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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 13 to 37 of 77. Go back in thread:
Posted by Justin on January 7, 2000, at 13:39:08
In reply to Re: amineptine no longer available, posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 12, 1999, at 11:43:51
> > > > Amineptine is no longer available at IAS or anywhere else I know of. I think the manufacturer stopped making it for some reason.
>
> > > Does it mean it's no longer available in Europe? Anyway, I was wondering how it can be helpful for depression with the tendency toward OCD and phobia? I know that it works by taking the serotonin out of the system.
>
> > Amineptine has too much abuse potential for most governments. I think IAS got theirs from Thailand (!) and maybe the Thai gov't just said no.
>
> What about all the new benzodiazepines? It seems silly to allow these drugs to be marketed when others of potentially great benefit for other indications are denied approval because of far less abuse potential.
>
> Why is Wellbutrin (bupropion) not available in the U.K. or Canada?
>
> > Amineptine potentiates dopamine. Anna may be thinking of a related drug, tianeptine, which actually *reduces* the inter-cellular concentrations of serotonin. It's the exact opposite strategy of an SSRI - yet it seems to work (in about 70% of patients, just like every other drug out there). It shows how far we have to go towards understanding just what is going on in depression.
>
> Sometime it seems as if pushing the system in one direction or the other forces a "reset" of the "thermostats".
>
>
> - ScottI
Posted by Justin on January 7, 2000, at 13:47:03
In reply to Re: amineptine no longer available, posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 12, 1999, at 11:43:51
> > > > Amineptine is no longer available at IAS or anywhere else I know of. I think the manufacturer stopped making it for some reason.
>
> > > Does it mean it's no longer available in Europe? Anyway, I was wondering how it can be helpful for depression with the tendency toward OCD and phobia? I know that it works by taking the serotonin out of the system.
>
> > Amineptine has too much abuse potential for most governments. I think IAS got theirs from Thailand (!) and maybe the Thai gov't just said no.
>
> What about all the new benzodiazepines? It seems silly to allow these drugs to be marketed when others of potentially great benefit for other indications are denied approval because of far less abuse potential.
>
> Why is Wellbutrin (bupropion) not available in the U.K. or Canada?
>
> > Amineptine potentiates dopamine. Anna may be thinking of a related drug, tianeptine, which actually *reduces* the inter-cellular concentrations of serotonin. It's the exact opposite strategy of an SSRI - yet it seems to work (in about 70% of patients, just like every other drug out there). It shows how far we have to go towards understanding just what is going on in depression.
>
> Sometime it seems as if pushing the system in one direction or the other forces a "reset" of the "thermostats".
>
>
> - ScottI have known about amineptine and taken it for a number of years. I used to purchase it in either Greece or Spain. Suddenly some people apparently started taking large doses for stimulant effects and that, in turn, led to removal of licenses to sell (I suspect everywhere from what I can tell because I have been investigating and everyone seems to have stopped offering it. ) Rational appears to be the usual drug-panic thinking, along with fear that anything that makes you feel ok or good must be bad -- can't imagine why the fact that a few people were taking 1500 mg (normal dose is 200 mg per day) should lead to this turn of events considering how promising the medication was in so many areas. Never once found it addicting and had no withdrawal problems whatsoever. Sick thinking of the times! Justin.
Posted by Cathy on January 8, 2000, at 13:02:29
In reply to Re: amineptine no longer available, posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 12, 1999, at 11:43:51
Hi Scott, I'm on Wellbutrin and I live in Canada. The doctors here just started using it at the beginning of this year.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on January 8, 2000, at 16:04:21
In reply to Re: amineptine no longer available. to Scott, posted by Cathy on January 8, 2000, at 13:02:29
> Hi Scott, I'm on Wellbutrin and I live in Canada. The doctors here just started using it at the beginning of this year.
Yay!
- Scott
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on January 8, 2000, at 16:19:29
In reply to Re: amineptine no longer available I have known a, posted by Justin on January 7, 2000, at 13:47:03
> > > > > Amineptine is no longer available at IAS or anywhere else I know of. I think the manufacturer stopped making it for some reason.
