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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brooke484 on February 27, 2008, at 22:21:24
Well, I thought maybe this could be the one, but unfortuantely it wasn't. I gave it a good 6 months and it did nothing. 40 mgs was the most I could take for about 5 weeks, but at that dose I found myself getting worse so I backed down to 30 and that's where I've been most of the time. So now it's on to something else. I've considered Emsam but am worried about the anxiety because that's what I suffer with, along with major depression and major derealization. I've also considered Luvox (anyone know when the CR is coming out?), but my doctor doesn't like it because he said you have to be careful about what drugs you take along with it. I haven't felt any improvement since 2002 when I took Lexapro. The mood stabilizers are the only drugs I think I haven't tried yet.
If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful. I'm losing hope...
brooke
Posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2008, at 22:35:13
In reply to Marplan failed - what next?, posted by brooke484 on February 27, 2008, at 22:21:24
Brooke I'm sorry. I take generic luvox very low dose and it doesn't create anxiety in me with a benzo. Did the doc suggest a mood stabalizer? Love Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on February 27, 2008, at 22:39:00
In reply to Marplan failed - what next?, posted by brooke484 on February 27, 2008, at 22:21:24
Don't lose hope.
Maybe you should use a mood stabiliser to boost the Marplan.
And have you ever tried Nardil or Parnate?
Maxime
Posted by brooke484 on February 27, 2008, at 23:51:21
In reply to Re: Marplan failed - what next? » brooke484, posted by Maxime on February 27, 2008, at 22:39:00
I tried Nardil, but it had too many side effects (took that for 3 or 4 months) and I could not take Parnate. It made me too jumpy and I felt weird.
And I tried Depakote and Lamictal years ago but neither of those did anything either. I took Paxil with one and Celexa with the other. My doctor wanted me to add Lamictal to Marplan, but when I did I felt terrible for about 3 days so I quit. That was only 12.5 mgs and he said the goal was to get to 400!
Thanks for your post and I'm glad you're ok.
Brooke
Posted by brooke484 on February 27, 2008, at 23:54:10
In reply to Re: Marplan failed - what next? » brooke484, posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2008, at 22:35:13
Are you taking Luvox for anxiety or depression? It's the only SSRI I have not tried so I'm curious. Do you know when the CR version is coming out?
brooke
Posted by Phillipa on February 28, 2008, at 12:27:53
In reply to Re: Marplan failed - what next? Phillipa, posted by brooke484 on February 27, 2008, at 23:54:10
Brooke this may sound silly but don't know started for depression but has ended up working with benzos in a strange way that seem to help anxiety. Supposed to be most sedating SSRI. As far as CR maybe a google is in order for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by brooke484 on March 1, 2008, at 23:11:28
In reply to Marplan failed - what next?, posted by brooke484 on February 27, 2008, at 22:21:24
Instead of going off Marplan, I am now adding 300 mgs of Lithium. Has anyone had success with this or heard of someone who has?
Thanks,
brooke
Posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2008, at 23:41:18
In reply to Has anyone added Lithium to an MAOI?, posted by brooke484 on March 1, 2008, at 23:11:28
I take 600 mg lithium with Nardil. I felt an immediate positive response from the lithium which has continued. The only side effect I've had that I'm aware of is a sort of inner body "trembling" which is sort of like the shakes I get when my blood sugar gets too low. It seems to be connected to times I'm less hydrated and quite often occurs right after taking a shower. It's uncomfortable and if it had continued with the initial frequency, it might have been a deal-breaker. But it didn't, and I'm pleased with the combination.
Good luck.
gg
Posted by brooke484 on March 2, 2008, at 11:30:44
In reply to Re: Has anyone added Lithium to an MAOI? » brooke484, posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2008, at 23:41:18
That's good to know. It's one drug I've never tried. My doctor is going to keep me on 300 mgs for a month and see how I feel on that. Then he said he would up it to 600 and stop there. And he said the trembling is a normal side effect.
Thanks so much!
Posted by medjuggler on March 8, 2008, at 0:50:22
In reply to Has anyone added Lithium to an MAOI?, posted by brooke484 on March 1, 2008, at 23:11:28
> Instead of going off Marplan, I am now adding 300 mgs of Lithium. Has anyone had success with this or heard of someone who has?
>
> Thanks,
>
> brookeWell good for you brooke! Sticking with it must be a hard decision. But I'm sure you're aware that unless you get to a decent dose for long enough it aint gonna work. 50mg works for me & you're taking just over half that. Maybe the Lithium will enhance it, or possibly even make it more tolerable.
If it was me (which it isn't) I would just say f*** it and go at 50mg & white knuckle it. 6 years is a long time to have had no success with anything so this calls for desperate measures. Side effects should eventually settle given time. Any side effects you are getting on the higher doses should be dealt with accordingly. Most side effects have an antidote.Good luck to you and stick at it. You're certainly a fighter I'll give you that!
Kev.
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