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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 14:47:53
You get the idea. Blech. No antidepressant no mood stabilizer just wobbly headed me playing Wack-a-Doodle with my brain. Never truly understood what "rapid cycling" meant until now. Having a wide range of emotion sounds like a good thing until you realize that they happen within a single hour. Well, at the moment it's bugging me. Tingling fingers and brain zaps (which I imagine are actually shooting out of my head like lightening bolts) are, um, distracting...
and did you know that Cymbalta is now prescribed for anxiety?? I read it but didn't believe it until I had to stop taking the darn stuff. Damn this head of mine. Unscrew it, scoop out the bad stuff, put in some baling wire instead and we'll see if that feels better. And yes, there is still Xanax, but that feels nasty when it wears off. Having very interesting nightmares every night. I have been watching too many foreign and indie films, darn that Netflix!, and they are getting edited together in weird ways during the playback in sleep.yes I do sound crazy.
ok now for the pluses of being off most of my meds:
sp
Posted by Phil on May 10, 2007, at 16:11:42
In reply to Off kilter off my feed off balance, posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 14:47:53
Why are you off the meds, sp?
Posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 18:20:17
In reply to Re: Off kilter off my feed off balance » scratchpad, posted by Phil on May 10, 2007, at 16:11:42
I had an interaction between my migraine medication (Maxalt) and the Cymbalta a few weeks ago. Seritonin syndrome? I had to stop taking it a week and a half ago when my pharmacist raised the alarm.
The Lamictal I tapered off of in January because it wasn't working, and pdoc wanted to see how I did without it. What a mess. Tomorrow I see a neurologist about the migraines and what the alternatives might be for controlling them better. This has been a bad cluster of headaches. I'm not scared, but supremely annoyed. OK, I am scared, too. I feel totally out of control of my moods. I still have the headaches to boot.
Meanwhile, my moods are cycling like, um, crazy. Having withdrawal from the Cymbalta. My concentration is shot, my anxiety is distracting, whine whine whine. Pdoc advised - no new medication for anxiety or depression until the migraines are under control. Tonight, the pain is on the right side of my head. It's a refreshing change from hurting on the left side of my head. I feel totally messed up :-(
I don't know why I had to complain about this today. It's no different from the last 10 days. except that it's been going on for 10 days, I guess.
sp
Posted by Phil on May 10, 2007, at 20:18:21
In reply to Re: Off kilter etc » Phil, posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 18:20:17
I feel for you, sp. None of what you're going through is easy.
We've been compadres on this board for many moons so when I say I hope you feel better soon, please know that I mean it.
I care about you.
Phil
Posted by Daisym on May 10, 2007, at 20:38:44
In reply to Off kilter off my feed off balance, posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 14:47:53
I think I did better with a Welbutrin/Cymbalta mix because the Cymbalta controlled the anxiety. Unfortunately, it gave me nose bleeds. :(
rapid cycling s*cks. It can be scary and exhausting. And add in pain -- ouch. Please take care of yourself and keep yourself healthy. Are you going to meetings or seeing your therapist more? pain makes people do things they regret later. Try not to be alone too much.
Sleep. Eat cream of wheat. It really does work.
Hugs
Daisy
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2007, at 21:55:58
In reply to Re: Off kilter off my feed off balance » scratchpad, posted by Daisym on May 10, 2007, at 20:38:44
Also I hope your hubby is home to do the driving as it doesn't sound safe for you to drive right now. Can you take more xanax for a while til this is straightened out. Love Phillipa
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 6:51:05
In reply to Re: Off kilter off my feed off balance » scratchpad, posted by Daisym on May 10, 2007, at 20:38:44
I saw my therapist this week and she suggested some "brain gym" exercises to do to help with concentration. She also said I should exercise more regularly. I just don't feel well enough to do anything. Pain not only wears me down, but it's not like you can look at me and see that I've got spikes embedded in my skull - it just feels that way.
I don't go to meetings. They trigger me horribly and I am just too vulnerable right now. The UP side of headaches like these is that they feel exactly like a hangover, so they actually help keep me straight. (Like, why would I want to drink and feel like this for even longer??)
I'm tired of being stoic.
Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes.
sp
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 6:52:36
In reply to Re: Off kilter off my feed off balance, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2007, at 21:55:58
Yes, he's home now, thanks. I'm sticking to my .5mg per day dose of xanax as I don't want to go through yet another taper. It works well enough, I guess.
Thanks for your caring, Phillipa
sp
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 6:54:10
In reply to Re: Off kilter etc » scratchpad, posted by Phil on May 10, 2007, at 20:18:21
Thanks, sweet Phil. Perhaps when I see the neurologist today I can beg for some effective pain relief.
I'll keep ya'll apprised of the sitchyashun.sp
Posted by karen_kay on May 11, 2007, at 7:18:40
In reply to Off kilter off my feed off balance, posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 14:47:53
you're still the sexiest sexiepie i know!
take care of yourself dear, got it?
kk
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 7:22:18
In reply to the plusses.., posted by karen_kay on May 11, 2007, at 7:18:40
Mwaahhh!
I think I'll go stick my head in a vice for a couple of hours this morning. Negative pressure, ya know?
Do you think that a neurologist will be able to look into my eyes with a flashlight and be able to say, "yup! it's got to come out!" and perform a same day, outpatient prefrontal lobotomy on me? I suppose I should note my request on the new patient paperwork.Have a duck-worthy day
sp
Posted by gardenergirl on May 11, 2007, at 8:02:08
In reply to Re: the plusses.. » karen_kay, posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 7:22:18
I'm sorry you're suffering so. Migraines are just awful, and I totally get the negative pressure thing. I wish someone would invent the migraine vise. I always felt like if I didn't do that negative pressure, my head would fly apart.
I'm lucky because Excedrin seems to do it for me for migraines. That and sleep. But I'm also lucky because since I started Nardil, I've had almost no migraines. I have no idea if this is a known and/or common effect, but I'll take it. Maybe there will be some combo of meds that has a similar effect for you?
I'm sorry yours are so severe. I hope you get some real and lasting relief soon. Wish I could wave the magic headache wand and make them go away.
((((((sp))))))
gg
Posted by kninelover... on May 11, 2007, at 8:11:15
In reply to Off kilter off my feed off balance, posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 14:47:53
you have been having such a difficult time with your medication...i hope it works itself out soon...it is so frustrating when we lose control of our bodies and minds.
...my new meds were not mixing well with my drinking...(sorry about chat)...i have decided to stop the medication and continue drinking...
†
Posted by SandyWeb on May 11, 2007, at 11:10:59
In reply to Off kilter off my feed off balance, posted by scratchpad on May 10, 2007, at 14:47:53
Oh scratchpad, I'm sorry that you're not doing so well. Maybe go lay in a bathtub full of Jello Pudding. That should make you feel whacky and oozy rather than hurting!!!
I don't know if you've tried this, and I'm NOT a doctor, but you might want to ask your doc about this:
Topamax is used for migraines (added benefit of weight loss, too. WooHoo!), AND is also used as a mood stabilizer when added on to an AD.
Migraine
The recommended total daily dose of TOPAMAX® as treatment for prophylaxis of migraine headache is 100 mg/day administered in two divided doses. The recommended titration rate for topiramate for migraine prophylaxis to 100 mg/day is:
Morning Dose Evening Dose
Week 1 None 25 mg
Week 2 25 mg 25 mg
Week 3 25 mg 50 mg
Week 4 50 mg 50 mgDose and titration rate should be guided by clinical outcome. If required, longer intervals between dose adjustments can be used.
-----------------------------
As for the Cymbalta, that is the "newer" version of Effexor. Just like Lexapro is the newer and supposedly better version of Celexa. Maybe see if you can go on the Effexor XR (I don't think you'd even need a wash-out period), and get past the 150mg dose as quickly as possible. It rather sounds like you have enough Serotonin in your system, so the problem is probably another neurotransmittor (like with me, it's norepinephrine). Norepinephrine begins to be impacted at about the 150mg dose, and just gets better at a higher dose. I guess people with real anxiety disorders will go to 375mg, although a handful will even take 400mg (although not really tested to see if it's any better or not). You may have a bad time starting at the 75mg because it ONLY impacts serotonin....but the steady state is reached in 3 days, and then just jump right into the 150mg. And you can even jump into the 225mg in another 3 days if 150mg is just getting you there. But stay at 225mg for a little while to give your body time to adjust.So, you would have an AD (Effexor XR), a mood stabilizer AND migraine prophelaxis (Topamax), and stick with your anti-anxiety pills as well. The Effexor works wonders for the anxiety, but the benzos are always good to have as well! :)
By the way, take the Effexor XR first thing in the morning. It will give you terrible insomnia, especially when you first begin it.
