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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emme on July 25, 2001, at 22:05:32
Hi Folks,
Has anyone had any experience with tripleptal? What were your side effects, dosages, and did it help with depression and anxiety? I'm BPII, with depression and anxiety my biggest problems.
Thanks, Emme
Posted by Mitch on July 28, 2001, at 20:04:20
In reply to Experience with trileptal?, posted by Emme on July 25, 2001, at 22:05:32
> Hi Folks,
> Has anyone had any experience with tripleptal? What were your side effects, dosages, and did it help with depression and anxiety? I'm BPII, with depression and anxiety my biggest problems.
> Thanks, Emme
Emme, I am also BPII and have social anxiety/panic. I got bad nausea on it and could'nt continue with it (at low doses). But some people don't have any trouble with nausea. It also made me a little hypomanic (a temporary switch from Neurontin). It is a "cleaner" version of Tegretol (carbamazepine). If you have tried Teg before-it probably will be similar.Mitch
Posted by SalArmy4me on July 28, 2001, at 22:27:15
In reply to Experience with trileptal?, posted by Emme on July 25, 2001, at 22:05:32
For me, Trileptal had the same GI-upset and a little sedation that regular Tegretol (IR) caused. I was taking 900 mg a day of Trileptal for unipolar depression. I quit taking it after 2 weeks.
Trileptal is expensive and not covered by insurance.
I would recommend you try Tegretol XR first--Teg XR was more tolerable than Trileptal.
Posted by Emme on July 29, 2001, at 11:17:52
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal? » Emme, posted by SalArmy4me on July 28, 2001, at 22:27:15
> For me, Trileptal had the same GI-upset and a little sedation that regular Tegretol (IR) caused. I was taking 900 mg a day of Trileptal for unipolar depression. I quit taking it after 2 weeks.
>
> Trileptal is expensive and not covered by insurance.
>
> I would recommend you try Tegretol XR first--Teg XR was more tolerable than Trileptal.I had headaches, mild nausea, irritated skin and a very dull mind. The fuzzy brain was more upsetting to me than the mild nausea because I really needed to concentrate and work. Despite all that, I thought it was also having some beneficial effect. I've lowered the dosage back down to 150 and am trying a slower titration to see if that helps before I give up on the drug. My insurance covers it, so that's not an issue. I'm pretty new to the world of anticonvulsants. I'll ask my doctor what she thinks about Tegretol XR if trileptal doesn't pan out. SalArmy4me, have you found Tegretol XR to be helpful for your depression?
Thanks guys,
Emme
Posted by SalArmy4me on July 29, 2001, at 15:03:25
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal?, posted by Emme on July 29, 2001, at 11:17:52
It once was overwhelmingly helpful until it pooped-out (Tegretol XR).
"Institution
Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.Title
Valproate and carbamazepine increase prefrontal dopamine release by 5-HT1A receptor activation.Source
European Journal of Pharmacology. 380(1):R1-3, 1999 Sep 3.Abstract
The anticonvulsant mood stabilizers valproic acid (250, 500 but not 50 mg/kg) and carbamazepine (6, 12.5 but not 3 mg/kg) were found to increase extracellular dopamine levels in rat medial prefrontal cortex, but not nucleus accumbens. Increased prefrontal dopamine was completely abolished by the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexa necarboxamide (WAY100635, 0.05 mg/kg). Anticonvulsants and clozapine may share a common mood stabilizing mechanism since clozapine is reported to have mood stabilizing effects and increase prefrontal dopamine by 5-HT1A receptor activation."
Posted by Mitch on July 29, 2001, at 16:50:28
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal? » Emme, posted by SalArmy4me on July 29, 2001, at 15:03:25
> It once was overwhelmingly helpful until it pooped-out (Tegretol XR).
>
> "Institution
> Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
>
> Title
> Valproate and carbamazepine increase prefrontal dopamine release by 5-HT1A receptor activation.
>
> Source
> European Journal of Pharmacology. 380(1):R1-3, 1999 Sep 3.
>
> Abstract
> The anticonvulsant mood stabilizers valproic acid (250, 500 but not 50 mg/kg) and carbamazepine (6, 12.5 but not 3 mg/kg) were found to increase extracellular dopamine levels in rat medial prefrontal cortex, but not nucleus accumbens. Increased prefrontal dopamine was completely abolished by the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexa necarboxamide (WAY100635, 0.05 mg/kg). Anticonvulsants and clozapine may share a common mood stabilizing mechanism since clozapine is reported to have mood stabilizing effects and increase prefrontal dopamine by 5-HT1A receptor activation."S4me,
This is a *little* off the subject, but this partially answers my question to you about the dopamine increase associated with 5-HT1a receptor agonism (in the case of buspirone). I became hypomanic on buspirone. Now I wonder about the potential antipsychotic efficacy of selective 5-HT *antagonists* which do not have any affinity for DA receptors (and possibly no EPS).
Mitch
Posted by chloe on July 29, 2001, at 16:57:49
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal?, posted by Emme on July 29, 2001, at 11:17:52
I switched from Trileptal from Tegretol regular in March. I feel so much better on Trileptal physically.
