Posted by franco neuro on April 11, 2005, at 10:29:12
In reply to Re: Read this before answering my previous post » franco neuro, posted by KaraS on April 10, 2005, at 19:45:57
Hi Kara,
> So you're done with the Wellbutrin completely? How about the CES?
Yes I stopped the Wellbutrin. I think it might be worth trying again, but I need to get the "fight or flight" DA-NE-E reaction under control first. I do you the CES occasionally and find it somewhat relaxing. They say the more you use it the better.
> What is so unique about his "Pathroid" formula? What is the percentage of T4 to T3?
I'm not sure what the percentages are. He had it written on the prescription. I think it was 2:1 t4 to t3. I'll find out. I'm only taking 1/4 grain.
> Have you considered Abilify? Is that only on your list if you need to move beyond the NMDA antagonists?
I'll try anything at this point.
> I was under the impression that hypersensitive autoreceptors meant that the number of autoreceptors stays the same and they just start overresponding to DA in the synapse. Others here corrected me and said that hypersensitive actually meant that the autoreceptors were too dense - that more of them are created and that's what causes the overresponsiveness. So when you downregulate them, you're actually decreasing the number of autoreceptors.
I think both scenarios can occur. But as far as the autoreceptors go I think it has more to do with hypersensitivity of individual receptors. However, if the amount of neurotransmitter in the synapse is chronically low than the postsynaptic receptors often increase in number in an attempt to make up for the weak "signal". The opposite is also true. If you chronically excrete too much of a specific neurotransmitter the number of postsynaptic receptors may decrease. It's all part of the brain's attempt to maintain homeostasis. Of course for some of us with neurosomatic problems brain it seems the brain has forgotten where homeostasis is.
> Since I also have CFS I will be very interested to see how the guaifenisen works for you.
I've only just started taking it. Goldstein recommends 1200mg of time released twice per day. I don't have time released so I'm trying to spread it out 600mg 4 times per day.
> BTW, does this friend of yours also use the CES device or any other supplements from Dr. B or does he credit his improvement solely to Lamictal?
He uses the CES and likes it. It's funny but he used to be obsessed with health foods and supplements and since the Lamictal started working he doesn't worry about that stuff too much anymore.
> I will be interested to hear how your friend fares on Campral. Sounds like even if you don't get to see Braverman much while he's off trying to become a star, he does at least come up with some good suggestions.
I wish he'd come up with a few good ones for me. :-)
> I wonder what my tests would show. I assume that the rEEG would show if there were some bipolarity. At least it would show if I would respond well to Lamictal which would then in itself imply bipolarity. It's nothing I ever considered about myself until recently but it's worth checking out.
Do you see a pdoc? They should be able to give you the Millon test.
> Sounds like a nice guy who wants to help others in the same way that he's been helped. Now he saw a doctor who utilized Goldstein's protocols, correct? That's how he came up with that cocktail? (Just want to make sure I'm keeping my facts straight here.)
I think he just happened to be lucky enough to have been seeing a doc that was willing to try out Goldstein's protocol with him. He pretty much just started trying meds. Keeping the ones that helped and dropping the ones that didn't. It's best to start with Goldstein's heavy hitters. Neurontin, Lamictal, Baclofen, etc.
> I can totally relate. I'm out of work and was traumatized at a couple of recent jobs. That along with my predisposition to anxiety and depression really put me in a bad state. I'm literally terrified to go back to the workplace.
Boy do I know the feeling.
> The only good thing now is that I'm taking a small amount of doxepin which has the anxiety completely under control.
Glad to here it.
> I think that as long as we keep trying to understand, we'll eventually figure it all out and find appropriate solutions.
That's the plan.
> It really is related to brain chemistry and possibly other things going on in the body physiologically. It will be worth all of the searching when we find something(s) that work for us. Just imagine feeling joy in living again, jumping out of bed in the morning because we can't wait to face the new day! It can happen.
From your keyboard to God's ears.
You know Dr. Goldstein's most effective treatments are IV ketamine and IV lidocaine. I'd really like to give them a try. I may have found a doc who may use them. A friend of my sister's (who is having all kinds of strange physical problems) just went to see him. He's a fairly well know CFS doc in this area. I went to his website and he mentions IV ketamine and also baclofen as possible treatmens, so he's obviously aware of Goldstein's work. I may have to give him a call. I've also started taking a lot of fish oil/borage oil/flax oil to combat the inflamation in my body. Also, TMG and plenty of B vitamins to help lower my homocysteine level. Homocysteine, as I've recently found out, is glutamate/NMDA agonist. There's a lot of fixing to do.
poster:franco neuro
thread:473033
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/482746.html