For those who like to keep score, here are all of the meds that I have been on. They’ve invariably caused me some sort of wacky/ugly side effect and/or some have not even bothered to work at all. As always, I welcome any questions and if you don’t recognize a med here, just ask!
- Oxazepam/Serax
- Diazepam/Valium (just a few days but what the hey)
- Sertraline/Zoloft
- Lorazepam/Ativan
- Venlafaxine/Effexor
- Buproprion/Wellbutrin
- Clonazepam/Klonopin
- Zopiclone/Imovane
- Liothyronine Sodium/Cytomel (I know this looks funny on a head med list but it was used as an adjunct to Effexor)
- Mirtazapine/Remeron
- Moclobemide/Manerix
- Nefazodone/Serzone
- Temazepam/Restoril
- Fluoxetine/Prozac
- Carbamazepine/Tegretol
- Citalopram/Celexa
- Lamotrigine/Lamictal
- Divalproex Sodium/Depakote (eh, three days inpatient but again, why not?)
- Topiramate/Topamax
- Rizatriptan/Maxalt
- Olanzapine/Zyprexa
- Clobazam/Frisium
- Atomoxetine/Strattera
So, I guess that pretty much covers every class except the tricyclics, the “old school” or “typical” APs (Antipsychotics) and the stimulants.
Strattera was a disaster. It’s kind of my own “fault” as I completely forgot that it’s basically an antidepressant–an NRI (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.) I can not even be in the same room with an AD (Antidepressant!) Okay, it’s not that bad but they make me go positively nuts.
In 13 days, Strattera reduced me to a quivering, mumbling, mixed-state, ultradian cycling pile of rubble. Hey, at least I gave the drug 13 days. And the physical side effects were hell too. A gastronomic disaster and waking up at the crack of dawn just for the fun of it, basically.
Yep, developed in Sweden as an AD with terrible (or simply null?) results and now it’s an ADD med! I wonder if it actually helps ADD folks. No, really. I’m not being snarky. I do wonder. I guess there is some anecdotal evidence out there but I’ve had a bit of a hard time finding any studies.
But please, don’t get me wrong. I would never discourage someone from trying a med based solely upon my experience! That would be silly. We are all neurochemically diverse and unique.
Edit: April 2007 have now started taking Lamotrigine/Lamictal (again) and Quetiapine/Seroquel
Edit: August 2007 have now started taking Methylphenidate/Concerta/Extended Release Ritalin
Edit: August 2007 have dropped the Zopiclone/Imovane as the Quetiapine/Seroquel is enough and tossing in a Hypnotic along with the Atypical AP seemed a bit overkill and unnecessary.
Alright, so we need a bit of an update as per dosage. Topiramate/Topamax 200mg, Lamotrigine/Lamictal 150mg, Quetiapine/Seroquel 50mg, Methylphenidate/Concerta 36mg, Clobazam/Frisium (benzodiazepine used only as a seizure adjunct) 10mg, Rizatriptan/Maxalt (migraine med) prn.
Gastrointestinal: Esomeprazole/Nexium (Protom Pump Inhibitor for GERD) 40mg, Palafer (Iron Supplement for Anaemia) 300mg.
Edit: Have now gone off Palafer as I couldn’t stand it. My gastro loves me so he let me when I told him I refused to ingest one more little pill! We’re going to monitor for any future anaemia issues, I believe?
Edit: As of late December 2007, I have started taking 40mg of Biphentin which is exactly the same as Concerta, listed above. So far, it is only available in Canada. The reason for the switch was a more flexible titration schedule, basically.
Edit: In February 2008, Domperidone/Motilium was added to my arsenal. It is a gastrointestinal med that can be used for assisting digestion but also for nausea. I will be taking it for the latter if/when I have migraines during the day while at work. There is no way I could take Gravol/Dimenhydrinate or I’d be passed out under my desk!
Edit: In April 2008, Seroquel increased to 100mg, Topamax increased to 300mg and Valium added at 5mg one to two tablets daily prn.
Edit: In September 2008, Clobazam increased to 20mg and Lamictal increased to 200mg (for seizure management.)
