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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PeterMartin on November 14, 2018, at 17:18:44
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on November 14, 2018, at 7:34:23
Give it time Scott.
One question I had a few weeks ago that I wanted to ask you is that I saw you listed that you were taking 300mg of Lamictal. I always remember you saying 200 was the best for you and any more started to cause cognitive problems.
Are you still taking Lamictal? If so at what dose and if possible what is the generic maker of the Lamictal you have. Teva stopped making it and many people have had bad reactions to the other generics pharmacies have switched them to.
I'd also check on the generic Parnate you received. Rosyln below mentioned she can't get activas brand now but only par. I truly believe different generics can have seriously different effects ranging from being ineffective to downright terrible side effects.
One thing to consider.
Books are overrated in the internet age btw :)
Posted by baseball55 on November 14, 2018, at 18:00:20
In reply to I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by SLS on November 13, 2018, at 9:57:20
Scott - I am so sorry you are feeling so low. I know that feeling when all the helpful suggestions in the world don't help because you don't have the energy to carry them out.
I will give you one suggestion, though you may feel too overwhelmed to do it and I know also how frustrating it can be to have people say - do this, do that.
Maybe if you tried to do just one little thing a day - buying food or showering or any other thing you need to do but just can't seem to do - and try to do it mindfully (i.e., just focusing on the action, not on your feelings at the moment), you would feel just a little better for just a little time. But that might be enough to inspire you to try just a little bit more.
Do you have anyone who can help you? A friend or family who can visit and help you with daily tasks? Maybe make appointments for you? Do you need to be in the hospital? If so and you can't find the motivation to get yourself there, can you call 911? Sometimes just feeling safe for a bit can at least give you some relief and maybe some hope.
I just got out of the hospital. It does suck - mostly because there are not enough psych beds and so you have to wait in the ER for a long time. In the ER, they just kept me somewhat zoned out on ativan so I didn't go nuts and could doze despite the constant noise.
Posted by Roslynn on November 14, 2018, at 18:06:50
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by PeterMartin on November 14, 2018, at 17:18:44
> I'd also check on the generic Parnate you received. Rosyln below mentioned she can't get activas brand now but only par. I truly believe different generics can have seriously different effects ranging from being ineffective to downright terrible side effects.
>
Just wanted to clarify :) --I think they're still making the Actavis, it's just that my particular pharmacy switched generics on me (or their warehouse did) while I'm still working on reaching my target dose. And they're not too concerned about keeping the med in stock for me.But that's me, my pharmacy and where I live, etc.
If Scott is in or near a major city he might not have these problems. At least I hope not.
Posted by PeterMartin on November 14, 2018, at 21:30:50
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by Roslynn on November 14, 2018, at 18:06:50
>
>
> > I'd also check on the generic Parnate you received. Rosyln below mentioned she can't get activas brand now but only par. I truly believe different generics can have seriously different effects ranging from being ineffective to downright terrible side effects.
> >
> Just wanted to clarify :) --I think they're still making the Actavis, it's just that my particular pharmacy switched generics on me (or their warehouse did) while I'm still working on reaching my target dose. And they're not too concerned about keeping the med in stock for me.
>
> But that's me, my pharmacy and where I live, etc.
> If Scott is in or near a major city he might not have these problems. At least I hope not.
>
>Gotcha!
I'm just saying it's important to consider the brand of generic meds you're taking in particular lamictal. The most common (and best) generic for Lamictal was discontinued by Teva in July. Many people suddenly having major problems when they didn't realize their pharmacy switched them to another brand or that a different brand could have vastly different effects. I'm not sure why Lamictal has so many "bad" generics but if you read through this thread you'll see many people had issues when they had to switch from Teva to another brand: https://www.medschat.com/Discuss/What-Is-The-Best-Generic-Of-Lamictal-244558_p4.htm
TARO Lamictal is the only one I've found to work for me as Teva (and brand) did since I started taking it in 2008. Alembic and Cipla both had me rapid cycling and depressed.
I always stick w/ the same manufacturers now. If meds I think are going to work don't for some reason I'll try another generic brand to confirm it's the drug and not the maker (Most in India or China).
Posted by rjlockhart37 on November 15, 2018, at 1:45:29
In reply to I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by SLS on November 13, 2018, at 9:57:20
i'm not expert, am not, but maybe this is period when you withdrew from parnate and withdraw from MAO-B neurotransmitters caused cognitive difficulties, because trillitex is serotonin med, effexor is stimulating ... but it's not as parnate. A quick suggestion is memantine because it stimulating to help improve memory, and mental functions. I don't know about MAOI's all i know is basic, but maybe parnate MAO-B and withdrawing from that caused cognitive effects.
