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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PCH on June 24, 2004, at 16:44:37
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS, posted by sooshi on May 22, 2004, at 8:29:11
Hi Sooshi, Your posts are very encouraging. Like most posters here I've tried just about everything. Currenting I am on 20mg of Marplan which is just keeping my head above water.
My Pdoc has prescribed Zonegran (50mg twice a day for first two weeks increasing to 100mg twice a day) to help with the weight gain and hopefully add to the antidepressant effect of Marplan.
I am extremely sensitive to all meds and normally start out very slowing working my way up to a therapeutic dose.
How long did it take you to build up to 200mg? What was your starting dose and how long did you stay there before making an increase?
Any other thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Hope you keep "going strong" with this one. Thanks, Phil
Posted by sooshi on June 24, 2004, at 22:47:57
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » sooshi, posted by PCH on June 24, 2004, at 16:44:37
Hi Phil,
I'm glad you've found my posts encouraging! I hope the Zonegran works out for you. It is a very "clean" drug, with very few side effects, so hopefully you won't have to deal with any sensitivity problems.
I started out with 50mg once a day for a few days, then went to 100mg, and so on up to 200mg, which is where I've been at since about mid March. I'd say it took only about 2 weeks to get to 200mg, but I'm not all that sensitive to meds anymore.
I'm still feeling great on this drug, and only have good things to say about it! I only hope it works out as well for you. Keep me posted, and let me know if you have any more questions,
Sooshi
Posted by PCH on June 26, 2004, at 20:32:02
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » PCH, posted by sooshi on June 24, 2004, at 22:47:57
Thanks for your reply sooshi.
I have had atypical unipolar depression for over 20 years. In additon to helping with the weight gain I am hoping the Zonegran will add to the antidepressant effect of the Marplan which at the moment seems to be pooping out.
Have you noticed any antidepressant effects from zone and if so how long did it take before they became apparent.
I really do appreciate your comments as there really seems to be very little information available about this med. Best, Phil
Posted by sooshi on June 27, 2004, at 9:35:51
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS, posted by PCH on June 26, 2004, at 20:32:02
Hi Phil,
As for the antidepressant effects of Zonegran...that is what I am actually most impressed with. It seems to have lifted my depression in a way that I haven't experienced in over 15 years, and that's no exaggeration! I sincerely don't know what's going on here, but since starting Z, I am actually able to experience moments of happiness, energy, ability to focus, etc! I still have my moments of down-time, but I'm able to see that they are just "moments" and not "who I am". I think it took about a month before I started feeling the effects, so hang in there! Are you having any side effects?
For some reason, it's working for me...maybe it's adding to the AD effects of the Effexor, which I've been on for ages.
I was diagnosed as Unipolar or Major Depressive until the past few years...now I believe I'm correctly diagnosed as Bipolar II. I've had more than a few hypomanic episodes, and the mood stabilizers really seem to help me.
Zonegran is helping with my appetite in that I feel much more "full" before I finish a meal, and I also just don't feel all that hungry at lunchtime anymore...or, I'll get something to eat, then sit down, and won't want to eat it. It is also helping with food cravings...I can keep myself from eating those sugary, tasty foods a lot easier now.
Anyway, hope this helps a little!
Sooshi
Posted by rockette on June 27, 2004, at 18:49:36
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » PCH, posted by sooshi on June 27, 2004, at 9:35:51
Glad to finally hook into a Zonegran link!! Am switching from Topamax to Zonegran for migraine control. Did you taper off the Topamax? I've been decreasing my dosage for the past three weeks and the migraines have been increasing tremendously--am afraid if I go down to no meds before starting Zonegran I'll be smashing my skull in with head pain.
Posted by sooshi on June 27, 2004, at 19:30:51
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS, posted by rockette on June 27, 2004, at 18:49:36
Hi rockette!
I did very little tapering off of Topamax (400mg)...actually my pdoc said I didn't need to taper at all, but I decided to go down 50mgs every other day, or something like that. I quit cold turkey at the last 50mgs with no side effects at all, and promptly started the Zonegran that day.
What dosage are you down to on the Topa? If you're at the 25-50mg mark, ask your pdoc about dropping the Topa and starting the Zonegran. I've read a couple of other posts where Topa has just been stopped, with no ill effects.
Good luck to you, and keep me posted,
Sooshi
Posted by PCH on June 27, 2004, at 22:24:01
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » PCH, posted by sooshi on June 27, 2004, at 9:35:51
Thanks again Sooshi. Your information is VERY helpful in addition to being encouraging.
I have yet to start the Zonegran as I am having some kind of toxic effect from the Marplan which I am trying to figure out with my Pdoc.