For those who like to keep score, here are all of the meds that I have been on. They’ve invariably caused me some sort of wacky/ugly side effect and/or some have not even bothered to work at all. As always, I welcome any questions and if you don’t recognize a med here, just ask!
- Oxazepam/Serax
- Diazepam/Valium (just a few days but what the hey)
- Sertraline/Zoloft
- Lorazepam/Ativan
- Venlafaxine/Effexor
- Buproprion/Wellbutrin
- Clonazepam/Klonopin
- Zopiclone/Imovane
- Liothyronine Sodium/Cytomel (I know this looks funny on a head med list but it was used as an adjunct to Effexor)
- Mirtazapine/Remeron
- Moclobemide/Manerix
- Nefazodone/Serzone
- Temazepam/Restoril
- Fluoxetine/Prozac
- Carbamazepine/Tegretol
- Citalopram/Celexa
- Lamotrigine/Lamictal
- Divalproex Sodium/Depakote (eh, three days inpatient but again, why not?)
- Topiramate/Topamax
- Rizatriptan/Maxalt
- Olanzapine/Zyprexa
- Clobazam/Frisium
- Atomoxetine/Strattera
So, I guess that pretty much covers every class except the tricyclics, the “old school” or “typical” APs (Antipsychotics) and the stimulants.
Strattera was a disaster. It’s kind of my own “fault” as I completely forgot that it’s basically an antidepressant–an NRI (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.) I can not even be in the same room with an AD (Antidepressant!) Okay, it’s not that bad but they make me go positively nuts.
In 13 days, Strattera reduced me to a quivering, mumbling, mixed-state, ultradian cycling pile of rubble. Hey, at least I gave the drug 13 days. And the physical side effects were hell too. A gastronomic disaster and waking up at the crack of dawn just for the fun of it, basically.
Yep, developed in Sweden as an AD with terrible (or simply null?) results and now it’s an ADD med! I wonder if it actually helps ADD folks. No, really. I’m not being snarky. I do wonder. I guess there is some anecdotal evidence out there but I’ve had a bit of a hard time finding any studies.
But please, don’t get me wrong. I would never discourage someone from trying a med based solely upon my experience! That would be silly. We are all neurochemically diverse and unique.
Edit: April 2007 have now started taking Lamotrigine/Lamictal (again) and Quetiapine/Seroquel
Edit: August 2007 have now started taking Methylphenidate/Concerta/Extended Release Ritalin
Edit: August 2007 have dropped the Zopiclone/Imovane as the Quetiapine/Seroquel is enough and tossing in a Hypnotic along with the Atypical AP seemed a bit overkill and unnecessary.
Alright, so we need a bit of an update as per dosage. Topiramate/Topamax 200mg, Lamotrigine/Lamictal 150mg, Quetiapine/Seroquel 50mg, Methylphenidate/Concerta 36mg, Clobazam/Frisium (benzodiazepine used only as a seizure adjunct) 10mg, Rizatriptan/Maxalt (migraine med) prn.
Gastrointestinal: Esomeprazole/Nexium (Protom Pump Inhibitor for GERD) 40mg, Palafer (Iron Supplement for Anaemia) 300mg.
Edit: Have now gone off Palafer as I couldn’t stand it. My gastro loves me so he let me when I told him I refused to ingest one more little pill! We’re going to monitor for any future anaemia issues, I believe?
Edit: As of late December 2007, I have started taking 40mg of Biphentin which is exactly the same as Concerta, listed above. So far, it is only available in Canada. The reason for the switch was a more flexible titration schedule, basically.
Edit: In February 2008, Domperidone/Motilium was added to my arsenal. It is a gastrointestinal med that can be used for assisting digestion but also for nausea. I will be taking it for the latter if/when I have migraines during the day while at work. There is no way I could take Gravol/Dimenhydrinate or I’d be passed out under my desk!
Edit: In April 2008, Seroquel increased to 100mg, Topamax increased to 300mg and Valium added at 5mg one to two tablets daily prn.
Edit: In September 2008, Clobazam increased to 20mg and Lamictal increased to 200mg (for seizure management.)