I posted about DLPA, what happened was i was taking so much of DLPA, -Phenylalanine it was at a toxic dose and i did not know it. I started having haze-fog and couldnt think correctly, then after it was discontinued i had problems with remembering things, simple things. I don't want to sound silly, but i've gotten on prayer lines. If you google DLPA it's maximum dose is 3000mg, i thought that was in one dose....so i was taking 3 doses of it, it worked well, then started having those symptoms. But...im slowly bein able to remember things. For a while, i would sit at a laptop and could not think of anything to type into google, it was like ... only would check Facebook, and other main websites, i could not browse or be spontaneous. Having to sit in silent suffering and doing memory tasks to help improve.
This is just ... writing not scientific science, but you were on a MAO-B medication, and that is related to dopamine and norepinephrine. When it was discontinued, those nuerotransmitters lowered and you transferred over to serotonin type meds. Which is a big hop. But i don't have the best answer i just hope things work out. Memantine would help cognitive difficulties, but don't give up and work with your doctor. And this could be a totally diffrent problem than this. This was just a thought
Posted by Roslynn on November 15, 2018, at 14:58:08
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by PeterMartin on November 14, 2018, at 21:30:50
> I'm just saying it's important to consider the brand of generic meds you're taking in particular lamictal. The most common (and best) generic for Lamictal was discontinued by Teva in July. Many people suddenly having major problems when they didn't realize their pharmacy switched them to another brand or that a different brand could have vastly different effects. I'm not sure why Lamictal has so many "bad" generics but if you read through this thread you'll see many people had issues when they had to switch from Teva to another brand: https://www.medschat.com/Discuss/What-Is-The-Best-Generic-Of-Lamictal-244558_p4.htm
>
> TARO Lamictal is the only one I've found to work for me as Teva (and brand) did since I started taking it in 2008. Alembic and Cipla both had me rapid cycling and depressed.
>
> I always stick w/ the same manufacturers now. If meds I think are going to work don't for some reason I'll try another generic brand to confirm it's the drug and not the maker (Most in India or China).
>Oh, good point--I'd forgotten that people were having trouble with the lamictal generics. You do want to keep everything as close as possible to what you took before esp. if you are retrying a med or in a crisis situation. Thanks for pointing that out.
Posted by Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:09:20
In reply to I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by SLS on November 13, 2018, at 9:57:20
you think you've got it bad? I just got a panic attack from Ativan.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on November 15, 2018, at 22:55:09
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by rjlockhart37 on November 15, 2018, at 1:45:29
maybe go back on Parnate, it may help and your doctor may can increase it more than 80mg's, i think when you said you went off parnate, you had a rebound depression, went from dopamine/norepheprhine (mao-b) to serotonin meds
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 6:46:40
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by PeterMartin on November 14, 2018, at 17:18:44
Hi.
> Give it time Scott.
>
> One question I had a few weeks ago that I wanted to ask you is that I saw you listed that you were taking 300mg of Lamictal. I always remember you saying 200 was the best for you and any more started to cause cognitive problems.I found that I needed 300 mg/day of Lamictal to get the most out of it. When I increased from 200 mg/day to 300 mg/day, I didn't think that I had an increase in cognitive impairments. It is hard to know, though. Things can creep up on you.
I am sad that Teva is no longer making lamotrigine. I found it to be somewhat less effective than Lamictal, but Mylan was much worse.
My depression is bad. I barely take care of myself. My money situation is getting worse. My mother looks like she is developing Alzheimer's Dementia, and I don't know who is going to take care of her. I don't have much drive or energy to get up off the couch. Winter is here, and I am too weak to shovel snow to get my car on the road. I worry about how I will live out my life in a nursing home. There is a lot more.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 6:49:22
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » SLS, posted by baseball55 on November 14, 2018, at 18:00:20
> Scott - I am so sorry you are feeling so low. I know that feeling when all the helpful suggestions in the world don't help because you don't have the energy to carry them out.
>
> I will give you one suggestion, though you may feel too overwhelmed to do it and I know also how frustrating it can be to have people say - do this, do that.
>
> Maybe if you tried to do just one little thing a day - buying food or showering or any other thing you need to do but just can't seem to do - and try to do it mindfully (i.e., just focusing on the action, not on your feelings at the moment), you would feel just a little better for just a little time. But that might be enough to inspire you to try just a little bit more.
>
> Do you have anyone who can help you? A friend or family who can visit and help you with daily tasks? Maybe make appointments for you? Do you need to be in the hospital? If so and you can't find the motivation to get yourself there, can you call 911? Sometimes just feeling safe for a bit can at least give you some relief and maybe some hope.
>
> I just got out of the hospital. It does suck - mostly because there are not enough psych beds and so you have to wait in the ER for a long time. In the ER, they just kept me somewhat zoned out on ativan so I didn't go nuts and could doze despite the constant noise.
