Memantine experience so far....

[surferdude123]

Originally Posted by hanzsolo

Hi surfer thanks for the reply, your time, and all your valuable advice..

Yes am trying to manage my issues (ADD, GAD, etc) from all angles with and without meds, so the CBT+meditation+gym+diet has also helped quite a bit.

I will inquire about ambien, don't think we have it up here in canada.. I can always get a script though and drive to plattsburgh NY to get it filled, I may consider that...

And yes I am aware of the mile long list of seroquel side effects unfortunately, that's why I alternate with zopiclone in the hopes that i won't get some of them ???
I don't know, I used to have trouble falling asleep + wake up 3-5x per night (without sleeping pills) and now sleep through the night. Granted I don't feel fully rested when i wake up, but at least it's not little cat naps all night... So far all my blood tests have been normal, but if that changes at some point then I will definitely consider altering my regime somewhat..

How do you find xanax works compared to immovane ?? Apparently immovane is slightly less addictive than benzos but very similar, so I'd like to get off all of them at some point... Wikipedia calls zopiclone a benzo in disguise haha.. Interesting way to put it... I totally agree though, natural sleep would be best. Kind of difficult now though being on stimulants.. Not to mention all SSRI /SNRi or Wellbutrin all give me very vivid dreams.. + mem they are even more vivid now...

I will speak to my pdoc on next visit about swapping wellbutrin for some lexapro or effexor... Interesting about serotonin in the gut, you teach me something new every post, love it

And yes I will keep you all posted on the good and the bad of course, agreed it's very important to keep the feedback going... I have read all 35 pages of this thread 2-3x already and really appreciate and value everyone sharing their experiences..

So now for some GOOD NEWS --- I am day 8 on memantine, have not resumed any stimulants yet, and feel FANTASTIC !!! I rate every morning, afternoon and evening (out of 10) and rarely get 9/10 or 10/10 unless I'm on stimulants + clonazepam (and even then it isn't consistent due to stim tolerance etc). But lo and behold, I hit 9s and 10s the last few days on some mornings and afternoons...

AND SOME EVEN BETTER NEWS - - - I have reduced both my clonazepam dosage and my sleeping pills. Not because I had to, but because I didn't feel that I needed them. Big difference.. Tolerance is already reducing, meds are more effective (I had a coffee and felt the stimulation, plus can feel the clonazepam much more), and I feel good..

Have lots of energy, better mood, see things clearer, AND zero brain fog (yet) from the 5-10mg mem titration.. What can I say, so far so good... I know it's only 8 days and some may say it's placebo, but I can say that I DEFINITELY notice a positive difference already.. Surfer you said it best, I feel "crisp" and "on the ball". That's exactly what my journal says...

Will keep everyone posted, thanks surfer, you're most definitely on to something really big here and I couldn't of done this without your documentation and help... I know it's not for everyone, needs to be dosed properly, and it's not a magic pill. But so far, I feel it's pretty damn close...

Have a great long weekend all

Glad to hear it, and thanks for the feedback. Stay consistent with your dosing and let us know how things are going.

Also, remember to increase your protein a little higher than the carbs for your diet as well if possible and financially permitting.

[surferdude123]

Originally Posted by Anthony121

Does anyone know if you can take memantine and 5-htp together?

I couldn't find the answer while using google...

I'm want to get off ambien..

Understood.

Yes you can take Memantine + 5HTP together. You may find that you get some strange dreams from the effects of the Serotonin/NMDA interaction when you sleep, but if that's not a significant problem for you, then it should be fine.

5HTP has some evidence for its efficacy but the last paper I read said it lacks high quality controlled studies, but see how you go.

Lastly, if you're taking Memantine+5HTP you may find your BP raise a little, additionally if you're taking Effexor or any stimulants, it is possible that it could raise your BP a little, but this may be small.

Let us know how things go with this please.

[Anthony121]

I just currently take Namenda, adderall and now ambien cr..

I was taking regular ambien 10 mgs, switched to ambien cr 12.5... Ambien 10mgs worked pretty good in the beginning... Later on, to make it useful, I had to stop using it for 2 or 3 days and during those nights of not using it. I had major rebound insomnia..

With ambien 10 mg's I didn't really get a lot of side effects.. But, the side effects of Ambien cr makes me feel like crap.. Last night was my second night on Ambien cr.. It's making me feel anxiety again.. My chest feels tighter, like its harder to get more deeper breaths in..

is it normal for someone to take 20 mgs of regular ambien? or is that too high..

