Most Common Search Responses Continued

Search keywords: How Strattera makes you feel in the morning
Strattera (Atomoxetine) is a stimulant medication that is usually taken in the morning. It can be taken for a variety of reasons, but it is most commonly prescribed for people suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). After you take Strattera, you may feel nauseous, less hungry, dizzy, constipated, or sweaty. You may feel heart palpitations or pain when urinating. Your heart rate and blood pressure may rise. These are all common side effects, but if they bother you or become extreme, be sure to contact your doctor.

Search keywords: Vitamin C and Methylphenidate
A quick search of “Vitamin C and Methylphenidate” brings up no mention of interactions between the two drugs. They are likely safe to take together.

Search keywords: Zopiclone and Strattera
Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is a medication commonly used to treat insomnia. Strattera, as described above, is a stimulant most commonly used in the treatment of ADHD. Zopiclone and Strattera should not be taken at the same time, because they are in essence polar opposites of each other. Zopiclone is generally taken at bedtime, and Strattera is taken in the morning, or in the morning and afternoon. There are no recorded interactions between the two medications.

Search keywords: Is it okay to take 2mg Melatonin in 7 hrs
It is safe to take 2mg of Melatonin in 7 hours, but studies have shown that smaller doses of Melatonin are actually more effective – for example, 1mg may actually have a more desirable effect on you than 2 or 3mg.

Search keywords: Dextroamphetamine Ibuprofen
A database search of Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) and Ibuprofen together reveals that there are no recorded interactions between the two. They should be safe to take in unison.

Search keywords: Strattera og Ibuprofen
…? og? Next…

Search keywords: Taper off Levothyroxine
Yes, you should taper yourself off of Eltroxin (Levothyroxine). How quickly you do this depends on what dose you have been taking. Ask your doctor for more information about tapering off of Levothyroxine.

Search keywords: HRT reverse skin
The effects that HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) has on your skin are different depending on which hormones you are taking.
For people taking feminizing hormones (estrogen, progestin), your skin may become softer, clearer, and smoother.
People taking masculinizing hormones (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) such as Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate), your skin may become rougher to the touch, thicker, and you may develop acne.
The effects caused by both sets of hormones are reversible. If you stop taking the hormones, they will eventually go back to what they were like before.

Search keywords: Calcium Ritalin anxiety
There are no recorded incidences of Ritalin in combination with Calcium causing anxiety. However, it should be noted that a fairly common side effect of Ritalin on its own is anxiety. It is unclear whether adding Calcium to your regimen increases anxiety or adds to the risk of developing anxiety.

Search keywords: Melatonin and Zopiclone used together
There are no interactions between Melatonin and Zopiclone; the two medications are safe to take together. Taking Melatonin and Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) together may increase your chances of having a restful night’s sleep; both medications have a sedating effect that promotes sleep. As stated above, a study has shown that it may be more effective to take smaller doses of Melatonin (e.g. 1mg) rather than bulking up on it.

Search keywords: Omeprazole light sensitive
I’ll cover two factors in this section: Human sensitivity and drug sensitivity.
One site (http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/Omeprazole.htm) lists sensitivity to light as a possible side effect of taking Omeprazole. It was not listed on other databases I searched.
The medication itself (e.g. in pill or capsule format) is sensitive to light and should be kept out of direct light in a shaded place, for example in a cabinet or drawer.

Search keywords: Dexedrine doesn’t work for me
Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) doesn’t work for everyone. You could have a natural tolerance to stimulant medications, or you just didn’t get a high enough dose. Explore other options, such as Ritalin (Methylphenidate) or Strattera (Atomoxetine) before you give up on stimulant medications. Check with your doctor to find out the highest dose you can go on for each medication.

Search keywords: Effexor Melatonin medicated boy
Oh, someone searched for me! How sweet. And now, back to business. Effexor and Melatonin are safe to take together. However, some people prefer to take Effexor in the morning rather than in the evening. That’s just a matter of personal preference/doctor’s instructions.

Search keywords: Sertraline, Melatonin, Minocycline and
…And what? Seems you got cut off. Anyway, I’ll deal with the other three. Melatonin does have an interaction with some anti-depressant drugs (specifically Norpramin (Desipramine) and Prozac (Fluoxetine)), but not with Sertraline. There is no information on possible interactions between Melatonin and Minocycline. Sertraline and Minocycline also don’t have any recorded interactions.

