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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 19:38:29
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Emme_v2, posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 19:03:39
> What dose now and when I was taking for eczema & perioral dermatitis. With the timing of Calcium & magnesium and thyroid it was hard to do. I was on 75mg twice a day and only took four doses as it was making me dizzy. I did read it crosses the blood brain barrier. Seriously do you have any studies as all I could find was negative stuff or just for treating in infection. What is your diagnosis as mine is severe anxiety and agoraphobia in reverse not being able to stay in the house. Also some depression. Phillipa
I have major depressive disorder. I'm taking 25 mg at night. If I recall correctly, I think links to relevant abstracts were posted above in Scott's thread. There is also an open-label study ongoing for use in bipolar depression, which should be findable by googling.emme
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 19:41:17
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Emme_v2, posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 19:03:39
It looks like you actually posted a link to the abstract for one of the articles regarding the use of minocycline in depression. (Pae et al.) It's a nice, short article that describes the mechanisms by which minocycline might exert AD effect.
Posted by SLS on August 18, 2012, at 20:41:52
In reply to Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 17:22:40
> Minocycline was selected because of its potential to boost the action of Lamictal. So far, it's been extremely effective. We're kind of feeling our way with dosage and timing, but my experience of the first few weeks is really encouraging. My mood and motivation have improved. Cognition seems a little better too. I'm cautiously optimistic that this terrific response will continue.
>
> Stay tuned
Will do.:-)
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 21:12:14
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Emme_v2, posted by SLS on August 18, 2012, at 20:41:52
I see then it's use is in bipolar depression. I tried google searches and only found it causes depression it those that took it for acne. Phillipa
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 21:25:01
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 21:12:14
> I see then it's use is in bipolar depression. I tried google searches and only found it causes depression it those that took it for acne. Phillipa
I trust that those initiating and conducting research on its use in treatment for psychiatric conditions are doing so for good reason.
It will be interesting to see what emerges on this with time. In the meantime, I like what it's doing for me.
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 23:17:17
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Phillipa, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 21:25:01
I seriously think it wonderful and I have a full bottle of 75mg with one refill. It calls for twice a day. I wonder would you try just one time a day and see what happens? Since capsules I could empty some for a lower dose. What do you think? I'm tired of a pdoc that refuses to change a thing. Time to take things into my own hands. Do you have any anxiety? No dizziness? Are you taking night or day? Since have chronic lymes disease and had a script two years ago for 200mg of doxycycline with ll refills which didn't use. Would it make sense? Pondering Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 23:19:30
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Phillipa, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 21:25:01
I see you are taking at night time. Phillipa
Posted by Tomatheus on August 18, 2012, at 23:21:56
In reply to Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 17:22:40
Emme,
It's encouraging to hear that you're doing well on minocycline. I wish you continued success with the medication.
Tomatheus
Posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 23:23:17
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Phillipa, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 21:25:01
Just found this different search Phillipa
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 23:47:33
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Emme_v2, posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 23:17:17
> I seriously think it wonderful and I have a full bottle of 75mg with one refill. It calls for twice a day. I wonder would you try just one time a day and see what happens? Since capsules I could empty some for a lower dose. What do you think? I'm tired of a pdoc that refuses to change a thing. Time to take things into my own hands. Do you have any anxiety? No dizziness? Are you taking night or day? Since have chronic lymes disease and had a script two years ago for 200mg of doxycycline with ll refills which didn't use. Would it make sense? Pondering Thanks Phillipa
I'd definitely discuss with your pdoc and not go solo. If your pdoc isn't working with you to control your symptoms, you can always go for a consult with someone else.
Minocycline and doxycyline are two different drugs although both are tetracyclics. You can bring in the abstracts for the literature and see what he/she thinks. I should emphasize that the doctor who recommended it for me was not being random. He specifically thought it would complement the meds I'm already taking and he seems to have hit the mark. He's kind of ahead of the curve on this and I don't have the impression there's much clinical experience for this application.
I have no dizziness. Some anxiety, which I'm managing by keeping the dose low and using some xanax. The anxiety may very well pass. I'm just taking it day by day.
emme
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 23:49:17
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Tomatheus on August 18, 2012, at 23:21:56
> Emme,
>
> It's encouraging to hear that you're doing well on minocycline. I wish you continued success with the medication.
