Posted by JohnL on October 3, 2000, at 4:08:31
In reply to Question for JohnL, AndrewB, and others, posted by JasonL on October 2, 2000, at 10:12:58
Jason,
I wish I had some ideas for you. I think what you are doing is the right thing though...comparing different approaches. I think if we limit our choices to just the common garden variety meds that most doctors prescribe, our chances for real recovery are also very limited. Too many possible causes of our symptoms are being ignored. As far as raising the doses of your current meds, I don't know. That certainly could work. But, as you know from Dr Jensen, IF that works it is probably through a domino chain reaction kind of thing, and not a result of correcting the chemical imbalance directly. The end result is higher doses and more side effects and usually a good response, but not a complete response.It's funny what you said about Ritalin and then Adrafinil. My local pdoc is now retired. But last time I saw him a few weeks ago, I mentioned how well the kinder gentler stimulant Adrafinil had worked. He said we should have known, because my euphoric response to Ritalin was the tip-off. That was the clue.
If serotonin meds haven't helped you much, then certainly looking at dopamine instead makes sense. But exactly how dopamine is influenced will make all the difference in the world too...for example, dopamine reuptake, dopamine stimulation, dopamine MAOI, etc. One way might work while another doesn't. But of course, there could be other things involved too. I wish more doctors knew all the intricacies of meds and chemistries the way Jensen does. This stuff all makes sense to him, while it puzzles the rest of us.
I'm glad you got a chance to speak with Dr Jensen. I was glad to hear a major psychiatric institution has embraced his protocols. Hopefully in time there will be lots of Jensens around. It's no secret I too support his protocols. But what amazes me more than anything is his knowledge of the subtle yet profound differences in meds. SSRIs for example...we all accept as fact that one may work while another doesnt. Yet known of us know why that it. But Jensen does know. Each SSRI works in a different way. And each has a different molecular structure that the body either embraces or rejects. Kind of like pieces to a puzzle...they either fit or they don't. And Zoloft for example subtly affects dopamine in the backround. On and on. That stuff amazes me. True cures and full responses I believe are found in those subtle intricacies.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:45651
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45732.html