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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jay_OriginalOne on July 29, 2017, at 17:02:37
Hello all, first time posting in a longgg time!! Need some advice. At bedtime, I am on 10mg Lexapro. 300 mg Effexor XR, 450 mg lithium. And I take 300mg of Lamictal durring the day, and 50 mg of Vyvance, plus clonazepam .5 mg prn. it's a lot, but I have been on meds for over 22 years. Plus I take a b vitamin complex, and 4mg of B12. The lithium puts me to sleep. I take it about 8..9pm. This combo makes you a bit drowsy during the day, but Vyvanse is excellent for this, far better than Wellbutrin for me. I have an excellent psychopharmacologist managing my meds, plus I go to CBT therapy, accupuncture, and art therapy, This is all free, provided by our Canadian healthcare system. I hope I am not bragging,but multi fine tuning of međs, with therapy (crucial) can help a lot. I have depression, bad anxiety, and PTSD from both of my parent's dying traumatic illnesses within 6 months of each other. Plus, I lost my job and haven't been able to find another. I also listen to music to soothe, and take long walks. I am still quite tired during the day. I wonder if its the lithium?
Posted by SLS on July 29, 2017, at 19:22:58
In reply to Comments on combo welcomed/SLS anyone?, posted by Jay_OriginalOne on July 29, 2017, at 17:02:37
What illnesses are you being treated for?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on July 29, 2017, at 19:32:55
In reply to Re: Comments on combo welcomed/SLS anyone?, posted by SLS on July 29, 2017, at 19:22:58
1. What is the Lexapro for? How do you know that it is working?
2. For me, 450 mg/day of lithium is too much. I feel a sort of malaise at that dosage. 300 mg/day is optimal for me. I use it as an augmenter to antidepressants. Have you tried taking magnesium instead of lithium for sleep?
3. I would take Lamictal in divided dosages twice a day.
4. I take prazosin for complex trauma (developmental PTSD).
- Scott
Posted by Jay_OriginalOne on July 29, 2017, at 20:57:51
In reply to Re: Comments on combo welcomed/SLS-Oops., posted by SLS on July 29, 2017, at 19:32:55
Scott, it is suprisingly for cPTSD. The lexapro helps with the anxiety, Maybe I should stick and ramp up on that and ditch Effexor. The lithum and lamictal have been the real game changers, though. I should mention, I have severe mood swings, mostly to dysphoric mania when not on mood stabalizers, Oh, I also hsve prn Nozinan for if things get real bad, But, I barely need it now. Thanks, Jay
Posted by linkadge on July 30, 2017, at 7:58:42
In reply to Comments on combo welcomed/SLS anyone?, posted by Jay_OriginalOne on July 29, 2017, at 17:02:37
Hi Jay,
I'm glad you get your meds in Canada for free! I live in Canada and I have to pay 100% out of pocket. The government will pay if you have zero income. As soon as you make any money, you basically have to pick up the tab (at least that has been my experience).
Anyhow, I am on Effexor, amitriptyline and lithium. They work fairly well, but I select them because they are cheap.
I personally find that I have to do a periodic lithium washout. For some reason, if I take it every day, I get a bit tired / apathetic over time. If I take a break (say a few days every 2 weeks) I seem to feel better.
Linkadge
Posted by Jay_OriginalOne on July 30, 2017, at 8:13:09
In reply to Re: Comments on combo welcomed/SLS anyone?, posted by linkadge on July 30, 2017, at 7:58:42
Hey Link:
I am on ODSP, so I really have no income..lol. I think I will stick with the Effexor. What doses are you on!.of all meds? Thanx, Jay
Posted by linkadge on July 30, 2017, at 14:18:00
In reply to Re: Comments on combo welcomed/SLS anyone? » linkadge, posted by Jay_OriginalOne on July 30, 2017, at 8:13:09
I am on basically the lowest dose of each:
10mg of amitriptyline a night
300mg of lithium at night
37.5mg of Effexor in the morningHowever, oftentimes I won't take all 3. I use rTMS, herbs, caffeine, vitamins, exercise etc. to try and manage other symptoms.
Oftentimes, lithium alone will be enough, but then I lapse (mostly depression, anhedonia and obsessiveness) at which point I stop the lithium and start the antidepressants. When I feel better, often I will stop the antidepressant and go back on lithium. Surprisingly I don't get withdrawal doing this. When I feel 'normal' often the lithium alone can maintain this for a few weeks at a time.
It is completely unconventional to do it this way, but it seems to work.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on July 31, 2017, at 6:16:34
In reply to Re: Comments on combo welcomed/SLS anyone?, posted by linkadge on July 30, 2017, at 14:18:00
Where are you having rTMS performed?
I recall that you had put together your own device.
Do you place the coil on the left or right side of your forehead?
For depression:
10-20 Hz = left
1 Hz = right
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on July 31, 2017, at 10:27:11
In reply to rTMS » linkadge, posted by SLS on July 31, 2017, at 6:16:34
I typed up an entire response and then it got deleted when I went back!! Argg.
