![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 24 to 48 of 49. Go back in thread:
Posted by SLS on November 13, 2012, at 6:14:12
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation, posted by delna on November 12, 2012, at 21:38:04
> Please feel free to push me to try minocycline :-) I need to shake off my cynicism.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120803/msgs/1023257.html
I am doing well with my present treatment regime. When I first began taking minocycline, I experienced an improvement within the first five days. However, my progress towards remission has also required an increase in my dosage of prazosin. Minocycline might work synergistically with other anti-glutamatergic drugs like Lamictal or perhaps even memantine or NAC. There is much work that needs to be done to characterize the role that minocycline will play in psychiatry.
Minocycline is not hocus pocus, and I believe is worth a try if you are really desperate to try something different.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on November 13, 2012, at 7:11:43
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation, posted by delna on November 12, 2012, at 21:38:04
ScienceDaily articles regarding infection and inflammation in psychiatric presentations.
Common Parasite May Trigger Suicide Attempts: Inflammation from T. Gondii Produces Brain-Damaging Metaboliteshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120816170400.htm
Depression: An Evolutionary Byproduct of Immune System?http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301103756.htm
Targeting Inflammation to Treat Depressionhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120903221132.htm
Inflammation in Depression: Chicken or Egg?http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105112235.htm
Childhood Adversity Increases Risk for Depression and Chronic Inflammationhttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120703133721.htm
- Scott
Posted by Delna on November 13, 2012, at 9:12:11
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » delna, posted by SLS on November 13, 2012, at 7:11:43
> > Please feel free to push me to try minocycline :-) I need to shake off my cynicism.
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120803/msgs/1023257.html
>
> I am doing well with my present treatment regime. When I first began taking minocycline, I experienced an improvement within the first five days. However, my progress towards remission has also required an increase in my dosage of prazosin. Minocycline might work synergistically with other anti-glutamatergic drugs like Lamictal or perhaps even memantine or NAC. There is much work that needs to be done to characterize the role that minocycline will play in psychiatry.
>
> Minocycline is not hocus pocus, and I believe is worth a try if you are really desperate to try something different.
Oh, wow. Thank you Scott. That is so useful. I didn't know any of that. And although I am on Lamictal, he's given me a starter pack for mementine.
All that information is enough to convince me. And I am desperate. I am on so many stimulants but still am foggy and tired all the time.
I have come to distrust doctors but I count the experiences of other patients as extremely valuable. So Thanks for sharing your research and experience.
Good to hear you are doing better
Take Care
DivyaPS:I will be filling my prescription today :-)
Posted by SLS on November 13, 2012, at 14:20:44
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » SLS, posted by Delna on November 13, 2012, at 9:12:11
Hi Divya.
> PS:I will be filling my prescription today :-)
:-)
The only serious side effect to look out for is brain swelling (pseudotumor cerebri). This is rare, but you should know the signs and symptoms:
------------------------------------------------------
Moderate to severe headaches that may originate behind your eyes, wake you from sleep and worsen with eye movement
Ringing in the ears that pulses in time with your heartbeat
Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
Blurred or dimmed vision
Brief episodes of blindness, lasting only a few seconds and affecting one or both eyes (visual obscurations)
Difficulty seeing to the side
Double vision (diplopia)
Seeing light flashes (photopsia)
Neck, shoulder or back pain
----------------------------------------------------
The other side effect of minocycline that concerns me is the possible discoloration of teeth and finger nails that has been reported with long term use. I don't know how common this is, but I think the discoloration can be irreversible. I hope these things don't scare you. I just think that you should know as much as possible about a drug before being treated by it.
So far, minocycline has treated me well. There are no side effects that I can detect.
I started at 100 mg/day (50 mg twice a day) and then increased to 200 mg/day (100 mg twice a day). For me, 200 mg/day was decidedly more effective than 100 mg/day.
- Scott
Posted by delna on November 13, 2012, at 19:45:36
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » Delna, posted by SLS on November 13, 2012, at 14:20:44
> Hi Divya.
