![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3 to 27 of 27. Go back in thread:
Posted by SteelyDan on January 7, 2008, at 16:45:02
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » SteelyDan, posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2008, at 23:49:57
> I don't know what do you think? Some have said yes and some say no. So confusing is it a med or really vitamins. I know have read their website don't know what to make of it. Phillipa
From what i hear it is a highly absorbable folic acid (Methylfolate) that increases the amount of neurotransmitters to help AD's work better.
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2008, at 21:16:04
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Phillipa, posted by SteelyDan on January 7, 2008, at 16:45:02
Dan same info I have just can't understand how it could work. If you're deficient in folic acid I could understand . Very confusing to me. Phillipa
Posted by henryo on January 10, 2008, at 0:30:28
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » SteelyDan, posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2008, at 21:16:04
Hell yes it works.
Posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2008, at 22:24:23
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help??, posted by henryo on January 10, 2008, at 0:30:28
Well that is great to hear as just returned from pdoc long distance away and she prescribed Deplin 7.5mg. Should it be taken in am or pm so new to her she didn't know. Explained it as a brain food and it's being uses as the drug rep told her for Alzheimers too. She needed the phamplet and I'm the first patient she's prescribed it for in her practice. So how does it affect anxiety? Should I take half a pill tomorrow to see? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by SLS on January 11, 2008, at 6:57:22
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help??, posted by henryo on January 10, 2008, at 0:30:28
> Hell yes it works.
Woohoo!
Me too!
If I may ask, what other drugs are you taking?So glad for you...
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2008, at 10:30:10
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » henryo, posted by SLS on January 11, 2008, at 6:57:22
Scott Deplin am or pm any side effects just took 1/2 pill she gave me as has to ordered. Thanks, Phillipa
Posted by SLS on January 11, 2008, at 12:24:23
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2008, at 10:30:10
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2008, at 12:51:24
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on January 11, 2008, at 12:24:23
Scott thanks the pdoc is a she and it's me that is the patient. Again thanks so much. Love Phillipa
Posted by Cecilia on January 11, 2008, at 23:47:38
In reply to DEPLIN...Does it really help??, posted by SteelyDan on January 6, 2008, at 19:54:34
I don't understand Deplin. My folate level is normal, or was when I had it checked a couple of years ago, actually it was way higher than normal since I take vitamins. Did the clinical studies show it helped people with a normal folate level? If so, why? Or did they just do studies on people without bothering to test their folate levels first, and then, because a certain percentage of depressed people happened to have low levels, found that bringing those people's levels up to normal showed enough people improved for them to get FDA approval? I don't know what they charge for this stuff, but I bet it's a LOT more than plain old vitamins. I'm pretty sure my pdoc would laugh if I suggested it. Cecilia
Posted by SLS on January 12, 2008, at 7:11:46
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2008, at 12:51:24
> Scott thanks the pdoc is a she and it's me that is the patient. Again thanks so much. Love Phillipa
I'm afraid I don't understand.
- Scott
Posted by Emme on January 12, 2008, at 7:21:59
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help??, posted by Cecilia on January 11, 2008, at 23:47:38
Deplin is L-methylfolate. As I understand it (and if I am wrong, someone please correct me), some individuals are not able to correctly methylate the folate they take in through diet or vitamins. So their bodies are not able to use the folate properly. L-methylfolate is essentially a shortcut through that step.
My folate levels have always bee normal to high and my doctor thinks it is a good idea for me to try it.
emme
Posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2008, at 19:08:28
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on January 12, 2008, at 7:11:46
Scott what don't you understand? The she is my pdoc, I'm the patient, she prescribed Deplin 7.5mg for me. Also there is a coupon on the website you can run off and you get a discount on Deplin. Deplin then sends a card to you for future purchases according the the pharmacist. So far took 1/2 pill yesterday and today as the script had to be ordered came in but that sheet of paper that you get with your prescription refers you to the website www.deplin.com for prescribing info and there was nothing but refer to that site on the attached paper. And the pdoc had no literature to pass out. Love Phillipa
Posted by Cecilia on January 13, 2008, at 6:07:40
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Cecilia, posted by Emme on January 12, 2008, at 7:21:59
So is there any kind of test to see whether someone is able to use folate properly before they start on this expensive drug? I don't know what percent of the population is unable to metabolize folate properly, but it's probably quite rare, though I'm sure the drug company would like everyone to assume they have this problem. I'm just cynical, the Deplin website is totally uninformative. Cecilia
Posted by Cecilia on January 13, 2008, at 6:20:29
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Cecilia, posted by Emme on January 12, 2008, at 7:21:59
Actually, looking at the website again, it talks only about people with low folate levels being more likely to be depressed. It never even mentions the possibility of people with normal folate levels needing this drug or being unable to metabolize folate. Do you know why your doctor thinks it will help? Seems like if there were research on people who can't metabolize folate but still have normal levels the website would have mentioned it. Cecilia
Posted by SLS on January 13, 2008, at 7:21:46
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Emme, posted by Cecilia on January 13, 2008, at 6:20:29
Folate is not folate is not folate.
Deplin can be seen as is a legitimate drug (medical food). The semantics really don't matter, really. The body ingests folic acid and other folates all the time. However, L-methylfolate (Deplin) is the active form of folate that is used by the brain. It is normally not found in human foodstuffs. Folic acid must first be converted to L-methylfolate to be of any use by the brain. It is a very slow process - too slow. The body would need a pound of folic to equal a teaspoon of L-methylfolate. Deplin has been shown to be effective, even if a blood test shows *blood* folate to be normal.