Search keywords: Could you drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin
You can drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin, but it is likely to impair the mechanism by which the medication works in your system. You may experience less or no benefit from it if you consistently drink alcohol while taking this treatment.

Search keywords: Venlafaxine and Vitamin D
There are no recorded incidences of Venlafaxine interacting negatively with Vitamin D. These medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: Strattera Melatonin
According to a database search, there are no interactions between Strattera (Atomoxetine) and Melatonin. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: “Acid reflux” Sertraline
Zoloft (Sertraline) is not proven to cause acid reflux, or to have acid reflux as a known side effect.

Search keywords: Zopiclone not working with Citalopram
Zopiclone is not shown to have interactions with anti-depressant drugs like Citalopram. It shouldn’t have an effect on the efficiency of the Citalopram you are taking.

Search keywords: Rhovane stop taking
Depending on your dose, you may need to slowly taper off of Rhovane (Imovane) (Zopiclone). If you are taking more than 7.5mg, you can reduce your dose by 7.5mg each week until it is altogether discontinued. Some people have trouble reducing their dose of Rhovane on their own; speak to your doctor if you have difficulties like this, as you may be addicted.

Search keywords: Can Olanzapine be taken with Eltroxin
There is no available record stating that Olanzapine cannot or should not be taken with Eltroxin. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: Imovane withdrawal tinnitus
Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is a medication that can be addictive, and some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. There is nothing credible on the internet that definitively states that a symptom of Imovane withdrawal is tinnitus, but there are some circumstantial allegations to that effect.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and anti-depressants
Eltroxin can interact with any medication that makes changes to the thyroid hormone and metabolism. To quote rxlist.com, “Concurrent use of tri/tetracyclic antidepressants and levothyroxine may increase the therapeutic and toxic effects of both drugs, possibly due to increased receptor sensitivity to catecholamines. Toxic effects may include increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and CNS stimulation; onset of action of tricyclics may be accelerated. Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on levothyroxine may result in increased levothyroxine requirements.” It is also stated on this site that Eltroxin can interact with SSRIs (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors).

Search keywords: Amitriptyline and Imovane together safe?
According to my searches, there are no interactions between Imovane and Amitriptyline. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: “Dexedrine doesn’t work”
See my above post, listed under “Dexedrine doesn’t work for me”.

Search keywords: Does Levothyroxine affect sense of smell
Levothyroxine does not appear to have an effect on a person’s sense of smell, but you could be experiencing a rare side effect that has not previously been recorded. Check with your doctor, especially if this is something you are concerned about.

Search keywords: Tinnitus Eltroxin symptoms
Tinnitus is not listed as a common side effect of Eltroxin, but as stated in an earlier blurb, this could be a rare side effect.

Search keywords: Can you take Melatonin with Risperidone
Kind of interestingly, Melatonin actually does have an interaction with Risperidone, but it’s a relatively positive one; Melatonin appears to reduce the severity of tardive dyskinesia when it is present as a side effect of antipsychotic therapy. You can absolutely take Melatonin with Risperidone, and it may actually help you if you’re suffering from tardive dyskinesia.

Search keywords: Symptoms of high dose of Eltroxin
Symptoms of taking a high dose, or overdose, of Eltroxin are varied and present mainly as symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These symptoms include fatigue, increased appetite, weight loss, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating, headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, emotional lability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness, palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmias, increased pulse and blood pressure, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, dyspnea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and elevations in liver function tests, hair loss, flushing, decreased bone mineral density, menstrual irregularities, impaired fertility, and seizures.

Search keywords: Interactions Melatonin Imovane
When using a similar medication – Ambien (Zolpidem), users reported a higher frequency of daytime sleepiness while also taking therapeutic doses of Melatonin. This could be the case with Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) as well, as the medications act in a similar fashion. You should be careful operating machinery or driving if you’re taking Melatonin, Imovane, or a combination of the two.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and Zoloft
There is a general warning about taking Eltroxin and antidepressants simultaneously that actually specifically mentions Zoloft (Sertraline): “Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on levothyroxine may result in increased levothyroxine requirements.” -rxlist.com. If you’re taking Zoloft, you may need a higher dose of Eltroxin to obtain therapeutic benefits.

