Posted by DSCH on August 17, 2003, at 11:11:57
In reply to sorry you have already answered me : ) , posted by Francesco on August 17, 2003, at 7:13:49
> So, I think I should try Effexor (dopamine and serotonin too). I'll ask for it (and about it) to my next pdoc.
As you bump up the dose of Effexor, you'll see increasing reuptake inhibition (RI) for the neurotransmitters (NTs) going in this order:
Serotonin (5-HT)
Norepinepherine (NE)
Dopamine (DA)At high theraputic dose, the 5-HT RI will be powerful (Fortissimo!), the NE RI strong (Forte or Mezzo Forte), but the DA RI will be somewhat weak (Mezzo Piano to Pianissimo). ;-)
From my own experiences this past week when my NTs where going all over the place, I got the impression that NE is more important than DA for short term memory, impulse-control, focus, and planning. DA I think helps your physical coordination, energy level, sense of well being, and the speed of your cognitive process. This would explain why a selective NE RI (Strattera) is now being prescribed for ADHD here in the US. The consensus on the most effective stims for ADD/ADHD is for the amphetamines and methylphenidate, which effect NE as well as DA.
Among Psychobabble's links list is one to a folder with Effexor tips.
Nutritional supplements you can try that would add some punch and/or help you fine-tune the Effexor would be:
1) L-phenylalanine or racemic phenylalanine (DLPA)
2) Vitamin B3 or NADH
3) Vitamin B6 or PLP (aka P5P)
4) Vitamin C
I would HIGHLY recommend having your pdoc in on it if/when you add these supplements to the Effexor. I discovered myself that these can appear much more powerful than "normal" people notice when you have NT imbalances and medication going.
If the doc doesn't understand the rationale behind this selection, print these out for him (as well as for your own study):
http://www.mind-boosters.com/chapter_13.html
Figure 13.1 is the key figure.
http://www.mind-boosters.com/chapter_9.html
To help isolate which NTs are too high/too low you can check your symptoms against these charts.
http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/neurotransmitters.htm
You might want to exchange experiences and tips with other folks on the board who have similar symptoms by getting their attention using subject line keywords like "Overfocused ADD/ADD+OCD". Get to "know" them! :-)
I hope this helps you out, Francesco.
poster:DSCH
thread:250201
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/251547.html