> > > Amineptine has too much abuse potential for most governments. I think IAS got theirs from Thailand (!) and maybe the Thai gov't just said no.
> > What about all the new benzodiazepines? It seems silly to allow these drugs to be marketed when others of potentially great benefit for other indications are denied approval because of far less abuse potential.> I have known about amineptine and taken it for a number of years. I used to purchase it in either Greece or Spain. Suddenly some people apparently started taking large doses for stimulant effects and that, in turn, led to removal of licenses to sell (I suspect everywhere from what I can tell because I have been investigating and everyone seems to have stopped offering it. ) Rational appears to be the usual drug-panic thinking, along with fear that anything that makes you feel ok or good must be bad -- can't imagine why the fact that a few people were taking 1500 mg (normal dose is 200 mg per day) should lead to this turn of events considering how promising the medication was in so many areas. Never once found it addicting and had no withdrawal problems whatsoever. Sick thinking of the times! Justin.
Agreed.
Dear Justin,Would you mind answering a few questions?
1. What is your diagnoses and how would you characterize your depression, assuming you suffer from it?
2. In what ways do you feel that amineptine helped you?
3. What dosages did you take?
4. What side-effects – if any – did you experience?
5. Was it combined with any other drugs?
6. Why did you stop taking it?
7. How are you doing? – Well, I hope. :)
Much Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by mocdoc on June 5, 2001, at 17:12:33
In reply to Re: amineptine/tianeptine for depression, posted by andrewb on December 11, 1999, at 20:29:31
Has anyone tried it?
Good Health!
mocdoc
Posted by Anna P. on June 6, 2001, at 14:54:09
In reply to Re: amineptine/tianeptine for depression, posted by mocdoc on June 5, 2001, at 17:12:33
Yes, it's a very effective AD with no weight gain, and sexual dysfunction, energizing.
What to wish for more?Anna P.
Posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 15:07:42
In reply to Re: amineptine/tianeptine for depression, posted by Anna P. on June 6, 2001, at 14:54:09
Dear Anna-where did you buy tianeptine? And what dose do you use-I gather it might be 12.5 mg thrice daily. Any side effects? How long have you been taking it? And what's your diagnosis-mine's Bipolar II with accompanying OCD.
Glad for you,
mocdoc
Posted by jodsteroo on June 6, 2001, at 15:34:35
In reply to Re: amineptine/tianeptine for depression, posted by mocdoc on June 5, 2001, at 17:12:33
has anyone tried tianeptine?? im very curious....if so what were the side effects if any?what dose sis you try? and how many times a day did you have to take it?thanks...jodi
Posted by Anna P. on June 6, 2001, at 16:37:04
In reply to Re: amineptine/tianeptine for depression, posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 15:07:42
> Dear Anna-where did you buy tianeptine? And what dose do you use-I gather it might be 12.5 mg thrice daily. Any side effects? How long have you been taking it? And what's your diagnosis-mine's Bipolar II with accompanying OCD.
> Glad for you,
> mocdocHi Mocdoc,
Tianeptine may be purchased at antiaging systems.
There is no side effects exept the transient anxiety that can be resolved by taking
Lorazepam. I'm treatment resistant BipolarII, so later on I had to augment Tianeptine either with Lithium or Topamax.Good luck,
Anna P.
Posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 16:40:19
In reply to Re: HAS ANYONE TRIED TIANEPTINE??, posted by jodsteroo on June 6, 2001, at 15:34:35
Dear Jodi,
Many studies have been done in France and it appears to be the equal of any other antidepressant though not superior. My personal interest in the drug is that all SSRI's make me worse, not better so it would seem logical to try a reuptake enhancer instead of a reuptake inhibitor. If you put "tianeptine" into your search engine, e.g. Google or I'm sure any other search engine, you'll find a number of studies. If that's not possible for you, post another message on this board and I'll post the URLs for a few studies.
Good luck,
mocdoc
Posted by jodsteroo on June 6, 2001, at 20:08:59
In reply to Re: HAS ANYONE TRIED TIANEPTINE??, posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 16:40:19
> Dear Jodi,
> Many studies have been done in France and it appears to be the equal of any other antidepressant though not superior. My personal interest in the drug is that all SSRI's make me worse, not better so it would seem logical to try a reuptake enhancer instead of a reuptake inhibitor. If you put "tianeptine" into your search engine, e.g. Google or I'm sure any other search engine, you'll find a number of studies. If that's not possible for you, post another message on this board and I'll post the URLs for a few studies.
