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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on February 27, 2007, at 23:33:33
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has tried clozapine for bipolar or anything for that matter???Did it help?
Is it very sedating?
What does it feel like?bps
Posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2007, at 1:08:30
In reply to anyone tried clozapine? clozaril?, posted by bipolarspectrum on February 27, 2007, at 23:33:33
wow...clozaril is hardcore. I haven't personally tried it but from what I've read it does tend to be sedating, it causes pretty massive weight gain, there are blood tests to be done, drug interactions, sometimes necessary co-medications (@ or above 500mgs/day, some docs add in depakote to prevent seizures, since it induces them so often)....
do u have any other options?
Posted by bipolarspectrum on February 28, 2007, at 20:39:14
In reply to Re: anyone tried clozapine? clozaril?, posted by med_empowered on February 28, 2007, at 1:08:30
Hi,
I've ran threw all the bipolar options.. i suffer from mixed mania all the time.. i have a hard time tolerating medication, but mostly, they just dont work...I don't know much about clozapine, but that is hardcore... it seems to work for treatment resistant people, but i think the side effects could be too much for me...
Plus, I'm not sure how many regular pdocs will prescribe it? it seems to be used in institutions mostly...
bps
> wow...clozaril is hardcore. I haven't personally tried it but from what I've read it does tend to be sedating, it causes pretty massive weight gain, there are blood tests to be done, drug interactions, sometimes necessary co-medications (@ or above 500mgs/day, some docs add in depakote to prevent seizures, since it induces them so often)....
>
> do u have any other options?
Posted by med_empowered on March 1, 2007, at 13:22:06
In reply to Mixed Mania anyone?, posted by bipolarspectrum on February 28, 2007, at 20:39:14
Dilantin is pretty old school but...its an option, apparently; some docs are bringing it back after a small study showed pretty good results in some patients with long-term bipolar "issues" who hadn't done well with other meds.
I guess there's also Keppra and multi-mood stabilizer mixes and even vitamins (knock Truehope all you want, the EMPOWERPlus vitamins have helped some people). Have you tried stimulants? Light therapy? Sleep deprivation?
If you have any other options, I'd say steer clear of clozaril for now. Its certainly better than, say, long-term, high-dose Haldol, which is why some people w/ schizophrenia with it love it but...its still very much a neuroleptic: there's apathy, sedation, sometimes dysphoria, weight gain, seizures, drooling, weird drug interactions...its rough stuff, best used only in very select patients.
Is psychosis a part of your disorder? Or are you dealing w/ a mood disorder w/o psychosis? Do you have any issues that might complicate things--like health conditions, a lot of stress, an Axis II issue (like borerline personality disorder) ?? Have you tried Calcium Channel Blockers?
Good luck.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on March 3, 2007, at 0:54:44
In reply to Dilantin, maybe?, posted by med_empowered on March 1, 2007, at 13:22:06
Hey med,
Dilantin is a great idea.. it does seem to be making a comeback... I'm going to talk to my pdoc about that..I've tried keppra, my problem is that most drugs send me manic/hypomanic, even the mood stabilizers... its really weird actually..
I havent tried light therapy or sleep depreivation... Are those things for moderate-severe illness or just mild forms?
I don't sufffer pychosis, just constant mixed mania.. very agitated and depressed.. Calcium channel blockers even make my cycling worse!
cheers
bps> Dilantin is pretty old school but...its an option, apparently; some docs are bringing it back after a small study showed pretty good results in some patients with long-term bipolar "issues" who hadn't done well with other meds.
>
> I guess there's also Keppra and multi-mood stabilizer mixes and even vitamins (knock Truehope all you want, the EMPOWERPlus vitamins have helped some people). Have you tried stimulants? Light therapy? Sleep deprivation?
>
> If you have any other options, I'd say steer clear of clozaril for now. Its certainly better than, say, long-term, high-dose Haldol, which is why some people w/ schizophrenia with it love it but...its still very much a neuroleptic: there's apathy, sedation, sometimes dysphoria, weight gain, seizures, drooling, weird drug interactions...its rough stuff, best used only in very select patients.
>
> Is psychosis a part of your disorder? Or are you dealing w/ a mood disorder w/o psychosis? Do you have any issues that might complicate things--like health conditions, a lot of stress, an Axis II issue (like borerline personality disorder) ?? Have you tried Calcium Channel Blockers?
>
> Good luck.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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