Posted by novelagent on March 30, 2012, at 19:49:29
In reply to Scott et al...dopamine agonist + Effexor?, posted by Shes_Initforthemoney on March 24, 2012, at 22:09:23
I'd be careful-- first, Mirapex can really screw up your life. It's a very serious drug. I want to take it, but I've also never had an orgasm during intercourse before. So if you're doing this for lifestyle reasons, I'd say no, it doesn't justify the risk of lifetime apathy + anhedonia that is not reversible.
As for apathy, there's other drugs besides SSRI's and SNRI's if this entire class as a whole is giving you serious apathy (I don't know what extent, if it really is apathy, your apathy is-- you haven't described it-- but apathy is a very serious condition, so I'd be surprised if you had it just from taking an SNRI-- especially if you're bothering to tolerate the SNRI, and not switching to Emsam, for instance, or trying a go with ECT).
Actual apathy is something that I don't even have, and I have schizophreniform-- which is more likely to cause it.
Also, keep in mind Effexor at doses higher than 225mg is known to cause psychosis. I up'd to 225mg, and within a couple of weeks, even just at 225mg, I got first episode psychosis-- schizphreniform, a schiziphrenia-like condition. That's probably due to the combination of Dexedrine and Effexor. And let me tell you, if you're even thinking of taking an amphetamine along with pramipexole along with Effexor at 225, you will cause serious and life long damage to your brain that will make you wish you just had whatever you have now.
So, in a word, no, it's not worth it-- if you do actually orgasm, and you're not using it as a transgendered person, then no, I cannot see how a dose that high of Effexor is remotely safe.
The apathy will likely go away if you move away from the Effexor, or even the whole class of SSRI/SNRIs. They're not the only treatment for depression or anxiety by a long shot, and if you actually have apathy-- you're socially withdrawn, and not engaging in meaningful activities, and basically dead inside, then you would be best to switch off the thing that's causing it and not throw on a band aide.
And if you're using the word apathy to express a more vague, subtle sense of perception about your life, it's not apathy. Again, I'm very skeptical anyone would tolerate genuine apathy by remaining on the drug, much less remain on the drug and toss a band aide on rather than address the actual med causing it.
I hope this helps. Trying to be stern because I'm concerned, and hope you feel better. But I've had apathy for a week once, likely due to increased prolactin levels, and trust me-- you know it when you have it. It's not subtle.
> I was wondering what you guys thought of adding a dose of a dopamine agonist like pramipexole to my 225 mg dose of Effexor XR? I am looking at trying to slightly stimulate the few dopamine receptors pramipexole can do.(As high dose Effexor tingles the dopamine a little bit.) Mostly, to enhance sex drive, but take away a bit of the apathy ad's can cause.
>
> Thanks,
> Jay
poster:novelagent
thread:1013872
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120328/msgs/1014589.html