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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Enigma on February 24, 2009, at 14:45:10
I'm currently on (before I forget, ssri's don't work on my at all, zyprexa causes weight gain as bad as Seroquel, and Vivactly caused me to turn into the devil.) Also, I've tried almost everything else!
Nardil 75mg
pros: Only AD that get's me "50%" functional and keeps the deep, dark, suicidal thoughts away
pons: No doubt is causing sleep disturbance, insomnia, difficulty urinating, anorgasmia, not sure what elseSeroquel 400mg
pros: The only drug that allows me to sleep through the night (mostly)
cons: I have nightmares where I "leap" out of bed, or kick or punch (almost punched my wife once!) and the worst symptom for me, HORRENDOUS weight gain. Nothing I do seems to counter effect it. Some other BAD systems I won't get into.Klonpin 2-4 mg
pros: stops the dysthymia from seroquel, helps relax me, helps with sleep
cons: none that I can findMetformin
pros: none
cons: when you first take it, you get all sorts of "bowel"-related issues. Also, taking to supposedly to lose weight, but it hasn't dropped me 1 ounce.When I could afford it:
Topamax
pros: Did a great job at dropping weight, now I can't afford it anymore. (I'm on medicare and have a coverage gap coming up, and this drug is $500 for 30 days worth)
cons: None I remember.Thanks in advance.
Basically, to narrow things down, I might try Geodon for mania, and more sleeping pills for well, sleep!
Posted by myco on February 24, 2009, at 15:21:36
In reply to What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by Enigma on February 24, 2009, at 14:45:10
>...Vivactly caused me to turn into the devil.
Hey Enigma,
I'm curious what do you mean vivactil caused you to turn into the devil.
Posted by Enigma on February 24, 2009, at 21:39:58
In reply to Re: What do you pros suggest for me? » Enigma, posted by myco on February 24, 2009, at 15:21:36
> >...Vivactly caused me to turn into the devil.
>
>
>
> Hey Enigma,
>
> I'm curious what do you mean vivactil caused you to turn into the devil.I was irritable beyond all belief. I even threw a chair at my wife. I was a monster. I'll never touch that stuff again.
Posted by myco on February 24, 2009, at 22:49:43
In reply to What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by Enigma on February 24, 2009, at 14:45:10
I can't really offer you much in the way of advice as I dont have experience with zyprexa, topamax, metformin or geodon. Someone will come along shortly to help you out though...sometimes responses here lag a little.
I take 75 nardil, it's pretty effective for my anxiety, not so much for depression but functional at least. It's interesting you mention dysthymia on seroquel. I take a very low dose for sleep and have noticed this the next day...my moods have dipped although my anxiety is even better controlled (this seems to last, for now anyway, the whole next day) with seroquel added for nardil insomnia.
I guess a mood stabilizer, like lamictal, wouldnt be effective for your mania huh?
You werent taking the vivactil with nardil were you?
myco
Posted by dcruik518 on February 25, 2009, at 18:58:51
In reply to What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by Enigma on February 24, 2009, at 14:45:10
the nardil and the seroquel are BOTH likely causing your weight gain. Maybe switch to Parnate and Abilify--you can often get free samples of abilify. As for the Topamax, you should order it online from freedom-pharmacy, with a dash. It's much cheaper.
Posted by Enigma on February 26, 2009, at 13:20:58
In reply to Re: What do you pros suggest for me? » Enigma, posted by myco on February 24, 2009, at 22:49:43
> I can't really offer you much in the way of advice as I dont have experience with zyprexa, topamax, metformin or geodon. Someone will come along shortly to help you out though...sometimes responses here lag a little.
>:), no problem.
> I take 75 nardil, it's pretty effective for my anxiety, not so much for depression but functional at least. It's interesting you mention dysthymia on seroquel. I take a very low dose for sleep and have noticed this the next day...my moods have dipped although my anxiety is even better controlled (this seems to last, for now anyway, the whole next day) with seroquel added for nardil insomnia.I would stick with seroquel for the insomnia that Nardil causes, but the weight gain has been HORRIBLE. Zyprexa did the same thing to me. I used to have a flat stomach, but not anymore. I'm pretty livid about it. :(
Nardil keeps the suicidal thoughts away and severe depression, but unfortunately that's all. It doesn't make me "happy", or give me what depression stole from me such as drive, enthusiasm, motivation, etc.>
> I guess a mood stabilizer, like lamictal, wouldnt be effective for your mania huh?Already tried it. I don't recall it having any effect on me.
>
> You werent taking the vivactil with nardil were you?
>He, no no. I don't wanna wind up in the hospital, or ground for that matter!
Take care
Posted by Enigma on February 26, 2009, at 13:39:22
In reply to Re: What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by dcruik518 on February 25, 2009, at 18:58:51
> the nardil and the seroquel are BOTH likely causing your weight gain. Maybe switch to Parnate and Abilify--you can often get free samples of abilify. As for the Topamax, you should order it online from freedom-pharmacy, with a dash. It's much cheaper.
I never had and weight gain from Nardil when I took it without Seroquel. It's only when we added the Seroquel is when the pounds and appetite blew up.
Parnate caused me too many side effects and I was never able to get used to them. Nardil also worked better on my depression. I tried Abilify, and it worked great for my manic symptoms, it cause dyskinesia (spelling?). I didn't want it to become tardive (permanent) so I quit the abilify lickity-split.
