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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ivoovi on December 6, 2001, at 9:40:53
Hi everyone! I did something, and it worked well for me, but I'm afraid to tell my pdoc about it. I was on wellbutrin 300mg....and I didn't see ANY effect after 4 weeks, so I raised it to 400mg (on my own, I had some 100mg tablets from my sister), and it started working very well (with my neurontin), however, I'm afraid to tell my pdoc what I did...but at the same time I want him to know that a higher dosage works! what should I do? I have a meeting with him today!
Posted by judy1 on December 6, 2001, at 10:05:27
In reply to Will my pdoc get mad?, posted by ivoovi on December 6, 2001, at 9:40:53
Almost all pdocs HATE it when their patients change meds w/o their approval. You could say something like I would like to try a higher dose of Wellbutrin, or even I made a mistake with the doseage (I can't remember what mg the tabs are, sorry). But I really recommend you don't admit taking someone else's medication. Good luck, judy
Posted by akc on December 6, 2001, at 10:13:10
In reply to Will my pdoc get mad?, posted by ivoovi on December 6, 2001, at 9:40:53
I guess I am just the opposite of judy -- I think you need to tell your pdoc everything. While he may not be happy you did this on your own, I think honesty in the relationship with your pdoc is important -- the relationship is dependent on the trust you develop, and it is a two-way street. Taking the med on your own is one step of not trusting, but then not fessing up is another, I think, bigger step. If your pdoc is worth anything, while he may be upset, he shouldn't abandon you over your choice -- he should work with you. If he is going to abandon you over this, you probably don't want him anyway.
My beliefs.
akc
Posted by ivoovi on December 6, 2001, at 13:29:26
In reply to Re: Will my pdoc get mad?, posted by akc on December 6, 2001, at 10:13:10
AHHHH! T-2hours until appt. Not sure what I'm going to do....I know I probably shouldn't have taken the extra medication in the first place, but I was doing really really poorly....I needed SOME relief. Anyway, I think I am going to subtly suggest an increase in dosage (Say I had a partial response to 300mg, and ask if a higher dosage would be good) and if that doesn't work......tell him what I did.....as a last resort....Anyway, thanks for your comments, I'm still open to any more suggestions!!
Peace out.
Chris
Posted by Pamela Lynn on December 7, 2001, at 1:09:09
In reply to Re: Will my pdoc get mad?, posted by ivoovi on December 6, 2001, at 13:29:26
So....what did you end up telling your doctor? I'd like to know how it went...
P.L.
> AHHHH! T-2hours until appt. Not sure what I'm going to do....I know I probably shouldn't have taken the extra medication in the first place, but I was doing really really poorly....I needed SOME relief. Anyway, I think I am going to subtly suggest an increase in dosage (Say I had a partial response to 300mg, and ask if a higher dosage would be good) and if that doesn't work......tell him what I did.....as a last resort....Anyway, thanks for your comments, I'm still open to any more suggestions!!
>
>
> Peace out.
> Chris
Posted by ivoovi on December 7, 2001, at 11:20:58
In reply to Re: How did it go ivoovi?? » ivoovi, posted by Pamela Lynn on December 7, 2001, at 1:09:09
Well, I decided to play it by ear. I ended up not telling him anything, but when it was time to change meds...I suggested that we up the dose of the wellbutrin. He agreed. I was honest about how I felt on the 300mg when we talked about how I was doing, so I'm sure that played a part in it. But now I'm on a very good, working, wonderful combination of meds (400mg of Wellbutrin and 1200mg of Neurontin), after a year of trial-and-error. However, I'm still addicted to reading posts on this board! :P
Thanks to everyone!
-Chris
Posted by judy1 on December 7, 2001, at 11:59:27
In reply to Re: How did it go ivoovi??, posted by ivoovi on December 7, 2001, at 11:20:58
I'm really happy you got what you wanted. Unfortunately, I have been through over 15 pdocs and each one that I admitted to manipulating my meds reacted in an angry fashion and that's why I gave the advice I did. The pdoc I have now would (and has) been receptive but he is an exception in many ways to traditional pdocs. Take care- judy
Posted by ivoovi on December 11, 2001, at 20:56:17
In reply to Re: How did it go ivoovi?? » ivoovi, posted by judy1 on December 7, 2001, at 11:59:27
So. My doc put me on Depakote 500mg. I'm scared poo-pooless about the possible side effects of this medication. Not just the weight gain and the hair loss, but it's effect on bone marrow, the immune system, the liver, the pancreis...all of this? What the hell am I doing to my body? But...I guess I'd kill myself anyway so I mine as well as be happy until I die.
