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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 13:32:58
Saw awesome Neurologist/Psychiastrst that treated husband in hospital when he had stroke. He is very knowledgable about all the meds & long term effects, etc.
I told him I was taking Trileptal, Klonopin & Geodon. As I suspected, he wasn't too concerned about the possible heart issues with Geodon, but said Abilify was better at treating anxiety & depression. More dependable drug in the long run, which given my ups & downs with Geodon I figured he would say that.
I had my husband there to keep me on track & disclose everything to the doc. I was honest about not really being medicated for long periods of time and my recent bout of instability since July of this year (when I quit everything cold turkey & had severe panic attacks). Not good he said.
He wants me to stay on Geodon for now and add 5mg of Abilify. In a month we'll see how I'm doing on Abilify and if we need to up it while I taper down the Geodon. I hope it helps with sleep because the 80mg of Geodon keeps me awake.
5mg seems like a lot to start for a med that is going to be my main AD-type drug. Maybe not, because in the long run(after this steroid high), Trileptal & all mood stabilizers tend to make me depressed. I think in the past I only took 2mg and that was maybe back in 2009 I think. Didn't stick with it too long, but again, I wasn't already stable like I am now on Trileptal. Trileptal has saved my life these past few weeks. Nothing like steroids to push an already unstable person over the edge!
I'm going to stay the course. He likes Trileptal and tried to get me the new long acting version (the drug reps are pushing now), Oxtellar XR 600mg. But that might not work out, I may have to stick with my generic, immediate release Oxcarbazepine, which is fine as long as I split up the doses. Too much at one time and I get hot and very, very nauseous.
I guess overall it was a great visit and I feel very confident being with an expert in the field of brain disorders.
Posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 14:07:31
In reply to Neuro/psych visit today, posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 13:32:58
He also ordered an EEG. Anyone know what the heck this is actually going to show him, if I have a mood disorder?
Posted by Phillipa on October 11, 2013, at 15:25:13
In reply to Re: EEG + Abilify, posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 14:07:31
No but sure would like to know. Sounds like a productive visit!!! Phillipa
Posted by doxogenic boy on October 11, 2013, at 16:44:57
In reply to Re: EEG + Abilify, posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 14:07:31
> He also ordered an EEG. Anyone know what the heck this is actually going to show him, if I have a mood disorder?
Could it be that he suspects epilepsy?
- doxogenic
Posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 17:22:28
In reply to Re: EEG + Abilify » Sheilac, posted by doxogenic boy on October 11, 2013, at 16:44:57
Posted by gadchik on October 12, 2013, at 12:12:58
In reply to Re: any comments on visit? (nm), posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 17:22:28
I would love to visit a doc like that. What's his opinion on klonopin and the brain? Sounds like a knowledgeable doctor.
Posted by Sheilac on October 12, 2013, at 13:15:17
In reply to Re: any comments on visit? » Sheilac, posted by gadchik on October 12, 2013, at 12:12:58
He doesn't like benzos. He didn't give me an Rx for my Klonopin :(. He said I need to taper off Klonopin. He said they're bad for the liver. Personally, I think he just doesn't like writing for a now controlled substance. It sucks. I always have Klonopin on me, just in case. Now if I can't get a script from him, I'll have to see my old doc or find a doc that will.
I mean, seriously, how can Klonopin be bad on the liver and all the other meds be ok? I don't buy it.
Posted by SLS on October 12, 2013, at 13:46:36
In reply to Re: Gadchik..., posted by Sheilac on October 12, 2013, at 13:15:17
> I mean, seriously, how can Klonopin be bad on the liver and all the other meds be ok? I don't buy it.
It can happen, but the frequency of occurrence is rare. Your doctor misrepresented the risk of live injury.
http://livertox.nih.gov/Clonazepam.htm
- Scott
Posted by gadchik on October 12, 2013, at 14:29:09
In reply to Re: Gadchik... » Sheilac, posted by SLS on October 12, 2013, at 13:46:36
thanks for that link, Scott. Lots of info there. I will review it further when I have more time.
Posted by gadchik on October 12, 2013, at 14:31:16
In reply to Re: Gadchik..., posted by Sheilac on October 12, 2013, at 13:15:17
Im disappointed that he doesn't like benzos : (. I was hoping for, "klonopin is a wonderful drug, great for longterm, daily consumption"!! That's just too much to ask huh?
Posted by Sheilac on October 12, 2013, at 14:40:34
In reply to Re: Gadchik... » Sheilac, posted by gadchik on October 12, 2013, at 14:31:16
Klonopin doesn't bother my kidneys, but, ironically, Trileptal, which is also an anticonvulsant, makes me pee all the time. It must be tough on the kidneys. I try not to take it after 4:00, otherwise I'm up all night peeing!!!
Ugh.
Oh, and the Klonopin stopped the Abilify akathesia in its tracks. Ha!
Posted by b2chica on October 14, 2013, at 16:25:43
In reply to Re: EEG + Abilify, posted by Sheilac on October 11, 2013, at 14:07:31
an EEG or an EKG?
EKG would look at the heart (most likely) to see if there are any lingering concerns.an EEG i'm not sure. i've worked with this equipment in the past, it measures brain activation reading electrical signals. Its a good source of information, but is better paired with fNIR or fMRI to really find out structural functionality.
So i'm not sure, but it also may be that he's invovled in some research with persons with mood disorders, or on certain medications. Or better yet, maybe he wants to run baseline on you now, and compare to say a few months post med change?
either way, sounds like you have a good doc on your hands.
Best wishes and little hint, if you have long hair, braiding it for the EEG would be a good idea!
Enjoy.b2c
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