Posted by Tony P on February 23, 2003, at 1:36:18
In reply to Article re: drug addiction and dopamine?, posted by Stellaz on February 19, 2003, at 21:08:58
I am currently on Wellbutrin (low dose, 100 mg/day), and have a history of addiction disorder (Rx and OTC drugs). Wb is defintely a dopamine agonist, but it's the only AD I've found so far that really energizes me and lifts my mood.
I was warned by one psychiatrist that Wb was not a good AD for addicts, not because it's likely to be abused itself, but because the side effects (anxiety, shakiness etc.) may encourage self-medicating to relieve the anxiety, or bring on craving for other drugs. I am aware of that effect in myself, but with a low dose and plenty of support from people I'm doing OK today.
Tony P
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> Hi - I just read the linked article about the discovery that numerous addictive substances all appear to stimulate dopamine release in the brain:
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> http://www.msnbc.com/news/874631.asp?0cv=CB10
>
> I just started a prescription for ReQuip which my doc prescribed to improve the sexual side effects I've had with Lexapro. He explained that it is a dopamine aganist - which sounds to my uneducated ear as though it serves the same purpose as the addictive drugs referenced in the article. I'd been taking 150 mg of Wellbutrin but made me too anxious. Anyway, I find that I've been smoking ALOT recently - is it possible that the ReQuip will help me cut down on smoking by providing the same dopamine release?
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> Also, I'd love to hear any experiences with Lexapro, ReQuip, sexual dysfunction etc. Although I was hospitalized in 2000 for major depression I haven't been really good about continuing med treatment and thus find myself rather uninformed. I am going to start taking fish oil though! Thanks!
poster:Tony P
thread:201985
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030219/msgs/202997.html