-Chris
Posted by IsoM on December 12, 2001, at 1:58:19
In reply to UPDATE..For those who care., posted by ivoovi on December 11, 2001, at 20:56:17
We do care Chris. I know too little to say anything about what it'll feel like but keep us posted about how you feel please.
> So. My doc put me on Depakote 500mg. I'm scared poo-pooless about the possible side effects of this medication. Not just the weight gain and the hair loss, but it's effect on bone marrow, the immune system, the liver, the pancreis...all of this? What the hell am I doing to my body? But...I guess I'd kill myself anyway so I mine as well as be happy until I die.
>
> -Chris
Posted by Dinah on December 12, 2001, at 8:31:13
In reply to UPDATE..For those who care., posted by ivoovi on December 11, 2001, at 20:56:17
I've been on a low dose of Depakote, on and off, for well over a year now. I've had no problems with weight gain or hair loss. I am not experienced with Depakote dosing but 500mg doesn't seem unduly high.
My experience with Depakote is that short term it might make you feel oddly detatched (which might be a nice restful thing if you are feeling truly awful). Long term I notice nothing at all except that I don't seem to fligh quite as high or crash quite as low.
I really wish you all the best with the Depakote.
Posted by cmcdougall on December 12, 2001, at 9:45:03
In reply to UPDATE..For those who care., posted by ivoovi on December 11, 2001, at 20:56:17
Chris, I'm new to posting on this board, but have been reading it for about 2 months. Did your doc go ahead and increase the wellbutrin to 400? and then add the depakote on top of that along with the neurontin? You sounded so hopeful about the increase of wellbutrin.....
Did your doc say what he/she wanted to accomplish with the depakote?
I've had chronic major depression for most of my life and have struggled with finding the right meds for over 10 years. Once you find the right drug or mix of drugs, you CAN have a pretty normal life, but when the meds poop-out and you have to go through trial after trial of new drugs and combos, THAT is really depressing. This battle is usually harder that dealing with the original disease.
Please keep trying and have hope. It seems that you have friends on this board that can give you encouragement. Use us.
Carly
> So. My doc put me on Depakote 500mg. I'm scared poo-pooless about the possible side effects of this medication. Not just the weight gain and the hair loss, but it's effect on bone marrow, the immune system, the liver, the pancreis...all of this? What the hell am I doing to my body? But...I guess I'd kill myself anyway so I mine as well as be happy until I die.
>
> -Chris
Posted by judy1 on December 12, 2001, at 9:54:35
In reply to UPDATE..For those who care., posted by ivoovi on December 11, 2001, at 20:56:17
Chris,
That's a fairly low dose (I take 1500 when I need it) and I doubt very much if you feel any side effects. (If you do, please contact your pdoc) It sounds as if you are being treated for bipolar disorder which could explain the mood swings, and if that's the case then you should feel better with depakote. Please let us know how you feel, it will take about a week to kick in. Take care- judy
Posted by ivoovi on December 12, 2001, at 11:51:32
In reply to Re: UPDATE..For those who care. » ivoovi, posted by judy1 on December 12, 2001, at 9:54:35
Wow! Thank you everyone for the replies! It makes me feel so special and warm and fuzzy inside! :) I'm glad all of you can share your experiences with me, it's helpful to know, and I wish all of you the best.
My pdoc wanted to try 500mg for a week then 1000mg if the 500 had any effect. Yes, he did increased the wellbutrin to 400mg. Anyway, I do feel strangely detached when on depakote...it's somewhat similar to being on a very lose dose of Ketamine or DXM...it's kinda cool. Anyway, no problems yet. I feel decently today, I'm still not very happy but all things come in good time. bla bla bla. Anyway, thank you everyone again! I appreciate it! :)-Chris
Posted by IsoM on December 12, 2001, at 15:32:33
In reply to Thank you everyone, posted by ivoovi on December 12, 2001, at 11:51:32
It's funny, Chris, but whenever I read of someone who's feeling a little better, I feel like it's a small victory for me too. I think many of us here can really empathise with each other. Their problems are ours & their victories we share too. Keep on for all of us!!
> Wow! Thank you everyone for the replies! It makes me feel so special and warm and fuzzy inside! :) I'm glad all of you can share your experiences with me, it's helpful to know, and I wish all of you the best.
> My pdoc wanted to try 500mg for a week then 1000mg if the 500 had any effect. Yes, he did increased the wellbutrin to 400mg. Anyway, I do feel strangely detached when on depakote...it's somewhat similar to being on a very lose dose of Ketamine or DXM...it's kinda cool. Anyway, no problems yet. I feel decently today, I'm still not very happy but all things come in good time. bla bla bla. Anyway, thank you everyone again! I appreciate it! :)
>
> -Chris
This is the end of the thread.
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