Anyhow, I use a combination of an electromagnetic device and stationary magnets.
As far as the latter, I kid you not. I'm not sure if I have mentioned it in the past. However, if you have a powerful stationary magnet (I use two from an old hi-fi system, a 8 inch subwoofer magnet and a 5 inch midrange speaker magnet) you can pass them over your head at a chosen frequency and location. It would be difficult to generate 10hz by hand, but you can easily create 1hz over the right prefrontal cortex. If you have a metronome (or ticking clock) you simply keep time with it. I notice the most benefit from the right side.
If you get a powerful stationary magnet within a meter of an old tube television, you can easily see how it interacts (I'm sure you have seen the color distortion). The farther way you can view this interaction, the stronger the magnet.
The only difference between an electromagnet and a stationary magnet is movement. Electricity produces a field around an electromagnet. Conversely, movement of a stationary magnet's field around a wire produces electricity.
If you want the most noticeable effect, use a large, powerful stationary magnet (the bigger the better) and pass it directly over the top of your head about 30 times. I notice that this has a 'resetting' and anti-anhedonic effect.
I no of no research to corroborate my own findings, however, all I can say is try it and let me know if you notice anything. I have been doing this for years. The benefits can last days to weeks. One can likely obtain such magnets for free.
Let me know if you want any more info.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on July 31, 2017, at 12:48:18
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by linkadge on July 31, 2017, at 10:27:11
Posted by linkadge on August 1, 2017, at 11:06:13
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by linkadge on July 31, 2017, at 10:27:11
That should say "I know of no research" not I no of no research :)
(I no the difference)(kidding)
Linkadge
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 2, 2017, at 5:08:01
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by linkadge on August 1, 2017, at 11:06:13
the only thing that changed during TMS for me is that i "needed" to take antipsychotics afterwards.
Posted by linkadge on August 2, 2017, at 12:41:36
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by Lamdage22 on August 2, 2017, at 5:08:01
rTMS can aggravate / induce psychotic reactions in certain individuals. I have noticed some issues along that regard when using it. I supposedly does have a dopaminergic mechanism of action.
For instance, it can upregulate dopamine receptors which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the baseline state.
This is one reason I use the hand held magnets rather than the electromagnets. I still notice an effect, but I seem to have a bit more control over it.
Linkadge
Posted by Hugh on August 8, 2017, at 15:26:49
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by linkadge on July 31, 2017, at 10:27:11
> If you want the most noticeable effect, use a large, powerful stationary magnet (the bigger the better) and pass it directly over the top of your head about 30 times. I notice that this has a 'resetting' and anti-anhedonic effect.
I've been using a magnet to improve my sleep since January. It's from qmagnets.com in Australia. The type of magnet I use is called a QF28-6. I use a Wilson tennis headband to keep the magnet in place at the top of my forehead, just below my hairline, on the left side. Using a watch cap, I've experimented with different placements all over my head. Wearing a magnet on the right side of my head for a few hours made me feel anxious. I wear the magnet 2-4 hours daily or every other day. When I go for a few days without wearing it, the sleep benefits start to fade.
I've also experimented with several different placements on other parts of my body. I use wristbands to keep the QF28-6 on the insides of my forearms (I wear two of the magnets simultaneously), about two inches above my wrist crease (this is called the Pericardium-6 acupoint). I wear them like this for a few hours. This has a stimulating effect on me, and sometimes gives me a feeling of well being that lasts for the rest of the day.
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 10, 2017, at 10:45:25
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by Hugh on August 8, 2017, at 15:26:49
That sounds kind of weird. Just saying.
Posted by Hugh on August 11, 2017, at 11:01:47
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by Lamdage22 on August 10, 2017, at 10:45:25
Yes, I know it does. But it works. For me, at least.
Posted by linkadge on August 11, 2017, at 11:12:09
In reply to Re: rTMS, posted by Hugh on August 8, 2017, at 15:26:49
Hi Hugh,
Thanks for your experiences. Yes, I have used small supermagnets placed on different parts of my head.
If my thoughts become overactive, I can place a magnet over my left prefrontal cortex. Within about 2-5 min I notice a slowing of my thoughts.
I don't buy into a lot of hocus pocus quackery, but IMO magnets absolutely can have an influence on the electrical activity inside the brain.
For doubters, all I can say is try it.
In general, my sense is that a stationary magnet would have a slowing action on neural activity within the field region.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 11, 2017, at 11:15:10
In reply to Re: rTMS » Lamdage22, posted by Hugh on August 11, 2017, at 11:01:47
The question to ask oneself is this....
rTMS is (in Canada, at least) approved treatment for clinical depression.
Stationary magnets, produce fields just like electromagnets (albeit potentially weaker).
However, depending on the strength of the magnet, and motion involved, it can (IMO) influence the electrical activity inside the brain like rTMS can.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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