>
> TomatheusThanks! I'm very pleased so far, but will feel more secure when it's been a few months with stability. I can't help but feel optimistic, though.
emme
Posted by SLS on August 19, 2012, at 2:39:15
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Tomatheus on August 18, 2012, at 23:21:56
> Emme,
>
> It's encouraging to hear that you're doing well on minocycline. I wish you continued success with the medication.
>
> Tomatheus
Me too!Me too!
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 19, 2012, at 3:03:43
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Tomatheus, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 23:49:17
> Thanks! I'm very pleased so far,
That's great to hear. I hope your improvement continues.
> but will feel more secure when it's been a few months with stability.
I hope you continue to post updates as to how you are doing with minocycline. I would like to see if there is any overlap in our response pattern to it.
> I can't help but feel optimistic, though.
Optimism can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how well one can accept uncertainty and process disappointment. Hopefully, you won't have any disappointments to process.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 6:55:00
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Emme_v2, posted by SLS on August 19, 2012, at 3:03:43
> > Thanks! I'm very pleased so far,
>
> That's great to hear. I hope your improvement continues.
>
> > but will feel more secure when it's been a few months with stability.
>
> I hope you continue to post updates as to how you are doing with minocycline. I would like to see if there is any overlap in our response pattern to it.
>
> > I can't help but feel optimistic, though.
>
> Optimism can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how well one can accept uncertainty and process disappointment. Hopefully, you won't have any disappointments to process.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> - ScottThanks! I'm hoping for no disappointments also! And hopefully your trial will go well too.
emme
Posted by Raisinb on August 19, 2012, at 11:26:58
In reply to Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 17:22:40
Awesome. So glad it's working out for you and thanks for posting your experiences.
Is this an antibiotic?
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2012, at 12:04:36
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » SLS, posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 6:55:00
Haven't read the new posts but I've been researching and combining my knowledge of antibiotics and what the regular dosing is of monocycline. So I pose this question and it's one I truly hope explains my concern as I think this is the best info in years. But if monocycline is dosed regularly at usually l00mg twice a day. Doesn't this mean the med is only active for 12 hours? Or would the half-life make up for it. But if good for 12 hours what happens for the other 12 hours. Is the rationale not to let levels built up in the body but to keep steady at the low dose. And if some sort of infection is responsible for mental illness wouldn't this be like starting and stopping an antibiotic and would you become resistant? Since I have it full bottle I can try but could someone please try to figure this out or am I just not seeing it? I also looked at the chats for acne which the 100mg twice a day is usually precribed for and seems that most couldn't tolerate the side effects. And also it can cause an autoimmune hepatitis and blackening of nails. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 16:59:36
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2012, at 12:04:36
> Haven't read the new posts but I've been researching and combining my knowledge of antibiotics and what the regular dosing is of monocycline. So I pose this question and it's one I truly hope explains my concern as I think this is the best info in years. But if monocycline is dosed regularly at usually l00mg twice a day. Doesn't this mean the med is only active for 12 hours? Or would the half-life make up for it. But if good for 12 hours what happens for the other 12 hours. Is the rationale not to let levels built up in the body but to keep steady at the low dose. And if some sort of infection is responsible for mental illness wouldn't this be like starting and stopping an antibiotic and would you become resistant? Since I have it full bottle I can try but could someone please try to figure this out or am I just not seeing it? I also looked at the chats for acne which the 100mg twice a day is usually precribed for and seems that most couldn't tolerate the side effects. And also it can cause an autoimmune hepatitis and blackening of nails. Thanks Phillipa
Phillipa,I posted about my trial with minocycline so that other people with treatment resistance depression or bipolar disorder might know that there's another emerging option in the pharmacologic toolbox. I cannot and will not support someone experimenting with a prescription drug without working with their doctor.
emme
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 18:40:28
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Emme_v2, posted by Raisinb on August 19, 2012, at 11:26:58
> Awesome. So glad it's working out for you and thanks for posting your experiences.
>
> Is this an antibiotic?Thanks! My doctor and I are both pleased. Yes, it is an antibiotic, but it has a number of other properties that may be beneficial for psychiatric conditions. Scott listed them all in his post above.
emme
Posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 20:23:05
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 18:40:28
Dear All,
The progress of this thread has me feeling very uncomfortable and raises some ethical concerns for me. I'm going to stop writing about my trial at this time because I am concerned about how the information I posted is being used.
