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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Crotale on July 15, 2008, at 21:29:38
Hi folks. I posted this to the Medication board but thought I might be more likely to get a response here. (I tried earlier but it didn't show up on this board.)
Anybody taking Aricept (donepezil) or Namenda (memantine), or ever taken either of these? If so, what side effects do/did you get, if any?
I've been considering asking my doc for a script for one of these meds, as they're supposed to prevent cognitive side effects from ECT. (Still haven't gotten any such side effects, but am having trouble cutting back to once-every-2-weeks, and worried about continuing at this frequency.)
TIA,
-Crotale
Posted by emme on July 17, 2008, at 17:58:57
In reply to Aricept + Namendas, posted by Crotale on July 15, 2008, at 21:29:38
> Hi folks. I posted this to the Medication board but thought I might be more likely to get a response here. (I tried earlier but it didn't show up on this board.)
>
> Anybody taking Aricept (donepezil) or Namenda (memantine), or ever taken either of these? If so, what side effects do/did you get, if any?Yes, both.
Aricept: great for depression, motivation, and clearing up brain fog. Took a few weeks to kick in. Side effects: nightmares, hot face, and raised liver enzymes. I was willing to put up with the first two, but we pulled the plug when my liver enzymes were raised. (I have been told the liver thing is unusual with this drug.) It's worth giving it a try.
Memantine: Very good for improving depressed mood. Side effects: feelings of loopiness and derealization at 5 mg or higher (I am quite med sensitive). I felt generally unwell on anything above 2.5 mg, at which dose the AD effect was less clear. Ditched it in favor of Abilify.
Good luck.
emme
> I've been considering asking my doc for a script for one of these meds, as they're supposed to prevent cognitive side effects from ECT. (Still haven't gotten any such side effects, but am having trouble cutting back to once-every-2-weeks, and worried about continuing at this frequency.)
>
> TIA,
> -Crotale
Posted by bleauberry on July 17, 2008, at 19:00:37
In reply to Aricept + Namendas, posted by Crotale on July 15, 2008, at 21:29:38
I only tried Namenda for a couple days to sample it. May give it a real trial in the future, but for now I have other things scheduled first.
The only side effect I noticed was a bit louder ringing in my ears. They always ring, but it just got a little louder.
Posted by Crotale on July 27, 2008, at 8:57:41
In reply to Aricept + Namendas, posted by Crotale on July 15, 2008, at 21:29:38
OK, I'm not looking for an antidepressant effect (although that would be a nice bonus). Indeed, someone reminded me that cholinergic drugs can have depression as a side effect. So not going there.
I've discovered a whole bunchof drug classes that have been played around with for this:
(in addition to cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA antagonists)- calcium channel blockers
- several different thyroid hormones
- glucocorticoids (e.g. dexamethasone)
- glucocorticoid _antagonists_
- NO donors
- cyclooxygenase inhibitors
- ergoloid mesylates
- nootropics (*racetams)I'm guessing that at least some of them work! (statistically speaking)
[again, please note, I'm interested primarily in *side effects*]
-Crotale
Posted by Crotale on July 27, 2008, at 14:27:40
In reply to Re: donepezil + memantine for ECT cog side FX, posted by Crotale on July 27, 2008, at 8:57:41
Oh yeah, they also tried opioid antangonists, but this isn't an option for me (and I'd be less than eager to try it even if it were).
-Crotale
Posted by cumulative on July 31, 2008, at 3:03:20
In reply to Re: donepezil + memantine for ECT cog side FX, posted by Crotale on July 27, 2008, at 14:27:40
Sorry, I don't know much about this yet, but iirc you used buprenorphine for depression for many years. Is this still effective for you? Not to the degree you would like?
Posted by cumulative on July 31, 2008, at 3:04:10
In reply to side question to you sir, posted by cumulative on July 31, 2008, at 3:03:20
Posted by Crotale on August 3, 2008, at 22:37:28
In reply to side question to you sir, posted by cumulative on July 31, 2008, at 3:03:20
Hi cumulative. "sir" is fine :)
> Sorry, I don't know much about this yet, but iirc you used buprenorphine for depression for many years. Is this still effective for you? Not to the degree you would like?
I still take it, have been on it for 9 years. I'd say there's been a tiny bit of tolerance but not enough that I've felt a need to raise the dose; in fact, I lowered it in order to reduce the side effects (although this resulted in less antidepressant effect as well).
Currently on the following:buprenorphine ~0.2-0.25mg q.i.d.
Parnate 20mg t.i.d.
ECT q.2 weeks (maintenance)
modafinil 100mg p.r.n.
zolpidem 20mg q.h.s.(Umm, I think that's it.)
Feel free to ask if there's anything else you'd like to know. (Er, within reason, of course.)
Best,
-Crotale
This is the end of the thread.
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