Posted by PaulB on June 1, 2001, at 16:14:11
In reply to Re: social phobia - nardil, pagoclone, pregabalin, posted by Bigdave on June 1, 2001, at 9:34:45
> > Hi, I live in the UK and suffer from social phobia. I have found difficulty obtaining answers to my questions and if anybody out there can help I would be very grateful.
> > > How long does nardil take to work for social phobia? I have been on it eight weeks now and have still found no relief from my symptoms.
> > > Does anybody know when pregabalin or pagoclone will become available in the UK? (My psychiatrist, GP and mental health nurse have never even heard of them). Has anyone got any info on their efficacy with social anxiety?
> > > Has any body got any info on the efficacy of other meds/drugs? Of particular interest to me are adrafinil, deprenyl, GHB, Gamalate B6 and Picamilone - a UK Psychiatrist would never prescribe these meds, or any that is not widely used for depression or anxiety but all traditional antidepressants have not helped me. These drugs however, can be purchased on the net. The first two interest me as my problems seem to stem from my inability to think properly or concentrate when I am spoken to and thus have no reasonable response for people, maybe a bit of cognitive stimulation is what I need. The latter three I see as possible alternatives to benzo's ( my docs won't prescribe benzo's either)
> > Sorry about the essay but please, please, please, any response would be much appreciated.
>
>
> Hi Matty, I live in the UK too, and I've orderd both Adrafinil and GHB over the net for social anxiety.. The Adrafinil didnt seem to have any anti-anxiety benefits, but did lift mood/depression and improve concentration and remove negative thinking patterns. GHB is rather like alcohol in terms of affects, I felt much less disinhibited and did help a lot with anxiety, and made me more socialable. The only problem was the cost of it, and also the risk of overdosing.
>
> DaveSOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
Pregabalin and Pagaclone are two drugs in the latter stages of development that are indicated for use in Social Anxiety. I think Pagaclone sounds the better of the two because its selective for GABA and does not cause sedation, memory loss etc. This drug is currently in phase 3 trials for panic disorder and phase 2 trials for generalised anxiety disorder. Licence is possible in 2003 because of the fact that it is in its last stages of development but I have read the drug may not be licnesed until the trials and its effaciousness for GAD are proven.
Pregabalin is the GABA analogue I think? The more potent version of Gabapentin which is already available. The drug company that manufactures Gabapentin gave up its trials and investigations into Gabapentin and Social Anxiety Disorder and Panic disorder after Pregabalin was discovered and is now showing more promise. Yet some people are doing v-well on Gabapentin for anxiety disorders. The best thing to do if your doctor is unfamiliar with its use for anxiety disorders take along some evidence. If nothing else at least Gabapentin is not addictive. It passes through the body unchanged and the drug itself appears to mimic GABA in the brain providing a sense of peace and calm.
I cant think of other drugs commonly used other than the benzodiazepines, SSRIS, MAO's and Gabapentin that are of use for Social Anxiety Disorder. Nardil is supposed to be v-good although 8 weeks is a long-time for this drug to not to of had an effect. Of course other than these drugs if you did not respond to Nardil or other antidepressant augmentation with a drug that may turn you into a 'responder' is quite common. Options:
-Smaller than therapeutic doses of serotonin agonists such as Trazadone, Clonazepam or Buspirone
-Lithium(Tryptophan re-uptaker)
-Tryptophan-In the UK its called Optimax.
-Pindol-blocks serotonin auto-receptors thus fooling your brain into thinking theres no serotonin about there so fires more.You mentioned adrafinil, deprenyl, GHB, Gamalate B6. These are all smart drugs and theres less evidence that the first two will work for social anxiety disorder. The latter two may, but its a novel approach. Both may stimulate GABA. I thinks youve been too smart-drugs.net???? Anyway thats what I think. Paul B
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