Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1045570

Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

how about Riluzole?

Posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 1:40:29

for treatment-resistant OCD ..?

I know it's prohibitively expensive, but does anyone have any positive experiences using the drug? Studies are promising ..

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » g_g_g_unit

Posted by SLS on June 20, 2013, at 5:07:11

In reply to how about Riluzole?, posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 1:40:29

> for treatment-resistant OCD ..?
>
> I know it's prohibitively expensive, but does anyone have any positive experiences using the drug? Studies are promising ..

You might want to take a look at minocycline first.


- Scott

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » SLS

Posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 6:13:47

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole? » g_g_g_unit, posted by SLS on June 20, 2013, at 5:07:11

Scott, I have a box of Minocycline sitting in my cupboard but wasn't able to trial it because I accidentally overused an OTC nausea product containing paracetemol -- the end result was a liver infection which I'm waiting to die down.

What makes you think Minocycline might help OCD/anxiety? There's a pilot trial recruiting for OCD at the moment, but one specialist I e-mailed didn't think it would be very helpful.

 

Re: how about Riluzole?

Posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 6:20:12

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole? » SLS, posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 6:13:47

I found this -- results from an open-label trial of Minocycline in OCD.

"22% had a 40% to 46% YBOCS reduction at 12 weeks; the group as a whole did not have a significant change in YBOCS score."

http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/10/1/43/table/T3

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » g_g_g_unit

Posted by SLS on June 20, 2013, at 9:32:27

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole?, posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 6:20:12

> I found this -- results from an open-label trial of Minocycline in OCD.
>
> "22% had a 40% to 46% YBOCS reduction at 12 weeks; the group as a whole did not have a significant change in YBOCS score."
>
> http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/10/1/43/table/T3

Hmm.

If riluzole were effective, I thought minocycline might be worth exploring because of its antiglutamatergic properties. I guess not.

Is there still work being done with memantine? Memantine is another drug with antiglutamatergic effects. It binds to the NMDA receptor.

How does your OCD manifest?


- Scott

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » SLS

Posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 10:08:15

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole? » g_g_g_unit, posted by SLS on June 20, 2013, at 9:32:27

> > I found this -- results from an open-label trial of Minocycline in OCD.
> >
> > "22% had a 40% to 46% YBOCS reduction at 12 weeks; the group as a whole did not have a significant change in YBOCS score."
> >
> > http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/10/1/43/table/T3
>
> Hmm.
>
> If riluzole were effective, I thought minocycline might be worth exploring because of its antiglutamatergic properties. I guess not.

Do you know if Riluzole has the same potential as other anti-glutamatergics to cause dissociative/cognitive side-effects?


>
> Is there still work being done with memantine? Memantine is another drug with antiglutamatergic effects. It binds to the NMDA receptor.
>

The last time I checked up, a promising double-blind trial had been completed in Iran. However, I gave up on pursuing Memantine after it exacerbated anxiety in me, despite giving numerous doses a couple of weeks respectively to produce a response.

From what I've read though, Memantine, NAC (which also didn't work) and Riluzole all reduce glutamate through different mechanisms, so if one didn't work, it doesn't rule out the possibility that another might.

> How does your OCD manifest?
>

It's what's referred to as (somewhat misleadingly, I guess) "Pure O" -- mostly mental obsessions, few physical compulsions. Also accompanied by *a lot* of phobic avoidance, hyperarousal and, for the past 2-3 years, ongoing feels of depersonalization/derealization.

I have comorbid ADD. When my attention's improved, it gives me better control over the obsessions, but it's definitely no panacea.

 

Re: how about Riluzole?

Posted by Willful on June 21, 2013, at 12:47:00

In reply to how about Riluzole?, posted by g_g_g_unit on June 20, 2013, at 1:40:29

I seem to be the only one around here who's used it successfully. It made a difference to me, when I added it to a moderately successful regimen. It somehow made a significant difference in my optimism and sense of well-being.

My treatment is more centered around depression than OCD, but I have lots of times when my thoughts are really obsessively bad, and I can't stop thinking about whatever it is. It's never been a focus for me, and I cant' say the rilutek (riluzole) has or hasn't affected that.

But I do really recommend it for depression.

It's expensive but I generally had the idea that it had come more in line with other expensive drugs- ridiculously overpriced but not so much more so.

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » Willful

Posted by rovers95 on June 21, 2013, at 17:12:29

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole?, posted by Willful on June 21, 2013, at 12:47:00

> I seem to be the only one around here who's used it successfully. It made a difference to me, when I added it to a moderately successful regimen. It somehow made a significant difference in my optimism and sense of well-being.
>
> My treatment is more centered around depression than OCD, but I have lots of times when my thoughts are really obsessively bad, and I can't stop thinking about whatever it is. It's never been a focus for me, and I cant' say the rilutek (riluzole) has or hasn't affected that.
>
> But I do really recommend it for depression.
>
> It's expensive but I generally had the idea that it had come more in line with other expensive drugs- ridiculously overpriced but not so much more so.
>
>

No, I second that, pulled me out of my depression when I thought nothing would help, think it was late 2006 (will show in posts).

