Posted by bleauberry on June 6, 2010, at 15:02:27
In reply to Brainstorming alternate treatment options, posted by lpslpslpslpslpslps on June 5, 2010, at 20:12:04
Just some opinions here. Nothing qualified or scientific. Just what my eyes have seen over the years observing others.
Most of your meds would have anti-motivation as predictable outcome. So no surprise there. Between the potent antihistamine going on, the dopamine blockade, the sedation, and the nervous system inhibitory actions, I don't see how motivation stands a chance.
But, hard to do, when you feel least motivated is when you have to muster strength and force it. The brain can learn but it takes repetition. Not a cure, but a coping mechanism, a strength builder, a symptom reducer, and way of screaming at the enemy "I'm the boss here, not you!" Hopefully someday you'll have pills to fix things. But until then, you have to fight back. People often say they just can't do it. I've been there. I can relate to that. But it isn't true. It is a deceptive enemy. It really is literally a matter of placing one foot in front of the other. Unless your legs are paralyzed, there is nothing in the world stopping you from taking the trash out except your own decisions.
Tyrosine. There is no way to know how much is being converted to dopamine. Maybe very little. The body has genetic commands. Feedback loops. If it is helpful, cool. If not, why take it. Too much dopamine can cause the symptoms you feel also.
SAMe is not a bad idea but that is a very low dose compared to what they use in clinical studies.
Some people react the opposite to stimulants. More focus yes, but less motivation, more blah. It depends on the sensitivity of the dopamine receptors for that particular person. People who were never bipolar can be destabilized by longterm stimulant usage. I mean, that's what happens to street addicts. Whether it is from a dealer on the street or a doctor, it is still the same drug with the same longterm outcome. Personally I see one of the versions of ritalin being a much better choice, and avoid anything generic.
Speaking of which, if any of your meds are generic, then you have no idea whether that particular med is right for you or not. The difference between brand and generic can be night and day. We see that a lot. My pharmacists see it a lot. One of my doctors will not even prescribe generics because he has seen them confound his attempts to get people well too often.
I doubt buspar is helpful in any way. I don't see a purpose for mirtazapine, seroquel. and just a tad bit suspect of lamictal. I have a hard time figuring out how you got there, but then, I don't know your history or your doctor. There are certainly much better ways to go for your cluster of symptoms.
poster:bleauberry
thread:950034
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100604/msgs/950131.html