Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1107702

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Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by undopaminergic on January 8, 2020, at 2:53:00

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by rjlockhart37 on January 8, 2020, at 0:46:43

>
>
> Also even a neuroleptic med like risperdal or a short acting antipsychotic med could help memories from being suppressed.
>

Not as far as I'm aware, including both personal experience and the literature.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » undopaminergic

Posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 17:47:54

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by undopaminergic on January 6, 2020, at 8:06:59

Yeah can't get anything 'exotic' medication wise from our GP (no nardil, stimulants, benzos or anything) so I'll to stick with buspar and beta blockers I think. My depression is manageable with self help groups/literature etc but I could do with something to quell anxieties when I freak out about something unmanageable etc.

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » undopaminergic

Posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 17:50:21

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by undopaminergic on January 6, 2020, at 8:32:21

> > For your PTSD, you might try the beta blocker propranolol
> Or maybe pindolol, which is an unselective beta-adrenergic antagonist like propranolol. It has found use in depression, because it may disinhibit serotonin-release through antagonism of presynaptic 5-HT1A-autoreceptors.

Will suggest both to my GP! Eeeek not sure I'd like to try a beta blocker- they can't make you faint?! I'll give it a go.

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 17:53:39

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by Lamdage22 on January 6, 2020, at 9:28:55

> Please let me know how you like the Blueberries. I thought it was the polyphenols that help. It took some time before I

Will do. Although I forgot to eat them this morning. I think eating them for breakfast with a cup of black coffee (wild hunch!) is the best for anti-depressant effect.

> I came across this phenomenon accidentally. I didn't think it would do anything for my mental health. Luckily it does and I have found out

Good to hear. Can't hurt, right?!

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » undopaminergic

Posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 18:04:16

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Lamdage22, posted by undopaminergic on January 6, 2020, at 11:49:55

Love bilberries! More than blueberries, but unfortunately I can only get blueberries here in the UK. However, my family are from the Nordics countries, so I'm very familiar with bilberries! I think my mother even bought a second freezer so she could freeze all the bilberries she'd been picking where she lives.

Totally agree bilberries are superior on the phyto-chemical front.

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD)Lamdage22 » Limone

Posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 18:10:05

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 17:53:39

For Lamdage22:

> > Please let me know how you like the Blueberries. I thought it was the polyphenols that help. It took some time before I
>
> Will do. Although I forgot to eat them this morning. I think eating them for breakfast with a cup of black coffee (wild hunch!) is the best for anti-depressant effect.
>
> > I came across this phenomenon accidentally. I didn't think it would do anything for my mental health. Luckily it does and I have found out
>
> Good to hear. Can't hurt, right?!
>
>

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Limone

Posted by undopaminergic on January 9, 2020, at 2:53:08

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » undopaminergic, posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 17:50:21

>
> Will suggest both to my GP! Eeeek not sure I'd like to try a beta blocker- they can't make you faint?! I'll give it a go.
>

I've been on bisoprolol for years (for tachycardia), and I've never fainted from it, but I do often feel dizzy when I stand up after a while sitting, lying, or squatting. To avoid fainting, I stand still for a few seconds to allow the blood pressure to normalise.

In the worst case, you could take a pressor, such as ephedrine, at the same time as the beta-blocker, to counteract the hypotensive effects.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by Lamdage22 on January 10, 2020, at 9:18:32

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » undopaminergic, posted by Limone on January 8, 2020, at 18:04:16

What is the difference between a bilberry and a blueberry?

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Lamdage22

Posted by Limone on January 10, 2020, at 10:03:10

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by Lamdage22 on January 10, 2020, at 9:18:32

> What is the difference between a bilberry and a blueberry?

It's a very good question!

Blueberries are bigger and more fleshy, and when you squish them they are mostly clear on the inside. The bushes they grow on are much bigger and bushier.

Bilberries are much smaller, more 'dense', and when you squish them they are very dark purple. They grow wild in the pine forests in the Nordic countries of Europe (and I expect elsewhere in similar conditions, maybe Canada has them?)

This is good;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilberry

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by Hugh on January 10, 2020, at 10:18:09

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Limone, posted by undopaminergic on January 9, 2020, at 2:53:08

I've been taking beta-blockers, propranolol and then atenolol, for palpitations for years. They don't make me dizzy, and don't seem to have much effect on my blood pressure, which is normal, with or without beta-blockers.

