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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on October 5, 2005, at 16:41:23
Hi,
I was taking 45 mg Nardil and 75 mg Lamictal up until a few days ago. This was working well, except I was sleeping more than I would like. I resumed my light therapy about two weeks ago, to try to combat that, but I admit I haven't been consistent with it, yet.I lowered Lamictal from 75 mg to 50 mg three or four days ago, since I was convinced that the diarrhea (sorry folks) I've been experiencing for the last three weeks was related to Lamictal. (It didn't start until after I'd gone from 50 mg to 75mg). Also, I've had a rash on my arms and shoulders. Not THE rash, but annoying just the same. It itched the most at night and in the morning, when I take my Lamictal.
At any rate, I feel awful now. Very depressed. Very down in the dumps. I have little appetite, all I want to do is sleep, and if not sleep, just sort of sit around doing nothing. I haven't watered my flower pots (um, my screen name is what?) in four days.
Now there is something situational that has come up a couple of weeks ago regarding my father-in-law's health. But still, the physical side of this is awful. And the mood...it's a definite depression.
I just went up half a tab on Nardil yesterday, to 52.5 mg. I really really don't want to go to 60 mg, since I get edema and urinary retention at that dose, not to mention the weight gain. I'd really been hoping that with Lamictal I could lower Nardil even more, or even get off of it. I talked to my GP about a low dose stimulant since I also have mild ADHD. He was open to it, but I'm not sure about my pdoc.
Is it time to think about Parnate? Any other ideas?
Bah! I hate feeling like this, and the timing just stinks, or course.
Thanks in advance.
gg
Posted by jay on October 5, 2005, at 22:31:13
In reply to Depression back, med advice? Help, posted by gardenergirl on October 5, 2005, at 16:41:23
Hi GG..
I'd honestly say from your symptoms...try a few things. First, you might want to improve the quality of your sleep. I know this sounds silly because you are sleepy all the time, but once you get a deep 7-8 hours sleep, you will feel refreshed. So, maybe try adding a benzo or a benzo-type sleep med. (Anything from Ambien to Restoril.) You could also try the great all-around Klonopin. I don't know what else is permitted with an MAOI.
For your rash, a couple of things. One, take a good oral long-lasting anti-histamine..maybe talk to your pharmacist about this? Also, apply cortisone cream 24/7. Also, loperamide (generic name) is a great antidiarrheal.
Most of all..it sounds like you should make a trip to your doctor. Sometimes just a slight change in the meds will make things 100 percent better.
Good luck...
Best,
Jay
Posted by jay on October 6, 2005, at 11:38:05
In reply to Depression back, med advice? Help, posted by gardenergirl on October 5, 2005, at 16:41:23
Posted by SandyWeb on October 6, 2005, at 12:35:45
In reply to Depression back, med advice? Help, posted by gardenergirl on October 5, 2005, at 16:41:23
Hi GG,
I'm sorry you're feeling blah. You've always been there for me. I would hope that I can be here for you!
You can add me to your Messenger contacts (if you use it). SandyWeb65 at hotmail dot com.
I should be around tonight. I'd love to chat with you!!
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2005, at 16:53:00
In reply to Re: Depression back, med advice? Help » gardenergirl, posted by SandyWeb on October 6, 2005, at 12:35:45
gg, Sorry I can't help. No experience with an MAOI. But I do know what you mean by the sleeping and not feeling refreshed. But now I'm not sleeping and this has me worried. See worried that's not helping me sleep. Maybe the illness is more to blame than you think. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 6, 2005, at 19:33:50
In reply to Depression back, med advice? Help, posted by gardenergirl on October 5, 2005, at 16:41:23
I'm sorry GG. I hope you feel better soon. I think you should just try Parnate. Unless you try it, you will never know, right?
Hugs,
Maxie> Hi,
> I was taking 45 mg Nardil and 75 mg Lamictal up until a few days ago. This was working well, except I was sleeping more than I would like. I resumed my light therapy about two weeks ago, to try to combat that, but I admit I haven't been consistent with it, yet.
