415_stylee

Have not really noticed any improvement in HPPD symptoms from avoiding corn.. But since I´m bloodtype B it is a food that can cause inflammatory processes to a higher degree, especially due to bad lectins, which gives me cotton mouth, blood sugar drop and a general sense of discomfort. Corn, crustaceans, tomatoes and poultry are known to have higher amounts of bad lectin.

Besides it seems my body has trouble properly digesting corn, and corn doesn´t provide a sense of being "full" after eating it. No problem quitting it..

Food in Europe doesn´t have a really high quality, the Nordic countries might be a little bit better, due to a bit stricter legislation. Greece might have the best quality IMO (small scale agriculture everywhere, so no wonder..)

And those ecological products is preying on people who want to be "enviromental" or "healthy". Cheap meaning poor quality, ecological meaning less poor but still not good. Produced under the same roof. With a higher price tag! All meat that pass through those factories is full of antibiotics

The difference can be tasted and felt when you go to the countryside and eat locally produced foods. And those products are non-existent in cities..

Food has gotten deducted from being necessary for living, to becoming just another item for speculation and maximizing profits.

I used to have very nasty Panic Anxiety Disorder, 3 attacks per day at least, which was triggered by a traumatic experience (which in turn was related to drugs). I got control over it so I don´t have it any more.

What I have now is more diffuse, gnawing and harder to pin down. More like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, being anxious for less apparent reasons and sometimes over no reason. I think this anxiety is more neurologically caused and was masked by the horrendous panic anxiety I had before which was more psychological in cause.

That's what i was gonna say Lamictal. Lamictal and an SSRI. But since you are allergic to Lamictal.

So I would be looking at Topamax and an SSRI (Celexa).

For now, this seems good, later, ADD meds could be considered.

Read up on Topamax and it sounds interesting. If you don´t get any rash it should work fine, sodium channel anti-EPs seems to cause it in a few people. That´s what I was beginning to get on Lamictal, combined with being completely unable to sleep. The rash looks like clusters of pimples, which burns/stings upon touching them.

I hope you will not have to experience any of that stuff!

I will be starting Keppra as soon as I get to meet the neurologist (psychatrist has sent request). After stabilizing on Keppra, I might get Concerta for my ADHD, if necessary. There´s a possibility Keppra might decrease the elevation of HPPD symptoms that stimulants cause.

Gobig,

Absolutely is the answer. But it depends on what stage you are in. If you are hallucinating still pretty hard then i would advise you not to use stimulants such as ADD meds. But as you come out of it, and you are left with residual dr/dp, anxiety, trouble with concentration and cognition, depression, etc., you should be able to augment with Wellbutrin, methylphenidate, adderall, SSRIs, etc.

I'm on a ADD med but not adderall.

Here is the thing. There are stages of sketchiness for doctors in prescribing.

So from least to most, it would be:

SSRI----->Wellbutrin--------[big leap]-------->methyphenidate--------[big leap]----->adderall-------[bigger leap]------>sinemet

So i would consider the first three as your main options. But don't mess with methylphenidate or adderall if you are hallucinating or semi/pseudo-psychotic, or delusional, etc.

I have ADD but taking my meds, say 6 months ago, was really doing myself a disservice and was not helping at all, in retrospect and truly as a matter of fact.

I have an ADHD diagnosis and am currently on Wellbutrin, which does not help me any more. Therefore I was wanting to try Concerta (Methylphenidate) to get less aggression and better concentration. According to the docs I don´t have any bipolarity or psychotic symptoms. Since I have too much strength I have cracked my bones several times out of punching walls etc. in a state of complete fury. So I´ll definately need a mood stabilizer.. But I have unchanged severe HPPD symptoms still, so maybe I can´t use it..

Regarding cognitive dysfunction I have a dysfunction that could be compared with an senile 90 year old. I do things without remembering how or why I did them, short term memory busted, slurring disjointed speech, states of confusion.

Wellbutrin has not helped at all against the HPPD-related cognitive dysfunction. Lamictal on the other hand, did make my head a bit clearer (though I was allergic to it). Occasional use of lower benzo doses makes me a bit more clear too.

The cognitive dysfunction seems to be caused by a electric overactivity in the brain, therefore anti-EP meds such as Keppra, Lamictal etc. gives the most aid.

