Posted by OldSchool on February 22, 2002, at 16:11:33
In reply to dope-amine dilemma, posted by lula on February 22, 2002, at 14:31:00
> Just recently I have realized there is a good possibility I do not produce enough dopamine. This is after years of knowing that something was not quite right with me biochemically. Factors that influenced this decision:
> 1. I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict (speed)
> 2. Diagnosed with ADD.
> 3. Abuse coffee
> 4. Smoke cigarrettes
> 5. Familiar tremor (also my mom and my 13 year old son)
> 6. Adrenaline-junkie (esp. as kid)
> 7. Use sex as a mood elevator
>
>
> The only "natural" thing that makes me feel normal or good is excessive exercise. However, I cannot run five miles a day. Otherwise, I am sleepy, lethargic, and exist in a mental fog. These traits are exacerbated when I have tried SSRIs (paxil, zoloft, effexor). Serzone obliterated my short-term memory. Not surprisingly, wellbutrin has worked somewhat.
>
> Serotonin doesn't seem to be the problem but I feel strongly that dopamine and possibly norepinephrine are.
>
> I cannot take Ritalin or adderall because they kick in my addiction. I flushed the adderall after beginning to "stray" from the recommended dose.
>
> I thought I had found the answer (on this site) in Parnate. However, I noticed it has properties akin to methamphetamine and I cannot take anything with strong abuse potential. Do Parnate and the other MAOI-B inhibitors have histories of abuse?
>
> What do dopamine deficient alcoholics and addicts take?
>
> Thanks!Actually with your history (except for the ADD dx) there is probably more of a chance your dopamine levels are pretty high. Its pretty well known that those who are low in dopamine tend not to be "high risk takers." There have been studies done in people with Parkinsons disease. The problem in Parkinsons is too low dopamine levels. And one of the things researchers have found is that people who develop Parkinsons tend to be people who are more conservative in personality. People who develop Parkinsons tend to never have been substance abusers, do not tend to be smokers, do not tend to be gamblers and do not tend to have engaged in "bungee jumping" behavior in their pre-parkinsons life. People with naturally low dopamine levels tend to have more conservative, law abiding type personalities.
Another "precursor" sign of impending Parkinsons in later life is a longstanding, treatment resistant depression. Depression is very common in Parkinsons and many times predates the actual development of the Parkinsons disease.
People who smoke, drink large amounts of coffee, abuse recreational drugs and alcohol and engage in high risk sex a lot rarely develop Parkinsons.
The only way to know for sure would be to have a SPECT or PET scan of your brain at a functional neuroimaging lab.
BTW, traditional psychiatry tends to have a high percentage of misdiagnosis.
Old School
poster:OldSchool
thread:95123
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95140.html