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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 20, 2005, at 15:24:06
i've read of a lot of skepticism about his approach, and i have to admit he does seem like he could just be some hollywood doctor. but i've also read that SPECT scanning can pick up certain things more obviously like the frontal lobe trouble found in neurological lyme patients. (according to a study i read study) the cost for his program is just within my reach. (i have an inheritance i never spent.) does anyone know what they use the SPECT scanning for? does it help with diagnosis. it really seems like all of my problems stem from the symptomology associated with prefrontal cortex problems... i don't know where that goes since that connects to so much, ADD, lyme, affective disorders, injury... do they consider every possibe cause because i doubt that stimulants make a good solution for lyme problems, if that were the case...
Posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:38:08
In reply to are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile?, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 20, 2005, at 15:24:06
What have you done so far to treat the Lyme disease?
Have you ever tried Zyprexa 10mg? It seems to have some positive effects on the deficits in executive function that go along with schizophrenia and depression. It might be an interesting experiment to try it for a week or two. If it doesn't work, it doesn't necessarily disprove your theory. If it does work, and you prefer not to take Zyprexa long term, you can begin to experiment with a drug like Abilify or perhaps even a combination of Remeron with another antidepressant, perhaps a TCA like nortriptyline. 5-HT2a receptor antagonism might be important. Provigil might be another drug to consider as an adjunct to antidepressants.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2005, at 20:43:45
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile? » iforgotmypassword, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:38:08
How do these meds affect chronic lyme's disease. I've taken antibiotics and have Iv Rocephin via pic line. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 4:47:44
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile? » iforgotmypassword, posted by SLS on October 20, 2005, at 18:38:08
i have no idea if i have lyme disease actually. i'm trying to eliminate all posibilities. i hope i actually do something. that or roll over and die. still can't get myself to do anything involving sequences of tasks that arent habitual or vegetative, all i can do is talk about them, forever. ugh, i'm assuming a replacement prefrontal cortex would help this? i need to test for everything imaginable but can't move.
Posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 8:45:12
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 4:47:44
Have you tried Zyprexa or Abilify? How about Lamictal?
My executive function is very much impaired - DLPFC stuff. I understand your plight only too well. Reading is a monumental task for me. Writing is much easier. Learning new things or trying to figure out novel tasks is almost impossible and becomes intimidating so that I tend to avoid them. Short term memory is terrible. Short term memory is terrible. Short term memory is terrible. Long term recall is impaired as well. I feel mentally retarded.
- Scott
Posted by med_empowered on October 21, 2005, at 9:43:10
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile » iforgotmypassword, posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 8:45:12
i hear ya on the cognitive impairment, and inability to "DO" anything. I have the same problems. Psychiatric diagnostic categories are great in the clinical setting, but they kind of fail when you're the one living with the problems...I guess these are found alot in atypical depression. Stimulants might help; I found that stimulant+mood-stabilizer (something like Trileptal) helps to smooth out the mood, reducing anxiety/agitation, and then the stimulant helps with focus. Good luck!
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 10:42:05
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile, posted by med_empowered on October 21, 2005, at 9:43:10
thanx for responding... i don't know how i am writing now. but it's not really my writing. it's a trick. it's like running back and forth out of a prison with messages written with the poorest of tools, while *drugged*, and trying to run as fast as i can to avoid the guards shooting at my kneecaps. and i'm often not successful. writing and speaking are some of the things i have most difficulty with. there is a huge block with language flow and also emotion. especially when some one is present, i go into a 'mode'. it's like i am cut off from certain parts of my brain. the only emotion i feel is anger, and i can laugh at very mindless humour that really isn't funny. really isn't, i don't understad why i laugh. this kind of leads me to wonder about more prefrontal cortex crap.
now aside from that what speaking ability i do have i EXCEL with, i have called it my CONVERSATIONAL level of functioning, and i believe it leads people to believe that i actually can function and think "i know exactly what is wrong with this lazy hypochondriacal *sshole, certainly nothing neurological." but then that and being cut off from my emotions makes it even worse. i can never ask anyone for help and tell anyone how desperate i am, because as soon as i am in the presence of someone i am anesthesitized, i am in this 'mode'.
some things i do well to some degree, like skimming for and retaining strange technical information, and my long term memory, while i have trouble, i seem to retain certain things other people don't. as for the functional aspects of my memory, it is completely useless. :( people have to repeat things to me and i still wont remember them. this always frustrates my father. and ever since my childhood i've been strongly criticized for 'not listening'. yet i am still trying to be as aware as possible.
of course, executive and 'initiative' are the worst and any task is terrible. i cant believe other people don't see this. and it's getting worse, not only can i just get myself to wear the same dirty clothes everyday, but i am always forgetting to brush my teeth, take medication, shave (which leads to a pretty awkward appearance since people often otherwise think i'm a woman)... and my apartment has been like this forever. it is both a health and a fire hazard, and things that sentimental thing that are important i am constantly finding damaged. :( god, i dont know what to do, and even if i did, i know i wouldn't have any cognitive manuever to get myself to do whatever simple task(s).
