Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:04 am
Phil,
At the moment, I wouldn't think just adding rolipram alone would do all that much extra than desipramine alone will do. With Dr. Filbin's research, she was also experimenting with actual implantation of cells directly into the wounded site.
You do have an interesting thought, though, about adding minocycline. I had the same thought, BUT like anything, my opinion is that it is much better and safer to just follow one strong drug at a time on your system and at least wait a while to see what taking desipramine (and whatever other drugs you are now taking) does for you. Again, it certainly is a thought for down the line!
Right now, I also take levetiracetam in combo with desipramine. Levetiracetam (Keppra) helps control the influx of Ca2+, which is damaging to axons, so also is extremely neuro-protective. I'm currently holding at 50 mg a day of desipramine, and 2000 mg of Keppra (levetiracetam) and doing WONDERFULLY. That's assuming, of course, that I'm even dealing with MS. But in any event, I can walk, whereas I couldn't very well last year!! (But we all know that whole story.)
Remember, desipramine takes quite a while to start showing any results (no matter what condition a person is taking it for), and you probably will find (with the assistance and/or recommendation of your physician, of course) that you will need to titrate upward just a hair after two or three months or so. Both times I have taken desipramine, it took a good year before I REALLY could see the more long-lasting difference. Improvement comes in spurts (if it comes at all, of course, I can't say anything definite), but when it does, it is exciting. Of course, all of this depends on whether desipramine works for "you" (again, no matter for what condition you are taking it for).
By the way, how were you able to get it? Your dose isn't enough for depression treatment, so that's not it. The other possibility is for narcolepsy (helping you sleep at night and stay awake during the day), or for help with pain.
OR..............can I get excited over maybe you were able to convince your physician to try it for your MS itself to see how or if it helps??? Is your physician going to monitor any improvements or anything in any way? Or does he not know of all of the research and discussions we've had on here regarding all this?
Deb
At the moment, I wouldn't think just adding rolipram alone would do all that much extra than desipramine alone will do. With Dr. Filbin's research, she was also experimenting with actual implantation of cells directly into the wounded site.
You do have an interesting thought, though, about adding minocycline. I had the same thought, BUT like anything, my opinion is that it is much better and safer to just follow one strong drug at a time on your system and at least wait a while to see what taking desipramine (and whatever other drugs you are now taking) does for you. Again, it certainly is a thought for down the line!
Right now, I also take levetiracetam in combo with desipramine. Levetiracetam (Keppra) helps control the influx of Ca2+, which is damaging to axons, so also is extremely neuro-protective. I'm currently holding at 50 mg a day of desipramine, and 2000 mg of Keppra (levetiracetam) and doing WONDERFULLY. That's assuming, of course, that I'm even dealing with MS. But in any event, I can walk, whereas I couldn't very well last year!! (But we all know that whole story.)
Remember, desipramine takes quite a while to start showing any results (no matter what condition a person is taking it for), and you probably will find (with the assistance and/or recommendation of your physician, of course) that you will need to titrate upward just a hair after two or three months or so. Both times I have taken desipramine, it took a good year before I REALLY could see the more long-lasting difference. Improvement comes in spurts (if it comes at all, of course, I can't say anything definite), but when it does, it is exciting. Of course, all of this depends on whether desipramine works for "you" (again, no matter for what condition you are taking it for).
By the way, how were you able to get it? Your dose isn't enough for depression treatment, so that's not it. The other possibility is for narcolepsy (helping you sleep at night and stay awake during the day), or for help with pain.
OR..............can I get excited over maybe you were able to convince your physician to try it for your MS itself to see how or if it helps??? Is your physician going to monitor any improvements or anything in any way? Or does he not know of all of the research and discussions we've had on here regarding all this?
Deb
)
You certainly seem knowledgable enough in terms of your level of research and comprehension of medical science. I really do envy those on the board who have that expertise.