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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 BearFan on January 9, 2008, at 21:51:18
Was wondering how has it worked for you? I have taken Effexor and Cymbalta and very interested in this one because I hear it lacks sexual side effects, weight gain, and has a balanced 50/50% serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake.
Itbromyaliga, which if approved, will most certainly make it an off-label drug for depression.Thanks
Posted by atmlady on January 10, 2008, at 9:32:05
In reply to Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)?, posted by BearFan on January 9, 2008, at 21:51:18
Hi, BearFan! I am eagerly awaiting my first shipment of Ixel, which I decided to try for all the same reasons you've listed, plus the improved sleep. I will post how I'm feeling once I start (I'll be coming off a max dose of Wellbutrin and the occasional week of Lexapro when I get desperate for serotonin).
From what I've been reading online, the side effects of Ixel can be elevated blood pressure (some of the fibro patients in the current US trials have had to discontinue due to this) and problems with urinating (for men, at least). One member of this board took Ixel for a few days and discontinued due to the inability to urinate (I think he was a man); users on other boards I've visited say this side effect, if you get it, usually clears up after a few days.
I also hear that Ixel, which inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, also enhances the receptivity of dopamine receptors, so a person who needs a dopamine boost (which I'm afraid I might after a year of Wellbutrin) might be OK with just the Ixel - I'm hoping I will be. But from what I'm reading, adding a dopamine agonist to the Ixel is OK if needed. In Japan they have had much success with adding Dostinex to the Ixel.
So stay tuned; I promise to post my experience!
Posted by bleauberry on January 10, 2008, at 21:02:54
In reply to Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)?, posted by BearFan on January 9, 2008, at 21:51:18
Today was my 4th day on Ixel. Going ok so far. This stuff works fast. I am super sensitive and find Ixel quite tolerable.
Posted by clipper40 on January 10, 2008, at 22:12:43
In reply to Re: Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)? Me., posted by bleauberry on January 10, 2008, at 21:02:54
Do you have a racing heart rate or any of the other typical noradrenergic side effects? What are you feeling so far?
Posted by Phillipa on January 10, 2008, at 23:11:28
In reply to Re: Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)? Me., posted by bleauberry on January 10, 2008, at 21:02:54
Blueberry didn't know you were on meds anymore. No more zyprexa? Good to see you back posting. Phillipa
Posted by cloudnine on January 11, 2008, at 2:33:47
In reply to Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)?, posted by BearFan on January 9, 2008, at 21:51:18
took ixel b4,... i hink it is a much more powerful noradrenergic than serotonergic and one can feel it.... problem withme was it made me hyper irritabile and very argumentive which was horrible... physical side effects was only difficulty urinitating (I'm a man)... but irritability was too much and had to stop and within 24 hours I was glad it was over
Posted by bleauberry on January 11, 2008, at 18:11:24
In reply to Re: Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)? Me. » bleauberry, posted by clipper40 on January 10, 2008, at 22:12:43
> Do you have a racing heart rate or any of the other typical noradrenergic side effects? What are you feeling so far?
>
>
No racing heart. On a 1 to 5 scale I would say it feels noradrenergic 4, dopaminergic 3, serotonergic 2. I am super senstive to meds, herbs and vitamins. I am also easily worsened by most all of them. Ixel has surprised me in being rather user friendly so far. My experience is not meaningful though, as the dose is only 12.5mg at day 5. Am I better off than I was the entire year off meds? At day 5, yes. Will it continue to get better through the 3-12 week true therapeutic window? I have no idea.I see benefits so far in all mental and physical symptoms of depression across the board. Too early to judge. That's just what I feel so far. Side effects have been nil except for some mild controllable tenseness and slight quivering of voice. Highly expected in the early stages with a noradrenergic med in someone who has been in a hypocortisol hyponoradrenaline situation for a long time. Aiming to add a second 12.5mg daily dose in about a week. Trying to give the bladder time to adjust. My last trial was at 50mg which was even better and more pronounced than 12.5mg, but I couldn't pee.
Posted by clipper40 on January 13, 2008, at 0:28:36
In reply to Re: Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)? Me. » clipper40, posted by bleauberry on January 11, 2008, at 18:11:24
Yes, I remember you talking about your first experience with milnacipran. Glad to hear that so far the building up slowly is working for you.
So you have (or had?) adrenal fatigue as well??? Are your cortisol levels back to normal now? Is this why you weren't on any medication for a year or so? When you weren't taking any medications were you taking herbs and supplements? If so, which ones worked for you?
Do you have any concerns about taking a noradrenergic medication now in terms of its taxing effect on the adrenals? As you know, I'd love to try Ixel and/or Trivastal now but feel that it's not a good time to do that to my system.
Sorry to hit you with so many questions at once but I'm really curious.
Thanks,
Clipper
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 16, 2008, at 1:52:57
In reply to Re: Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)? Me. » bleauberry, posted by clipper40 on January 13, 2008, at 0:28:36
> So you have (or had?) adrenal fatigue as well???
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd consider adrenal fatigue an advanced medication issue, so I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding that to the new Psycho-Babble Neurotransmitters board. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080114/msgs/806873.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by clipper40 on January 23, 2008, at 4:15:05
In reply to Re: Who here is taking milnacipran (Ixel)? Me. » clipper40, posted by bleauberry on January 11, 2008, at 18:11:24
Still tolerating it well? What dosage are you on now? Anything new to report in terms of mood or side effects?
Posted by atmlady on January 23, 2008, at 17:21:18
In reply to Re: milnacipran (Ixel) - how are you doing now? » bleauberry, posted by clipper40 on January 23, 2008, at 4:15:05
Yes, Bleauberyy, I am interested in how you are doing as well! I just got my package of Ixel in the mail today and will try it out in the morning. Think I'll just start off at the 50mg twice a day and see how it hits me...
The package insert said the difficulties in urination are due to prostrate adenoma, which is swelling, right? So it sounds like it is a guy only side-effect after all (sorry guys).
Posted by atmlady on January 23, 2008, at 17:27:22
In reply to Re: milnacipran (Ixel) - how are you doing now?, posted by atmlady on January 23, 2008, at 17:21:18
Hold up. Here's what wikipedia says about starting treatment with Ixel, so this is what I'll do ...
The recommended dose for depression is 50mg 2 times daily (after an initial phase of 50mg daily as single dose on days 1 to 4).
Posted by Phillipa on January 23, 2008, at 18:35:02
In reply to Re: milnacipran (Ixel) - how are you doing now?, posted by atmlady on January 23, 2008, at 17:27:22
An adenema is a tumor. No you have no worries. Love Phillipa
Posted by babbleguy on February 19, 2008, at 9:25:30
In reply to Re: milnacipran (Ixel) - how are you doing now?, posted by atmlady on January 23, 2008, at 17:27:22
> Hold up. Here's what wikipedia says about starting treatment with Ixel, so this is what I'll do ...
>
> The recommended dose for depression is 50mg 2 times daily (after an initial phase of 50mg daily as single dose on days 1 to 4).
>
While I do love Wikipidia I am not sure I would use them for dosing recommendations as there is no guarantee that such information is 100% accurate. You should probably consult the product insert, product trials, and advice from a doctor who is experienced with milnacipran.
This is the end of the thread.
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