In recent weeks, I could see that a number of posters have been feeling at a loss for good options. I have been fortunate enough to receive expert advice on my new treatment, and it has been working out very well. In posting about this recent success, I was hoping to 1) encourage people that there are sometimes new and exciting alternatives available when they feel discouraged, and 2) let people know that this particular drug is out there and being considered for psychiatric uses.
However, just because it's been great so far for me doesn't mean it's indicated for everyone (and I think most people here understand that). I believe it's very important to do your homework in conjunction with your doctor when considering new options, especially ones for which there just isn't a lot of clinical experience.
It was never my intention, nor obviously the intention of the doctor who recommended it for me, that anyone should take matters into their own hands, especially using a drug they happen to have on hand that is known to become dangerous after its expiration date. The fact that someone is proposing to do this puts me in an uncomfortable position.
I will once again encourage Phillipa to engage in an open and responsible dialogue with her medical professionals, going for an outside consultation if she feels she needs new input.
I'm undecided right now about whether I'll post a brief follow up in several weeks.
emme
Posted by Phillipa on August 19, 2012, at 20:39:56
In reply to Terminating my participation in this thread, posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 20:23:05
Emme I have a prescription written two weeks ago for the mino has have perioral dermatitis. I took 4 doses of it and got the dizziness so I stopped. But since the condition isn't improving I think I will add back the minocycline as it was just prescribed for me by my dermatologist. I have a refill for it also as the condition takes some time to treat adequately. Dermatologists prescribe mino during the summer as doesn't have as much photosensitivity as doxycylline. You haven't influenced me in any way as researched it myself. Pub med was a good example. Now will google half life of mino. And decide for me if I'd like to continue the med. Please post your responses as it another tool in the box. Phillipa
Posted by Slabicki on August 20, 2012, at 23:34:21
In reply to Terminating my participation in this thread, posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 20:23:05
Hi Emme,
I just want to say that this board saves lives,
and gives hope to many people.
So, I think sharing people's experiences is very
important.
Of course, I don't reccommend doing anything without the doctor's supervision.
I just want to say thank you for sharing your
experience, and that's too bad you've decided
not to come back.Slabicki
Posted by bleauberry on August 21, 2012, at 5:27:55
In reply to Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by Emme_v2 on August 18, 2012, at 17:22:40
I am totally on board with this. Does not surprise me at all. People have been doubting me for years about the use of antibiotics in psychiatry, so it looks promising to see people thinking outside the box. I guess maybe it takes a while for people to realize, there really aren't many choices or avenues inside the box.
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2012, at 8:06:26
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day, posted by bleauberry on August 21, 2012, at 5:27:55
> I am totally on board with this. Does not surprise me at all. People have been doubting me for years about the use of antibiotics in psychiatry, so it looks promising to see people thinking outside the box. I guess maybe it takes a while for people to realize, there really aren't many choices or avenues inside the box.
Apparently, minocycline is unique. As of now, it is not the antibiotic properties of minocycline that are being studied for its apparent efficacy in MDD, BD, and SZ. Some of the properties being studied are not found with tetracycline nor doxycycline. Hopefully, the mechanisms involved with the antidepressant properties of minocycline will allow for the design of a molecule that has no antibiotic properties.
For whatever it may mean, I tried doxycycline for three months without benefit. I was taking Lamictal and Abilify at the time. I have been taking minocycline for only 8 days. I began to feel better on day 4.
- Scott
Posted by Iansf on August 21, 2012, at 12:00:37
In reply to Re: Minocycline - every day is a good day » Emme_v2, posted by Phillipa on August 18, 2012, at 23:17:17
> I seriously think it wonderful and I have a full bottle of 75mg with one refill. It calls for twice a day. I wonder would you try just one time a day and see what happens? Since capsules I could empty some for a lower dose. <
Rather than simply emptying part of the medication, empty the entire capsule into 3/4 cup of applesauce (or other non-acidic food), mix it well, then eat 1/4 cup each night for three days to get 25mg doses. (Or make it one cup and eaat 1/3 cup). That way you'll have six months worth of supply. I used to do that with Prozac capsules to get a smaller dosage. The applesauce will sufficiently disguise the medicine's taste to make it palatable.
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2012, at 21:04:33
In reply to Terminating my participation in this thread, posted by Emme_v2 on August 19, 2012, at 20:23:05
> I'm undecided right now about whether I'll post a brief follow up in several weeks.
>
> emme
Hi emme.I hope you decide to post again. It might help to change someone's life.
In the meantime, I wish you the best of luck with your treatment.
- Scott
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