[StoicNate]

Those side effect sound pretty bad with the Ambien. Tell your doctor about it.

Maybe a lower dose OR try a whole other sleep medication.

Have you tried OTC supplements, like Melatonin?

[Anthony121]

Yeah! I forgot I brought some OTC supplements..


Sleep Optimizer and Theanine 100's by Jarrow Formulas.. I took them instead of Ambien and they worked pretty good.. They even beat my rebound insomnia from not taking Ambien.. Not taking that poison any more..Can't wait until this ambien crap is fully out of my system..

[Anthony121]

Yeah, I'm convinced that sleeping pills are the devils food.. There awesome when you first start but after a couple of weeks they start to turn on you.. Ambiens 10mgs was great when I first started.. Ambien CR just made me feel weird.. Like it blocked all my emotions except paranoia and anxiety.. or it just felt like i didn't care about anything..

Skipping ambien cr last night.. I took it the 2 nights before that..

Now today, the feeling of being dizzy and nauseous come and go.. But, it's really not that bad.. I'm feeling better..

My psychiatrist went on vacation so I can't even tell her..

[surferdude123]

There was a point when I was taking 30mg of Ambien when I was popping Modafinil when I was working night shifts and on call. I'm glad I'm off that.


Get yourself off for a while and take a break, sleeping pills theoretically aren't supposed to be used beyond the "14 day window"

Talk to your doc when she gets back and let her know.


stay on the Namenda and try some OTC supplements.


***FYI***

For Benzo/Sleeping pill withdrawals, get some Benadryl. 50mg of Benadryl really helps cut the symptoms of Benzo/Hypnotic/Alcohol/sleeping pills withdrawals, take it PRN (as necessary) up to a max of 400mg daily.

Works for all GABA enhancing medication, and for EP symptoms from Dopamine drugs.


Take care.

[novaprospekt]

I was wondering how many of you who have obtained Memantine prescriptions approached your doctor about it.

I get my Adderall prescription from my family doc and I don't see a psychiatrist. My doctor and I are on very good terms and I believe he trusts me to be up front with him when things are going well and when things aren't. When I told him I was feeling anxious, he gave me a benzo and told me to call him every 2 weeks to check in so he could keep tabs on me instead of making me go see a psychiatrist and adding another inconvenience (and co-pay) to my life.

I don't know how I bring up memantine as a treatment for Adderall tolerance. I don't even like asking to raise my dose because he likes to change medications before he changes dose and Adderall works, it just feels like tolerance has began to creep up a little bit. I feel like if I ask him about this, he'll just take me off Adderall and put me on Ritalin or something (already took me off Vyvanse when I said it wasn't working that well) and I rather not change meds.

Thoughts?

[surferdude123]

novoprospekt


well, it's good to hear you have a good relationship with your physician. I would bring up Memantine as more than just Adderall tolerance, there are other benefits as well.


*others, feel free to chip in as well on this*

[novaprospekt]

Originally Posted by surferdude123

novoprospekt


well, it's good to hear you have a good relationship with your physician. I would bring up Memantine as more than just Adderall tolerance, there are other benefits as well.


*others, feel free to chip in as well on this*

Yeah I know of the other benefits, but I doubt he's ever heard of memantine and I don't know if he would feel comfortable prescribing me something he's never even heard of just because I've recommended it to him/brought it up.

And in reality, things are going generally well for me with symptoms -- I've just noticed a bit of tolerance that I'd like to ensure doesn't become a problem. Don't know whether at this point I'm better off with drug holidays and magnesium rather than trying to get a prescription to help prevent tolerance and maybe get some nootropic/memory improving effects.

Ironically, Wellbutrin was pretty good at preventing tolerance for me, but it also made me anxious as heck so I'm debating whether that is even an option to consider as well.

[hanzsolo]

Originally Posted by surferdude123

There was a point when I was taking 30mg of Ambien when I was popping Modafinil when I was working night shifts and on call. I'm glad I'm off that.


Get yourself off for a while and take a break, sleeping pills theoretically aren't supposed to be used beyond the "14 day window"

Talk to your doc when she gets back and let her know.


stay on the Namenda and try some OTC supplements.