Tegretol gave me constant heartburn, burning throat, dry mouth, metallic taste in my mouth, awful constipation, and I always felt off balance.When I switched to Trileptal, my mood improved so much because I began to feel so much better. I could taste food, and enjoy it without heartburn or pain. I like Trileptal, though I have had 3 med induced hypomania reactions on it. And it really dries out my skin and hair. I also can't be in the sun or I get a rash. I was taking 750 mgs with good result, but my skin got too dry. So I am taking 375 and managing. I am sure it would be a better mood stabilizer if I could take more of it...But the dry burning skin is just too painful. So I am still searching for the perfect mood stabilizer. But Tril. with neurontin are working ok for now.
Hope that helps.
Chloe
Posted by Emme on July 29, 2001, at 20:17:36
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal? » Emme, posted by chloe on July 29, 2001, at 16:57:49
> I switched from Trileptal from Tegretol regular in March. I feel so much better on Trileptal physically.
> Tegretol gave me constant heartburn, burning throat, dry mouth, metallic taste in my mouth, awful constipation, and I always felt off balance.
>
> When I switched to Trileptal, my mood improved so much because I began to feel so much better. I could taste food, and enjoy it without heartburn or pain. I like Trileptal, though I have had 3 med induced hypomania reactions on it. And it really dries out my skin and hair. I also can't be in the sun or I get a rash. I was taking 750 mgs with good result, but my skin got too dry. So I am taking 375 and managing. I am sure it would be a better mood stabilizer if I could take more of it...But the dry burning skin is just too painful. So I am still searching for the perfect mood stabilizer. But Tril. with neurontin are working ok for now.
>
> Hope that helps.
> ChloeHi Chloe,
Thanks for your input. I'll see how trileptal treats my body as I raise the dosage. I'll know to be careful of the sun now. Does it help to use extra sunscreen? I have been hoping that once I felt better I would start to do more outdoor activities, which I miss.
Emme
Posted by chloe on July 29, 2001, at 22:11:56
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal?, posted by Emme on July 29, 2001, at 20:17:36
>Does it help to use extra sunscreen?
In my experience, no. I always, always wear sunscreen, but the feeling of the sun on my bare skin just feels like it's on fire. I am not getting any color, but it hurts. Hard to describe. I just want to run for cover. It's amazing how much time we spend in the sun and don't realize it.
I hope you don't have this reaction! Or just go to the thrift store like I did. I bought tons of mens long sleeve cotton shirts. I wear those with a huge straw hat, pants and gloves in the garden. I am sure my neighbors just think I am afraid to get dirty or something!
Good luck
Chloe
Posted by emme on July 31, 2001, at 14:12:42
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal? » Emme, posted by chloe on July 29, 2001, at 22:11:56
> >Does it help to use extra sunscreen?
>
>
> In my experience, no. I always, always wear sunscreen, but the feeling of the sun on my bare skin just feels like it's on fire. I am not getting any color, but it hurts. Hard to describe. I just want to run for cover. It's amazing how much time we spend in the sun and don't realize it.
> I hope you don't have this reaction! Or just go to the thrift store like I did. I bought tons of mens long sleeve cotton shirts. I wear those with a huge straw hat, pants and gloves in the garden. I am sure my neighbors just think I am afraid to get dirty or something!
> Good luck
> ChloeSounds like a nasty side effect. I haven't noticed anything like that yet, but if I do, I'll know what to blame it on. Has trileptal made you very tired? I'm am so exhausted and don't know whether it's a cold coming on, or the drug. I'm only at 225 at the moment, so it's hard to believe it can be doing much to me. I noticed in one of your other posts that you're hoping to reduce the trileptal. Good luck with the shifting meds.
Emme
Posted by chloe on July 31, 2001, at 18:04:42
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal? » chloe, posted by emme on July 31, 2001, at 14:12:42
>Has trileptal made you very tired?
I think I recall being a little tired at the beginning of treatment on Trileptal. But I did quickly adjust over a few weeks times. I do not feel any sedation from it now. In fact, I am quite energetic and I don't sleep as well as I did before Trileptal.
I am so glad you are not having any sun reactions. Good luck with your titration upwards.
Chloe
Posted by Emme on July 31, 2001, at 19:11:25
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal? » emme, posted by chloe on July 31, 2001, at 18:04:42
> I think I recall being a little tired at the beginning of treatment on Trileptal. But I did quickly adjust over a few weeks times. I do not feel any sedation from it now. In fact, I am quite energetic and I don't sleep as well as I did before Trileptal.
>
> I am so glad you are not having any sun reactions. Good luck with your titration upwards.
> ChloeEnergy! Ooh, I want some. :) I'll try to be patient with the titration and hope I feel less tired. At the moment I'm really feeling upset about this because along with the fatigue, my brain just doesn't seem to work. My mind feels fuzzy and terribly slow and I cannot concentrate. I don't know whether to blame this on the drug, some mild "bug", or what. I suppose the answer will sort itself out with time - if the problem doesn't resolve itself or if I feel worse next time I bump up the dosage, I'll know the medicine is not right for me. Thanks for your support.
Emme
Posted by chloe on July 31, 2001, at 19:40:58
In reply to Re: Experience with trileptal?, posted by Emme on July 31, 2001, at 19:11:25
I am sorry you feel so tired. I don't know your diagnosis, but for me, a small amount (1 mg of Celexa) of an SSRI has helped enormously. I tried to use Trileptal as my mood stabilizer/AD, but it did not work for me. A little AD really made a huge amount of difference in energy level and outlook on life.
Hang in there! Med changes are very difficult, and generally make me feel sluggish and miserable. Give you body time to adjust for a few weeks if you can, then reevalute how things are going...
Keep in touch
Chloe
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