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by Lamdage22 on January 10, 2020, at 10:41:41

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Lamdage22, posted by Limone on January 10, 2020, at 10:03:10

So bilberries are like wild blueberries? Funny that you have a separate name for them. We would just call them wild blueberries over here.

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Lamdage22

Posted by undopaminergic on January 10, 2020, at 10:42:09

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by Lamdage22 on January 10, 2020, at 9:18:32

> What is the difference between a bilberry and a blueberry?

For a partial answer, follow the Google links from my previous reply to this thread:
https://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20200104/msgs/1107724.html

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by undopaminergic on January 10, 2020, at 10:45:52

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by Lamdage22 on January 10, 2020, at 10:41:41

> So bilberries are like wild blueberries? Funny that you have a separate name for them. We would just call them wild blueberries over here.
>

In Swedish we call bilberries blueberries ("blåbär"). I don't know if there is a Swedish word for American blueberries.

-undopaminergic

 

Venlafaxine it is : (

Posted by Limone on January 10, 2020, at 13:23:02

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by Lamdage22 on January 10, 2020, at 9:18:32

Hi all,
Well. In the end my GP wouldn't prescribe Buspirone. Apparently GPs and pdocs don't use it here in the U.K. : (

He wouldn't even let me think about a beta-blocker either. Really wanted me on Escitalopram despite me saying that when I was on citalopram I slept 16hrs a day, and that no way I could function on that with a mentally taxing job (I'm off sick at the mo though), a house to run and oh, an child to take care of.

So I managed to say that venlafaxine was the least worst anti-depressant that I've tried so he gave me a prescription of 37.5mgs. Blah!

I'm not certain I'm going to take it through. I find the effects of AD medication problematic. Which is why I wanted to try buspirone.

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » undopaminergic

Posted by Limone on January 10, 2020, at 14:01:09

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by undopaminergic on January 10, 2020, at 10:45:52

> > So bilberries are like wild blueberries? Funny that you have a separate name for them. We would just call them wild blueberries over here.
> >
>
> In Swedish we call bilberries blueberries ("blåbär"). I don't know if there is a Swedish word for American blueberries.
>
> -undopaminergic
>

In Finnish it's 'mustikka'. : )

 

Re: Venlafaxine it is : ( » Limone

Posted by Hugh on January 11, 2020, at 5:47:13

In reply to Venlafaxine it is : (, posted by Limone on January 10, 2020, at 13:23:02

That is disappointing. What are you going to do now? Any chance of switching to another GP?

 

Re: Venlafaxine it is : ( » Limone

Posted by phidippus on January 15, 2020, at 12:52:48

In reply to Venlafaxine it is : (, posted by Limone on January 10, 2020, at 13:23:02


> I'm not certain I'm going to take it through. I find the effects of AD medication problematic. Which is why I wanted to try buspirone.
>

Buspirone is weak.

 

Re: Venlafaxine it is : (

Posted by linkadge on January 23, 2020, at 15:02:21

In reply to Venlafaxine it is : (, posted by Limone on January 10, 2020, at 13:23:02

Yeah, its antidepressant for this, antidepressant for that.

In this day in age, you're better off getting addicted to alcohol or pot (or GHB). Doctors won't help you.

Linkadge

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Limone

Posted by SLS on February 6, 2020, at 11:26:18

In reply to Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by Limone on January 5, 2020, at 16:16:35

Hi, Limone.

One of the main contributors to mood illness is childhood adversity. I'm sure it was for me. Awhile back, a few psychologists used the term "development PTSD" to describe the effects of chronic trauma during childhood. I had success with prozosin (Minipress) 30 mg/day (10 mg. b.i.d.). I might go back to it. I stopped taking it in an effort to streamline my regime. Prazosin was first used for PTSD as a treatment for nightmares as a single 3 mg dose immediately before bedtime. However, a few doctors have reported that taking higher dosages (up to 40 mg/day) throughout the day effectively treated daytime depression and anxiety.

Prazosin must be started as a single 1-2 mg dosage at bedtime to prevent vertigo.


- Scott

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » SLS

Posted by TriedEveryMedication on February 17, 2020, at 16:34:04

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » Limone, posted by SLS on February 6, 2020, at 11:26:18

> Hi, Limone.
>
> One of the main contributors to mood illness is childhood adversity. I'm sure it was for me. Awhile back, a few psychologists used the term "development PTSD" to describe the effects of chronic trauma during childhood. I had success with prozosin (Minipress) 30 mg/day (10 mg. b.i.d.). I might go back to it. I stopped taking it in an effort to streamline my regime. Prazosin was first used for PTSD as a treatment for nightmares as a single 3 mg dose immediately before bedtime. However, a few doctors have reported that taking higher dosages (up to 40 mg/day) throughout the day effectively treated daytime depression and anxiety.
>
> Prazosin must be started as a single 1-2 mg dosage at bedtime to prevent vertigo.
>
>
> - Scott

Interesting about prazosin for depression. I was given it to combat anger and insomnia from despiramine, but I was warned it could make depression worse.

