Is Anybody Being Prescribed Scopolamine For Depression (Page 4) (Top voted first)

is anyone being prescribed scopolamine off-label for depression? the NIMH is doing clinical trials for same and apparently it works, however my p-doc won't prescribe it for me.

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This is slightly off topic, but I did mention it in my earlier post and some of the articles linked to this thread also reference ketamine treatment which also works on the glutamate receptor system similar to scopolamine.

I had the ketamine treatment last week at UCLA. There is a doctor there, who will take referrals from your doctor if you have been through a number of SSRIs and MAOIs and have not had significant breakthroughs in mood. The ketamine treatment is off label and very expensive ($1250.00 per treatment) and more than likely your insurance will not pay for it.

I actually scraped together the funds and had the treatment last week and I have seen a marked improvement in my mood. Everything is not always sunshine and flowers, but things are certainly not dark all the time. Things are just sort of... I dunno "normal" I guess. I used to ruminate on many things including the future and the death of my sister and within the past week, I haven't seen that happening hardly at all. So, now I have to see how long this single treatment is going to last.

My doctor and I met this morning and I since I have responded positively to the ketamine, we are going to also put me on the transdermal Scopolamine patch and see it that prolongs the punch of the ketamine treatment. I can't afford to pay for monthly ketamine treatments but since it seems likely that since both drugs target the glutamate receptors, perhaps the scopolamine might also work...

Dunno how it is all going to work out, but I can tell you from personal experience that the ketamine DID work for me. Time will tell what the future holds. Will stay in touch on this board and let you all know how it goes.

And feel free to ask any questions. I will be happy to help you through my experience if I can ;-)

Best,

Michael

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Michael...by all means, please keep us informed as regards your experience with the Ketamine treatment.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread....realize you may be helping to save a life - major depression is devastatingly debilitating and a wicked killer which few who haven't experienced it can even begin to understand.

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Just an update...the Scopace 0.4mg tablets did nothing for me and caused constipation, so I won't bother with them anymore. Even though the patches bothered my skin, I'm considering getting some more to get me through the rough spots.

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what canadian pharmacy was there no Rx needed? when i was searching online they all needed Rx, so I gave up. :(

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You can search for Alive Plus Pharmacy. I've used this pharmacy before. Lowest price I found on them as well:

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Hi all. I have been trying the patch under my doctor's watch. The first time I tried it I left it on for two days and I think that may have been a little much. It definitely had an effect on my mood. I felt like I had more energy. Along with that came a bit of restlessness and agitation.I was knocked off kilter pretty bad for the next few days. And when I took it off I think I may have had a bit of withdrawalas I was a bit lightheaded for a few days. However the day I woke up after putting it on I thought to my self, wow is this how people are supposed to feel. It sure did lift some of my depression.

I have since worn another patch with much less problems. This time I wore it for only nine hours since I woke up. I read in a research paper that the peak level of concentration happens at about 8 hours after you apply the patch. By dinner time the patch was off. The only side effects this time was a dry throat. And there was no lingering loopy feeling. I could also feel my mood being boosted. So much so in fact that I am very slowly and cautiously lowering my dose of celexa.

As I type this I have another patch on. This will be my third time. I am planning to have it off by dinner time as well. I am still sceptical about this theripy but at this point I am cautiously optimistic.

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Hi guys! This is really interesting stuff. I want to share my exp with u as I go thru it. I have severe depression & have been off & on ssris, antipsychotics, & benzos for 11 years. Right now I'm having a really bad time so my doc prescribed .8mg. scopolamine. I start my first dose tonight. I have to take a dose every 3 days until I've taken 4 total doses. I will keep u all posted on how this trial run goes. Peace to u all!

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Thanks , Skye - will look forward to hearing how it goes for you. All the best!

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Thanks Michael.....means a lot to many of us - best of luck.

Craig

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Hi Skye...

Indeed, please do let us know how it goes for you.

Craig

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So I took my first dose last night around 630. Scopolamine .8mg. Aside from cottonmouth & a headache, there were no side effects. So far I don't notice a difference in mood, but its early & I have 3 more doses to do. Sorry I can't say I'm cured, yet.

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Hi Jon Walker,
I also fought the war against a severe major depression. From 16 to 40 I could't find relief no matter what I tried. It was relentless. The only difference between us is I did finally gain significant relief; although I still consider myself to suffer from mild depression and anxiety issues. I am still exploring treatment options. I don't know if I could be of any help but I'm willing to lend you an ear if you even get this

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Michael,

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Ketamine treatment. Are you still being treated with Ketamine? And is this through your primary doctor?

I'm looking into clinical trial for either Scopolamine or Ketamine, but I do not want to raise any false hopes. If something does work I need to be able to have access to it. I cannot go back to being depressed, which has become the "normal" for the past 20 yrs.

Thanks.

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Hey folks, apologies for not writing sooner. So I have taken two of my four doses. After the first round I felt dizzy & very nauseas for a solid day. I can't say I felt much dep/anx relief, however it was easier to get up in the morning. After the second dose I didn't exp any side effects. Unfortunately my mood isn't getting any better (tho there are some possible external causes). I take dose 3 tomorrow & will update u all on any changes. Fingers crossed .

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Michael,

Unfortunately, since I am not currently being treated by a psychiatrist and have no history of treatment, since I have been off meds entirely by choice, I do not qualify for the Ketamine treatment at UCLA.

You may want to ask your Dr. about a drug called Riluzole. It's suppose to have the same effect as Ketamine. I heard about it in an NPR segment regarding a patient who underwent Ketamine treatment at an NIH study and continued treatment with riluzole.

'I Wanted To Live': New Depression Drugs Offer Hope For Toughest Cases

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Try whatever you can. You deserve to feel better. Let me know if you can't find the ketamine treatment in your area and I can steer you to the doctor at UCLA who is doing ketamine infusions. My infusion worked, and worked very well ;-) I don't think the effects are permanent, at lease for me, but the effect was profound.

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I am curious if any of you are on other ADs while you're trying these treatments or did you go off? I'm currently on Effexor and Wellbutrin which I want to get off of, but am having a heck of a time doing.

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Has anyone had problems with the Scop patch causing skin irritation and any idea how to prevent it? I made sure my skin was clean/dry before putting it on. It causes itchiness and when I finally took that patch off after the 3rd day there was a red mark which took a LONG time to go away. This stinks because they do help me. Also, does anyone know if the patch would work in a different spot than behind the ear? Thanks.

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I am on an SSRI called Vibryd. Cut down from the 40mg to due to the sexual side effects but my doc thought it better safe than sorry and keep me on the low dose. If I could afford to experience the relief that the ketamine gave me all the time, my personal opinion would be that the Vybrid should be eliminated since before this treatment it wasn't doing much but cutting down my libido.

Michael

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Hi Callie,

I have a bit of irritation, but not that much and since the patch has been right behind my earlobe not many people, including me, can see it or the potential red mark that it might cause.

As for placement of the patch, at least for depression treatment, I would think that as long as it is against some of your thinner skin (upper arm, under the upper arm, etc.) that you are getting the medication delivered into your bloodstream. This is unlike it's on label use which is for sea sickness and therefore it is supposed to be close to your ear because the inner ear is what is affected by motion sickness.

Take this with a grain of salt though because I am not a medical professional. As a matter of fact, I googled the same question and wasn't able to find any suggestions on alternate placement.

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