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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phil on June 10, 2015, at 7:33:55
Meds were: Seroquel 900mg, Clonazepam 1.5mg, Lamictal 300mg, Metformin 2000mg.
My doctor said that my physical health was becoming more of a concern that Bipolar I. I thought, halleluiah, he's seen the light.So, he dropped Seroquel from 900 to 400. Is that too fast? That's my biggest concern. He added Lyrica, 75mg once a day, then after a few days go up to 150mg.
For starters, I think the Metformin will have a chance to work now. We talked about dropping Seroquel if things work out.I'm a bit dizzy this morning but I'm not eating everything in sight.
Any input appreciated.
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 10, 2015, at 11:03:50
In reply to Could use feedback on new med regimen, posted by Phil on June 10, 2015, at 7:33:55
my best bet is that he's adding the Lyrica to help w/ the seroquel taper and also to provide anti-anxiety, anti-agitation, general sedation as the seroquel dose is lowered (a lot).
From what little I've read on it...most people can apparently do OK on 300-600mgs/Thorazine (old literature), and I think Seroquel and good ole Thorazine are around the same potency, so...yeah...good that he's reducing your dose. I think 900mgs/Seroquel is probably overkill for most people.
Posted by Lamdage22 on June 10, 2015, at 11:05:02
In reply to Re: Could use feedback on new med regimen, posted by Christ_empowered on June 10, 2015, at 11:03:50
what were you put on 900mg for?
Posted by Phil on June 10, 2015, at 15:23:52
In reply to Re: Could use feedback on new med regimen, posted by Lamdage22 on June 10, 2015, at 11:05:02
I was at 600 and was having constant painful thinking, on a loop, every day. The next time I saw him I said I bumped it to 900 a few days before to try and make it stop. It worked so he said let's try it. I was aware of how high the dose was but sometimes you do what you have to do. I have a history, starting with my first med, of needing high doses to get the desired effect.
I see him every two months or so. I'm on disability and he doesn't take Medicare so I said I couldn't see him every month. So, I think he saw how big I was getting. Plus, I went in saying (not the first time) that we had to change something. This time it was urgent.
I've wanted off Seroquel for a long time or at least to drop the dose. I didn't push hard enough and he can be slow to change. Plus, after so many years on meds, I can be pretty slow to change. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. Cost is also a big issue.
I hope this works. If it doesn't I'm sure there are a few meds I haven't already taken. Thanks for the feedback.
Posted by Phil on June 15, 2015, at 8:08:48
In reply to Could use feedback on new med regimen, posted by Phil on June 10, 2015, at 7:33:55
Have gained two more pounds. This change is just making things worse and I'm ready to freelance on these doses if I have to. Split Seroquel down to 200mg. Whatever it takes. This is b*llsh*t.
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 15, 2015, at 8:20:49
In reply to Re: Could use feedback on new med regimen, posted by Phil on June 15, 2015, at 8:08:48
I hear ya man. I blimped out on high dose (30mgs/day) Abilify. And because its Abilify, the pros all blame me.
Weren't you on Adderall for a while? With a drop in seroquel, (re)introducing an amphetamine would help a lot with weight loss.
They say alpha lipoic acid can help w/ antipsychotic weight gain. I don't know how, but...1200mgs/day is supposed to do something wonderful.
Sorry this is happening.
Posted by Phil on June 15, 2015, at 9:05:14
In reply to Re: Could use feedback on new med regimen, posted by Christ_empowered on June 15, 2015, at 8:20:49
Thanks. It may be worth a try on Adderall but I don't know. These times remind me of how useless most meds are. I think that Adderall made me a bit crazy. I've brought up Ritalin before. I've been on most stims - fk, I don't know.
My doc drops the dose on Seroquel and adds Lyrica whose biggest side effect according to 'ask a patient' is, by far, weight gain.
I feel a need to drop both meds, see where I'm at, and start over.
I think I need a second opinion if I can't find the answer here.
This is the end of the thread.
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