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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 29. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ed_uk on October 20, 2005, at 15:10:08
Hi Scott,
When are you starting your dexamethasone trial?
~ed
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:06:15
In reply to The official SLS thread, posted by ed_uk on October 20, 2005, at 15:10:08
Hi Ed.
> When are you starting your dexamethasone trial?
I'm going to wait until Saturday (10-22-2005) to begin dexamethasone treatment. I will be taking 4mg for four consecutive days while remaining on my previous treatment regime.
Lamictal 150mg
Parnate 80mg
nortriptyline 100mg
Abilify 10mg
Keppra 1000mgI am not so excited about this treatment. I stumbled upon it while researching mifepristone. I would much rather have tried mifepristone first. Unfortunately, the FDA has provided me with an obstacle to getting it. There is some disagreement between agencies, but the FDA currently is asking my doctor to provide an IRB (institutional review board), something that the drug distributor denies is a requirement. I guess we'll wait until we see how the dexamethasone trial goes before pursuing mifepristone any further. If the FDA representative is wrong (which I strongly suspect), I should have the mifepristone in about a month. If he is right, I might have to locate another doctor willing to oversee the treatment. I already have one in mind whom I consulted with earlier this year. He is quite interested in my case and would have an IRB, as he is the chief of staff at a major university hospital. I would rather see my doctor have the opportunity to write up the case, though, should it be successful.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2005, at 18:35:14
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:06:15
Scott when you were on trileptal didn't it help your depression for a while? I've just started it but my pdoc said it would help with anxiety. Confused. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 19:41:02
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » SLS, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2005, at 18:35:14
> Scott when you were on trileptal didn't it help your depression for a while? I've just started it but my pdoc said it would help with anxiety. Confused. Fondly, Phillipa
Yes, I experienced a wonderful antidepressant effect that lasted for a few days before it plateaued and faded.
Will Trileptal help with anxiety?
I'm not sure. It seems that depression and anxiety disorders have some common biological underpinnings. Very often, the same drugs are found to be effective treatments for both.
With many newer drugs, the range of conditions that each will be found to treat effectively has yet to be fully explored. I have not yet heard of the use of Trileptal as an antianxiety drug. However, other anticonvulsants have proven effective in the past. Among them are Neurontin and Depakote. So, there is some precedent for using anticonvulsants for certain types of anxiety.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2005, at 20:25:21
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » Phillipa, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 19:41:02
Scott wish I'd known that a few weeks ago. She suggested neurotin then. I'll remember this as I have to find a new pdoc in Charlotte. Hey do your doctors know anyone? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 22:06:44
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » SLS, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2005, at 20:25:21
> Scott wish I'd known that a few weeks ago. She suggested neurotin then. I'll remember this as I have to find a new pdoc in Charlotte. Hey do your doctors know anyone? Fondly, Phillipa
A friend of mine with bipolar disorder uses a Dr. Humphrey in Charlotte, NC. I don't know anything about him.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2005, at 22:42:45
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 22:06:44
Scott, I appreciate that. How is your friend doing? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 8:39:17
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » SLS, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2005, at 22:42:45
> Scott, I appreciate that. How is your friend doing? Fondly, Phillipa
She seems to have double depression with soft bipolar features. She has been hypomanic only briefly when she was younger. Otherwise, she has been either dysthymic or in an episode of major depression. The major depression is well controlled with Wellbutrin. However, the chronic dysthymia remains. She is quite functional, however.
I have a difficult time drawing an impression of her doctor (Dr. Humphrey). She doesn't talk about him much, and she refuses to undergo any more drug trials until a treatment she considers novel and effective emerges. I guess she can afford to do this, as her depression is "minor".
If this doctor is not in a position to take on new patients, try to get him to please recommend another. I find that this usually increases your odds of getting a good one.
I'll just e-mailed my friend for you to get his full name. I imagine you could find him in the phone book, though. I also asked her for the names of any other psychiatrists that she deems adequate.
- Scott
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on October 21, 2005, at 15:10:02
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » Phillipa, posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 8:39:17
... the most knowledgable person on this site, as far as science and meds. the knowledge and experiences he shares are astounding.
we are truly blessed to have SLS. on behalf of all, we appreciate your big heart, and your willingness and desire to help others.
Posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 15:44:22
In reply to Re: SLS could be ..., posted by UgottaHaveHope on October 21, 2005, at 15:10:02
Posted by ed_uk on October 21, 2005, at 15:48:35
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:06:15
Hi Scott
>10-22-2005
Tomorrow. It might be useful to have a benzo or another sleep aid in case dexamethasone causes insomnia. If you react badly to dexamethasone, Zyprexa might be useful.
>Keppra 1000mg
I didn't realise you were still taking Keppra. I thought you'd decided to d/c it.
Regards
~Ed
Posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 16:25:28
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » SLS, posted by ed_uk on October 21, 2005, at 15:48:35
Thanks, Ed.
