Posted by Quintal on July 18, 2008, at 9:28:15
In reply to Re: How long for an adequate tianeptine trial? » Quintal, posted by SLS on July 18, 2008, at 5:53:40
Thank you for your advice. My depression fluctates anyway, that's why I adjust the dose. If you ever try tianeptine you might find, like me, that it works in a different way to other antidepressants, and I don't just mean the mechanism. Tianeptine can be taken as required. I don't think SSRIs or any other conventional class of antidepressants can be used in this way. For me tianeptine belongs in the same 'class' as benzos, opiates and amphetamines in that I can usually guage how much I need to acheive the desired effect. I've never alterd the dose of any other antidepressant like this, bar Parnate, and there's reason for that.
As far as homeostatis is concerned, I think that might actually be a contributing factor in antidepressant 'poop-out', and thereby treatment resistance. The body eventually adapts to a steady, controlled dose of a foreign substance (possibly a toxin) over time. The fact that the brain can eventually reach equillibrium undermines the efficacy of sleeping tablets, painkillers, benzos and I believe antidepressants too. I sometimes think it's actually the switch between antidepressants, and the resulting disruption, that restores an antidepressant response (at least initially) in some people who have experienced antidepressant poop-out. Keeps the brain on its toes.
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:840180
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080718/msgs/840422.html