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 10:52:44
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile » iforgotmypassword, posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 8:45:12
ive tried zyprexa. i think its the antihistamine effects. i am left feeling very weak and hypersombnelent. if i remember remeron correctly it was the same thing... :( lamictal... i don't know what it did, at first i got really stupid, and laughed at everything, spoke like a machine gun, and could retain 0% (as opposed to the typical 10%) of what people said. this very much frustrated my father. that wore off and then i thought it may have been helping with anger, since when i didn't take it, kaboom! it would take me a while to make the connections. (unless they really were random outbursts)
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 10:56:36
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 10:52:44
did i mention my OVEREATING! i am always eating andalways hungry. i am gaining about 3 permanent solid pounds a week! i am almost at 150 and this is the first period in my life i have been over 140!! (i am usually 115-125.)
Posted by Declan on October 21, 2005, at 17:39:20
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 10:52:44
Hi there IFMP
You're taking Parnate and desipramine at the moment? What doses? Anything else?
Declan
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 21, 2005, at 18:54:58
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile, posted by Declan on October 21, 2005, at 17:39:20
oh no, i've been off of that for a while. i really don't know what i'm doing. i haven't seen my psychiatrist in a while an my report isn't back from the inpatient unit. i really don't know what i should be doing right now.
Posted by theo on October 22, 2005, at 15:56:02
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile » iforgotmypassword, posted by SLS on October 21, 2005, at 8:45:12
> Have you tried Zyprexa or Abilify? > - Scott
Scott,
Are you currently taking Abilify? My doc gave me a scrip I filled for 5mg tablets and wants me to start low at 2.5mg.
I've been off Cymbalta about 2 weeks now and feeling MUCH better. I didn't realize how much that med was dragging me down.
Anyway, I've never tried a med like Abilify and am scared! Should one worry about permanent tardive dyskinesia with this med?? Also, is this med quick acting or like an SSRI, where it takes up to 4 weeks to feel any effects to know if it's going to work at all for you? I don't even know what this med does and how it works? Does it increase dopamine? How does it work?
My symptoms remain the same, mild low grade depression and feeling of doom, always feeling ineffective and not as good as others, even with therapy and AA meetings (been sober 2 1/2 years). Also I believe I have some underlying ADD.
Posted by theo on October 22, 2005, at 16:02:11
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile, posted by med_empowered on October 21, 2005, at 9:43:10
> i hear ya on the cognitive impairment, and inability to "DO" anything. I have the same problems.
Did you mention before you are taking Abilify? If so, does it help with these symptoms?
Posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 17:17:58
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile » SLS, posted by theo on October 22, 2005, at 15:56:02
Hi Theo.
It's too bad Cymbalta didn't work out for you, but your story is not unique with this drug.
I am currently taking Abilify 10mg.
> Anyway, I've never tried a med like Abilify and am scared! Should one worry about permanent tardive dyskinesia with this med??Yes, one should worry. However, Abilify probably has the lowest risk factor of any of the neuroleptics available. Seroquel is very low, too. Abilify doesn't seem to enter the striatum, the portion of the brain responsible for movement. However, it does seem capable of producing anxiety, insomnia, and a mild to moderate akathisia-like side effect that usually disappears within the first two weeks.
As far as how long it takes to work, I guess that depends on what disorder you are being treated for and how recently you were stabilized on another neuroleptic drug.
How does Abilify work? For depression?
It does block dopamine D2 receptors in a fashion similar to the other neuroleptic antipsychotics. Like Geodon, it also acts as an agonist at serotonin 5-HT1a receptors. Like the other atypical antipsychotics with mood lifting properties, it also acts to block serotonin 5-HT2a receptors. Unlike any of the others, Abilify acts to stimulate as a partial agonist dopamine D2 receptors. It is this property that may confer a greater pro-dopaminergic effect and account for the reports of the ability of this drug to improve energy and motivation.
> My symptoms remain the same, mild low grade depression and feeling of doom, always feeling ineffective and not as good as others, even with therapy and AA meetings (been sober 2 1/2 years). Also I believe I have some underlying ADD.
Abilify is an interesting choice with a potential to help you a great deal. Just to reiterate, Abilify can cause a short-lived increase in anxiety and akathisia that might last a week or two. Be prepared for this startup side effect, as it is usually only temporary. Once established at a dosage of 10mg, it should rid you of the feelings of doom and act as a mild antidepressant.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by theo on October 22, 2005, at 23:45:06
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile » theo, posted by SLS on October 22, 2005, at 17:17:58
> Yes, one should worry. However, Abilify probably has the lowest risk factor of any of the neuroleptics available. Seroquel is very low, too. Abilify doesn't seem to enter the striatum, the portion of the brain responsible for movement. However, it does seem capable of producing anxiety, insomnia, and a mild to moderate akathisia-like side effect that usually disappears within the first two weeks.
>Is the risk factor really low? Can tardive dyskinesia go away with time if one gets it or is it a permanent situation. Have there been many cases documented with Abilify that you are aware of? It seems like I read somewhere on PubMed (NCBI) that Abilify helped reduce TD symptoms in people who had it from older antipsychotics. I guess it the risk factor were to high, not very many people would try it.
Posted by Cecilia on October 27, 2005, at 2:35:16
In reply to Re: are the Dr. Amen and clinics, SPECT worthwhile, posted by Declan on October 21, 2005, at 17:39:20
This thread kind of got off track:; I`d also be curious if there`s anyone out there who`s tried the Dr. Amen clinic. I`m definitely dubious, I read one of his books and from what I recall he was basically renaming anxiety, depression etc as different types of ADD but using the same meds these disorders had under their original names. Doesn`t sound like much help for those who`ve already tried most of those meds. Cecilia
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