> Good luck,
> mocdocthe ssri's make me worse too, i feel horrible on them, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, increaced anxiety and depression. i have researched tieneptine alot over the internet and have considered ordering it. i have yet to come across someone who has actuelly used it here in the u.s. and was very curious to hear someones experiences with it first hand. anyway my question to you is, if you feel worse on the ssri's like i do, have you found anything that you do feel better on? do you suffer from just depression? i have tried everything for my depression and anxiety , from e.c.t. to reboxetine to all the meds here in the u.s. rx'ed for depression,anxiety,bipolar,add,sleep probs..ect. and nothings really helped much. im just curious if anyone else has any suggestions!
thanks...jodi!
Posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 21:10:33
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc?, posted by jodsteroo on June 6, 2001, at 20:08:59
Dear Jodi,
I have rapidly cycling Bipolar II as well as OCD. The old tricyclics and the newer SSRIs particularly (and paradoxically) make my OCD worse,as well as causing anxiety.None have helped my depression which often clears when not on antidepressants.I also have light and colour sensitivity, and smell and occasionally taste hallucinations, i.e. I smell and taste things that just aren't there. These latter symptoms may represent some temporal lobe brain dysfunction. My doctor is now trying gradually increasing doses of the antiepileptic Neurontin added to a low dose of clonezepam which I have been taking for two years. Its too early to know for sure but it seems to have helped the light sensitivity. High doses of Neurontin occasionally help OCD so I'm hopeful. Other antiepileptics like Lamictal, Depacote and Tegretol have been of no help. Nor has lithium. I have had no experience with tianeptine but perhaps I'll try it if the present plan fails.
Don't give up-there's lots of drugs out there to try as well as cognitive therapy, prayer, Yoga, meditation, etc., etc.
Be well. And If you can't -fake it- and soon the fakery will become your new reality! That's what my cognitive therapist taught me.
mocdoc
Posted by Pacha on June 7, 2001, at 7:08:42
In reply to Re: HAS ANYONE TRIED TIANEPTINE??, posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 16:40:19
Hi,
I've been taking Tianeptine for 8 months. At first it works really well, but kinda poops out/ stops working. The only reason i've been taking it for so long was because i ordered far far too amny after reading extremely promising reports.
It doesn't take away my anixety. But let me tell you this ! Its a wonder drug when it comes to asthma. I havent used my inhalers once in 8 months, which would have been impossible otherwise (needed to take a least every day).
I ordered from www.india-chemist.com, has very few side effects, except a head ake if you take too much. I'm not sure if i'd reccommmend it though.
Posted by Miragee on June 7, 2001, at 16:20:40
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc?, posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 21:10:33
Hi Mocdoc,
Just thought I'd put in my two-cents worth. I am on a very high dose of Neurontin (4000 mg. per day achieved slowly over a period of ten days). It worked miracles for me and took away the insomnia I battled for 15 years (and which was exacerbated by all SSRI's). I only had a few minor side effects during the first two weeks and they went away. I have been on that dosage for more than two years. It is a very safe medication, but has to be taken three to four times per day because it is quickly excreted by the body. Also, my pdoc told me if I take Neurontin, it is *very* important to *not* take any supplements containing Magnesium. Magnesium blocks the receptors in the brain for Neurontin .
My medical doctor just put me on Actos as part of a protocol to lower my high cholesterol and it took away my anxiety -- an amazing, unexpected result! I did not even know I had anxiety (part of "faking it") until it went away! Has anyone else had experience with Actos? (I am not overweight, nor am I diabetic, the usual reasons for prescribing it.)