> Tomorrow. It might be useful to have a benzo or another sleep aid in case dexamethasone causes insomnia.
Thanks. I was planning to.
> If you react badly to dexamethasone, Zyprexa might be useful.
I am pretty scared to swallow that first pill. I don't know what to expect. I'm currently taking Abilify, but I keep Zyprexa on hand for emergencies.
> > Keppra 1000mg
> I didn't realise you were still taking Keppra. I thought you'd decided to d/c it.I had, but I found that it was producing a slight improvement that I didn't feel like doing without. Every little bit counts.
So what's up with you? Are you happy with your current treatment regime? Last you mentioned, you were pretty happy with the way things were going.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on October 21, 2005, at 16:39:37
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » ed_uk, posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 16:25:28
Hi Scott,
Best of luck for tomorrow :-)
>Are you happy with your current treatment regime?
Yes, generally. I'm taking citalopram 80mg at the moment. I took 12.5mg amitriptyline about an hour ago so I need to go to bed soon!
~Ed
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2005, at 17:19:43
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » Phillipa, posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 8:39:17
Scott you're a doll! If you Babblemail me I'll give you my E-mail address and she can E-mail me too. Love your friend Phillipa/PJ/Jan
Posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 6:29:16
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:06:15
Damn it.
The pharmacy forgot to fill my prescription for dexamethasone. Over the phone, they informed me that my doctor had called in the prescription. I hope they just forgot to include it in with the rest of my prescriptions. Otherwise, I will have to wait until Tuesday 10-25-2005 to start it.
>:-<
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 11:53:03
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 6:29:16
> Damn it.
>
> The pharmacy forgot to fill my prescription for dexamethasone. Over the phone, they informed me that my doctor had called in the prescription. I hope they just forgot to include it in with the rest of my prescriptions. Otherwise, I will have to wait until Tuesday 10-25-2005 to start it.
>
> >:-<
All fixed.:-)
I started today.
- Scott
Posted by rod on October 22, 2005, at 11:54:06
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 11:53:03
> > Damn it.
> >
> > The pharmacy forgot to fill my prescription for dexamethasone. Over the phone, they informed me that my doctor had called in the prescription. I hope they just forgot to include it in with the rest of my prescriptions. Otherwise, I will have to wait until Tuesday 10-25-2005 to start it.
> >
> > >:-<
>
>
> All fixed.
>
> :-)
>
> I started today.
>
>
> - Scotthehe :-)
Good Luck!
bye
Roland
Posted by emme on October 22, 2005, at 12:46:56
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 11:53:03
Posted by ed_uk on October 22, 2005, at 15:09:06
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 11:53:03
Hi Scott,
How do you feel? What dose did you take?
~Ed
Posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 15:34:40
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » SLS, posted by ed_uk on October 22, 2005, at 15:09:06
> Hi Scott,
>
> How do you feel? What dose did you take?
>
> ~EdI'll be taking 2mg b.i.d. for 4 days.
I took my first dose this morning. So far, I feel somewhat fatigued, but that could be due to my having gone out to do some shopping.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on October 22, 2005, at 15:47:54
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 15:34:40
Hi Scott,
Perhaps an AD effect will appear when you stop the dexamethasone, but not during treatment.
~ed
Posted by theo on October 23, 2005, at 0:03:06
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:06:15
> Lamictal 150mg
> Parnate 80mg
> nortriptyline 100mg
> Abilify 10mg
> Keppra 1000mg
>Hey Scott,
I thought you stopped the Keppra, did you finally get some results from it?
Posted by SLS on October 23, 2005, at 0:17:15
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » SLS, posted by ed_uk on October 22, 2005, at 15:47:54
> Hi Scott,
>
> Perhaps an AD effect will appear when you stop the dexamethasone, but not during treatment.Wouldn't that be cool?
I guess we'll soon find out. As tested, I am a DST non-suppressor and have high salivary cortisol.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 23, 2005, at 0:22:39
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » SLS, posted by theo on October 23, 2005, at 0:03:06
> > Lamictal 150mg
> > Parnate 80mg
> > nortriptyline 100mg
> > Abilify 10mg
> > Keppra 1000mg
> Hey Scott,
>
> I thought you stopped the Keppra, did you finally get some results from it?
Yes, Theo, I had stopped it. When I realized that I had felt slightly better at 1000mg, I returned to it. It doesn't help much, but even a little bit can be a lot sometimes.It is possible that Keppra has a therapeutic window of efficacy. Perhaps dosages of 2000mg and above are counterproductive. I don't know. Regardless, I am not expecting any further improvement from it.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on October 23, 2005, at 11:37:40
In reply to Re: The official SLS thread » ed_uk, posted by SLS on October 23, 2005, at 0:17:15
Hi Scott,
>As tested, I am a DST non-suppressor
Perhaps you will 'suppress' eventually after taking dexamethasone for a short while.
~Ed
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