I started geodon yesterday. It kept me in bed for most of today. ;) We'll see if I get used to it.
thanks for the help
Posted by dcruik518 on February 27, 2009, at 11:34:44
In reply to Re: What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by Enigma on February 26, 2009, at 13:39:22
How long were you on the Nardil by itself? If you took it for less than 2 or 3 months, you might not have noticed the weight gain yet. I suspect it may have been only after you started the seroquel that the nardil started to put weight on you. I've never heard of anybody who doesn't gain weight on NArdil. Btw what dose were you taking then? What now?
Posted by desolationrower on February 27, 2009, at 19:11:53
In reply to What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by Enigma on February 24, 2009, at 14:45:10
a few thing that might be worth trying, clonidine for sleep, if it doesn't cause rebound blood pressure issues for you, gabapentin, adrafinil or nortriptyline, NAC, sesamin
-d/r
Posted by Enigma on February 27, 2009, at 19:26:16
In reply to Re: What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by dcruik518 on February 27, 2009, at 11:34:44
> How long were you on the Nardil by itself? If you took it for less than 2 or 3 months, you might not have noticed the weight gain yet. I suspect it may have been only after you started the seroquel that the nardil started to put weight on you. I've never heard of anybody who doesn't gain weight on NArdil. Btw what dose were you taking then? What now?
I honestly don't remember. My doc seems to think the seroquel is the guilty party for sure. I've taken Nardil in the past for at least 4+ months and didn't notice any weight gain.
I wish I had real insurance (I'm on medicare), because then I'm get myself on Topamax. I gained weight a while back on Zyprexa, then discontinued it and the gain stopped (while still on nardil). I took topamax for a while (2-4 months?) and the weight came right off!
I tried buying canadian generic topamax and I got at least 5 different side effects like nausea, dizziness, out of touch feeling, and so on. This never happened with the real U.S. version of Topamax.
I still might go back to the canadian top again, but start at a very low dose and see what happens.
Posted by myco on February 28, 2009, at 11:42:06
In reply to Re: What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by Enigma on February 27, 2009, at 19:26:16
Hey lol
Being Canadian (dont worry im not offended just want to clarify a long standing issue) I assure you that we have the exact same meds (but some arent available here) as you do. Even to the same factory that makes some of them. My nardil looks identical and works identical to the american one. It's all in name brands serious. Paxil in Canada is (same shape colour, inert-ingredients etc) the same as the American one. Produced by the Canadian wing of Pfizer or whoever does Paxil. We aren't hacks up here dude lol.
Now buying generic is a different issue...only vary in inert ingredients and produced by many companies. But generic is not the "norm" in Canada.
Here's is a serious thought though...with a little investigation (and this is what caused the controversy in the states about online meds "from canada") if you look at where those supposedly Canadian based meds sites are located...many times you will see that they come from India or offshore north america somewhere but the site is set up to look like it's Canadian or British or American or whatever. The key to look for, apart from contact details etc.., is if the site has only generic - watch out. As developing countries use generics of foreign meds almost always.Oh topomax is here also in name brand just like you yanks have...exact same pill lol
A silly Canadian,
myco
> I tried buying canadian generic topamax and I got at least 5 different side effects like nausea, dizziness, out of touch feeling, and so on. This never happened with the real U.S. version of Topamax.
>
> I still might go back to the canadian top again, but start at a very low dose and see what happens.
Posted by meltingpot on February 28, 2009, at 13:05:19
In reply to What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by Enigma on February 24, 2009, at 14:45:10
Hi Enigma,
Denise here from the UK, was just searching this site and saw your post.
I've just had a thought, what about Wellbutrin?
I know you said you've tried it before and it didn't help your depression but it might get your weight down. Just a thought though, you're probably better off with Topamax.
Denise
Posted by Enigma on February 28, 2009, at 16:30:16
In reply to Re: What do you pros suggest for me?, posted by meltingpot on February 28, 2009, at 13:05:19
> Hi Enigma,
>
> Denise here from the UK, was just searching this site and saw your post.
>
> I've just had a thought, what about Wellbutrin?
>
> I know you said you've tried it before and it didn't help your depression but it might get your weight down. Just a thought though, you're probably better off with Topamax.
>
> DeniseHey Denise! Yeah, name brand Topamax was the best med I've ever tried to lose weight (the weight that Zyprexa put on). I actually had to stop Topamax because I lost TOO MUCH weight (and I couldn't afford it anymore). I'm giving the doc's advice a chance and trying this "Metformin". It makes me feel like I have a weak stomach flu and I've been on it a week and haven't lost a pound. Gained weight in fact.
I wonder if the Geodon is going to make me gain weight like the Seroquel. It's got a good list of side effects, some of them even are conflicting each other.
So far the Geodon has made me somewhat irritable again and I hate that about it. I hope it will pass soon. I hate myself when I'm like that. Seroquel makes me a teddy bear (in personality AND appearance), but so far Geodon is waking up the mean and nasty side of my mania.
I don't believe Metformin is going to do a thing, even on a higher dosage, so I really want to get back started on the generic Topamax. Maybe if I start at a really low dosage, I'll have a chance to get used to all the side effects. I just wish I had the money for the retail Topamax.
Heh, played the lottery today. 170 million would be nice :)
This is the end of the thread.
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