Search keywords: 300mg of Imovane
300mg of Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is enough to induce an overdose in most people. If you have taken more than your prescribed amount of Imovane within a 24-hour period, it is recommended that you seek help on an emergency basis. Call your local health provider or visit an emergency room to make sure that you aren’t having a potentially fatal overdose. Symptoms of Imovane overdose include clumsiness, mental or mood changes, severe drowsiness, and unusual tiredness or weakness.

Search keywords: Eltroxin drink alcohol
See my above post entitled “Could you drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin“.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and vitamins
There is no specific evidence online that you will experience negative side effects while taking Eltroxin and various vitamins together, but you may want to check with your doctor about specific vitamins and their interactions with Eltroxin.

Search keywords: Tryptophan taken with Zopiclone
L-Tryptophan does not appear to have any interactions with Zopiclone, but you should check with your doctor before taking both of these medications together.

Search keywords: How to taper Levothyroxine
See my above post entitled “Taper off Levothyroxine“.

Search keywords: Can you take Omeprazole and Levothyroxine
There is nothing recorded on the internet that states that you shouldn’t take Omeprazole and Levothyroxine together; they should be safe.

Note: I am not a doctor, and the information I state on my blog is gathered from internet sources and physician’s handbooks. Therefore, it is important to speak to your doctor if you are unclear about something or if you have more questions that I am not qualified to answer.

New Meds + Current Medication List

I saw my psychiatrist on Monday and we discussed the fact that Ritalin (Methylphenidate) didn’t seem to be doing anything for me. We went over our options and settled on Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) as our next choice in terms of stimulant medications. Hopefully this one will provide me with relief from my depression symptoms, but I’m not holding my breath. We also increased my dose of Effexor for longer-term depression treatment. Here’s an updated medication list:

Effexor (Venlafaxine): 187.5mg nightly – for Depression
Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 22.5mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
L-Tryptophan: 1000mg nightly – for Insomnia
Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) Spansules: 20mg in the morning – for Depression-related symptoms

Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide): apply topically at night – for acne
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg intramuscular once weekly (Friday) – for low testosterone
Erythromycin: 333mg in the morning and at dinnertime – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning (before eating) – for acid reflux

Melatonin: 3mg nightly – for Insomnia
Multivitamin: 1 in the morning – for overall health
Salmon Oil: 1000mg in the morning, at dinnertime and at night – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C:  500mg in the morning – for overall health
Calcium + Vitamin D: 500mg Calcium and 125IU Vitamin D in the morning and at night – for bone health

Current Medication List (Updated)

Changes, shortages, small animals… I’ve got it all!

Effexor (Venlafaxine): 150mg nightly – for Depression
Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 22.5mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
Ritalin (Methylphenidate): 40mg in the morning – for Depression
L-Tryptophan: 1000mg nightly – for Insomnia (Note: When I got discharged from the hospital, they didn’t give me a prescription for this, so I’m not currently taking it.)

Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide): apply topically at night – for acne
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg intramuscular once weekly (Friday) – for low testosterone
Erythromycin: 333mg in the morning and at dinnertime – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning (before eating) – for acid reflux

Melatonin: 2mg nightly – for Insomnia
Multivitamin: 1 in the morning – for overall health
Salmon Oil: 1000mg in the morning, at dinnertime and at night – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C:  500mg in the morning – for overall health
Calcium + Vitamin D: 500mg Calcium and 125IU Vitamin D in the morning and at night – for bone health

That comes out to 8 pills every morning, 2 pills in the evening, and 13 before bed – 23 pills every day, or 161 every week, plus a shot once weekly and cream application every night. I’m a pharmacist’s best friend – or maybe their worst nightmare.

