Posted by polarbear206 on February 28, 2002, at 18:17:10
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?
>
lula, I'm glad I saw your post!! I have some of the same problems you do. You need norepinephrine I had the same problems on the ssri's. My psych doc only will put me on a MAOI as a last resort. The best drug that has worked for me are the tricyclics. Yes, the "old faithfuls". I feel more like my old self. I take imipramine. It's very activating and energizing. When I took Paxil I felt lethargic and sluggish. Exercise is a very important part of my lifestyle, but not enough to keep my symptoms at bay. Light therapy would also benifit. This usually requires an activating antidepressant that targets more then one neurotransmitter.
poster:polarbear206
thread:95123
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95871.html