>
> > PS:I will be filling my prescription today :-)
>
> :-)
>
> The only serious side effect to look out for is brain swelling (pseudotumor cerebri). This is rare, but you should know the signs and symptoms:
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
> Moderate to severe headaches that may originate behind your eyes, wake you from sleep and worsen with eye movement
>
> Ringing in the ears that pulses in time with your heartbeat
>
> Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
>
> Blurred or dimmed vision
>
> Brief episodes of blindness, lasting only a few seconds and affecting one or both eyes (visual obscurations)
>
> Difficulty seeing to the side
>
> Double vision (diplopia)
>
> Seeing light flashes (photopsia)
>
> Neck, shoulder or back pain
>
> ----------------------------------------------------
>
> The other side effect of minocycline that concerns me is the possible discoloration of teeth and finger nails that has been reported with long term use. I don't know how common this is, but I think the discoloration can be irreversible. I hope these things don't scare you. I just think that you should know as much as possible about a drug before being treated by it.
>
> So far, minocycline has treated me well. There are no side effects that I can detect.
>
> I started at 100 mg/day (50 mg twice a day) and then increased to 200 mg/day (100 mg twice a day). For me, 200 mg/day was decidedly more effective than 100 mg/day.
>
>
> - Scott
Again Scott, thanks for for that. I know minocycline is rotten in many ways, I have taken it before and am aware of the nasty side effects. But my other options are worse, like adding another AP on top of the sulpiride. I already developed metabolic syndrome which sucks.
Can I ask you an off topic question please?
Why is lurasidone considered similar to ziprasidone? I can find no similarity but have read patient posts saying they are like twins.
thanks
Divya
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2012, at 20:09:57
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » SLS, posted by delna on November 13, 2012, at 19:45:36
Delna I remember you. Weren't you living in India or some foreign land? As for the minocycline did you experience the headaches & dizzyiness. As I was given it for a dermatology problem and after 4 doses of 70mg had the dizzyness & headache but it didn't wake me. Also the lupus had me concerned and yes the gum and nail discoloration. But it crosses the blood brain barrier and others don't. What did you take it before for? I still have my script for 70mg and yes it's fresh. I did notice improvement of bowels first day. I did have problems with trying to take it without calcium/magnesium. I still test positive for lymes so thought also if true it might help? Phillipa
Posted by delna on November 13, 2012, at 20:28:47
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » delna, posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2012, at 20:09:57
> Delna I remember you. Weren't you living in India or some foreign land? As for the minocycline did you experience the headaches & dizzyiness. As I was given it for a dermatology problem and after 4 doses of 70mg had the dizzyness & headache but it didn't wake me. Also the lupus had me concerned and yes the gum and nail discoloration. But it crosses the blood brain barrier and others don't. What did you take it before for? I still have my script for 70mg and yes it's fresh. I did notice improvement of bowels first day. I did have problems with trying to take it without calcium/magnesium. I still test positive for lymes so thought also if true it might help? Phillipa
Yes Phillipa, India.
I had it for acne and it made me dizzy too. But that was years ago and I used to overfocus of sensations.
My doc thinks the inflammation is causing the fatigue, brain fog & lows hence the minocycline. I dropped off my script but I shall have a test to determine baseline values for inflammatory markers first.Phillipa, I don't understand. Why is your lymes not fully treatable? Does nothing help?