Just curious, what is your current regimen?

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » TriedEveryMedication

Posted by SLS on February 18, 2020, at 12:06:37

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » SLS, posted by TriedEveryMedication on February 17, 2020, at 16:34:04

Hi.

> > One of the main contributors to mood illness is childhood adversity. I'm sure it was for me. Awhile back, a few psychologists used the term "development PTSD" to describe the effects of chronic trauma during childhood. I had success with prozosin (Minipress) 30 mg/day (10 mg. b.i.d.). I might go back to it. I stopped taking it in an effort to streamline my regime. Prazosin was first used for PTSD as a treatment for nightmares as a single 3 mg dose immediately before bedtime. However, a few doctors have reported that taking higher dosages (up to 40 mg/day) throughout the day effectively treated daytime depression and anxiety.
> >
> > Prazosin must be started as a single 1-2 mg dosage at bedtime to prevent vertigo.


> Interesting about prazosin for depression. I was given it to combat anger and insomnia from despiramine, but I was warned it could make depression worse.
>
> Just curious, what is your current regimen?

Right now, I am still in the process of discontinuing Effexor (venlafaxine). I was hopeful there for a little while. I experienced significant improvements, but they lasted for about 3 days immediately after a dosage increase of decrease. I tried Trintellix (vortioxetine) immediately prior to beginning Effexor. It seemed to produce a long-lasting strange zombie state and a worsening of my baseline depression. It made Effexor do some crazy things as a result.

It's back to MAOI + TCA for me.

I am having a difficult time deciding between Marplan and Parnate. Parnate is a dead end for me. I function better on it than off it, but mental energy is really the only aspect of my depression that is significantly improved. Anhedonia and amotivation persist. I can't get myself to do things, and nothing feels good. There is no mood "brightening", and cognitive and memory impairments are improved only moderately.

Here is what I am currently taking:

Nortriptyline 100 mg/day
Lamictal 300 mg/day
Lithium 300 mg/day

In the past, adding Abilify and prazosin have helped, but I want to establish how much of an improvement I can obtain without them. Abilify = weight gain + high triglycerides. Prazosin is a remarkably clean drug at 30 mg/day. My only complaint is that it can kill sex-drive. Since discontinuing it 2 years ago, I can't say whether or not it has recovered. It's hard to know when reduced sex drive is a component of the illness.

My plan is to begin taking either Marplan or Parnate. I'm leaning towards Marplan since I tried it only once and stopped taking it after only 2 weeks. I was frustrated and impatient. I was stupid, but my stupidity was 35 years in the making by that point. I'm not kicking myself in the *ss too hard over this.


- Scott


 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » SLS

Posted by undopaminergic on February 18, 2020, at 13:22:49

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » TriedEveryMedication, posted by SLS on February 18, 2020, at 12:06:37

>
> It's back to MAOI + TCA for me.
>
> I am having a difficult time deciding between Marplan and Parnate. Parnate is a dead end for me. I function better on it than off it, but mental energy is really the only aspect of my depression that is significantly improved. Anhedonia and amotivation persist. I can't get myself to do things, and nothing feels good. There is no mood "brightening", and cognitive and memory impairments are improved only moderately.
>
> ...
>
> My plan is to begin taking either Marplan or Parnate. I'm leaning towards Marplan since I tried it only once and stopped taking it after only 2 weeks. I was frustrated and impatient. I was stupid, but my stupidity was 35 years in the making by that point. I'm not kicking myself in the *ss too hard over this.
>
>
> - Scott

How high have you gone with the Parnate? Have you tried stimulant augmentation?

Does acute amphetamine provide a boost for you at all?

Stimulants reliably obliterate my apathy (amotivation) and sucidal ideation.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by SLS on February 19, 2020, at 13:26:39

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on February 18, 2020, at 13:22:49

Hi UD.