These are GREAT suggestions!Thank you.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 6:58:48
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by rjlockhart37 on November 15, 2018, at 1:45:29
Thanks, RJ.
Your post was helpful.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 7:00:54
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:09:20
> you think you've got it bad? I just got a panic attack from Ativan.
Sorry to hear that. Does this happen with any other benzodiazepines?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 7:02:57
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by rjlockhart37 on November 15, 2018, at 22:55:09
> maybe go back on Parnate
That's the plan.
My greatest fear is that I will not respond to Parnate now.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2018, at 8:54:39
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » rjlockhart37, posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 7:02:57
Scott are you currently still seeing the same psychiatrist? Have you thought of finding another. One that just might view things in a different way? I feel you need help as I know you also feel and I hate hospitals but have you considered inpatient. Know that I care. Phillipa
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 8:57:32
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » baseball55, posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 6:49:22
Do you know a hospital where they treat you well? They could help you with hormones and maybe they would even help you try supplements if you tell them that you tried every psychmed under the sun. Dont do crazy stuff like dbt or ect please!
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 8:59:33
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 8:57:32
i meant to say dbs
Posted by Schlepo on November 16, 2018, at 12:15:52
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » rjlockhart37, posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 7:02:57
> > maybe go back on Parnate
>
> That's the plan.
>
> My greatest fear is that I will not respond to Parnate now.
>
>
> - ScottSLS, you have always been the pillar of this community, please don't fall on us.
Posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 17:34:48
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by Schlepo on November 16, 2018, at 12:15:52
> > > maybe go back on Parnate
> >
> > That's the plan.
> >
> > My greatest fear is that I will not respond to Parnate now.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> SLS, you have always been the pillar of this community, please don't fall on us.What a wonderful thing to say!
I'll try not to.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 20, 2018, at 4:54:50
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » Schlepo, posted by SLS on November 16, 2018, at 17:34:48
Just give the Parnate a fair trial and add an antipsychotic if needed. Have you ever tried amisulpride? I havent. They say its mood brightening.
Posted by SLS on November 20, 2018, at 6:10:12
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by Lamdage22 on November 20, 2018, at 4:54:50
Hi, Lambdage.
> Just give the Parnate a fair trial and add an antipsychotic if needed. Have you ever tried amisulpride? I havent. They say its mood brightening.
I tried sulpiride, a drug that is similar to amisulpride. It was neutral.
I am trying to take things slow with Parnate. I don't want to trigger another negative reaction.
I will have fish oil and Cerefolin to work with. I haven't decided when to add them.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 20, 2018, at 13:56:43
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on November 20, 2018, at 6:10:12
You never tried fishoil before?? It makes me worse in an odd way however i do take a little bit of it in the morning. The low dosage is ok but higher is no good.
How long did it take before you saw an improvement the last time on Parnate? Yeah, you need to be careful with this stuff.
Posted by SLS on November 20, 2018, at 21:07:40
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read., posted by Lamdage22 on November 20, 2018, at 13:56:43
> You never tried fishoil before?? It makes me worse in an odd way however i do take a little bit of it in the morning. The low dosage is ok but higher is no good.
My sister just bought me some fish oil from Sam's Club. I don't want to take it at this point.
> How long did it take before you saw an improvement the last time on Parnate? Yeah, you need to be careful with this stuff.
Well, I had been taking 80 mg/day. I am starting low and moving up slowly. I began at 10 mg/day. I just started taking 30 mg/day today. It might be a few weeks before I see any significant improvement.
I think I'll look into testosterone and thyroid as you suggested. I have to make an appointment with a GP.
I appreciate your help.
How are you?
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2018, at 22:22:36
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on November 20, 2018, at 21:07:40
Scott medscape had an article on testosterone and depression so you seriously might want to get your levels checked as it was successful for a lot of men. Phillipa
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 21, 2018, at 0:58:45
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » SLS, posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2018, at 22:22:36
> Scott medscape had an article on testosterone and depression so you seriously might want to get your levels checked as it was successful for a lot of men. Phillipa
Also dont forget to get Human Growth Hormone checked!
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 21, 2018, at 6:19:29
In reply to Re: I feel like I am brain damaged. Please read. » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on November 20, 2018, at 21:07:40
I am wellish thanks for asking. I am looking into analytic therapy. Not psychoanalysis. Just once a week. I like what i hear about it. I always wanted to get to the root of my problems but i never was well enough to do it. If a house is rotten from the inside, you can put new plaster on but it wont solve the long term problem. I want to fix the ground work.
I have 5 sessions with a psychologist at a walk in psychoanalysis place and they can help me find a depth psychologist.
Right now we are figuring out if this type of therapy is beneficial for me!
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