Divya
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2012, at 21:11:45
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » Phillipa, posted by delna on November 13, 2012, at 20:28:47
Delna it's a difficult illness to understand first IGA rises dramatically & usually ANA the marker for autoimmune diseases. So with both up high very high was hard to figure out if had an autoimmune illness or lymes only. The rheumatologist said I was a bunch of autoimmun diseases that were all at low levels so it was decided that it was lymes. For two years antibiotics. The last time saw the infection control specialist 2.5 years ago was still positive based on IGG which rises after IGA does and then the IGA lowers and even with reinfection will never ever rise again. So they watch to see if IGG rises again meaning new infection. At the time the ICD didnt know what to do gave me doxycycline l00mg for twice a day. A Month later had some minor surgery and had to go off it per that doc as he used another antibiotic post surgery. I just never started it again. So still after about 4 months deciding whether should give the minocycline another go and see if feel better. So how bad were the headaches and dizzyness? Will you please keep me posted? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on November 14, 2012, at 5:01:41
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » Phillipa, posted by delna on November 13, 2012, at 20:28:47
> I dropped off my script but I shall have a test to determine baseline values for inflammatory markers first.
What markers are you being tested for?
Ziprasidone and lurasidone are chemically related and share some properties. For me, both drugs produced brain-fog and cognitive impairments at moderate dosages. I found that ziprasidone was helpful for a week or so to reduce my bipolar depression. The major differences between these two drugs in my mind are:
1. Ziprasidone is a weak to moderate potency inhibitor of both norepinephrine and setoroning reuptake (SNRI).
2. Lurasidone is a serotonin 5-HT7 receptor antagonist.
Both drugs are antagonists at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2a receptors, and are partial agonists at the 5-HT1a receptor.
There is a growing body of evidence that lurasidone is effective for treating depression. Ziprasidone has not garnered as much interest for this indication.
- Scott
Posted by neversaynever on November 14, 2012, at 13:55:53
In reply to Depression is Infectious Inflammation, posted by bleauberry on November 10, 2012, at 5:35:08
Antibiotics are to kill infection, so how long do you take them to kill infection of the brain , it should if working kill infection in weeks so why take it long term. Plus what happen,s when you body becomes immune to antibiotics an you get a phsyical illness that needs antibiotics to stop you from dieing ??????????
Posted by Delna on November 14, 2012, at 14:24:30
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation, posted by neversaynever on November 14, 2012, at 13:55:53
> Antibiotics are to kill infection, so how long do you take them to kill infection of the brain , it should if working kill infection in weeks so why take it long term. Plus what happen,s when you body becomes immune to antibiotics an you get a phsyical illness that needs antibiotics to stop you from dieing ??????????
Hi
In this situation minocycline is not being used for its antibacterial properties. It has independent anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammation, even in the brain.
You do not build immunity to antibiotics. Bugs can become immune to them. Minocycline is uniquely needed for very specific, v limited conditions so its okay to take it. Countless other antibiotics exist. Plus you cannot assume that ,if bugs sensitive to minocycline are indeed inhabiting your brain, they will not be wiped out. Drug résistance does not happen so easily. The bugs need to mutate their genetic makeup first.
Posted by Delna on November 14, 2012, at 14:40:27
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » delna, posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2012, at 21:11:45
> Delna it's a difficult illness to understand first IGA rises dramatically & usually ANA the marker for autoimmune diseases. So with both up high very high was hard to figure out if had an autoimmune illness or lymes only. The rheumatologist said I was a bunch of autoimmun diseases that were all at low levels so it was decided that it was lymes. For two years antibiotics. The last time saw the infection control specialist 2.5 years ago was still positive based on IGG which rises after IGA does and then the IGA lowers and even with reinfection will never ever rise again. So they watch to see if IGG rises again meaning new infection. At the time the ICD didnt know what to do gave me doxycycline l00mg for twice a day. A Month later had some minor surgery and had to go off it per that doc as he used another antibiotic post surgery. I just never started it again. So still after about 4 months deciding whether should give the minocycline another go and see if feel better. So how bad were the headaches and dizzyness? Will you please keep me posted? Phillipa
That does sound complicated! Sorry you have to deal with all that.
I will keep u posted.
About the dizziness, that was nearly 15 years ago so i cant remember. But it was enough to make me switch to doxycycline. The dermatologist told me its one of the temporary side effects that will pass but I didn't believe him.
I'm starting really low. I think at 20mg. I will let you know how it goes.
