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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 11:01:51
Hi all:
Been back in the black box again for a few months, been getting worse and worse...have a good pdoc for 9 years now, had ETC, been on too many drugs to count, am on a number of meds now (nuvigil, abilify, synthroid, klonopin, trazodone, prazosin) and just off lamictal (rash), tried carbitrol (suicidal thoughts and dreams), and NOW have added mirapex...been on it for about 10 days, currently at a total of .625 mg/day divided in 3 doses. Tomorrow will go up to .75. Some improvement, though not as much as I would hope for. Wondering if I need to wait, if I need more Mirapex...also considering TMS but its so expensive and if the mirapex is going to work, hoping I won't have to go TMS route.
So anyone on Mirapex now, anyone been on it for a while or know how long it takes to kick in, or what recommended dosage is? Been looking all over internet for answers but hard to find as it is still off label for treatment resistant depression.
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated (especially in the positive range). Really.
Thanks.
ruby
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 11:50:49
In reply to Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 11:01:51
No experience but I understand the frustration with googling as seems not as much info as before. Did you try a google search mirapex patient reviews. Sometimes I find stuff that way. Hoping some great responses for you. Phillipa
Posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 11:55:03
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Ruby2, posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 11:50:49
Thanks, Philippa. I get reviews for RLS and Parkinson's but not much (if anything) on depression. The posts here are old and mixed, and I'm hoping to hear something recent. Thanks for your sympathetic response. It is appreciated. You are such a faithful participant here and have helped so many, I am sure.
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 18:54:07
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Phillipa, posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 11:55:03
Was out back now will see if can find mirapex for depression. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 18:59:55
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Ruby2, posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 18:54:07
Maybe it didn't work out for people as all the posts on google internet were old also. Phillipa
Posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 19:44:42
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 18:59:55
> Maybe it didn't work out for people as all the posts on google internet were old also. Phillipa
Yes, I was wondering about that. My pdoc says she doesn't use it that much b/c its "a strange little drug" -- not sure what she means by that other than it has some odd side effects. Not sure how long I'll have to wait to see if it helps, especially hard as I'm trying to make a decision about TMS.
Thanks for checking.
Ruby
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 20:20:10
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Phillipa, posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 19:44:42
Wish I could have found some recent infor. Where will you receive TMS? Phillipa
Posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 20:32:18
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Ruby2, posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 20:20:10
Here in NYC where I live. My pdoc is connected to a practice with a couple of good clinicians that trigger the gizmo to each patient. There is some hope I'd only need 2 weeks instead of the usual 4-6 weeks. In the process of checking out insurance coverage, etc, as I make final decision. Bottom line is I just want to feel better...I've been off work for a couple weeks, trying to go back this week...got know when to fight, when to rest...not always easy to know.
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2011, at 21:00:01
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Phillipa, posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 20:32:18
Being originally from Fairfield County Ct spent a lot of time in the City lots of great docs and hospitals there. Rest first more important than work for a while. Phillipa
Posted by Phidippus on November 30, 2011, at 20:47:04
In reply to Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by Ruby2 on November 27, 2011, at 11:01:51
Treatment resistant depression? Why aren't you on an antidepressant?
Mirapex works well for mood in the higher dosages.
You're on Klonopin? That can cause depression.
I don't understand your cocktail at all.
Eric
Posted by Ruby2 on November 30, 2011, at 21:48:24
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Ruby2, posted by Phidippus on November 30, 2011, at 20:47:04
I'm on abilify and trazodone has an antidepressant effect on me. Mirapex isn't helping the mood too much, unfortunately. A bit destabilizing. I've been through just about any antidepressant you can mention...working on this over nine years. Lamictal worked the best but then i got severe esophagitis, a form of the rash, and had to discontinue--boo on that. I also have PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. Looks like I'm headed to TMS. Pdoc says that that at this point there's only a 60% chance meds will put me in remission but she thinks its 90% chance with the TMS. So there I go...
Posted by uncouth on November 30, 2011, at 23:43:30
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » Ruby2, posted by Phidippus on November 30, 2011, at 20:47:04
i've been on 1.5 of the ER formulation for the past 9 months, it may or may not be helping but my bias is to say "yes". i'm on a shitload of dopamine stuff though, taking it with 600mg of Wellbutrin and 60mg of Vyvanse so i'md efinitely a corner case. I think mirapex is a great drug but the ER formulation is pretty mandatory considering the drugs pharmokinetics. i'm actually going down to 1.0mg as we are trying to figure out that cause of my sleep disturbance though i dont think it's mirapex.
Posted by SLS on December 1, 2011, at 7:06:40
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by uncouth on November 30, 2011, at 23:43:30
> i've been on 1.5 of the ER formulation for the past 9 months, it may or may not be helping but my bias is to say "yes". i'm on a shitload of dopamine stuff though, taking it with 600mg of Wellbutrin and 60mg of Vyvanse so i'md efinitely a corner case. I think mirapex is a great drug but the ER formulation is pretty mandatory considering the drugs pharmokinetics. i'm actually going down to 1.0mg as we are trying to figure out that cause of my sleep disturbance though i dont think it's mirapex.