>
> I lowered Lamictal from 75 mg to 50 mg three or four days ago, since I was convinced that the diarrhea (sorry folks) I've been experiencing for the last three weeks was related to Lamictal. (It didn't start until after I'd gone from 50 mg to 75mg). Also, I've had a rash on my arms and shoulders. Not THE rash, but annoying just the same. It itched the most at night and in the morning, when I take my Lamictal.
>
> At any rate, I feel awful now. Very depressed. Very down in the dumps. I have little appetite, all I want to do is sleep, and if not sleep, just sort of sit around doing nothing. I haven't watered my flower pots (um, my screen name is what?) in four days.
>
> Now there is something situational that has come up a couple of weeks ago regarding my father-in-law's health. But still, the physical side of this is awful. And the mood...it's a definite depression.
>
> I just went up half a tab on Nardil yesterday, to 52.5 mg. I really really don't want to go to 60 mg, since I get edema and urinary retention at that dose, not to mention the weight gain. I'd really been hoping that with Lamictal I could lower Nardil even more, or even get off of it. I talked to my GP about a low dose stimulant since I also have mild ADHD. He was open to it, but I'm not sure about my pdoc.
>
> Is it time to think about Parnate? Any other ideas?
>
> Bah! I hate feeling like this, and the timing just stinks, or course.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> gg
Posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:31:19
In reply to Re: Depression back, med advice? Help » gardenergirl, posted by jay on October 5, 2005, at 22:31:13
Thanks for your suggestions.
> I'd honestly say from your symptoms...try a few things. First, you might want to improve the quality of your sleep.Good idea. Ambien worked very well last night. I don't know why it didn't the night before. But I felt a bit better this morning. Of course the rest of the day I felt like I was falling apart, but at least I had sleep.
>
> For your rash, a couple of things. One, take a good oral long-lasting anti-histamine..maybe talk to your pharmacist about this? Also, apply cortisone cream 24/7.I take Claritin every day. I'd hate to think of how itchy it would be without. I do have various anti-itch stuff from my dermatologist I could try. Or hydrocortisone. (sheepish look...I've been complaining but not doing much to help it myself).
>Also, loperamide (generic name) is a great antidiarrheal.
That does work well for me, but how often can I take it as far as treating a long term thing?
>
> Most of all..it sounds like you should make a trip to your doctor. Sometimes just a slight change in the meds will make things 100 percent better.Thanks, I have an appt. tomorrow. I appreciate the advice and caring.
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:33:33
In reply to Re: Depression back, med advice? Help » gardenergirl, posted by SandyWeb on October 6, 2005, at 12:35:45
Hi Sandy,
It's good to see you posting. Thanks for your support. I don't have messenger, but I appreciate the thought. I use Yahoo IM. My ID is my name here plus 88.Hope you are doing well. Stick around?
gg
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 6, 2005, at 22:35:02
In reply to Depression back, med advice? Help, posted by gardenergirl on October 5, 2005, at 16:41:23
a lot of people hate it, it's a neuroleptic, and it's expensive if you don't have adequate insurace. but for people it works for it really seems that it actually does help, and generally right away or in a few days... not the several weeks youre supposed to wait with an AD. you could try the zyprexa zydis version at 5mg (lowest dose) and that may possibly fight off possible weight gain if thats a worry.
people even say that its good for motivation... well for the people it works for i gather. its always worth a try for a few days. the worst it will do is make you fatigued and groggy (which sucks) but then you could just stop.
Posted by Racer on October 6, 2005, at 22:39:47
In reply to Re: Depression back, med advice? Help » jay, posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:31:19
My own GI symptoms from Lamictal improved a bit when I started taking it with LactAid -- any chance you're a bit lactase insufficient? Might be worth a try, since Lamictal is known to cause either constipation or diarrhea. It can also cause anorexia (in the basic lack of appetite sense), and sometimes depression, according to my N who looked it up yesterday when I told her about my lack of appetite and food aversions.
The Lamictal has also wiped me out completely. I get up around 7:30, 7:45, and then need a nap by about 11. Then I get up, putter around, and need another nap by 2 or 3 in the afternoon. And then fall asleep climbing the stairs to bed around 11PM. I think I'm up for about four hours at a time, then have to sleep. (Then again, I'm also having nightmares, waking in the night, and even though I usually get right back to sleep, that's still not good quality sleep.)
