Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1022024

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

perpetually alternating meds strategy

Posted by pedr on July 23, 2012, at 21:35:31

Hi PB,

I'm one of those folks who seems to benefit for a month or two from meds (mono or poly) only for depression & OCD to steadily return after a month or so. I've read several pieces recently about how depression was found to lift whilst neurotransmitter levels were "in transition" and this seems to encapsulate my experience.

Does anyone observe a medication schedule where they alternate two or more meds on a fortnightly, monthly or bi-monthly basis in order to keep the neurotransmitter levels constantly changing, thus effecting constant mood elevation? In layman's terms - does anyone repeatedly switch up their meds after a few weeks when they feel flat?

For the record, I've ran the gamut of AD's from SSRI's through novels to MAOI's, with and without augmenting meds. Currently I'm on Effexor, Abilify and Wellbutrin.

Many thanks,
a yet-again-depressed Pedr

 

Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy » pedr

Posted by SLS on July 25, 2012, at 5:45:30

In reply to perpetually alternating meds strategy, posted by pedr on July 23, 2012, at 21:35:31

One of my doctors cycled a patient between Parnate and Nardil. It seemed to work. I have taken Parnate and Nardil alternately for quite a few years, I usually regain some responsivity to both drugs upon restarting them.

I cannot speak to any other class of antidepressant, although I have never heard of anyone having success cycling between them.


- Scott

 

Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy » SLS

Posted by pedr on July 25, 2012, at 8:29:20

In reply to Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy » pedr, posted by SLS on July 25, 2012, at 5:45:30

yes, it would have to be an alternation of meds that don't interact otherwise the washout period and ramp-up period would kill the benefit. But the meds need not of the same class though, I suppose.

Isn't it a bit weird that there's so little information and posts out there about it? From my wanderings around various forums it seems like an awful lot of people experience poop-out after a month or two. For me, it feels too clear-cut and tangibly biological to be just placebo - I just start to feel worse day by day.

Cheers, Pedr

 

Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy

Posted by papillon2 on July 26, 2012, at 0:52:10

In reply to Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy » pedr, posted by SLS on July 25, 2012, at 5:45:30

> One of my doctors cycled a patient between Parnate and Nardil. It seemed to work. I have taken Parnate and Nardil alternately for quite a few years, I usually regain some responsivity to both drugs upon restarting them.
>
> I cannot speak to any other class of antidepressant, although I have never heard of anyone having success cycling between them.
>
>
> - Scott

Surely one would experience an endless cycle of start up side effects? That sounds awful!

 

Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy » pedr

Posted by novelagent on July 26, 2012, at 13:34:28

In reply to perpetually alternating meds strategy, posted by pedr on July 23, 2012, at 21:35:31

This sounds like a terrible idea. All it will do is give side effects due to there being a steady state of the medicine in the bloodstream, with none of the benefits.


> Hi PB,
>
> I'm one of those folks who seems to benefit for a month or two from meds (mono or poly) only for depression & OCD to steadily return after a month or so. I've read several pieces recently about how depression was found to lift whilst neurotransmitter levels were "in transition" and this seems to encapsulate my experience.
>
> Does anyone observe a medication schedule where they alternate two or more meds on a fortnightly, monthly or bi-monthly basis in order to keep the neurotransmitter levels constantly changing, thus effecting constant mood elevation? In layman's terms - does anyone repeatedly switch up their meds after a few weeks when they feel flat?
>
> For the record, I've ran the gamut of AD's from SSRI's through novels to MAOI's, with and without augmenting meds. Currently I'm on Effexor, Abilify and Wellbutrin.
>
> Many thanks,
> a yet-again-depressed Pedr
>

 

Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy » novelagent

Posted by pedr on July 26, 2012, at 16:15:49

In reply to Re: perpetually alternating meds strategy » pedr, posted by novelagent on July 26, 2012, at 13:34:28

>> All it will do is give side effects due to there being a steady state of the medicine in the bloodstream

did you mean 'unsteady' ?

it's a fair point but those increased side-effects have to be balanced against the prospect of pervasive, persistent depression.


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