Take Care
D
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 14, 2012, at 18:56:09
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation, posted by delna on November 12, 2012, at 21:38:04
> Hi,
> I vanished for ages so I don't know if anyone remembers me. Anyway, I have been through 2 years of insanity. I have had loads of experiences with different treatments and I want to report back to everyone at some point.
> On this subject though:
> I have a pretty bad 'inflammatory condition' which is totally unidentifiable. My markers like hsCRP and ESR are very high. For example hs-CRP should be under 3. Mine is 25-30. hs CRP has been consistently raised for the past 2 years. I've been tested for everything because doctors were alarmed but nothing can be found.
> My psychiatrist who is also part immunologist believes inflammation and depression are linked (but which came first is hard to say.) He is pushing minocycline on me as he thinks this will help depression by reducing inflammation and thus break the cycle.
>
> Am I being stupid and stubborn in resisting minocycline? He gave me a prescription which I haven't filled.
>
> Actually, I would be a great guinea pig to test this theory. My numbers are very high so inflammation is 'visible' and quantifiable. If the numbers come down and my depression/fatigue gets better, this may suggest attacking the inflammatory pathway may be an option for others.
>
> Also the research on the link between the two is very strong. I have papers given to me by my doctor which explore this very thing. I can share if others want them.
>
> Please feel free to push me to try minocycline :-) I need to shake off my cynicism.
> Take Care,
>
> Divya
>Hey delna .. just wanted to say that it's really nice to see a familiar name; I had wondered what had happened to you after you disappeared, as I recall you were in a pretty bad place.
I'm in a similar position -- backed-into-a-corner, skeptical and hopeless about further treatment propositions etc. since I've tried just about everything ..
Posting on another board, however, someone strongly suggested I try Augmentin XR or a similar anti-biotic .. apparently their son was totally asymptomatic for strep (which is one cited cause of early-onset OCD) and, after failing to respond to conventional treatment, experienced quite a dramatic remission in symptoms.
My case is kinda different (OCD onset at 19), but I'm thinking about asking my GP to prescribe an AB ..
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2012, at 20:32:24
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » delna, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 14, 2012, at 18:56:09
I used to get strep all the time. Only with testing for strep did it get diagnosed. I do think I need an antibiotic and darn was at dermatologist's today and it didn't cross my mind to ask for doxy. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2012, at 20:35:34
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » Phillipa, posted by Delna on November 14, 2012, at 14:40:27
Delna thanks. Phillipa
Posted by alchemy on November 23, 2012, at 19:20:08
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » delna, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 14, 2012, at 18:56:09
Being down to almost no more options, i would like to try minocycline. But i think i already have for acne and would have noticed any mood improvement. Do u take higher doses? My pdoc would laugh at the idea unfortunately.
Posted by alchemy on November 23, 2012, at 20:36:25
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious - minocycline, posted by alchemy on November 23, 2012, at 19:20:08
Fyi- a few years ago mario cappechi found that mice who seemed to have trichotillomania had defective microglia. Their behavior stopped when they had a bone transplant. He found a certain gene.
Trich and depression are usually comorbid conditions (i have mild trich). He is currently doing a human trial.
From what i understand, it was the first real finding that proves the connection with the immune system and mental disorders.
If i could only get a bone transplant :-)
Posted by Phillipa on November 23, 2012, at 20:43:09
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious - minocycline, posted by alchemy on November 23, 2012, at 19:20:08
Are you taking for acne at what dose? Did you experience the dizzyness, and headaches, and the darkening of skin and some lupus? Seriously as it says it can happen. And the two days I took it was dizzy and had headache. Phillipa
Posted by Delna on November 24, 2012, at 1:48:06
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious - minocycline » alchemy, posted by Phillipa on November 23, 2012, at 20:43:09
> Are you taking for acne at what dose? Did you experience the dizzyness, and headaches, and the darkening of skin and some lupus? Seriously as it says it can happen. And the two days I took it was dizzy and had headache. Phillipa
Hi Phillipa,
I just wanted to let you know that I havent been able to bring myself to take the minocycline yet. I am also dreading the side effects. Maybe I will bite the bullett and take one right now (50mg).