> Dear Jodi,
> I have rapidly cycling Bipolar II as well as OCD. The old tricyclics and the newer SSRIs particularly (and paradoxically) make my OCD worse,as well as causing anxiety.None have helped my depression which often clears when not on antidepressants.I also have light and colour sensitivity, and smell and occasionally taste hallucinations, i.e. I smell and taste things that just aren't there. These latter symptoms may represent some temporal lobe brain dysfunction. My doctor is now trying gradually increasing doses of the antiepileptic Neurontin added to a low dose of clonezepam which I have been taking for two years. Its too early to know for sure but it seems to have helped the light sensitivity. High doses of Neurontin occasionally help OCD so I'm hopeful. Other antiepileptics like Lamictal, Depacote and Tegretol have been of no help. Nor has lithium. I have had no experience with tianeptine but perhaps I'll try it if the present plan fails.
> Don't give up-there's lots of drugs out there to try as well as cognitive therapy, prayer, Yoga, meditation, etc., etc.
> Be well. And If you can't -fake it- and soon the fakery will become your new reality! That's what my cognitive therapist taught me.
> mocdoc
Posted by mocdoc on June 7, 2001, at 17:14:18
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc? » mocdoc, posted by Miragee on June 7, 2001, at 16:20:40
Dear Miragee,
Thanks for the tip about Magnesium a no-no with Neurontin. By the way, what is the condition you're taking it for-surely not simple insomnia!
Be well,
mocdoc
Posted by Miragee on June 7, 2001, at 17:46:59
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc? » Miragee, posted by mocdoc on June 7, 2001, at 17:14:18
Well - - - Do you want the long story or the short story?
The semi-short answer is that I was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivty in 1990. In 1998, I finally found a PDoc who understood this malady. In research with many MCS patients at a clinic in Dallas, Texas, he had discovered that Neurontin, in high dosages (from 3200 mg. per day up to 6000 mg.) gave relief. I was one of the lucky ones who responded well and my chemical sensitivity abated almost immediately. I started taking Nerontin in November 1998.
However . . . I was still very sick and dependent on penicillin to control excruiciating mental symptoms. (This effect of the penicillin was discovered "by accident" when I had to take it for a dental problem).
For more than two years, I tried to get someone to diagnose why I needed the penicillin. (And I tried to get someone to prescribe it -- you would have thought I was asking for powdered Oxycontin -- no one would prescribe that common antibiotic!)
I finally found a "Lyme Literate" doctor who diagnosed me with Lyme Disease. I have the type that affects the Central Nervous System. In other words, it is in my brain.
Now that I am on the antibiotics that work for me to treat chronic Lyme Disease (Penicillin and Flagyl and Bactrim), I have my life back.
I have met others who have Lyme Disease, who also suffer from the chemical sensitivity. There might be some relationship between the two conditions. The Lyme "bugs" mess with your immune system something terrible if the disease is not discovered *immediately*. I do not know when I got Lyme Disease. I could have gotten it when I was a child or . . .
So, I take my thirty plus pills six times a day and feel better than I have in twenty years!
> Dear Miragee,
> Thanks for the tip about Magnesium a no-no with Neurontin. By the way, what is the condition you're taking it for-surely not simple insomnia!
> Be well,
> mocdoc
Posted by mocdoc on June 7, 2001, at 17:53:18
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc? » mocdoc, posted by Miragee on June 7, 2001, at 17:46:59
Dear Miragee-Wow-you've had a tough time, glad to hear that things are better.
Stay well,
mocdoc
Posted by jodsteroo on June 7, 2001, at 20:00:15
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc?, posted by mocdoc on June 6, 2001, at 21:10:33
mocdoc- thanks for the encouragement...sounds like you have something similar to what i have...i too have rapid cycling and some soft bipolar symptomes...along with bouts of ocd/anxiety...when im really freaked out...oddly enough, neurontin has been the only med i can tolerate that gives me some relief...i dont really know what its doing exactly but it takes the edge off somewhat...anyway...if you come across anything that helps you...let me know!!!thanks...jodi!
Posted by jodsteroo on June 7, 2001, at 20:03:33
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc? » mocdoc, posted by Miragee on June 7, 2001, at 16:20:40
have you had any weight gain or bloating/water retention with the neurontin??? every time i get past 400 mg i feel like a blimp and am extreemly tired also...glad to hear your doing better too! thanks...jodi!