If all else fails, Trazadone is used for the treatment of migraines and is supposedly a great sleeping aid. It used to be prescribed as an AD, but I don't think they do that anymore.
Anyways, I don't know what you have been trying for the past while....maybe you've already tried this route. I wish you all the best, kitty.
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 13:29:06
In reply to Re: Off kilter off my feed off balance » scratchpad, posted by SandyWeb on May 11, 2007, at 11:10:59
Effexor worked great for me for a year and a half before it pooped out spectacularly. Ditto on Wellbutrin.
I saw a charming neurologist this morning. I've got prescriptions for migraine stuff, and I'm going back on Cymbalta - hurray!! He had some unspoken withering opinions about the pdoc who pulled me off it so abruptly, and said that it sounds like it was a liability issue and not a bonafide health concern. I've got some withering opinions of my pdoc at this point!
The good news is that I get to restart Cymbalta, start taking Zonegran to get my migraines under control, and I'm pleased that this doctor quickly grasped the chemical aspect of my headaches and mood disorders.
Please cross your fingers and toes that I'll be feeling better soon.
take care sweetie,
Scratchpad
Posted by Dinah on May 11, 2007, at 17:11:24
In reply to Re: Off kilter off my feed off balance » SandyWeb, posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 13:29:06
I'm so glad you had a good experience!!!
My neurologist really really helped with my migraines. I hope yours does as well.
My neurology appointment didn't leave me feeling anywhere near as hopeful. At least he agrees with me that I probably don't have narcolepsy. And we're trying the CPAP for a while, even though insurance doesn't cover it. But he said that was sort of marginal since my sleep study didn't show major problems. But after that it's idiopathic hypersomnia and overall I'm not encouraged.
The funniest part was that the appointment was pretty early for me, and I'm not at my best in the mornings. He was halfway through his exam when I realized I'd put my pullover dress on rather obviously backwards. I laughed about it and made some joke about being a morning person, and since he'd noticed I guess he was relieved that I wasn't totally insane. :)
Posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 19:05:12
In reply to Re: Off kilter off my feed off balance » scratchpad, posted by Dinah on May 11, 2007, at 17:11:24
Sleep is such a magic realm to me. My brother has always had sleepiness as a stress reaction - from infancy to the present day. When the going gets tough, he gets to sleeping.
I always imagined that while I'm asleep is when my body and mind not only repairs itself, but improves itself. What a pity that this is yet another function that decreases as we age.Forgive my ignorance, Dinah, but can you explain CPAP? I have to say that when I first scanned your post that I misread it... and that's when I snorted! After I gasped, of course, as it wasn't an expression I could ever picture you saying!
sp
Posted by Dinah on May 11, 2007, at 20:42:33
In reply to Sleeping » Dinah, posted by scratchpad on May 11, 2007, at 19:05:12
Well, if it's the obvious misreading, I do use it. I have sailor mouth. :)
But it's some machine they put over your nose (and if needed mouth) as you sleep to force air in and keep you from having sleep apnea incidents. A couple of people I know, including my therapist, have found them helpful, so I wanted to at least try. My therapist says my husband will fall madly in love with it since it will stop my snoring. I told him it would only help my husband if we got one for my dog too, since he no longer complains about my snoring because hers is louder. :)
He wasn't overly optimistic because my sleep study from a few years ago didn't show serious sleep apnea, so I'm not overly optimistic. *But* I'm glad he's not in love with the narcolepsy theory despite all evidence to the contrary like my last sleep neurologist. And he's doing some blood test that can rule out narcolepsy but not prove it. And he understands that psychological issues and diabetes play a role, as well as any disorder I may well have inherited, since my mom's family is riddled with sleep disorders (a near fifty percent in a largish sample). So that's better than I had before.
Sleep *is* restorative. :) Trouble is that there comes a point where it causes more difficulties to restore from than it cures.
This is the end of the thread.
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