Took a while (maybe a month) to work, I had a good couple of years after, think any problems are now focused around blood sugar issues.

Cheers

Rover

 

Re: how about Riluzole?

Posted by sigismund on June 21, 2013, at 17:19:12

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole? » Willful, posted by rovers95 on June 21, 2013, at 17:12:29

This isn't about excitotoxicity? NMDA receptors and such?

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » Willful

Posted by g_g_g_unit on June 21, 2013, at 22:45:05

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole?, posted by Willful on June 21, 2013, at 12:47:00

> I seem to be the only one around here who's used it successfully. It made a difference to me, when I added it to a moderately successful regimen. It somehow made a significant difference in my optimism and sense of well-being.
>
> My treatment is more centered around depression than OCD, but I have lots of times when my thoughts are really obsessively bad, and I can't stop thinking about whatever it is. It's never been a focus for me, and I cant' say the rilutek (riluzole) has or hasn't affected that.
>
> But I do really recommend it for depression.
>
> It's expensive but I generally had the idea that it had come more in line with other expensive drugs- ridiculously overpriced but not so much more so.
>
>

Thanks Willful, that's helpful to know. I realize you said you're targeting depression, but do you notice any effect on anxiety symptoms other than OCD?

Also, what dose are you taking and have you noticed any cognitive/dissociative side-effects? I realize the latter can be an issue with drugs that suppress glutamate (e.g. Memantine).

 

Re: how about Riluzole?

Posted by Willful on June 22, 2013, at 13:41:11

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole? » Willful, posted by g_g_g_unit on June 21, 2013, at 22:45:05

Hi g_g_g_

I think the effect on anxiety is part of why it's useful. At least for me, I felt not really more relaxed per se-- but more equanimity--less subject to my anxiety shooting up--and therefore more able to take on things..

I also haven't noticed any dissociative or cognitive side effects-- but I tend not to attribute things to drugs-- unless the effect is right after I start taking the drug --or, if it's pronounced.

I recall feeling the effect fairly soon -- and also when I miss a dose a few days in a row, I find that my mood disintegrates sufficiently--and rebounds when I take it again more regularly-- that I've concluded that it has a quite discernible positive effect.

However, I also believe that reactions to these drugs are extremely individual, so you really have to see how it affects you. I suspect that rilutek can be a valuable drug for some people--

If you can -- I would recommend you give it a try.



.

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » Willful

Posted by g_g_g_unit on June 22, 2013, at 23:02:01

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole?, posted by Willful on June 22, 2013, at 13:41:11

Thanks Willful.

It's kind of a gamble because insurance doesn't cover meds here, so I'd be paying completely out-of-pocket. The cheapest source I could find online was about $400US a month. Of course, if it eased my OCD/anxiety to the point where I could maybe work part-time, I could continue paying for it .. so I'm thinking of taking the leap. I just wish it wasn't so darn expensive. Sun Pharma has just (yesterday) been approved to manufacture a generic, so perhaps that might reduce the cost eventually.

You're the only person I know taking the drug (via various boards), so is there any chance you could turn your babblemail on or provide an email so I could possibly contact you in case I run into any side-effects or have further questions about the drug?

Thanks!

 

Re: how about Riluzole?

Posted by Willful on June 22, 2013, at 23:22:03

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole? » Willful, posted by g_g_g_unit on June 22, 2013, at 23:02:01

Hi g_g_g_

I turned babblemail on. If anything comes up or you have other questions, you can reach me anytime.

Good luck-- I really hope it helps!

Willful

 

Re: how about Riluzole?

Posted by ed_uk2010 on June 30, 2013, at 15:16:32

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole?, posted by Willful on June 22, 2013, at 23:22:03

There are a few generics of riluzole in the UK - the price is therefore substantially less horrific. You'd need a prescription from a UK doctor though, which would probably be very difficult to get.

I think the price will come down elsewhere as more generics start to be sold.

 

Re: how about Riluzole?

Posted by g_g_g_unit on July 23, 2013, at 18:06:58

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole?, posted by ed_uk2010 on June 30, 2013, at 15:16:32

Well, I managed to raise enough for a two month's supply, so should be trying this very soon.

Just a question for Willful/rover or anyone else reading .. did you notice if the drug did anything for anhedonia? Was there any significant mood-blunting associated with other mood-stabilizers?

Thanks

 

Re: how about Riluzole? » g_g_g_unit

Posted by SLS on July 23, 2013, at 18:43:37

In reply to Re: how about Riluzole?, posted by g_g_g_unit on July 23, 2013, at 18:06:58

> Well, I managed to raise enough for a two month's supply, so should be trying this very soon.
>
> Just a question for Willful/rover or anyone else reading .. did you notice if the drug did anything for anhedonia? Was there any significant mood-blunting associated with other mood-stabilizers?
>
> Thanks


For me, the only thing Riluzole did was to force me to lose weight. (My wallet became noticeably lighter).

It didn't help. It didn't hurt. Perhaps you'll have more luck.


- Scott


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