Posted by Miragee on June 7, 2001, at 20:47:13
In reply to Re: question for Miragee?, posted by jodsteroo on June 7, 2001, at 20:03:33
Hi Jodi,
No. This drug has been a miracle for me. But, I know some people cannot tolerate it. The amazing thing for me is that I cannot tolerate even simple vitamin supplements (especially B vitamins and also Vitamin E), and yet I can successfully take all these prescription drugs.
No one is more surprised about this than I am. For eight years, I was told there was nothing I could do for the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity except for avoiding chemicals (I moved to the country) and avoiding the foods that caused my symptoms. (Back in the late '80's, when I did not completely understand what was going on, I found out that if I stopped eating wheat products, my depression lifted. That is NOT an easy thing to do! However, it worked!)
What condition is your doctor prescribing the Neurontin for? Did he tell you to avoid magnesium supplements while taking Neurontin? Apparently magnesium blocks the receptors in the brain for Neurontin.
This is a URL to an article about my doctor. It mentions bloating and states that it can be treated "appropriately." I don't know what that entails. Diuretics? Laxatives? You would have to ask your doctor.
http://www.ncf-net.org/forum/neurontin98.htm
For the first two weeks, as I very gradually increased my dose up to the therapeutic level for M.C.S. of 4800 mg. per day (taken four times a day because Neurontin leaves the body very quickly), I had some side effects. I think I know the "tired" you are talking about. For me, the mild side effects went away and by the third week, I felt more "normal" than I had in years.
> have you had any weight gain or bloating/water retention with the neurontin??? every time i get past 400 mg i feel like a blimp and am extreemly tired also...glad to hear your doing better too! thanks...jodi!
Posted by AMenz on June 8, 2001, at 0:01:40
In reply to Re: question for mocdoc? » mocdoc, posted by Miragee on June 7, 2001, at 17:46:59
What are the symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and what specialty of doctor diagnoses this.
> Well - - - Do you want the long story or the short story?
>
> The semi-short answer is that I was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivty in 1990. In 1998, I finally found a PDoc who understood this malady. In research with many MCS patients at a clinic in Dallas, Texas, he had discovered that Neurontin, in high dosages (from 3200 mg. per day up to 6000 mg.) gave relief. I was one of the lucky ones who responded well and my chemical sensitivity abated almost immediately. I started taking Nerontin in November 1998.
>
> However . . . I was still very sick and dependent on penicillin to control excruiciating mental symptoms. (This effect of the penicillin was discovered "by accident" when I had to take it for a dental problem).
>
> For more than two years, I tried to get someone to diagnose why I needed the penicillin. (And I tried to get someone to prescribe it -- you would have thought I was asking for powdered Oxycontin -- no one would prescribe that common antibiotic!)
>
> I finally found a "Lyme Literate" doctor who diagnosed me with Lyme Disease. I have the type that affects the Central Nervous System. In other words, it is in my brain.
>
> Now that I am on the antibiotics that work for me to treat chronic Lyme Disease (Penicillin and Flagyl and Bactrim), I have my life back.
>
> I have met others who have Lyme Disease, who also suffer from the chemical sensitivity. There might be some relationship between the two conditions. The Lyme "bugs" mess with your immune system something terrible if the disease is not discovered *immediately*. I do not know when I got Lyme Disease. I could have gotten it when I was a child or . . .
>
> So, I take my thirty plus pills six times a day and feel better than I have in twenty years!
>
>
> > Dear Miragee,
> > Thanks for the tip about Magnesium a no-no with Neurontin. By the way, what is the condition you're taking it for-surely not simple insomnia!
> > Be well,
> > mocdoc
Posted by AMenz on June 8, 2001, at 0:06:04
In reply to Re: amineptine/tianeptine for depression, posted by Anna P. on June 6, 2001, at 16:37:04
Anna,
Does tianeptine induce cycling in some bipolars like SSRI's do. Do you need a prescription. The IAS cite seems to be in the UK. Will they ship to US without prescription?
Are you happy with the drug? Is the anxiety ongoing or is it a transitory side effect.
> > Dear Anna-where did you buy tianeptine? And what dose do you use-I gather it might be 12.5 mg thrice daily. Any side effects? How long have you been taking it? And what's your diagnosis-mine's Bipolar II with accompanying OCD.
