Posted by bleauberry on January 13, 2009, at 17:15:53
In reply to Drug Experts--Can you tell me what you think?, posted by NewQuestions on January 12, 2009, at 16:53:28
You and me sound similar. I wish some researchers could examine us and use us as study examples of longterm ssri use.
When I try small amounts of 5htp I get depessed just like you. But I notice stunning physical improvements. Boils that antibiotics can't kill just shrink away in days. Skin is better. It is hard to put my finger on it, hard to put it in words, but everything seems better. Except for my mood. My body loves it, my brain doesn't.
There are theories that longterm ssri use diminishes serotonin receptors by a large percentage. They just vanish. If that is so, then maybe all it takes for the remaining serotonin receptors to function is a small amount of bodily serotonin. Not many receptors, not much serotonin needed, right? There are only a few to feed. The problem is that the rest of the body is starving for serotonin. Just a wild theory on my part though.
I had a urine neurotransmitter test done. All neuros were normal except for serotonin, which was extremely low. My doc and I have not found this to be a useful guide at all, as I show hints of improvement only to norepinephrine agents, and dramatic worsening on serotonin agents. But the fact serotonin metabolites in urine was so low kind of makes one wonder how longterm ssri use affects circulating serotonin levels in the body.
If that is true, then there must be a way to fool the autoreceptors so that they think there is less serotonin than there is, so that they send signals to produce more, but to simultaneously block the remaining serotonin receptors from what they would perceive as excess serotonin.
The only meds I know of that fit that scenario are Pindolol and/or Abilify in combination with 5hpt, or possibly an SSRI. Kind of hesitant on the SSRI, since that is where the problems came from in the first place.
Maybe an MAOI, starting at ultra low doses, slowing increasing over several months, would bring things back into balance?
It is a mysterious thing. I just wanted to share that I have experienced the same as you and I try to play detective with it all the time.
poster:bleauberry
thread:873578
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/873835.html