I remember I read something about combining grapefruit and Zopiclone in the drug info leaflet included in the pack, back in the days when I had them. The combo could increase the effect of Zopiclone.

Doctors can be sloppy (perhaps even ignorant?) about drug interactions and don´t inform patients enough. They can even perscribe incompatible meds (I´ve been a victim of this).

So it´s important to study interactions by yourself it seems.

http://www.fass.se for Swedish speakers

http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/hp.asp for English speakers

Wellbutrin worked for a few months in the beginning. My fits of rage became almost non-existent, sense of time got normalized, had better focus and concentration. Sleep was a bit better too.

Not to mention the blocking of the nicotine receptors, which literally erased my addiction to nicotine. After those months all began to creep back. Craving for nicotine, loss of focus & concentration, rage, all got back to what it was before I started Wellbutrin. Like it stopped to latch on to my receptors at all.

I have not had Concerta/ Ritalin before, since doctors usually perscribe in this order; 1:Wellbutrin or Strattera 2:Concerta/ Ritalin.

Methylphenidate is known to be more effective for ADHD, but it makes HPPD symptoms worse too. There are some similarites between Bupropion and Methylphenidate, both having a NDRI effect. But Methylphenidate also acts as a releasing agent for DA and NE.

I talked with some people in the old forum who had used Ritalin and said it made the HPPD much worse. Though I don´t know if these people had diagnosed ADHD (memory failure..)

A thesis is that people with ADHD have less receptors for DA/NE and also less release of these neurotransmitters. Some doctors estimate this system to be at 40% functionality in a ADHD person, compared to 100% functionality in a healthy person. Which also means that these type of drugs has a different effect in an ADHD brain.

So, maybe it won´t increase visuals for me? For people with ADHD and bipolar they also add a "mood stabilizer" usually a anti-EP drug such as Ergenyl, Carbamazepine, Lamictal and even Keppra. Like speeding up and then limiting the speed to a perfect level.. This could also negate the HPPD increase from Methylphenidate, possibly.

I´ll be the first guinea pig with both conditions diagnosed and both drugs (Concerta & Keppra) in use it seems! So I´ll post data here regarding the combo.

Interesting regarding Keppra. I got spasms, trembles and neurological pains aswell. And massive DP/DR, still in Wonderland but it´s changed to Creepyland..

I did feel some increase in mental clarity with Lamictal, but I seems I´m a bit allergic to calcium channel anti-EP meds, so I had to quit it.

Okej. Min psykiater kunde skriva ut det, men de väljer vanligtvis att inte göra det eftersom neurologer känner till keppra bättre och den kan ha besvärliga biverkningar ibland. Jag har dock inte märkt av så mycket mer än yrsel och sömnighet. Hur som helst, lycka till min vän, jag hoppas att keppra gör dig mirakulöst bra!

Okay, my psychiatrist could prescribe it, but they often choose not to becuase neurologists knows keppra better and it can give you some nasty side effects sometimes. I've only noticed dizzyness and sleepiness though. However, good luck to you my friend, i hope keppra makes you miraculously good!

I hope all the english speaking members enjoy their free swedish lesson.

Tackar! Jag hoppas att Keppra åtminstone delvis kan ge mig mitt liv tillbaks!

Lycka till du med!

Thank you! I hope that Keppra atleast partially can give me my life back!

Good luck to you too!

I also hope all you English speakers have enjoyed your free Swedish lesson..

I see the saner thing as you, 415_STYLEE

We don´t have to pay any money to get high and see stuff anymore, is my very optimistic opinion! *ironic*

I had one today but I don't think the 2mg has affected me that much i did feel a slight relaxation no change to my vs but I reckon If i had it at a higher does i'd defintely feel stronger effects from the drug

Diazepam in particular can make you a bit groggy in higher doses, but try a higher dose any way (4 mgs maybe?). Space the uses a couple of days apart at least. I use Lorazepam at a maximum of two occasions per week and have not experienced any tolerance increase or addiction.

Så du börjar också med keppra snart? Jag har ännu inte haft några utbrott.

Ja, min läkare har skickat en remiss till en neurolog angående utskrivning av Keppra. Tydligen så kan inte en psykiater skriva ut det..

Yes, my doctor has sent a remittation to a neurologist regarding perscription of Keppra. Obviously a psychiatrist can´t perscribe it..