> > Glad for you,
> > mocdoc
>
> Hi Mocdoc,
>
> Tianeptine may be purchased at antiaging systems.
> There is no side effects exept the transient anxiety that can be resolved by taking
> Lorazepam. I'm treatment resistant BipolarII, so later on I had to augment Tianeptine either with Lithium or Topamax.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Anna P.
Posted by Miragee on June 8, 2001, at 12:54:48
In reply to Re: question for Miragee?, posted by AMenz on June 8, 2001, at 0:01:40
Hi,
The main symptoms are reactions, such as headache, backache, wheezing, depression (or inumerable other possibilities), *in* the presence of a chemical, any chemical (perfume, new paint, epoxy, automobile exhaust, newly dry-cleaned clothing, fabric softeners, pesticides, etc.). How do you feel when you walk down the detergent isle of a grocery store? Do you feel like you just have to get out of there? How do you feel when a co-worker who wears a great deal of perfume comes nearby? Do you feel fine at home but start getting a headache when you get to work in your brand new office? If your illness varies from your location, you probably have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. (It has also been called Environmental Illness.)
Some people are victims of "Sick Building Syndrome" and are only sick when they are at work, usually a brand-new building full of formaldehyde-laden contruction materials. Older buildings can also be culprits if they are moldy.
If you feel better out in truly fresh air, a day at the beach or up in the mountains, but find the familiar lousy symptoms returning as soon as you get back home, that can be a clue. I became ill because my house had a low level gas leak.
Many people who have M.C.S. are also sensitive to particular foods. In my case, I discovered that if I stopped eating wheat products, my depression lifted! It isn't easy to avoid eating wheat, but the results were worth it.
In answer to your question about doctors who diagnosis this illness -- there are not many. This illness is "controversial" (it isn't controversial to those hundreds of thousands of us who are affected). I had to travel 350 miles to see the doctor who diagnosed me in 1990.
An excellent newsletter that addresses this illness in a practical and scientific, as well as encouraging, way is:
Our Toxic Times
Chemical Injury Information Network
P.O. Box 301
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645What part of the country are you in? Maybe I can look in my latest issue and see if there are any physician references for your area.
> What are the symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and what specialty of doctor diagnoses this.
>
> > Well - - - Do you want the long story or the short story?
> >
> > The semi-short answer is that I was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivty in 1990. In 1998, I finally found a PDoc who understood this malady. In research with many MCS patients at a clinic in Dallas, Texas, he had discovered that Neurontin, in high dosages (from 3200 mg. per day up to 6000 mg.) gave relief. I was one of the lucky ones who responded well and my chemical sensitivity abated almost immediately. I started taking Nerontin in November 1998.
> >
> > However . . . I was still very sick and dependent on penicillin to control excruiciating mental symptoms. (This effect of the penicillin was discovered "by accident" when I had to take it for a dental problem).
> >
> > For more than two years, I tried to get someone to diagnose why I needed the penicillin. (And I tried to get someone to prescribe it -- you would have thought I was asking for powdered Oxycontin -- no one would prescribe that common antibiotic!)
> >
> > I finally found a "Lyme Literate" doctor who diagnosed me with Lyme Disease. I have the type that affects the Central Nervous System. In other words, it is in my brain.
> >
> > Now that I am on the antibiotics that work for me to treat chronic Lyme Disease (Penicillin and Flagyl and Bactrim), I have my life back.
> >
> > I have met others who have Lyme Disease, who also suffer from the chemical sensitivity. There might be some relationship between the two conditions. The Lyme "bugs" mess with your immune system something terrible if the disease is not discovered *immediately*. I do not know when I got Lyme Disease. I could have gotten it when I was a child or . . .
> >
> > So, I take my thirty plus pills six times a day and feel better than I have in twenty years!
> >
> >
> > > Dear Miragee,
> > > Thanks for the tip about Magnesium a no-no with Neurontin. By the way, what is the condition you're taking it for-surely not simple insomnia!