Current Medication List (Updated)

A few changes in the past week or two…

Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 22.5mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
Ritalin (Methylphenidate): 40mg in the morning – for Depression
Effexor (Venlafaxine): 75mg nightly – for Depression

Erythromycin: 333mg morning and evening – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning – for acid reflux
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg once weekly intramuscularly – for low Testosterone
Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide): topically at night – for acne

Salmon Oil: 1000 mg in the morning, evening and nightly – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C: 500mg in the morning – for overall health
Multivitamin: 1 in the morning – for overall health
Melatonin: 2mg nightly – for Insomnia
L-Tryptophan: 1000mg nightly – for Insomnia

Wishing Things Were Black and White…

I wish things were as they seemed. On the 14th I was so sure that Ritalin (Methylphenidate) was the answer to my prayers. However, two weeks later, I’m no longer certain. I’ve been having more “off” days with low energy and little motivation… I’m starting to think that my body adapted quickly to the new medication and is now used to its presence in my system. I’m also not getting many of the side effects anymore. I’ve also been encountering significant difficulties with actually taking the medication – I still can’t seem to get up in the morning. I put my alarm clock on the other side of the room on its highest volume, I keep the pills beside my bed, my mother tries to help wake me up… Nothing seems to be working. I am still often late or not present at school and this is harming my ability to participate in things I said I’d do. My teachers understand that I have an illness and that sometimes I just can’t get up, but I hate to use it as a cop-out to excuse me from doing things I said I would take care of.
In other news, I have a problem with an Effexor (Venlafaxine) shortage. My best friend is on the same medication and when he slept over at my house, he forgot to bring his Effexor with him. I allowed him to borrow some of mine, but now I’m lacking two days’ worth of medication. I am concerned that I’m going to go through withdrawal and I’m not seeing my doctor until Wednesday (I have enough medication to last me until Monday). The prospect of going through withdrawal doesn’t really appeal to me, but I don’t seem to have any other options at this point. There are no repeats on the prescription so I can’t get it refilled – I have to wait until Wednesday to get a new prescription from my psychiatrist.
I have been doing some thinking about my Hormone Replacement Therapy and I am considering taking a break for a while. I’m currently on 60mg (0.3mL) of Delatestryl (once weekly). It’s not that the medication is having ill effects on me – it’s just that I’ve reached a phase where I think it might be possible to discontinue it without seeing a drop in positive side effects. The hair growth I’ve experienced while on Delatestryl will probably slow or stop if I go off the medication but that isn’t overly concerning to me. The changes to my voice, which were probably the most desired side effect in my situation, are permanent. Benefits to a temporary halt in HRT are that I wouldn’t have to stick a needle in myself every week, and that I wouldn’t have to spend money on needles, syringes, and the medication. Both of these benefits are negligible – I really don’t mind the needle once a week. It’s painless and the whole procedure takes less than a minute. Money is also not a big issue – it works out to about $50 per year for syringes and needles, and 5mL of Delatestryl (which would last me about 4 months) is only $6.99 with my health insurance. It’s something to think about, though.

Ritalin For The Win

So after a week-long trial, I am pretty sure that Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is working for me! I’ve been experiencing good moods, higher energy, and more concentration and alertness that I have been since the onset of my depression several years ago. The only other time I’ve felt like this during my depression was on illegitimate drugs that I acquired without a prescription. After recognizing the obvious risks associated with that practice I stopped doing illegal drugs over a year and a half ago and with that my source of happiness dissipated. It’s only now that I’m on prescription Ritalin that I am able to be happy and focused once again.

It may sound sad or twisted that I can only achieve happiness with the help of a medication. However, I am of the opinion that happiness is simply a combination of chemicals in your brain which can often be affected by ingesting certain medications, and if doing so helps you, why not? It sometimes bothers me that I’m dependent on medication to be consistently happy, but I remind myself that it’s a chronic condition and it’s just as legitimate to be medicated for as any other chronic illness. I can’t see into the future; I don’t know whether or not I’ll have to be on medication forever, but that’s something I’m going to have to deal with one way or another. It doesn’t seem fair to me to rob myself of happiness by not taking a medication that has a real and positive effect on me and my life.

I’m excited to tell my psychiatrist that we’ve finally found something that works for my depression. It’s possible that I will continue to feel even better if and when the Effexor starts working. Even if it doesn’t, I’m pretty content with how I’m feeling right now – I am now able to go to school fairly consistently, do my work, communicate with others, and make it to most of my appointments on time. I am, however, experiencing a few side effects from the Ritalin - most noticeably, I am antsy and fidgety, and some of my tics have returned. As well, my mother has noticed that I get a little excited at times, especially in the evening, and speak a lot very quickly. I also experience urges to tell people things right away – nothing inappropriate; mostly information that’s simply useless or irrelevant (such as calling my mother to tell her about a breakfast sandwich). It’s more of an annoyance than anything else. These are things that I think I can learn to deal with if it means that I can be happy and productive in exchange. I’m also smoking more than I was before. I will post in the next few days about what effect, if any, this is having on my weight.