While you know how little I know about MAOIs, I'd say it's worth taking to your pdoc about switching to Parnate. It has less chance of weight gain, which is a plus, and the Nardil has not been especially consistent for you. Maybe you'd be able to maintain Parnate at a dose that would be more consistently effective for you.
I'm sorry you're feeling croupy. I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:39:54
In reply to Re: Depression back, med advice? Help, posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2005, at 16:53:00
Hi Phillipa,
I'm sorry you're not sleeping well. It's a vicious cycle when you then worry about not sleeping.Take care,
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:41:49
In reply to Re: Depression back, med advice? Help » gardenergirl, posted by Maxime on October 6, 2005, at 19:33:50
Hi Maxime,
I appreciate your post when I know you're not doing well, either. I hope things are getting a bit better.I see pdoc tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to bring Parnate up again to see what she thinks. Although last time, she thought it was not a bad idea, but thought it was a bad time to try to change meds (too much going on). There's a lot going on now, too, so who knows?
I wonder about a tiny dose of a stim too. Glad i see pdoc tomorrow.
Take care,
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:46:18
In reply to you could try zyprexa, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 6, 2005, at 22:35:02
> a lot of people hate it, it's a neuroleptic, and it's expensive if you don't have adequate insurace.
Hmmm, I do have good insurance...a good thing, since Nardil's expensive.
> you could try the zyprexa zydis version at 5mg (lowest dose) and that may possibly fight off possible weight gain if thats a worry.
That is a worry. I've gained far too much on Nardil.
How does zyprexa help depression? Is it the anxiolytic properties? I do have an anxious component to my depression.
>
> people even say that its good for motivation... well for the people it works for i gather.I could definitely use that!
Thanks for the input. Something to think about...
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:53:53
In reply to Re: Depression back, med advice? Help » gardenergirl, posted by Racer on October 6, 2005, at 22:39:47
Thanks, sweetie. I had forgotten about the lactose thing with Lamictal. I did find that it was richer foods that made it worse...not sure about dairy, but definitely chocolate and certain carbs.
I'll talk to pdoc about that as well as Parnate.
Talk to you soon. Hope you are doing better.
gg
Posted by iforgotmypassword on October 6, 2005, at 23:05:25
In reply to Re: you could try zyprexa » iforgotmypassword, posted by gardenergirl on October 6, 2005, at 22:46:18
>How does zyprexa help depression? Is it the anxiolytic properties? I do have an anxious component to my depression.
I think sort of, that and it's supposed to have anti-rumination effects... but also it blocks the 5-HT2a receptor, which is a receptor when stimulated is supposed to cause apathy and amotivation. not only that but i believe that it's stimulation also increases cortisol levels, which is supposed to cause all sorts of nasty depressive effects... but i am just guessing that 5-HT2a (and 5ht2c possily) blockade is its main therapeutic method. and blocking the 5HT2 receptors is supposed to improve prefrontal cortex and dopamine function which can only be good. then theres the dopamine receptor blockade which may actually be a good thing at low doses if it mainly just targets the autoreceptors... also zyprexa is supposed to be the least antidopaminergic antipsychotic so there may be less cause for worry that it will harmful in that respect. but again, im only guessing. i hate these drugs. :( its so counfusing.
Posted by gardenergirl on October 8, 2005, at 18:59:24
In reply to Re: you could try zyprexa, posted by iforgotmypassword on October 6, 2005, at 23:05:25
Well, apparently I still let my pdoc intimidate me. She wants me to go back to 75 mg Lamictal, since she's convinced the diarrhea is not related since it started a few weeks after I went up in the dose. I honestly can't remember when I started 75 mg and when it started. But I'm going to try Lactaid with it, as fires (I think) and racer recommended.
She also recommended that I go up a half tab of Nardil during PMS and then back down to 45 mg once it's over. Thank you Racer for suggesting I ask her what to do about PMS.
She also made me really angry by coming down on me about something I've been procrastinating on. And what makes me even madder is that when she makes me mad, it works. Bah!
Thanks to those who offered advice and support. I'm feeling better, and I hope it sticks.
Take care,
gg
This is the end of the thread.
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