Here goes- wish me luck!!
I will keep you posted.
Posted by Delna on November 24, 2012, at 2:38:30
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » delna, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 14, 2012, at 18:56:09
> Hey delna .. just wanted to say that it's really nice to see a familiar name; I had wondered what had happened to you after you disappeared, as I recall you were in a pretty bad place.
>
> I'm in a similar position -- backed-into-a-corner, skeptical and hopeless about further treatment propositions etc. since I've tried just about everything ..
>
> Posting on another board, however, someone strongly suggested I try Augmentin XR or a similar anti-biotic .. apparently their son was totally asymptomatic for strep (which is one cited cause of early-onset OCD) and, after failing to respond to conventional treatment, experienced quite a dramatic remission in symptoms.
>
> My case is kinda different (OCD onset at 19), but I'm thinking about asking my GP to prescribe an AB ..
>
Hi,
Sorry for the delay in posting back. I remember you too. :) We were trying parnate at roughly the same time. It failed for you too, i think. You were trying it for OCD right?
I have severe, childhood onset OCD but I am lucky in that it is suppressed by Ssri type drugs. I have had so much augmentin, it has done nothing positive because unlike kids we aren't still actively infected. We can't be.
But is your OCD completely resistant to psychiatric drugs? Are you sure about that? I am asking because of my personal experience with drugs and doses. If the dose is not pushed up high as needed, u see no benefit.
When I am off SSRI type drugs and my OCD comes back, I need very high doses to control it. With Venlafaxine I need a very minimum of 375mg (for example)- lower than that and the OCD is still awful. And i need that dose for several months before I am stable. So i am wondering if you have taken a dose high enough for your needs. For me, once the ocd remits, I can lower the dose but I can never stop it though. None of the other drugs I take help with my OCD.
I sincerely hope your doctor has tried high enough doses , for long enough before ruling simpler drugs like venlafaxine out, as that would be a real shame. I know OCD is v hard to treat and it is an utter nightmare to live through. It's the aspect of this entire illness that I am genuinely terrified of. But for all you know you may just need a super high dose of one drug to benefit, like I did. I also know doctors are reluctant to push doses up when sometimes that is all it takes to help the patient. The two most effective drugs for OCD for me have been paroxetine and venlafaxine. Neither is lovely but they can work wonders. Especially venlafaxine. I urge you, if you haven't already tried this and are in a bad place, to give a drug like venlafaxine a shot, at high dose.
Meanwhile, let me keep u posted on the minocycline adventure. Maybe all of us have inflamed brains!
Take Care
Divya
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2012, at 20:29:52
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious - minocycline » Phillipa, posted by Delna on November 24, 2012, at 1:48:06
So how did the first dose go? And are you not eating anything with calcium 4 hours after and 2 I think before dosing? This was the hardest for me as take calcium/magnesiu, and eat yougurt at breakfast. Phillipa
Posted by Delna on November 24, 2012, at 21:44:12
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious - minocycline » Delna, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2012, at 20:29:52
> So how did the first dose go? And are you not eating anything with calcium 4 hours after and 2 I think before dosing? This was the hardest for me as take calcium/magnesiu, and eat yougurt at breakfast. Phillipa
Phillipa, so far nothing at all. I took 50mg last night and am taking another 50mg now. I don't think i have anything with much calcium in it before sleeping so i think thats fine.
Will keep u posted
Thanks
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 27, 2012, at 1:47:14
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » g_g_g_unit, posted by Delna on November 24, 2012, at 2:38:30
Thanks and my apologies as well for the late reply .. only just noticed your response.
Yeah, I was trying Parnate for depression/OCD without success; I even retried it recently out of desperation and had a slightly better response (psychiatrist was willing to prescribe a higher dose), but still no benefits as far as anxiety is concerned.