Well, you never know until you work with a doc and try things. Have you tried Keppra? What else besides Zoloft and Reboxetine have you tried?

It was a long time since I wrote in this thread, hardly remember it..

I´ll get Keppra soon. I´m currently on 300 mg Wellbutrin, an NDRI, mainly to combat my ADHD. It isn´t working now though. Why I bashed all Dopaminergic substances I can´t remember. Wellbutrin has not affected my HPPD at all, save for the setting in period where visuals flared up to corresponding 25% of an acid trip (melting walls and stuff).

Since you seem very well versed in the subject, do you think if Keppra could keep down the visual increase which Concerta (Methylphenidate) is known to cause? I´m seriously thinking of quitting Wellbutrin which doesn´t make me focused or lowers my ADHD caused aggression anymore. Concerta is known to be a lot more effective.. And I have a green light for it in my diagnose papers "perscribe with special consideration and monitoring regarding increases in HPPD and signs of mood shifts (bipolarity)".

Think Keppra and Concerta would make a good combo for me?

I´m on disability. I have several diagnoses (ADHD, Mild Autism, HPPD, and sleep disorder). I also have cognitive impairment, neurological pain, chronic dizzyness, chronic fatigue, DP/DR, feeling high and out of touch with my surroundings and myself. With all this comes numerous psychological problems as well.

I´ll be 29 next year and my doctors will surely put me on early retirement (29 being the earliest age to be retired by medical causes).

But I still try to enjoy life and cherish the good moments. Being with my girlfriend, friends, having some beers on occasions, slow walks in the woods, relaxing gaming sessions etc. I don´t get much money on my pension but I´ve cut my living costs much, so I can save some money and go traveling sometimes. The horrible weather in Sweden can make even the healthiest person suicidal, so occasional breaks are needed..

Anyway I try to not think about what is to come, only having plans a short while into the future. This helps my mental state a lot.

My HPPD started 6½ years ago and have not decreased ever since, so I know my chances of a recovery are almost zero. Anyway, I´m used to it by now, it has become my "normal" vision.

I do hope to get some alleviation from the rest of the problems, so I can get a bit more functional at least (having high hopes for Keppra!).

Benzos can be really beneficial if you don´t build tolerance/ addiction to them. The trick is to only use them when they´re REALLY needed. I only use them when I feel suicidal, have extreme anger, tense muscles, have the "dread" feeling or am in a state of deep misery. The conditions mentioned usually come at the same time, one leading to the other.

A period of milder anxiety is better abated with a gaming session.

I have not experienced any profound positive effects on visuals with any benzo. The static flicker rate slows down a bit, and that´s about it.. Diazepam was no exception. Actually, I was very surprised how little it did alleviate the visual. I was hospitalised last year and they literally shoveled me full of Diazepam. No profound effect on visuals, but it killed my anxiety, anger and DP/DR.

Using benzos to alleviate visuals is IMO a bad idea, since the visual reduction is not very profound (5% IMO if you need a number). You would also need to dose constantly, since the VS reduction only works under the benzo intoxictation, not after it. Which in the end will make you addicted.

The conclusion is to only use benzos in your darkest moments, they can be a life-saver. Don´t eat them like candy!

I see that you're from Sweden so i'll turn over to swedish now. Jag kompletterar keppra med omega 3 och hittills har jag inte haft några utbrott.

Good to hear!

I´m a bit worried how much anger I´ll get from Keppra, since I have a tendency for anger. Jag är ett "bokstavsbarn"..

The colors are shifting and floating around, and the edges are pulsing. After 15+ seconds more the shape was pushed against the edges, and the whole image was brighter. Now I can´t see the distinct blobs in the middle, it´s all blended. And after ~15 secs more there is geometric patterning at first masking and then blending into the image..

Seems I don´t need acid for visuals anymore.. An simple image will do the trick!

I´ve been taking Lorazepam a couple of times this week, and really tried to examine my visuals in different types of light. And now I can say for sure: Lorazepam reduces VS a bit. It basically reduces the flicker rate, makes it move slower and makes the static flow appear less patterned. But it´s only a little bit of reduction, not really worth using Lorazepam for VS reduction IMO. No effect on other HPPD symptoms, though.

I'm starting on Keppra today. I will report changes in symptoms once in a while.

Wish me luck.

Good luck! I´ll be joining the Keppra club soon, my doctor have arranged a meeting with a neurologist.