> > > Be well,
> > > mocdoc
Posted by AMenz on June 9, 2001, at 12:04:51
In reply to Re: question for Miragee? Symptoms of M.C.S. » AMenz, posted by Miragee on June 8, 2001, at 12:54:48
Thanks, I don't have it. It sounds to me that it is a developped sensitivity to a bunch of chemicals, and quite real. In the nature of an allergy or multiple allergy. (Had a friend almost die of allergy to virtually every food. Allergy was developed by a combination of eating exotic shellfish during a trip and the stress of a nasty divorce. So I really think these breakdowns in tolerance to environmental issues is possible specially brought on by stress).
Good luck
> Hi,
>
> The main symptoms are reactions, such as headache, backache, wheezing, depression (or inumerable other possibilities), *in* the presence of a chemical, any chemical (perfume, new paint, epoxy, automobile exhaust, newly dry-cleaned clothing, fabric softeners, pesticides, etc.). How do you feel when you walk down the detergent isle of a grocery store? Do you feel like you just have to get out of there? How do you feel when a co-worker who wears a great deal of perfume comes nearby? Do you feel fine at home but start getting a headache when you get to work in your brand new office? If your illness varies from your location, you probably have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. (It has also been called Environmental Illness.)
>
> Some people are victims of "Sick Building Syndrome" and are only sick when they are at work, usually a brand-new building full of formaldehyde-laden contruction materials. Older buildings can also be culprits if they are moldy.
>
> If you feel better out in truly fresh air, a day at the beach or up in the mountains, but find the familiar lousy symptoms returning as soon as you get back home, that can be a clue. I became ill because my house had a low level gas leak.
>
> Many people who have M.C.S. are also sensitive to particular foods. In my case, I discovered that if I stopped eating wheat products, my depression lifted! It isn't easy to avoid eating wheat, but the results were worth it.
>
> In answer to your question about doctors who diagnosis this illness -- there are not many. This illness is "controversial" (it isn't controversial to those hundreds of thousands of us who are affected). I had to travel 350 miles to see the doctor who diagnosed me in 1990.
>
> An excellent newsletter that addresses this illness in a practical and scientific, as well as encouraging, way is:
>
> Our Toxic Times
> Chemical Injury Information Network
> P.O. Box 301
> White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
>
> What part of the country are you in? Maybe I can look in my latest issue and see if there are any physician references for your area.
>
> > What are the symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and what specialty of doctor diagnoses this.
> >
> > > Well - - - Do you want the long story or the short story?
> > >
> > > The semi-short answer is that I was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivty in 1990. In 1998, I finally found a PDoc who understood this malady. In research with many MCS patients at a clinic in Dallas, Texas, he had discovered that Neurontin, in high dosages (from 3200 mg. per day up to 6000 mg.) gave relief. I was one of the lucky ones who responded well and my chemical sensitivity abated almost immediately. I started taking Nerontin in November 1998.
> > >
> > > However . . . I was still very sick and dependent on penicillin to control excruiciating mental symptoms. (This effect of the penicillin was discovered "by accident" when I had to take it for a dental problem).
> > >
> > > For more than two years, I tried to get someone to diagnose why I needed the penicillin. (And I tried to get someone to prescribe it -- you would have thought I was asking for powdered Oxycontin -- no one would prescribe that common antibiotic!)
> > >
> > > I finally found a "Lyme Literate" doctor who diagnosed me with Lyme Disease. I have the type that affects the Central Nervous System. In other words, it is in my brain.
> > >
> > > Now that I am on the antibiotics that work for me to treat chronic Lyme Disease (Penicillin and Flagyl and Bactrim), I have my life back.
> > >
> > > I have met others who have Lyme Disease, who also suffer from the chemical sensitivity. There might be some relationship between the two conditions. The Lyme "bugs" mess with your immune system something terrible if the disease is not discovered *immediately*. I do not know when I got Lyme Disease. I could have gotten it when I was a child or . . .
> > >
> > > So, I take my thirty plus pills six times a day and feel better than I have in twenty years!
> > >
> > >
> > > > Dear Miragee,
> > > > Thanks for the tip about Magnesium a no-no with Neurontin. By the way, what is the condition you're taking it for-surely not simple insomnia!
> > > > Be well,
> > > > mocdoc
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Script revised: February 4, 2008
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