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Wise Elder
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 9,631
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Aug 22, 2023 at 05:33 PM
#1
I've been on clozapine for years but it's only been recently that levels were easily obtained. I have been having some issues so I had levels done and they came back very high (600 is the high end of normal and mine was 1376). We've got a plan in place to lower my level. My pdoc thinks I've probably been high for a long time and adjusted to it. I may be feeling a lot better soon.
Has anyone else had this happen? __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1600 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 75 mg Seroquel and 12.5 mg PRNx2 daily |
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Poohbah
Member Since Aug 2022
Location: The House
Posts: 1,198
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Oct 04, 2023 at 07:02 PM
#2
Hello BeyondtheRainbow,
Have you managed to get your numbers down? How did they find the numbers were so high in the first place, was it though a blood test? How have you been feeling? I ask b/c I know someone who takes clozapine. Also, I noticed you take gabapentin... is that for anxiety? I ask b/c I've wanted to try it for anxiety, but I think it is contraindicated with the propranolol I take.  I have severe major depression with psychotic features, high levels of anxiety and some OCD. |
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Wise Elder
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 9,631
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9 11.6k hugs
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Oct 05, 2023 at 08:14 PM
#3
My level is down to 811.It needs to be below 600. I'm waiting to hear from my pdoc what happens next.
I had a blood test done because I was having hand tremors and some other side effects were increased. I don't know how widely available the test is right now; I think it's a new test or at least easy access to it is new (but I think the test is new). I've been on it 7 years so having things change really stood out. I'm feeling better although I've had a lot of headaches while lowering my dose. Those have started to decrease the last 2 days but I am assuming I'll have one more decrease so probably some more headaches before this is all over. I do take gabapentin for anxiety as well as sleep. It is really effective for me and really free of side effects. I can't be on propanolol because I have low blood pressure so I don't know how that compares but I highly recommend gabapentin if it's ever an option. __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1600 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 75 mg Seroquel and 12.5 mg PRNx2 daily |
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Poohbah
Member Since Aug 2022
Location: The House
Posts: 1,198
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Oct 06, 2023 at 04:10 PM
#4
Thank you for responding, BeyondtheRainbow... I have been on the maximum of abilify (30mg, now on 20 mg), but I don't know what my blood serum levels would be. I'll let my friend know about the blood test for clozapine.
Currently, I am without a gp and pdoc. It's good you took the test and are getting care to reduce your side-effects. I hope everything goes well for you! As for gabapentin, I would like to try it if ever I get into better shape to reduce my pulse (and also high blood pressure)... I have high-levels of anxiety, and I have thought for awhile now that gabapentin could be helpful. Thank you for your feedback and all the best to you!! |
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| BeyondtheRainbow
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BeyondtheRainbow
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New Member
Member Since Jan 2009
Posts: 6
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Nov 12, 2023 at 12:17 AM
#5
HI, Guys !
Do you know which pharmacy has the best generic brand of klonopin (clonazepam)?CVS, Wallgreen's, whoever ? I don't know if I adjusted or whatnot (although I already tested other dosages), but I don't trust these makers from India or China... TIA ! |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2013
Location: Madison, Alabama, USA
Posts: 40
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Feb 20, 2024 at 12:02 PM
#6
Quote:
I hope you've been able to reach a state of equilibrium with your clozapine dosage! __________________ Diagnoses: Tourette's Disorder, OCD, ADHD-PI, Bipolar I Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety Disorder Unspecified Medications: Dyanavel XR 15 mg 30 mg/day Lamictal 300 mg/day Cymbalta 90 mg/day Lunesta 3 mg/night Dayvigo 10 mg/night |
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Tart Cherry Jam, TheGal
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Wise Elder
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 9,631
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Feb 20, 2024 at 11:21 PM
#7
Thanks. We're still working on it. I got the good news the other day that my level is down to 625 so just over the limit. Unfortunately I really could use a little more of it right now but before my pdoc is comfortable with that she wants to talk to someone with expertise in it. Which I'm all for. She says she knows what to do generally but needs confirmation that being on a slightly elevated dose long term is ok. I'm hoping it is and we can increase just a bit.
Hopefully my next lab will be either below 600 or at a level that has been cleared. __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1600 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 75 mg Seroquel and 12.5 mg PRNx2 daily |
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| Tart Cherry Jam
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Magnate
Member Since Mar 2021
Location: California
Posts: 2,803
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Feb 21, 2024 at 12:45 AM
#8
Quote:
Gabapentin Reduces Blood Pressure and Heart Rate through the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii - PubMed Note that like @BeyondtheRainbow my blood pressure can be low, so propranalol is not something I can take (my blood pressure once fell to below 80/40 when I tried it and Propranalol was instantly discontinued. I have a note in my medical record saying that I should not receive Propranalol). So I take Gabapentin to ameliorate the extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotics. It produces no side effects whatsoever. I really like it. If you are trying to reduce BP and HR, exercise can help with those. __________________ Bipolar I w/psychotic features Last inpatient stay in 2018 Geodon 40 mg Seroquel 75 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg+Vitamin B-complex (against extrapyramidal side effects) Long term side effects from medications, some of them discontinued: - hypothyroidism - obesity BMI ~ 38 |
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Poohbah
Member Since Aug 2022
Location: The House
Posts: 1,198
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Feb 23, 2024 at 05:11 AM
#9
Hi @Tart Cherry Jam
Sorry for the confusion. I take propranolol (to reduce heart rate) and olemesartan (for high blood pressure), and as far as I know you can't take gabapentin when you're on those meds. |
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Magnate
Member Since Mar 2021
Location: California
Posts: 2,803
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Feb 23, 2024 at 12:02 PM
#10
Quote:
Benicar and gabapentin Interactions - Drugs.com Drug Interaction Report: gabapentin, propranolol __________________ Bipolar I w/psychotic features Last inpatient stay in 2018 Geodon 40 mg Seroquel 75 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg+Vitamin B-complex (against extrapyramidal side effects) Long term side effects from medications, some of them discontinued: - hypothyroidism - obesity BMI ~ 38 |
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Poohbah
Member Since Aug 2022
Location: The House
Posts: 1,198
2 819 hugs
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Feb 23, 2024 at 06:20 PM
#11
Quote:
I will check that out with the pharmacist. Only problem now is my doc closed her practice, so I've been going to walk-in clinincs, so I rather doubt a doc who doesn't know me will prescribe it. I already take 8 meds... But, I've always felt that gabapentin would help with my anxiety and from there I could reduce some of my antidepressants. |
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