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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JackT on May 20, 2003, at 12:34:57
I tried Haldol (dopamine agonist) and the first four days I felt happy and generally glad to be alive (not manic, just positive feelings of well-being). Then it just pooped out and I felt no benefit good or bad. I assume that I had a dopamine surge at first and then it was down-regulated.
I believe that I have low levels of dopamine because all my dopamine molecules are converted to norepinephrine as a result of my largest problem, GAD. The mild depression (maybe dysthymia is a better description) that I have is probably a by-product of the GAD.
I take benzos for effective relief of the GAD, but I am still left, unmotivated, apathetic and somewhat sad. Therefore, I'm looking for something that had the effect of the first four days of Haldol, but that lasts.
Any input on the dopamine effecting drugs like selegiline, provigil, amulsipride (sp?)or others for dysthymia. I need to add that I've tried Ritalin, and sometimes it has a mood-lifting effect, but it also makes me more anxious.
Thanks in advance.
JackT
Posted by Snoozy on May 20, 2003, at 14:41:39
In reply to Dopamine Levels .... Depression/Anxiety, posted by JackT on May 20, 2003, at 12:34:57
Hi Jack -
I've been on Provigil for about 2 weeks, starting at 100mg the first week and now 200. It does help some with the sleepiness, but it's nothing like an espresso or Ritalin. I haven't had any bothersome side effects, although that may be misleading. A lot of people get headaches from it, at least early on, but I have had daily migraines for several months, so I don't think I would know if the Provigil was giving me a headache :)
Further complicating things, I am now faced with an incredibly stressful situation that wasn't there when I started the Provigil. So it's hard to determine what effect it has on my mood. But these things can never be easy, can they?
My dx is dysthymia, and I also take 400mg Wellbutrin.
Well, that's input, but I don't know if it's helpful at all ;)
> I tried Haldol (dopamine agonist) and the first four days I felt happy and generally glad to be alive (not manic, just positive feelings of well-being). Then it just pooped out and I felt no benefit good or bad. I assume that I had a dopamine surge at first and then it was down-regulated.
>
> I believe that I have low levels of dopamine because all my dopamine molecules are converted to norepinephrine as a result of my largest problem, GAD. The mild depression (maybe dysthymia is a better description) that I have is probably a by-product of the GAD.
>
> I take benzos for effective relief of the GAD, but I am still left, unmotivated, apathetic and somewhat sad. Therefore, I'm looking for something that had the effect of the first four days of Haldol, but that lasts.
>
> Any input on the dopamine effecting drugs like selegiline, provigil, amulsipride (sp?)or others for dysthymia. I need to add that I've tried Ritalin, and sometimes it has a mood-lifting effect, but it also makes me more anxious.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> JackT
Posted by McPac on May 20, 2003, at 21:58:42
In reply to Dopamine Levels .... Depression/Anxiety, posted by JackT on May 20, 2003, at 12:34:57
"I tried Haldol (dopamine agonist)"
does a dopamine agonist raise dopamine levels? thnx
Posted by Caleb462 on May 20, 2003, at 22:32:58
In reply to JackT, Re: Dopamine Levels .... Depression/Anxiety, posted by McPac on May 20, 2003, at 21:58:42
> "I tried Haldol (dopamine agonist)"
>
> does a dopamine agonist raise dopamine levels? thnxNo. A dopamine agonist would be a drug that directly stimulates dopamine receptors - Mirapex, for instance. Haldol is certainly NOT a dopamine agonist. It is a dopamine ANTagonist.
Posted by JackT on May 22, 2003, at 11:48:08
In reply to JackT, Re: Dopamine Levels .... Depression/Anxiety, posted by McPac on May 20, 2003, at 21:58:42
McPac,
I probably got the terminology wrong. I think the antipsychotics are ultimately supposed to reduce dopamine by down regulation.
It sure did feel good for the first four days when I believe dopamine levels were up during that period prior to downregulation.
Anyway, I am still looking for that good feeling of well-being again.
Posted by McPac on May 22, 2003, at 16:56:11
In reply to Re: JackT, Re: Dopamine Levels .... Depression/Anxiety, posted by Caleb462 on May 20, 2003, at 22:32:58
"Haldol is certainly NOT a dopamine agonist. It is a dopamine ANTagonist".
Thanks Caleb!
(ABSOLUTE WORST med. experience of my ENTIRE LIFE was years & years ago when a mentally retarded shrink, lol, put me on Haldol.
Posted by McPac on May 23, 2003, at 19:01:37
In reply to Re: JackT, Re: Dopamine Levels .... Depression/Anxiety, posted by Caleb462 on May 20, 2003, at 22:32:58
"Haldol is certainly NOT a dopamine agonist. It is a dopamine ANTagonist".
So...does Haldol, in effect, DECREASE dopamine levels? (Really want to know what effect Haldol has on the brain since it was THE worst med experience of my life...thanks!
Posted by Caleb462 on May 24, 2003, at 0:16:45
In reply to Caleb, Re: Dopamine Levels .... Depression, posted by McPac on May 23, 2003, at 19:01:37
> "Haldol is certainly NOT a dopamine agonist. It is a dopamine ANTagonist".
>
> So...does Haldol, in effect, DECREASE dopamine levels? (Really want to know what effect Haldol has on the brain since it was THE worst med experience of my life...thanks!
>
>Well.. if by "levels" you mean the amount of dopamine in the brain, then no. It can dramatically decrease dopamine activity, however, by preventing dopamine from binding to its receptors.
This is the end of the thread.
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