I would like to add on the Z as soon as possible though until we can sort out the Marplan situation he doesn't want to add anything new to the mix so as to avoid possible confusion as to what is doing what.
Though this is a common situation and I have been through it many times,I find it very frustrating. Particulary after hearing the success you are having with the med. I see him Tuesday and will hope to get some direction as to where to go next. An SSRI plus Zonegran seems like a reasonable option.
I have not had success with mood stablizers in the past though if I am to switch drugs I may be able to add in the the Zonegran during the transition and hopfully realize some benefit before starting another AD.
I am so pleased to hear how well it is working for you. This gives myself and others hope.
Phil
Posted by barney27 on June 27, 2004, at 22:48:08
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS, posted by rockette on June 27, 2004, at 18:49:36
Rockette:
I've been trying to post a response, but I'm not sure if it worked. It this comes twice, I apologize! I was on Topamax for back pain, not migraines. (I'm on Verapamil for migraines). I stopped Topamax cold turkey before my back surgery in February. Now, I'm on Zonegran for nerve pain after back surgery. I was on about 50-75 mg before surgery. My Dr. did not tell me to taper off, so talk to yours before you put yourself through the pain of stepping down. The Zonegran, however, took me about 4 weeks to get up to my current dosage, which is 400 mg. You don't want to double up the meds, but you don't want too much lag time in between either.
Good luck! Barney
Posted by SLS on June 28, 2004, at 17:11:02
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » PCH, posted by sooshi on June 27, 2004, at 9:35:51
Hi Sooshi.
> As for the antidepressant effects of Zonegran...that is what I am actually most impressed with. It seems to have lifted my depression in a way that I haven't experienced in over 15 years, and that's no exaggeration! I sincerely don't know what's going on here, but since starting Z, I am actually able to experience moments of happiness, energy, ability to focus, etc! I still have my moments of down-time, but I'm able to see that they are just "moments" and not "who I am". I think it took about a month before I started feeling the effects, so hang in there!This is exciting news!
Because of your posts, I think I might give Zonegran another try. I stopped it the first time after only two weeks after I reported severe itching to my doctor. However, I'm not convinced that it was the Zonegran. It may have been the Strattera that I began taking around the same time.
Do you experience mania or mood swings, or have you been continuously depressed? Would you say that Zonegran has produced a powerful antidepressant effect?
I experience only depression, but it is suspected to be bipolar because I have had a few manic reactions to medications before.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Be well.
- Scott
Posted by rockette on June 28, 2004, at 19:29:22
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » sooshi, posted by SLS on June 28, 2004, at 17:11:02
I swear I'm in medication hell right now. Had some surgery on my throat and am taking a mixture of meds for that (antibiotics which ALWAYS give me headaches and steroids which do wonders for burning up the stomach!!) Two more days of this then I can go back to attempting to switch to Zonegran. Afraid to make too many changes at once or I won't know how to judge "side-effects" or good effects!! I had been taking Wellbutrin with the Topamax and it was very effective for migraines except for the Topamax side-effects. Was wondering if anyone knows how Zonegran and Wellbutrin work together? Sounds like they are both "happiness" pills!! All I want is to be rid of the headaches!! Sorry for the long post!
Posted by rockette on June 28, 2004, at 19:42:54
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS...and Wellbutrin?, posted by rockette on June 28, 2004, at 19:29:22
Please hope no one takes offense by the "happiness" pill remark. I've done the depression scene myself and although am not diagnosed bipolar I'm sure the Wellbutrin has made that aspect of my life easier. It really has worked well with the Topamax for the headaches and if it weren't for other side-effects I wouldn't be searching for an alternative.
Posted by dazed on June 29, 2004, at 13:11:03
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS...and Wellbutrin?, posted by rockette on June 28, 2004, at 19:29:22
I take 300 mg Zonegran and 300 Wellbutrin XL (or is it XR?). Anyway, I take Zonegran for migraines, Wellbutrin for OCD. The Zonegran doesn't work as well as topomax, but I was getting too stupid on topomax, so I switched. I'm not as stupid on Zonegran, but I can go up to 600 mg on Zonegran and am only on 300 mg so far, so I have a way to go if I'm not as happy with the results. This week I seem to be doing better with the migraines (this is my 5th week on Zonegran).
I'm hoping I can stay at 300 mg because I really have no side effects at 300 mg.
Posted by dazed on June 29, 2004, at 13:13:30
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS...and Wellbutrin?, posted by rockette on June 28, 2004, at 19:29:22
I forgot...I don't really think the Wellbutrin works on my depression very well, so I'm going to add Celexa soon and see if that helps some.