Anyway, I’m off to go chat someone’s ear off. Good night!

Current Medication List (Updated)

Without further ado, here’s what I’m currently taking:

Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 30mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
Zoloft (Sertraline): 50mg in the morning – for Depression, OCD and Anxiety
Ritalin (Methylphenidate): 40mg in the morning – for Depression
Effexor (Venlafaxine): 37.5mg nightly – for Depression

Minocin (Minocycline): 200mg in the evening – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning – for acid reflux
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg once weekly intramuscularly – for low Testosterone

Salmon oil: 1000 mg in the morning, evening and nightly – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C: 500mg in the morning – for overall health
Melatonin: 2mg nightly – for Insomnia

Ritalin, Effexor, and No More Strattera

So Wednesday afternoon I went to see my psychiatrist. A quick recap of that visit:

- He approves of my plan to go to Kenya for four months on a volunteer trip
- The Zoloft (Sertraline) probably wasn’t doing anything for me since I didn’t notice a lower mood while I was tapering off of it
- Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine), according to the research, is slightly more addictive than other stimulants because it’s a shorter-lasting medication than the others (except for the Spansules). Thus, a medication like Ritalin (Methylphenidate) would be better for me
- Starting dose of Effexor (Venlafaxine) is 37.5mg, with an increase to 75mg after 2 weeks
- Starting dose of Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is 20mg, with an increase to 40mg if I see no effect

I picked up my new prescriptions on Wednesday evening after my appointment and took my first dose of Effexor that night. I started the Ritalin Thursday morning at 20mg and didn’t notice any effects so I went up to 40mg for Friday morning. All day I’ve felt alive, full of energy, and attentive, but I’ve also felt more fidgety and am experiencing more tics than usual. It’s too early to tell if this is just a coincidence or if the Ritalin is really working – I’ll have to take it at this dose for at least another week and monitor how I feel every day. However, I’m excited that it might be doing something for me. I had pretty much given up hope on any legitimate medication working.

As for the Effexor, I spoke to my psychiatrist about one of my worries – withdrawal. In the event that it doesn’t work for me, I will presumably have to cease taking it, and I was concerned that the withdrawal would be a bit harsh on my system, given what people have told me about it. He agreed that Effexor withdrawal can be quite pronounced, but if we go slowly the effects should be more manageable. I was satisfied enough with that answer that I agreed to go on it. He also told me that the Effexor may have some sort of combined effect with the dose of Ritalin I’m taking, so we might not need to go to a really high dose for either of them because they work on the same receptors. That would decrease the likelihood of side effects from either medication, and if I get side effects they might not be as severe. Speaking of side effects, I have had quite the headache Thursday and today – I’m wondering if that might be connected to the Effexor. The headache was present before I took my first dose of Ritalin, so it can’t be that. I haven’t experienced any other adverse effects yet but I’m staying vigilant and monitoring how I feel.

I’m going out to a party tonight and as always I’m concerned about having my medications on me when I go out in public. I guess that’s just something I’m going to have to get over, because it’s a reality that I take a number of medications, and that I sometimes like to go out in the evenings. I’m not concerned that someone else is going to take my medications or anything like that – I trust most of the people I’m going to be with (although there will be a few strangers) and I don’t generally advertise the fact that I’m carrying pills around with me. I should be fine.

Given that I’m now on Ritalin, my psychiatrist is having me discontinue the 75mg dose of Strattera (Atomoxetine) that I’ve been taking every morning, since it wasn’t working anyway. Time to update my medication list!

