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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sheilac on January 27, 2012, at 15:02:41
Since I've been having heart rhythm issues I have decided to quit Adderall and Geodon. My mother has severe heart issues and I worry that these meds are to blame for my recent issues.
I still have Klonopon, but I worry that I may need another low dose mood stabilizer, just not sure what that will be. I hate all these crazy side effects.
I have depended on Adderall to keep me "up" and to help me lose weight. And I have ignored the warnings on Geodon causing atrial fib and heart rhythm issues.
I hope that my body will correct itself. I also hope I don't become manic or over do it on caffeine.
Can't take Lamictal. Don't want to get fat or hurt my heart or kidneys. Seriously, what is a bpii to do?
Can't live on Klonopin alone.
Posted by SLS on January 28, 2012, at 5:59:36
In reply to Quitting - now what?!, posted by Sheilac on January 27, 2012, at 15:02:41
> Can't live on Klonopin alone.
This fact is unfortunate, and may require you to make compromises and sacrifices.
Lamictal is not very good at treating mania by itself. However, it works well with lithium to stabilize ultra rapid cycling.
I would consider valproate or Latuda (lurasidone).
Latuda is an antipsychotic related to Geodon that does not exert negative effects on heart rhythm.
- Scott
-----------------------------------
http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=32476"ECG Changes
Electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements were taken at various time points during the LATUDA clinical trial program. No post-baseline QT prolongations exceeding 500 msec were reported in patients treated with LATUDA. Within a subset of patients defined as having an increased cardiac risk, no potentially important changes in ECG parameters were observed. No cases of torsade de pointes or other severe cardiac arrhythmias were observed in the pre-marketing clinical program.
The effects of LATUDA on the QT/QTc interval were evaluated in a dedicated QT study involving 87 clinically stable patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, who were treated with LATUDA doses of 120 mg daily, 600 mg daily, or ziprasidone 160 mg daily. Holter monitor-derived electrocardiographic assessments were obtained over an eight hour period at baseline and steady state. No patients treated with LATUDA experienced QTc increases > 60 msec from baseline, nor did any patient experience a QTc of > 500 msec. "
Posted by bleauberry on January 28, 2012, at 7:54:53
In reply to Quitting - now what?!, posted by Sheilac on January 27, 2012, at 15:02:41
Well, you asked "seriously, what is a bpii to do? To me that is easy. Think in the same way Dr Oz thinks....blend medicine and nature. My own experience has shown me that while meds are extremely potent extremely focused substances, the benefits of other earth-made substances is at least equal to or better than any of the meds.That includes a wide spectrum of approaches including food choices, minerals, vitamins, and phytomedicines (herbs with natural medicines in them). I like plants because they not only do what meds can do, or what meds can't do, but they offer a multitude of other health benefits apart in addition to the desired mechanism, all of which synergistically make the desired mechanism work even better.
The downside is the same as meds.....lots of things to experiment with and that is the only way to find out what works. Scientific studies and reports on the internet are meaningless because they cannot predict how a substance will perform in any particular person. The bright side is, they can and do work, they are healthy (prozac and friends aren't, sorry), and they can simultaneously work on other problems and symptoms as side effects.
What puzzles me, confounds me profoundly actually, is how someone will spend 10 years experimenting with potent chemicals, but they won't dare touch a plant. My guess is that is because of fear of the unknown, fear of not knowing where to start, fear of not having a prescription (as if a prescription somehow makes something valid or not). Fear of the unknown exists with meds too. So does the fear of not knowing where to start or what to do next. So I don't get it.
Anyway, what to do? Broaden your horizons. If someone thinks the only means of improvement is from something a doctor can guess at, they are very wrong and paying the price for that error every precious day that goes by.
Posted by Sheilac on January 28, 2012, at 8:26:20
In reply to Re: Quitting - now what?!, posted by SLS on January 28, 2012, at 5:59:36
Thanks Scott! I will ask my doc about Latuda. Maybe I can try some samples. I have done so well on Geodon, but given my family history and also my recent heart rhythm events I need to change meds.
Posted by Beckett on January 28, 2012, at 8:29:53
In reply to Quitting - now what?!, posted by Sheilac on January 27, 2012, at 15:02:41
Have you tried Latuda? My pdoc speaks highly of it, though it is still new. Studies say it shows a strong antidepressant effect (according to him). Thought I'd pass that on. Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2012, at 10:49:48
In reply to Re: Quitting - now what?! » Sheilac, posted by Beckett on January 28, 2012, at 8:29:53
Better than the Sapris? Seriously as know someone who also was thinking of it? Phillipa
Posted by phidippus on January 28, 2012, at 16:31:35
In reply to Quitting - now what?!, posted by Sheilac on January 27, 2012, at 15:02:41
Relying on Klonopin as your mood stabilizer is inviting disaster.
Here are your available mood stabilizers:
Tegretol - requires blood tests - good for mania
Lithium - requires blood tests for levels - good for mania and depression
Depakote - requires blood tests - good for mania
Trileptal - good for mania and depression - risk of hyponatremia
Lamictal - can cause fatal rash - good for mania and depression
Zonegran - good for mania and depression - can help you lose weight
Keppra - good for mania - high incidence of psychiatric side effectsYou shouldn't worry so much about side effects.
Eric
Posted by raisinb on January 28, 2012, at 21:14:04
In reply to Quitting - now what?!, posted by Sheilac on January 27, 2012, at 15:02:41
Have you tried Trileptal? My pdoc put me on it a couple of months ago and I have not noticed any side effects. It seems weaker than Lithium for mood stabilization, but it provides enough, provided I get regular sleep, therapy, and exercise and don't drink. I am also bpII. I'm also on 75 mg Zoloft per day.
Posted by SLS on January 29, 2012, at 6:57:59
In reply to Re: Quitting - now what?!, posted by raisinb on January 28, 2012, at 21:14:04
> Have you tried Trileptal? My pdoc put me on it a couple of months ago and I have not noticed any side effects. It seems weaker than Lithium for mood stabilization, but it provides enough, provided I get regular sleep, therapy, and exercise and don't drink. I am also bpII. I'm also on 75 mg Zoloft per day.
I'm sure you know to check for hyponatremia.
- Scott
Posted by raisinb on January 29, 2012, at 11:57:11
In reply to Re: Quitting - now what?! » raisinb, posted by SLS on January 29, 2012, at 6:57:59
Yes, I just went in for the first round of blood tests the other day--pdoc insisted.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 29, 2012, at 16:14:47
In reply to Quitting - now what?!, posted by Sheilac on January 27, 2012, at 15:02:41
Tegretol would be the obvious choice to me.
Posted by sheilac on January 31, 2012, at 8:18:40
In reply to Re: Quitting - now what?!, posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 29, 2012, at 16:14:47
Since stopping the Geodon cold turkey I haven't had any heart issues, but now, after 4 days am experiencing some depression.
I can't take Lamictal, which would be the obvious choice, what other med would help with constant, low grade depression and be a good stabilizer?
Doesn't Latuda have the same heart issue risks as Geodon?
Posted by papillon2 on January 31, 2012, at 20:40:02
In reply to Re: Quitting - now what?!, posted by sheilac on January 31, 2012, at 8:18:40
I just posted some articles in your other thread which might help.
This is the end of the thread.
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