Posted by SLS on August 5, 2009, at 7:12:14
In reply to Re: Blood tests, posted by qbsbrown on August 4, 2009, at 23:30:49
I'm sorry that things are so complicated for you. I don't think adding Lexapro at this point is ideal if the depression that is now occurring is due to some effect of the Tegretol. Phenobarbital is something for you to move onto if it has an established utility in BZD withdrawal. I don't know enough about it to help you make any decisions. I am thinking that Tegretol might still be useful. The only way to find out is to try. Perhaps you would do better at a higher dosage. If things get significantly worse, then it will be up to you what to do next. Is it possible that very low dosages are ideal for you? You would have to taper the Tegretol to prevent seizures, so you'll get a chance to find out.
It's too bad you can't go right up to 800mg of Tegretol to see how you would react to it. I think at this point, you might not find the stability at 400mg that was hoped for. I don't know what is best for you because I don't have a crystal ball. If it were me, I would want an answer as soon as possible. I would go right up to 600mg at this point and evaluate how you feel on it. If things get worse, then it is time to make a change.
I would just bring up that Topamax (topiramate) seems to be of utility in benzodiazepine and alcohol withdrawal. Still, it sounds like the you would like phenobarbital to be your next drug trial. Interestingly, Topamax works directly on glutamate receptors, something the other anticonvulsants you have tried fail to do. The others have in common the blocking of sodium channels. Maybe that's not what you need.
Overall, I think the phenobarbital is a good choice as long as you respect the drug and its potential to produce respiratory depression if you decide to play with dosages.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:906673
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20090801/msgs/910352.html