Medications I’ve Been On (An Incomplete List)

I’ve certainly been on a number of other medications that I’m not currently taking, either because they weren’t working and have been phased out or replaced by another medication or group of medications, because they formed poor habits, because they were no longer needed, or they created too many adverse side effects. Let’s see if we can’t make a list of them…

Prozac (Fluoxetine): Max. dose of 80mg for Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Zoloft (Sertraline).
Celexa (Citalopram): Max. dose unknown for Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Prozac (Fluoxetine).
Chloral Hydrate:  Max. dose 20mL for Insomnia. Stopped taking it because I was developing a habit and tolerance; it was replaced by a series of benzodiazepines.
Motilium (Domperidone): Max. dose 60mg for nausea and vomiting related to an Eating Disorder. I stopped taking it because I didn’t need it anymore. Also, it was making me lactate.
Klonopin (Clonazepam): Max. dose 4mg for anxiety. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working very well and is habit-forming.
Valium (Diazepam), Ativan (Lorazepam): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. They were taken short-term during a hospital admission. I stopped taking these medications because they’re habit-forming.
Elavil (Amitriptyline): Max. dose 150mg for Insomnia. I stopped using it because it wasn’t working and it was replaced by Chloral Hydrate.
Seroquel (Quetiapine Fumarate): Max. dose 650mg for anxiety and Insomnia. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working.
Desyrel (Trazodone): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working.
Neurontin (Gabapentin): Max. dose 1200mg for anxiety. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working. No replacement.
Loxapac (Loxapine): Max. dose 40mg for agitation. Stopped taking it because it was causing emotional deadness and insensitivity.
Zyprexa Zydis (Olanzapine): Max. dose 30mg for anxiety. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working.
Buspar (Buspirone): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working.
PanOxyl (Benzoyl Peroxide): Came in soap format. Max. dose one use per day. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide).
Eltroxin (Levothyroxine): Max. dose 0.05mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Strattera (Atomoxetine).
Minocin (Minocycline): Max. dose 200mg for acne. Stopped taking it because my doctor thought another medication might work better in my case. We replaced it with Erythromycin.
Strattera (Atomoxetine): Max. dose 75mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working. It was replaced by Ritalin (Methylphenidate).
Zoloft (Sertraline): Max. dose 300mg for Major Depressive Disorder. I stopped taking it because my doctor didn’t think it was helping me (I agreed); we tapered off by 50mg per week and replaced it with Effexor (Venlafaxine).
Advil (Ibuprofen): Max. dose 1600mg for chronic wrist pain. I stopped taking it regularly after having a successful wrist ganglion excision in September 2009, which reduced the chronic pain.
Calcium + Vitamin D: Max. dose 500mg Calcium and 125IU Vitamin D for bone health. I currently take this medication.
Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide): Max. dose one application nightly for acne. I currently take this medication.
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): Max. dose 100mg intramuscular once weekly for low testosterone. I lowered my dose to 60mg once weekly to counter some side effects I was experiencing. I currently take this medication.
Effexor (Venlafaxine): Max. dose 187.5mg for Major Depressive Disorder. I currently take this medication.
Erythromycin: Max. dose 333mg morning and evening (total 666mg daily) for acne. I currently take this medication.
Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): Max. dose 30mg for Insomnia. I lowered my dose to 22.5mg after starting to take Erythromycin because Erythromycin increases the effect of Imovane by an unknown amount. I am currently taking this medication.
L-Tryptophan: Max. dose 1000mg for Insomnia. I am currently taking this medication.
Losec (Omeprazole): Max. dose 20mg for acid reflux. I am currently taking this medication.
Melatonin: Max. dose 3mg for Insomnia. I am currently taking this medication.
Multivitamin: Max. dose 1 daily for overall health. I am currently taking this medication.
Risperidal (Risperidone): Max. dose 4mg for Tourrette Syndrome. My doctor lowered it to 2.5mg because above that dose, I experience negative side effects, including emotional deadness and insensitivity, and bradykinesia (facial motionlessness). I am currently taking this medication.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate): Max. dose 40mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. I stopped taking it because it wasn’t working. It was replaced by Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine).
Salmon Oil: Max. dose 1000mg in the morning, at dinnertime and at night (total 3000mg daily) for high cholesterol. I am currently taking this medication.
Vitamin C: Max. dose 500mg for overall health. I am currently taking this medication.
Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine): Max. dose 20mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. I am currently taking this medication.
Thorazine (Chlorpromazine): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. I stopped taking this medication because it wasn’t working.
Vicodin (Hydrocodone and Paracetamol): Max. dose 40/4000mg per day for post-surgical pain. I stopped taking this medication because I was no longer in severe pain. It was replaced by Advil (Ibuprofen).
Percocet (Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen): Max. dose unknown for severe acute ankle pain. I stopped taking this medication because I was no longer in severe pan; it was replaced by extra-strength Advil (Ibuprofen).

To be continued…