Posted by rockette on June 29, 2004, at 13:24:34
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS...and Wellbutrin?, posted by dazed on June 29, 2004, at 13:11:03
> I take 300 mg Zonegran and 300 Wellbutrin XL (or is it XR?). Anyway, I take Zonegran for migraines, Wellbutrin for OCD. The Zonegran doesn't work as well as topomax, but I was getting too stupid on topomax, so I switched. I'm not as stupid on Zonegran, but I can go up to 600 mg on Zonegran and am only on 300 mg so far, so I have a way to go if I'm not as happy with the results. This week I seem to be doing better with the migraines (this is my 5th week on Zonegran).
>
> I'm hoping I can stay at 300 mg because I really have no side effects at 300 mg.Thank you for the feedback. I will enjoy losing the "stupids" -- or at least the tendency to forget people's names and what I was saying mid-sentence!! But losing the early morning migraines is the major concern at this point.
Posted by dazed on June 29, 2004, at 15:46:59
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS...and Wellbutrin? » dazed, posted by rockette on June 29, 2004, at 13:24:34
For the first time in about 25 years, I have awaken with no migraine and/or daily headache. I think it is getting better on the higher dose.
I wish you much luck!
Posted by sooshi on June 29, 2004, at 20:42:29
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » sooshi, posted by SLS on June 28, 2004, at 17:11:02
Hi Scott,
Yes, I remember when I first started Zonegran and was requesting info, reading your post to me about how it didn't work out for you! I'm glad you are thinking of giving it another try!
For me, Zonegran has produced quite a powerful antidepressant effect, more so than anything I have ever tried before. I had been taking Effexor XR for approx 4yrs, just barely keeping my head above water, supplementing it with just about every kind of drug there is (SSRI's, AP's, TC's, MS's...) anything to relieve the severe depression I was living with.
I would have occasional hypomanic states, where I would become exceptionally active, irritable, anxious...but not truly manic, so my diagnosis has been BPII, instead of Major Depressive, which is what it was for the past 15 years.
Finally, the pdoc said, let's try Zonegran (because we had been thru just about everything else)...we'll experiment with it together (he only had a few patients on it). And I tell you, within 2 months, I felt like heavy blankets were coming off my body, ya know? It's still so fresh, that I still get freaked out by it...it's almost UNREAL, or even UNCOMFORTABLE to feel like.......NOT LIKE DYING EVERY DAY.
ANYWAY, for some reason, Zonegran has stabilized my moods, has produced a really strong antidepressant effect for me, with little to no side effects - what more could I ask for? Of course, I still take Effexor XR, so it's probably the combo of both. And so far (knock on wood) I haven't experienced the dreaded poop-out!
Let me know if you decide to try it again!
Sooshi
Posted by SLS on June 30, 2004, at 5:48:42
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » SLS, posted by sooshi on June 29, 2004, at 20:42:29
Hi Sooshi.
Thanks for the reply. I became interested to try Zonegran again because of your posts. Your antidepressant response to it is very exciting.
I tried getting through to my doctor on Monday to ask him if I could try Zonegran again. I didn't hear from him, so I think I'll try again today. I am not sure he will want to go with it at this juncture, though. At my last visit, we agreed that Cymbalta (duloxetine) should be the next drug I try. He said that he was to be given a supply of Cymbalta in two or three weeks. He was chosen by Eli Lilly to be one of the clinical researchers to perform open label trials before its final release, which is still expected by the drug company to occur sometime this summer. I am apprehensive that he won't get it now because the FDA has pushed back the actionable date for approval until late September. If this is true, I think Zonegran would be the right thing for me to try in the interim.
My best wishes to you that you keep feeling better and better!
Thanks again.
- Scott
Posted by sooshi on June 30, 2004, at 9:25:22
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » sooshi, posted by SLS on June 30, 2004, at 5:48:42
My pdoc was also very anxious to get me on Cymbalta, since I was on the max dose of Effexor and had just about run out of options of what to add to it. I think he would still prefer to see me on Cymbalta, but I don't want to mess with switching at this point, since I'm doing so well with the Eff/Zon combo, unless I start to get the dreaded "poop-out" - it's a shame that we just expect this to start happening now...
Good luck and let me know what you decide to do!
Sooshi
Posted by SLS on June 30, 2004, at 13:43:43
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » SLS, posted by sooshi on June 30, 2004, at 9:25:22
> Good luck and let me know what you decide to do!
> Sooshi
Hi Sooshi.I spoke to my doctor this morning, and he is letting me start taking Zonegran today. I just filled the prescription. Woohoo!