Deplin is a drug. Don't even bother trying to replace it through nutrition. Take Deplin and see what it does for you. It's nothing that you are not doing already with other drugs. Some insurance companies already cover it through their prescription plans.
Deplin accelerates the synthesis of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. I have seen it especially effective in combination with MAOIs, even Emsam. Deplin is a bit of a surprise arrival. Clinicians have yet to assess its efficacy and side effect profile.
For me, Deplin produces no side effects with the exception of mild to moderate flatulence. There are no sexual side effects. In fact, my libido and orgasms have improved - most probably because the drug has simply and truly reduced the depression and *all* of its symptoms through its addition to the other drugs I take. Deplin should probably best be thought of as an augmentor.
You gotta' take this stuff for awhile. Some people experience a brief increase in energy for a few days during the first week of treatment when initiated at 7.5mg / day. Energy then retreats to pre-treatment levels. The true, robust antidepressant response does not occur for 4-8 weeks.
Patients with drug trials is essential to win the game. If you need to, take a break between trials if they leave you drained of tolerance to psychotropic or other side-effects. It seems to me that some people have unreasonable expectations of drugs, and go on them and then of them before giving them a 3 week trial. Don't expect to experience anything other than side effects during the first 2-4 weeks. A quality response often occurs in weeks 4-6. Do not be so intent on looking for "signs" of success or failure during the first week. I think this only induces less patients, not more.
- Scott
Posted by clipper40 on January 13, 2008, at 9:45:29
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Cecilia, posted by SLS on January 13, 2008, at 7:21:46
Deplin is only a drug because a drug company got a patent and called it a drug. Prior to that it was sold in health food stores.
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2008, at 18:41:13
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Emme, posted by Cecilia on January 13, 2008, at 6:07:40
I do agree about the website and Scott where did you get more info as my doc didn't even understand? She kept picking up her one brochure and reading it and only one box of pills with one pill to try? Love Phillipa ps the coupon saved me a third as I have medicaire and isn't covered by it.
Posted by brooke484 on January 13, 2008, at 21:45:14
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? » Cecilia, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2008, at 18:41:13
If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay? I paid $41 and that was through insurance. Just curious how much of a discount you get with the coupon.
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 0:03:08
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? - phillipa, posted by brooke484 on January 13, 2008, at 21:45:14
I paid about the same a third off the price of $60 some odd dollars at the pharmacy I use a chain but medicaire doesn't pay a dime toward it. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 0:05:08
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? - phillipa, posted by brooke484 on January 13, 2008, at 21:45:14
Brooke if your insurance paid you shouldn't have to pay much at all depending on what your insurance paid as I said a third off so $40 some odd dollars I paid with the coupon. Phillipa
Posted by brooke484 on January 14, 2008, at 11:16:53
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? - phillipa, posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 0:05:08
Deplin is a "non preferred brand" so they only pay a little bit. I guess a little is better than nothing at all. And if it works then I don't care what I have to pay. I'm desperate!
brooke
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 20:06:31
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? - phillipa, posted by brooke484 on January 14, 2008, at 11:16:53
Brooke what is the preferred brand this becomes more confusing by the minute to me. Phillipa ps so far nothing bad.
Posted by brooke484 on January 14, 2008, at 22:48:49
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? - phillipa » brooke484, posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2008, at 20:06:31
A "non-preferred" brand means there are other options (prescription folic acid, for example, instead of Deplin). Marplan is also considered a "non-preferred" durg according to my insurance. Those drugs are $50 a month and the "preferred" drugs are $30 for the brand name or $5 for generic. It's not right that they decide which drugs are "preferred" or "non-preferred", but what can you do?
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2008, at 0:00:28
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? - phillipa, posted by brooke484 on January 14, 2008, at 22:48:49
But I am thick I guess as I don't understand if your folic acid is not tested and found to be low why Deplin or folic acid. I'm taking deplin and felt better today hemoglobin hematocrit are within normal limits as well as white blood cells. Who would test and why for folic acid? So why just give a med for it and not know? I just don't understand. Love Phillip nerd of the month.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 16, 2008, at 17:14:41
In reply to Re: DEPLIN...Does it really help?? - phillipa » brooke484, posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2008, at 0:00:28
My endocrinologist tested me for Homocysteine and he said this was the best indicator for folate deficiency. Mine was 5.3, <10 is normal range.
Also a high homocysteine can be related to a vitamin B-12 deficiency. A friend of mine recently had his homocysteine and B-12 levels tested, the homocysteine was around 15, the B-12 was under 200 which is bottom of normal. So he is being prescribed B-12 and folate supplementation based on these values. B-12 can be given orally and there is no need for an injection, unless you are missing an intrinsic
factor from stomach surgery or an absorption problem (Pernicious anemia). All this I read after researching homocysteine via google, so lots of inforamation on the WWW.It is known that the B vitamins can be related to all kinds of neurological conditions including depression, anxiety and dementia. Best to have levels tested to make sure are WNL.
An elevated homocysteine also can be related to cardiac function and may be an indicator of problems in the cardiocvascular system, so best to have it tested.
stargazer
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.