The highest SSRI dose I've tried was 20mg of Lexapro, which I'm aware is still sub-therapeutic for OCD; it didn't do anything for my anxiety. I don't know though.. I felt so numb, apathetic, spacey etc. that the prospect of high doses of SSRIs kind of scares me. I've also tried Prozac and Zoloft, which I couldn't tolerate due to anxiety.
I admit my OCD is out-of-control now though, so maybe venlefaxine would be worth a shot.
> > Posting on another board, however, someone strongly suggested I try Augmentin XR or a similar anti-biotic .. apparently their son was totally asymptomatic for strep (which is one cited cause of early-onset OCD) and, after failing to respond to conventional treatment, experienced quite a dramatic remission in symptoms.
> >
> > My case is kinda different (OCD onset at 19), but I'm thinking about asking my GP to prescribe an AB ..
> >
> Hi,
> Sorry for the delay in posting back. I remember you too. :) We were trying parnate at roughly the same time. It failed for you too, i think. You were trying it for OCD right?
> I have severe, childhood onset OCD but I am lucky in that it is suppressed by Ssri type drugs. I have had so much augmentin, it has done nothing positive because unlike kids we aren't still actively infected. We can't be.
> But is your OCD completely resistant to psychiatric drugs? Are you sure about that? I am asking because of my personal experience with drugs and doses. If the dose is not pushed up high as needed, u see no benefit.
> When I am off SSRI type drugs and my OCD comes back, I need very high doses to control it. With Venlafaxine I need a very minimum of 375mg (for example)- lower than that and the OCD is still awful. And i need that dose for several months before I am stable. So i am wondering if you have taken a dose high enough for your needs. For me, once the ocd remits, I can lower the dose but I can never stop it though. None of the other drugs I take help with my OCD.
> I sincerely hope your doctor has tried high enough doses , for long enough before ruling simpler drugs like venlafaxine out, as that would be a real shame. I know OCD is v hard to treat and it is an utter nightmare to live through. It's the aspect of this entire illness that I am genuinely terrified of. But for all you know you may just need a super high dose of one drug to benefit, like I did. I also know doctors are reluctant to push doses up when sometimes that is all it takes to help the patient. The two most effective drugs for OCD for me have been paroxetine and venlafaxine. Neither is lovely but they can work wonders. Especially venlafaxine. I urge you, if you haven't already tried this and are in a bad place, to give a drug like venlafaxine a shot, at high dose.
> Meanwhile, let me keep u posted on the minocycline adventure. Maybe all of us have inflamed brains!
> Take Care
> Divya
>
Posted by Delna on November 27, 2012, at 2:08:00
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious Inflammation » Delna, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 27, 2012, at 1:47:14
Hi,
Speaking personally, since we all react differently to drugs, I would try the velnafaxine. The difference here is that you have the noradrenaline boost kicking in at about 150mg so its not numbing in my experience. If u titrate up slow you should not get anxiety. Its actually great for anxiety. I know its one of the most 'hated' drugs due to withdrawal etc but it changed my life. I couldn't leave the house because i kept having to check that my face was not deforming every few minutes, or then checking something else like that my legs still worked. I mean, i was hopping from one foot to the other all night just to make sure! I was terrified all the time. It was awful- am sure you can relate. Now, all my OCD is under control as is anxiety.
Venlafaxine is worth a shot especially if your life is out of control because of the OCD. Mine was. I would have resisted high doses too but my OCD became delusional and i ended up in hospital and with no say! Best thing in retrospect!
Well at least u know there is a potential drug in case you come up against a wall. You have a fall back drug to try.> Thanks and my apologies as well for the late reply .. only just noticed your response.
>
> Yeah, I was trying Parnate for depression/OCD without success; I even retried it recently out of desperation and had a slightly better response (psychiatrist was willing to prescribe a higher dose), but still no benefits as far as anxiety is concerned.