How fast did you work up to 200mg? I'm going to start at 100mg. It would be soooo cool if this stuff were to work for me. I want it so bad, I can taste it.
My doctor didn't think that the FDA decision to push back its "actionable" date on Cymbalta will impact on its schedule for approval. The manufacturer still expects it "sometime this summer".
Thanks for your kind replies.
- Scott
Posted by snapper on June 30, 2004, at 14:12:05
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » sooshi, posted by SLS on June 30, 2004, at 13:43:43
Scott, Good luck with Zonegran!!
Posted by sooshi on June 30, 2004, at 15:18:53
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » sooshi, posted by SLS on June 30, 2004, at 13:43:43
Oh yea! I'm so excited for you! But, jeez, now I'm really nervous, cuz if it doesn't work out for you, man will I feel guilty for building up the "greatness" of Zonegran!! Well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, too! Just be patient for the titration upwards....the only side effects I had were sleepiness and maybe some dry mouth. I started out at either 25 or 50mgs and worked my way up rather quickly, since I wasn't experiencing any problems, about every 3rd day. I would definately take it slower, or start at a lower dose if you experience any uncomfortable side effects...you want this stuff to work, so do whatever it takes to let your body get adjusted!
Again, good luck, and keep me posted,
Sooshi
Posted by 4mygrls on June 30, 2004, at 15:54:22
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » SLS, posted by sooshi on June 30, 2004, at 15:18:53
i see him tomorrow so we'll see. i'm scared though. i have taken topomax,trileptal and lamictal and had bad reactions to all of them. i got extremely emotional. i never knew if i was going to have a good day or not. i would get very irritable and agitated. i would get very angry and unreasonable. i definatly couldn't let things slide off my back like usual.basically i was a bitch and couldn't help it. plus i would take things people said and read into them and think it was bad about me(paranoia).I'm on lithium(basically just started). I don't know if i should ask him about the zonegran or stay with the lithium. i also take klonopin and wellbutrin xl. i want something that will keep me stable. i don't have manic like the super energy manic. I get agitated,paranoid,inner anxiety like i'm going crazy. then i'm depressed. then i'm not as depressed. right now i'm at the not as depressed stage. i just got over the crazy stage. i'm also thinking of asking for abilify or something like it for the crazy feeling and staying with the lithium and well and klon. but lithium scares me. ughhhh, someone please tell me what to do? does anyone have those similar experiences with meds like i did? the thing that scares me the most with the moodstabilizers is that the ones i have tried keep me in the state of craziness more often.why is that? thanks for your patience guys.
Posted by sooshi on June 30, 2004, at 19:01:16
In reply to i'm thinking of asking my pdoc for zonegran now., posted by 4mygrls on June 30, 2004, at 15:54:22
If you think you can stand it, give the Lithium a trial run, but I know what you mean about mood stabilizers...I'm actually allergic to Lithium, Tegretol and Trileptal, but I've taken them all and had unpleasant results. But many people have had such excellent stabilizing results from Lithium, especially if they are truly BPI...I think it works great for mania.
When I took Lamictal, it did nothing at all...I couldn't even tell I was taking anything. As for Topomax - what a drag that was. A nightmare of side effects for such small benefit...very little mood stabilization and some weight loss.
I don't think it would hurt to go ahead and mention the Zonegran to your doctor, that you have heard it has great mood stabilizing and antidepressant effects, all with few side effects. At least you two could be considering it in case the Lithium doesn't work out?
Good luck to you, and let me know what you decide!
Sooshi
Posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 13:10:45
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS » SLS, posted by sooshi on June 30, 2004, at 15:18:53
Hi.
Oh well. I guess it was just wishful thinking. I have developed intense itching again while taking Zonegran. The itching usually begins after a shower and lasts for up to an hour afterwards. When I was younger, I experienced exactly the same thing with the tricyclics. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I am leaning in favor of continuing with Zonegran and hope that this side effect will dissipate. Of course, I also hope that it cures my depression!
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by sooshi on July 2, 2004, at 17:53:59
In reply to Re: ZONEGRAN WORKS WONDERS - Itching?, posted by SLS on July 2, 2004, at 13:10:45
Oh man! Are you allergic to any sulfa drugs, such as Bactrim or Septra??? If so, you can't take Zonegran! It's contraindicated. It might be what's causing your itching. Can you ask your doctor to be tested for this type of allergy, if you don't know whether or not you're allergic to sulfa drugs?
If not, I'd keep on taking it, and see what happens, as long as you DO NOT get a rash, because Zonegran has been implicated with SJS too, unfortunately. Please keep me informed!
Sooshi
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