> > It's back to MAOI + TCA for me.
> >
> > I am having a difficult time deciding between Marplan and Parnate. Parnate is a dead end for me. I function better on it than off it, but mental energy is really the only aspect of my depression that is significantly improved. Anhedonia and amotivation persist. I can't get myself to do things, and nothing feels good. There is no mood "brightening", and cognitive and memory impairments are improved only moderately.
> >
> > ...
> >
> > My plan is to begin taking either Marplan or Parnate. I'm leaning towards Marplan since I tried it only once and stopped taking it after only 2 weeks. I was frustrated and impatient. I was stupid, but my stupidity was 35 years in the making by that point. I'm not kicking myself in the *ss too hard over this.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> How high have you gone with the Parnate? Have you tried stimulant augmentation?

Up to Parnate 120 mg/day + desipramine 300 mg/day.

> Does acute amphetamine provide a boost for you at all?

None. I actually get more of an energy kick from caffeine.

> Stimulants reliably obliterate my apathy (amotivation) and sucidal ideation.

That's great. What keeps you from using stimulants on a regular basis?


- Scott

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?

Posted by undopaminergic on February 19, 2020, at 14:05:55

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by SLS on February 19, 2020, at 13:26:39

> Hi UD.

Hi SLS.

> > How high have you gone with the Parnate? Have you tried stimulant augmentation?
>
> Up to Parnate 120 mg/day + desipramine 300 mg/day.

That sounds adequate to me. At that dose, the MAO inhibition would be close to 100%.

I suppose you haven't tried a COMT-inhibitor? Think tolcapone (ie. not entacapone) is the only clinically available COMT-inhibitor to cross the blood-brain-barrier. It has been associated with liver toxicity however, so I suppose you need to monitor liver function if you use it.

> > Does acute amphetamine provide a boost for you at all?
>
> None.

Even with MAOIs?

> I actually get more of an energy kick from caffeine.

In my experience, a cocaine-like stimulant (like methylphenidate) works synergistically with caffeine. I'm generally speaking of caffeine doses between 500 and 1500 mg.

> > Stimulants reliably obliterate my apathy (amotivation) and sucidal ideation.
>
> That's great. What keeps you from using stimulants on a regular basis?

I have indeed done so, during several periods of time. There are a few reasons I am not doing it now. a) the stimulants lost a lot of their effect, b) I'm seeking a lasting cure through psychological interventions, and c) current hospitalisation. Also, I don't have suicidal ideation at present.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Best med for complex-PTSD? » undopaminergic

Posted by SLS on February 20, 2020, at 12:37:15

In reply to Re: Best med for complex-PTSD?, posted by undopaminergic on February 19, 2020, at 14:05:55

Hi, again.

:-)

> > That's great. What keeps you from using stimulants on a regular basis?
>
> I have indeed done so, during several periods of time. There are a few reasons I am not doing it now. a) the stimulants lost a lot of their effect, b) I'm seeking a lasting cure through psychological interventions, and c) current hospitalisation. Also, I don't have suicidal ideation at present.

Before I was properly diagnosed as having an affective disorder, I saw a few psychotherapists. I got virtually nothing from it - no reduction in depression or social and anxiety. In addition, they couldn't come close to reaching me as I was submerged below a tangle of involution.

Then I came across the book "Mood Swing" by Dr. Fieve. Because I was an ultra-rapid cycler at the time (8 days depression -> 3 days remission -> 8 days depression -> 3 days remission etc. Had my experience not matched the case histories described in the book, I would never had traveled to NYC Columbia-Presbyterian in 1982. There, I was diagnosed by Michael Liebowitz. When I learned that my mental disturbance was the result of biological dysfunction, I was very, very angry. Some people feel vindicated to learn this, but I was indignant that my depression and mental instability were beyond my power to work on and fix by myself. I was willing to work hard. Now, I felt teathered to a drug and incapable of sustaining a life worth living without that teather.

While I was waiting in the lobby for them to call me in for screening, I happened to notice a closed door to an office with a name plate reading, "Ronald R. Fieve", the man who wrote the book that saved my life. That was a strange coincidence that I had trouble believing.

Obviously, my brain has been entrained effectively to make compensatory adjustments to the changes effected by biological interventions (drugs). My brain likes the equilibrium it is now instructed to maintain - homeostasis.

It really sucks.

There is a drug called zuranolone (SAGE-217) that works as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor. It is an analogue of the intravenous-administered brexanolone by the same company that is now being used for post-partum depression, but is administered orally. It should have been approved by now. I don't know what's going on. Zuranolone has been reported to be effective for post-partum depression, major depressive disorder, and bipolar depression.


- Scott


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