Keep us updated on your progress. Don´t forget to take vitamin B6 to reduce the initial "Keppra Rage". You can get B6 dirt cheap at ÖoB, otherwise try the pharmacy.

It was clean 25 mg pills labeled Lergigan. Constipation is a side-effect which about 1% of Promethazine users will get. Since I have sensitive bowels, that why I got it. I have an doctors appointment in the end of November to get a proper examination. Maybe the constipation caused severe hemorrhoiding?

I´ve been on Wellbutrin XR for 1 year, and it´s become useless already. For me, it only blocked the receptors for a couple of months, after that my nicotine addiction came back big time. I quit smoking/ snuffing during that period, now I´m addicted again, getting nico kicks again and getting abstinence when I try to quit. This despite doubling the Wellbutrin dose.

See this is a reason why I have lost almost all faith in meds and doctors. They say these type of meds don´t cause tolerance, but it´s BS! The body can develop tolerance to nearly every substance.

I feel benefits a short while, then I get tolerant and it completely stops working..

But you should try to quit anyway if you can, -mg. Smoking is never good,.. Though you should expect abstinence

Style did it have any lasting positive effects ?

No. Only lasting ill effects, which are gone by now though.

I did not notice any reduction of visuals or DP/DR. I always have a very skeptical mindset when I get a new medication, to rule out any placebo effects. It has to be yes or no, not maybe.

I´ve had such long periods of sleep deprivation that I could not differ dream from reality. Really creepy hallucinations!

The last time I had a completely sleepless night the HPPD got so crazy that I got vivid OEV´s, neon coloured geometric patterns that formed faces and shapes. Shrieking tinnitus too.

Not to mention the DP/DR, which went through the roof, combined with a sense of dread/ nagging fear and weird thoughts of being snatched away by demons or some other unnatural thing.

Sleep deprivation is in other words pure torture!

I got up to 75 mgs on Lamotrigine when the problems started. It made me feel clear headed, in a creepy way. So clear headed I could not sleep undaided at all on it! I began abusing my sleep meds and even alcohol to sleep. In the end it was 3-4 sleepness nights per week. It was crazy.

And I got some kind of zit-like rash on my forehead as well. So I seems my body did not tolerate Lamotrigine.

Due to a temporary shortage of my specific pills from the manufacturer and the nasty side-effects stated above I quit them cold turkey about month ago, and to my luck the side effects are all gone now. It took a while for the Lamotrigine to clear out from my system.

I´ve used a lot of antihistamines, so I´ll give some info and my opinion on them.

Hydroxyzine: Commonly used against allergy, sedative, makes the body feel less overheated. Least side effects. Best antihistamine IMO.

Propriomazine: Sedative and zombiefying with a duration for 2 days. Gave me intense restless legs in higher doses. Rat poison!

Alimemazine: Sedative, tastes like tooth paste in liquid form (Theralen). Quick onset, long duration, zombiefying. Upon using higher doses often I got akathisia (nasty inner restlessness). Not combinable with dopamine-agonists. Wellbutrin and Alimemazine made me so nauseous that my I could not stand up. Not good for long term use. Rat poison!

Promethazine: Sedative, feels like hydroxyzine but about double as strong. Gave such terrible constipation that not even corrosive drops could dissolve it. It took weeks to get out and was so painful that I walked around half comatose from endorphines. Now, 2 years later, I have recurring constipations and pain in my bowels almost daily. Yay! In other words, rat poison!

Zolpidem (benzo-like) works excellent for falling asleep IMO. It´s a short acting knockout basically. Day after effects? None at all.

Melatonin and Valdoxan (a melatonin reuptake inhibitor) did nothing for me except increasing dream activity.

All benzodiazepines I´ve used have worked for falling asleep, but don´t use the more long-acting benzos if you have sleep-walking problems like I have. On Lorazepam I called 2 people in my sleep without remembering it, when I asked them they said they only heard heavy breathing. I woke up with the phone next to the bed, with the line active for 2 ½ hours. Creepy!

I have not really experienced any visual relief from any benzo so far, but it cuts down many of the related symptoms, like feeling high, floating in the air feeling, muscle tension, impaired cognition, DP/DR, anxiety etc.

Lorazepam is my preferred benzo for use during the day, only use it when I really need it so I´ve not built any real tolerance to it.