Posted by utopizen on October 12, 2004, at 13:06:40
In reply to Re: question about stimulants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by woolav on October 12, 2004, at 12:19:17
> Thanks everyone. I am actually on prozac and lamitcal. I might try to lower my klonopin dose and see what happens..
>
> thanksI'd up the dose of Prozac, and later up the dose of Lamictal if you don't notice anything, as much as your doc feels comfortable going up to. Lowering the Klonopin is a step in the right direction, but do this with your doc's advisement, don't go solo.
I really don't think taking a stimulant is appropriate when it's only to reduce drug-induced somnolence.
Provigil is more acceptable, and your doc shouldn't have any problems giving you it if you tell him you're open to lowering the Klonopin for the time being as well as bumping up the Prozac and later the Lamictal to see if your somnolence is partially due to depression, which you should never overlook, since it only gets worse if you ignore its possible presence.
So, lower the Klonopin, but up the Prozac, agressively and I mean agressively, and if you still find little relief from your anxiety, talk with your doc about uping the Lamictal-- but be on the look-out for rashes. If this combo doesn't work, consider talking with your doc about Cymbalta, or combining the Prozac with around 300mg of Lithium (target dose)-- Lithium also helps improve depression in non-responders.
Whether you think it's a recurrence of depressive episodes or not, you need to treat it as though it is to get your energy back.
Seriously talk with your doc about Cymbalta though, as energy is often something it gives you at 60-120mg and it has rapid action (1-2 weeks signfigiant and 4 weeks for substantial improvement).
I know I sound like a Cymbalta sales guy, but I just find this so promising-- I just left a message with my doc saying I'm interested in it, to make sure he's prepared about the drug for our visit in two days.
Always call your doc when you are noticing side effects or aren't noticing progress, at least once a week. And if you're curious of exploring a new med option, leave a message with him the day before or earlier so he has time to think it over before he sees you. It makes your sessions more productive.
Keep in mind if you're taking the Klonopin for the first 2 weeks, the somnolence tends to go away after this.
Nevertheless, talk with your doc about lowering your dose so you can adjust to it without the somnolence and take your lowered energy drive SERIOUSLY and not try to isolate it to only the Klonopin. I did that, and I'm in a very depressed state that will take a lot of work to dig myself out of. I shouldn't have trusted myself so much.
poster:utopizen
thread:402110
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041012/msgs/402167.html