Depakene even in the best form, Depakote ER, can have adverse effects on hormones – it would be one of my last choices. Lamictal is the best tolerated mood stabilizer if it doesn’t cause a serious rash (very uncommon). The main problem with Lamictal is that it has to be […]
Q&A
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Meridia (sibutramine) is FDA approved for weight loss. It combines the effects of antidepressants like Effexor (at doses of 225mg or higher) or Cymbalta with dopamine effects like stimulants. One possible side effect is increased blood pressure. Years ago I tried Meridia for several patients and most of them didn’t like it […]
I am not crazy about long term use of Xanax (or any other benzodiazepine) for treatment of chronic insomnia because they don’t produce all the normal sleep states (esp. stage 4 deep sleep). Whether this is the case in everyone and whether this effect persists indefinately has not been adequately […]
Most of my ADHD patients do well and many if not most like being ADHD. There are some who haven’t found the "right medication(s)", but there are frequently new medications that become available. Within 4-8 weeks we will have Vyvanse, a new form of Dexedrine that has research benefit higher than […]
Question: I have ADHD, and it is ruining my life. I can’t function like everyone else. I keep making appointments to see a therapist, but I never go. I don’t want to do this anymore. I want to go to college, but everyone I know says it’s not a good […]
Question: Why are you so down on Luvox? It has worked well for me in the past. Also, I use 1200 of Lithium and my creatinine is 1.2. I have used it 10 years. At what creatinine level should Lithium be stopped? I would try Abilify but am diabetic. – […]
Question: I recently saw a special on deep tissue stimulation for OCD. It worked in this patient. How does deep tissue stimulation work? – Lea Answer: I have not seen anything about that. However, I recommend the Brain Lock technique to all my OCD patients – preferably to listen to […]
Question: I am taking cymbalta, concerta and ambien – this week to substitute daytrana – for fibromyalgia. Key problems are sleep, pain, mental fog, low energy to the level of cfs. Is it standard treatment to use a stimulant drug for this condition? I have relief in all areas when […]
Question: I’m a 48 yr. old female with bipolar II disorder and have been taking 300mg/day of Wellbutrin XL and .25mg of Xanax on an as needed basis for anxiety. My depression and anxiety have increased significantly the past few months due to stress from a job change, death of […]
Question: I have bad stomach pain after taking a drug for a bladder condition. I was also on Prozac, Elavil and Lorazepam at the time, for bladder and depression issues. I stopped the Prozac because I wanted to take less drugs, because now I also have to take Prevacid. So, […]