by blueberry on December 14, 2005, at 6:48:41
In reply to Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of champs, posted by Emme on December 13, 2005, at 8:28:18
Emme,
Could you please tell me more about memantine? Why did you choose that med? What benefits has it provided for you?
I've had my eye on memantine but have hesitated because it is so expensive. I'm interested in it for a couple reasons. First, it has been shown to have antidepressant effects. Second, it has been theorized to be a possible treatment for tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Apparently part of its NMDA antagonist effects are directly on the hair cells in the hearing system.
I've had tinnitus for so long. Meds that make it louder also make me feel worse. I've often thought that if I could find a med that would quiet my tinnitus, it would also be the same med that worked on my depression. Memantine looks interesting. I was hoping you could share with me your comments and experiences with it.
Posted by Emme on December 14, 2005, at 7:45:57
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of ch » Emme, posted by SLS on December 13, 2005, at 21:25:02
> It really does affect my memory and is somewhat cognitively blunting at that dosage, though, which is the reason I tried to reduce and remove it.
Cognitive issues are infuriating, aren't they? With less total medicine in my body, my brain does seem less foggy. I hope you'll ultimately be able to scale things back and get your brain back.
> We are down to the final step in the acquisition of mifepristone. I submitted all the paperwork to an IRB (institutional review board), a hurdle that we didn't think would be necessary. The board has its hearing Thursday morning. I don't know how soon after that I will know their decision, but I have a doctor's appointment next week. Hopefully, I'll know definitely one way or the other.So you found an IRB? Good. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
em
Posted by Emme on December 14, 2005, at 7:52:38
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of ch » SLS, posted by theo on December 13, 2005, at 23:23:16
> Not to good at the moment...... Come to find out, Abilify can mess with your bodys thermal regulation and it was probaly the cause.
I've been suspecting as much. I'm wearing a heck of a lot of layers of clothes these days. But I'm dealing.
> I'm now wishing I hadn't stopped the Abilify because it did help with motivation and depression better than any med I've tried. I'm also a little scared about TD, although this med is sort of in a class by itself and it may not be much to worry about.I don't know how similar or related the various movement disorders are, but for a while I was having what I think were some mild restless legs symptoms. That stopped after 2 doses of abilify. I don't know if this indicates that abilify would also be less likely to cause TD.
emme
Posted by Emme on December 14, 2005, at 8:13:58
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of champs » Emme, posted by blueberry on December 14, 2005, at 6:48:41
Hi.
> Could you please tell me more about memantine? Why did you choose that med?Well, my pdoc brought it up and made a good case for trying it. She said it was showing promise and was generally well tolerated.
> What benefits has it provided for you?
Antidepressant effect. Clear antidepressant effect. My doctor has had some really good results with some of her other patients as well.
> Second, it has been theorized to be a possible treatment for tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Apparently part of its NMDA antagonist effects are directly on the hair cells in the hearing system.
Interesting. That would be nice if it did double duty for you.
> I was hoping you could share with me your comments and experiences with it.
Memantine has stayed helpful for about 10 months so far, though it's limited by my inability to tolerate much medication. I get overmedicated at the drop of a hat.
I've had to feel my way with the dose. At 10 mg, I felt very loopy and numbed and experienced a lot of derealization. And it caused a foggy sensation in my head. It was helping depression, but I just didn't feel well. As I dropped the dose, those symptoms lessened. Now with Abilify on board I am taking 1.25 mg and it's fine.
Now YMMV of course. Trail and error. You may tolerate/need a higher dose.
emme
Posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 23:31:53
In reply to Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of champs, posted by Emme on December 13, 2005, at 8:28:18
Hi Emme,
I'm so glad to hear you've found an effective "carburetor mix."
I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. Do you take memantine and lamictal every day and abilify only every 2-3 days? When you take abilify that early (morning), does it still interfere with sleep? Does abilify really have antidepressant properties?
I wish you much continued good luck.
S.
Posted by Emme on December 16, 2005, at 14:26:28
In reply to Re: Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of champs » Emme, posted by Sarah T. on December 15, 2005, at 23:31:53
Hi Sarah,
> I'm so glad to hear you've found an effective "carburetor mix."Thanks. Now I just have to get the engine back up to highway speed....sometimes I think I'm like a Geo Metro and only have 3 cylinders.
> I just want to make sure I understand this correctly. Do you take memantine and lamictal every day and abilify only every 2-3 days?
That's correct.
> When you take abilify that early (morning), does it still interfere with sleep?
Yes. Its half life is long, so the effects last, including insomnia. It's improved somewhat, though. For a while I was waking up every hour or so. Now I still wake up, but less frequently. Sometimes I use a little seroquel to help things along.
> Does abilify really have antidepressant properties?
It does for me. My mood and depressed thoughts have improved. It also improves my motivation, and getting more done helps my mood.
> I wish you much continued good luck.
Thanks. Are you thinking about giving Abilify a try?
emme
Posted by KaraS on December 17, 2005, at 22:51:43
In reply to Lamictal, memantine, abilify - breakfast of champs, posted by Emme on December 13, 2005, at 8:28:18
> Or late night snack of champions - except for the Abilify (morning). I thought the board could use a positive report.
>
> This combination has brought a greater degree of stability and normalcy than I've had in a long time with a minimum of side effects. Not perfect, but pretty decent. I still have down days, but I think they are in large part due to situational stressors now. I have a lot of anxiety, but xanax is a good drug for me and gives me a lot of flexibility in controlling things. Memantine seems to be going the distance. Abilify seems to be good for reducing apapthy. Sleeping issues are still there, but it's improving gradually.
>
> The core ingredients: Lamictal 100, memantine 1.25, abilify 2.5 every 2-3 days.
>
> Secondary players: seroquel 6.25 (to help with sleep), atenolol and xanax prn for anxiety.
>
> It sounds like a lot of medication, but the doses are pretty low.
>
> emme
It's great to read about another success story. Thanks for posting that. I've just read two success stories in a row and it's really lifted my spirits.K
This is the end of the thread.
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