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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Karen L. Kurt on June 25, 1999, at 8:39:30
Hello Dr. Bob and Everyone:
I have written to this Board twice before and received responses that not only helped me with making informed decisions with my son's doctor about medications for my son, but I have also been able to use information gleaned from other postings to assist me in making decisions about treatment for my son.
This is a wonderful Board and the format is great.I would like opinions please on the following medication regimen that my son is currently on. He seems very lethargic and sleeps alot. The doctor says that this will eventually subside as my son's body becomes used to the medications. In one month's time, the Neurontin will be weaned slowly to the point of being discontinued. Medications are as follows:
Carbatrol 300 mg Three times a day.
Laxapine for Laxitane 25 mg Three times a day.
Neurontin 900 mg Three times a day.
Lamictal 100 mg Once a day.
Lamictal 50 mg Once a day.
Benztropine for Cogentin 2 mg Twice a day.
The Carbatrol apparently will take the place of the Neurontin. As indicated above, we are weaning slowly from the Neurontin. Is the Carbatrol dose of 300 mg three times a day going to be a high enough dosage to help my son? Will the final removal of the Neurontin from this regimen alleviate the drowsiness? Or will my son's body just become used to the Carbatrol?
My son is Bipolar with rapid cycling and has Intermitent Explosive Disorder. He has made great progress in the last two months at a RTC in Idaho, but we could no longer afford to keep him there. Since 12/4/98, we have refinanced our home and spent nearly $54,000. for treatment for our son in residential settings and a turn around outdoor camp.
We have exhausted all of our mental health insurance, what little coverage there was and now seek to stabilize our son so that he can take advantage of the services of our local school district and set up an IEP for him.It is therefore important to me to be certain that we are headed on the right path with these meds. It is difficult often to take a doctor's time to go over each and every little concern. I write down my questions and also make notes on what the doctor tells me, but I do not feel that information gained from Boards such as this should not be entered into my decision making process. Info I have gained here in the past has helped me to avoid trials of meds that have side effects I read about here and permitted the doctor to move ahead with other, more suitable alternatives.
I would appreciate any information as quickly as possible. Thanks again for having such a great service available....keep up the good work!
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 26, 1999, at 10:24:02
In reply to Dr. Bob Your Thoughts About This Regimen Please, posted by Karen L. Kurt on June 25, 1999, at 8:39:30
> He seems very lethargic and sleeps alot. The doctor says that this will eventually subside as my son's body becomes used to the medications. In one month's time, the Neurontin will be weaned slowly to the point of being discontinued.
So it's both getting used to the medications and going off the Neurontin that are supposed to help with the lethargy? Neurontin can in fact be sedating, so that would make sense.
> Is the Carbatrol [carbamazepine] dose of 300 mg three times a day going to be a high enough dosage to help my son?
The dosage you can adjust by monitoring the level in his blood. Whether it's effective for him, however, there's only one way really to find out...
It's good to hear that he's made progress. Let us know what happens next. Good luck,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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