Posted by neuroman on September 25, 2005, at 20:03:18
In reply to Re: I'm keeping my fingers crossed too... » KaraS, posted by KaraS on September 25, 2005, at 2:58:40
Hi Kara,
> I know this intellectually yet I find myself wanting to go back on Effexor low dose (75 mg). In the past that amount did raise my spirits while controlling the anxiety. It allowed me to be good company and feel some joy. I didn't have any motivation on it but I found once I went off of it that I didn't have any more motivation. I'm wondering if I went back on it and added in enough of a stimulant, whether this might be a good combination. What do you think?
Horrible idea?I understand completely. I've felt so rotten lately that I've even wondered if I should just start taking the Elavil again so that I can sleep and function again. Maybe half a life is better than no life. But I'm not there yet. I still say that a tiny amount of Paxil or tryptophan or 5htp (if they were available) way back when I was really excited (too excited) about life could have made a huge difference, but not now. I think you should stick with the dopaminergics for now. Are they still making you tired? Maybe you should consider starting with tiny amounts and building up slowly. I took a bupropion SR during the week and didn't feel much. I haven't been sleeping and got out of bed exhausted the next day but as the morning progressed I started feeling pretty good. I ended up having the best day that I've had in a long time. Almost felt normal. Had very little pain. Was listening to and enjoying music. I think I just may be a very slow metabolizer and may need to take it every other day. Maybe taking it every day it was building up in my system and triggering the autoreceptors to shut down dopamine secretion and knock me out. Maybe we need subclinical dosages initially so we can come in below the radar (autoreceptors) so to speak. Also Dr. Jay Goldstein would give all of his patients taking stimulants 500mg of niacinimide per day because he felt it protected the dopamine neurons. I don't know why or how but it might be a good idea.
> SSRIs alone or without dopaminergic meds can be damaging in my opinion. I see people who are doing well on them but I wonder how long it will be before the apathy and lack of motivation set in.I agree. My sister's been on zoloft for seven years. We're a lot alike. I think she's been getting some signs of low dopamine and want her to start supplementing with DLPA or tyrosine.
> I wonder if that would also pertain to the startle response when you're hit on the knee. Mine always makes the doctors think that I'm hyperthyroid ... even though I'm hypothyroid.
They may be related. I like the fact that my reflexes are over the top, because it allows me to kick my doctors and not be held responsible. :-)
> How does Effexor fit in here? Does it desensitize the 5-HT1a receptor?
Not sure i'll have to look into it.
> My doctor thought that beta blockers might do that for me but it hasn't proved to be enough. A friend of mine just told me about another of the doctor's patients who is doing a lot better just from the beta blockers. But there are still other medications for us to try yet.
I'm sorta trying to do this with the lamictal but i think it might be blocking a few too many ion channels.
> I think this very phenomenom helped to make my EEG look better than it normally would.
May have...
> It's hard to keep hoping after many let downs though.
Don't i know it...
Paul
poster:neuroman
thread:556477
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050921/msgs/559580.html