Posted by SLS on January 17, 2006, at 8:41:41
In reply to Re: Keppra for benzo taper and/or mood stabilizer... ? » SLS, posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 21:23:08
> Hey Scott,
Hey.
:-)
> Good to hear your input. I remember that you had tried Keppra for a while, but then it looked like it started being a bad experience. I didn't realize that you were still on it. So, I assume that you think it's helping to some degree after all. What sort of benefits are you getting from it?
I find that it helps with mental energy and motivation. However, as I mentioned in my previous post, there seems to be a window of efficacy. I became more depressed at 2000mg. I rechallenged myself with this higher dosage several times to confirm the cause-and-effect relationship.
> Also, I haven't seen you posting that much on babble lately. How are things going for you in general?
Not so well, but not horrendous.
My lack of posting recently is probably due mostly to PB burnout. However, some is due also to a preoccupation with the holidays and a new digital camera I've been playing with. We are fortunate that so many people offer aid to others in this community. Despite an observable rate of attrition, there are always people who are motivated and in a position to help others.
> Have you had some reprieve from your depression?
I guess the Keppra has been of some help. However, I remain mostly vegetative. This becomes most evident when I try to read and concentrate or perform chores around the house.
> I'm currently on:
> * 2.5 mg selegiline -- positive effect on mood, but makes me sleepy so I'm moving the dose to the eveningInteresting that it should make you sleepy. Does it act to reduce the amount of dreaming you experience?
> * 112.5 mg Lithium; in the process of tapering because it made me more anxious;
I've heard of this. It might be an indication that you are adversely affected by serotonergic drugs. Did it cause you to clench your teeth?
> I seem to do alright a couple days after each dose reduction; in between I get really tired and depressed
Similarly, I experienced a rebound antidepressant effect the first time I discontinued lithium.
> * 0.75 Klonopin; in the process of a smalll dose reduction because it makes me slow and contributes to my depression
It occurs that some people experience a mild to moderate depressogenic reaction to Klonopin. Personally, I attribute this to its serotonergic effects, although they are not yet well defined. This phenomenon sometimes dissipates over time at a stable dosage and consistent dosing schedule. It might be that the pro-serotonergic effects of both lithium and Klonopin are acting together to create more depression, not less.
> So there's a lot going on right now, with the double taper. But for me this makes sense: based on independent variation of each, the Lithium and Klonopin seem to have been working at odds with eachother. I'm going to get off the Lithium and see whether I can reduce the Klonopin in the process.
> When that settles down, my pdoc and I are talking about either Neurontin or Keppra for mood stabilization and to help with the rest of the benzo taper. I will definitely keep you and anyone else interested posted.Generally speaking, Neurontin does not make for an effective mood stabilizer unless it is combined with another one like Lamictal. It is used more as an anxiolytic now. Keppra has yet to prove itself. Lamictal is reported to be particularly effective for rapid-cycling.
Did you find the Kaufman paper?
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:599782
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060115/msgs/599930.html