>
> The highest SSRI dose I've tried was 20mg of Lexapro, which I'm aware is still sub-therapeutic for OCD; it didn't do anything for my anxiety. I don't know though.. I felt so numb, apathetic, spacey etc. that the prospect of high doses of SSRIs kind of scares me. I've also tried Prozac and Zoloft, which I couldn't tolerate due to anxiety.
>
> I admit my OCD is out-of-control now though, so maybe venlefaxine would be worth a shot.
>
>
> > > Posting on another board, however, someone strongly suggested I try Augmentin XR or a similar anti-biotic .. apparently their son was totally asymptomatic for strep (which is one cited cause of early-onset OCD) and, after failing to respond to conventional treatment, experienced quite a dramatic remission in symptoms.
> > >
> > > My case is kinda different (OCD onset at 19), but I'm thinking about asking my GP to prescribe an AB ..
> > >
> > Hi,
> > Sorry for the delay in posting back. I remember you too. :) We were trying parnate at roughly the same time. It failed for you too, i think. You were trying it for OCD right?
> > I have severe, childhood onset OCD but I am lucky in that it is suppressed by Ssri type drugs. I have had so much augmentin, it has done nothing positive because unlike kids we aren't still actively infected. We can't be.
> > But is your OCD completely resistant to psychiatric drugs? Are you sure about that? I am asking because of my personal experience with drugs and doses. If the dose is not pushed up high as needed, u see no benefit.
> > When I am off SSRI type drugs and my OCD comes back, I need very high doses to control it. With Venlafaxine I need a very minimum of 375mg (for example)- lower than that and the OCD is still awful. And i need that dose for several months before I am stable. So i am wondering if you have taken a dose high enough for your needs. For me, once the ocd remits, I can lower the dose but I can never stop it though. None of the other drugs I take help with my OCD.
> > I sincerely hope your doctor has tried high enough doses , for long enough before ruling simpler drugs like venlafaxine out, as that would be a real shame. I know OCD is v hard to treat and it is an utter nightmare to live through. It's the aspect of this entire illness that I am genuinely terrified of. But for all you know you may just need a super high dose of one drug to benefit, like I did. I also know doctors are reluctant to push doses up when sometimes that is all it takes to help the patient. The two most effective drugs for OCD for me have been paroxetine and venlafaxine. Neither is lovely but they can work wonders. Especially venlafaxine. I urge you, if you haven't already tried this and are in a bad place, to give a drug like venlafaxine a shot, at high dose.
> > Meanwhile, let me keep u posted on the minocycline adventure. Maybe all of us have inflamed brains!
> > Take Care
> > Divya
> >
>
>
Posted by Delna on November 27, 2012, at 14:14:51
In reply to Re: Depression is Infectious - minocycline » Delna, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2012, at 20:29:52
Hi,
I have taken 50mg minocycline for 3 days and I can say with some confidence that it is making me really sleepy. i can't wake up in-spite of my usual ritalin 40mg, Dexedrine 20mg, Provigil 400mg and 450mg Wellbutrin. I already have an issue with hypersomnia and this is one side effect I cannot bear, so I am stopping this drug. I need to go up to 200mg anyway and if I am so tired now, thats just not going to happen.
I'm not sure if this is a common side-effect and since I am extremely sensitive to meds please dont go by my experience. I also have the most bizarre , topsy-turvy reactions.
Phlippa,i know you are thinking about restarting this so please don't be put off. I know you are concerned about dizziness which is common but I can say with certainty that I didn't get dizzy at all. Nor the nauseous . Headaches, maybe,but since I get them anyway I cant say for sure minocycline is causing them.
Its only been 3 days so I cannot report any positive effects.
So just wanted to update you.
I also think the only way to know if you can tolerate it, is to try a low dose first.Now I think I need to try latuda.
PS:
If i do discover (after stopping ) that the sleepiness is not connected, I will restart for sure. Otherwise I have read things about asprin for inflammation in the context of depression , even though i dont think it crosses the blood/ brain barrier. And statins too!
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