I don't recall reading a single success story on PB regarding the use of Mirapex long-term for treating depression. Of course, that might not mean a whole lot. I haven't gone searching for such stories. I once tried bromocriptine in combination with Parnate and desipramine. I found it somewhat helpful for the first three days; thereafter, nothing. I don't see that these dopamine receptor agonists help very much.
- Scott
Posted by markwell on December 4, 2011, at 11:37:33
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » uncouth, posted by SLS on December 1, 2011, at 7:06:40
My pdoc wants to give mirapex a try. How is it going so far? Do you find it activating because I can't take activating. Bad side effects? Thanks for updates.
Mark
Posted by Ruby2 on December 4, 2011, at 14:43:26
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by markwell on December 4, 2011, at 11:37:33
> My pdoc wants to give mirapex a try. How is it going so far? Do you find it activating because I can't take activating. Bad side effects? Thanks for updates.
> MarkStarted at .125 3x/day. Went up to .25 3x/day. At the higher dosage it was destablising for me--too much rollercoasting. So I'm back at the original dosage, which is helping a bit. Certainly more productive and have my concentration back. Mood not great yet...no euphoria or high from it. Only bad side effect was, as I said, the destabilizing at the upper dose. It isn't unusual for me to be at the lowest dosage of meds though, as I'm pretty sensitive to them.
Hope it goes well for you!
Rebecca
Posted by markwell on December 10, 2011, at 20:26:51
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » markwell, posted by Ruby2 on December 4, 2011, at 14:43:26
How's the mirapex going now? I'm going to try it in a week or so. Any depression relief?
Mark
Posted by Ruby2 on December 11, 2011, at 13:32:41
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by markwell on December 10, 2011, at 20:26:51
> How's the mirapex going now? I'm going to try it in a week or so. Any depression relief?
> MarkIt is working for me at .125mg 3x/day. A very low dosage but all my drugs are low as my system is sensitive. When I went up to .25 3x/day, my mood was destabilized but when we went back to the .125, my mood stabilized again.
I'm also a week into TMS therapy, which is helping me too. So it is hard to know which is the cause for the improved mood. But I am greatly relieved to be climbing out of the pit.
I hope it works for you.
Rebecca
Posted by markwell on December 12, 2011, at 9:24:32
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by Ruby2 on December 11, 2011, at 13:32:41
Rebecca, I'm a bit unstable now with ra
cing thoughts,severe anxiety and insomnia. Did it increase anxiety? I'm so afraid of going off the deep end.
Mark
Posted by Ruby2 on December 12, 2011, at 9:53:28
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by markwell on December 12, 2011, at 9:24:32
Posted by Ruby2 on December 12, 2011, at 9:58:33
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by markwell on December 12, 2011, at 9:24:32
Hi Mark--
Not sure why my last post went out empty but what I said was...
No, the mirapex did not make me more anxious. At .125 3x/day I started feeling better, less depressed and less anxious. So pdoc thought we'd put it up to .25 3x/day. Then my mood started to cycle between "okay" and "depressed." So I went back down to the .125 3x/day. My anxiety has been better on it...much better.
I hope it works for you! Just hang in there. I know what you are going through and I know it is really tough, but hang on, okay?
Ruby
Posted by markwell on December 12, 2011, at 18:07:39
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » markwell, posted by Ruby2 on December 12, 2011, at 9:58:33
Ruby, does it need to be dosed. 3x's per day? How is your sleep? I would like to babblechat about this but not sure how to do that.
Mark
Posted by Ruby2 on December 12, 2011, at 20:14:10
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by markwell on December 12, 2011, at 18:07:39
> Ruby, does it need to be dosed. 3x's per day? How is your sleep? I would like to babblechat about this but not sure how to do that.
> MarkDon't know much about it, actually, don't know if there is an ER version. my sleep got disturbed by the TMS so we've also just added silenor. i'm on a ton of meds right now. hoping after the tms, we'll be able to cut back. sorry don't know anything about babblechat either.
take care. ruby
Posted by markwell on January 20, 2012, at 11:58:36
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » markwell, posted by Ruby2 on December 12, 2011, at 20:14:10
Are you still taking mirapex? If so hows it going?
Posted by Ruby2 on January 20, 2012, at 12:20:41
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage, posted by markwell on January 20, 2012, at 11:58:36
> Are you still taking mirapex? If so hows it going?
Still taking it... at .125 mg 3x a day. All is fine. Taking it has been coincident with very successful TMS treatment, so it is hard to figure out how much the mirapex played a part. Certainly no bad side effects. My mood is the best its been in 5 years...and anxiety is pretty low too. Amazing. I wish this for everyone. Couldn't imagine it beforehand.
Ruby
Posted by markwell on January 20, 2012, at 12:33:40
In reply to Re: Recent Mirapex Experiences/Dosage » markwell, posted by Ruby2 on January 20, 2012, at 12:20:41
I'm so glad. What are you
using for a mood stabilizer?
Mark
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