***FYI***

For Benzo/Sleeping pill withdrawals, get some Benadryl. 50mg of Benadryl really helps cut the symptoms of Benzo/Hypnotic/Alcohol/sleeping pills withdrawals, take it PRN (as necessary) up to a max of 400mg daily.

Works for all GABA enhancing medication, and for EP symptoms from Dopamine drugs.


Take care.

Hey surfer,

Thanks for the info, very interesting... What kind of Benadryl would be best ?? I want to continue my taper off clonazepam but got some kick back yesterday from my dose reduction earlier in the week. Seems I will need to take it slower, I reduced by 1/3rd which was probably to much..

[hanzsolo]

Originally Posted by novaprospekt

Yeah I know of the other benefits, but I doubt he's ever heard of memantine and I don't know if he would feel comfortable prescribing me something he's never even heard of just because I've recommended it to him/brought it up.

And in reality, things are going generally well for me with symptoms -- I've just noticed a bit of tolerance that I'd like to ensure doesn't become a problem. Don't know whether at this point I'm better off with drug holidays and magnesium rather than trying to get a prescription to help prevent tolerance and maybe get some nootropic/memory improving effects.

Ironically, Wellbutrin was pretty good at preventing tolerance for me, but it also made me anxious as heck so I'm debating whether that is even an option to consider as well.

Novaprospect,

My pdoc had never heard of memantine either, but i printed all the studies showing the various conditions it's being tested for now (OCD, ADHD, bipolar, etc) and I also sent him to this thread, which added huge credibility as it's a longer term test surfer has done, and he is a 3rd or 4th year med student.. My doc was hesitant at first, but I kept pushing him and he finally agreed to let me try it, as I have a great relationship with him, have never abused any substances that he prescribed me, and always go see him with my notes, journal, studies, etc. So that is how I would approach your doc, open and honestly.

If it's only tolerance that you;re dealing with now (and all else is ok) then a 1-3 day per week drug holiday may fix your issues, I know it has for some people on the forums. Others claim they don't want to take such extended holidays, or still have tolerance even with days off, or have other issues to deal with over and above the tolerance (in which case memantine is perfect for IMO). It's a very personal thing that really requires some trial /error on your part to see what works best for you.

I was on wellbutrin + magnesium glycinate + dexedrin + clonazepam for a couple of months and didn't find the wellbutrin did much for tolerance. If I didn't take the clonazepam, within 3-5 days I was super anxious, had brain fog, and very bad ups and downs.. Plus the wellbutrin + dexedrine is a lot of work on dopamine and norepinephrine, which can over stimulate some people (as you had mentioned)... I wouldn't personally use wellbutrin to reduce tolerance, and haven't ready anywhere that it's been useful for that. It definitely gives some energy (albeit that may be negative energy plus you are on stimulants anyways), mild ADHD cases, and depression in some cases. Maybe others can chime in here..

What I would do is either try 300-400mg magnesium glycinate at night combined with some days off every week to let your receptors resensitize and see if that works to reduce your tolerance issues (OR) try to get a script for memantine and see if it helps your tolerance. It may even help in other areas that you don't realize, such as ADHD, mood, thoughts, and more (over and above the tolerance issue). And finally it is somewhat neuroprotective for the brain, which can't be bad either

Hope that helps and please keep us updated on your progress,

Take care

[hanzsolo]

Hey all,

So I tried taking 5mg of dexedrine this morning after 10 days on memantine (the last four days at 10mg) and it seemed to work ok. Then I took my second 5mg dose around 1pm (4 hours later) and got a lot more anxiety than Pre memantine (even though I took my Clonazepam with both doses like usual)..

Do you think this is due to the Wellbutrin and too much NE and DA between the mem, dex and Wellbutrin ?
Or possibly because I am still titrating the memantine ?
Did I not wait long enough before resuming my stimulants?

Any feedback would be much appreciated,

Thanks

[hanzsolo]

Surfer sorry for all the posts, things come up as they do..

Any idea why when I tried lexapro with my Dexedrine I felt really off whenever I took my Dexedrine?? Possible serotonin overload since the dex fires off serotonin as well ?? Should I possibly not be taking any stimulants when ramping up lexapro??

Let me know your thoughts when you have a moment

Thanks

[surferdude123]

Hanz

what was your dose of Lexapro.

Also, haven't heard of Dexedrine affecting 5HT3, if it does, that's new to me, because I'm only familiar with it affecting Dopamine, and Norepi.


How's your tapering coming?