Posted by Peter on March 30, 2003, at 12:32:50
In reply to Re: question about dopamine, posted by KRM123 on March 30, 2003, at 10:29:09
> What about Effexor? Is this going to mess up my dopamine chemical since effexor boosts the other two serotonin and norephrinine? I haven't tried Effexor yet...but what should I be looking for if I have dopamine deficiency?
> I'm sorry if I sounded like the SSRI's or SNRI's ALWAYS lower dopamine. They don't. All of these meds, including effexor, are very good, succesful anti-depressants that have helped many, many people with depression and anxiety. They also have a benign side-effect profile compared to many other psychiatric drugs. So don't worry; even if effexor ends up lowering your dopamine levels, it's not a side-effect that is permanent, irreversible, or dangerous.
The mention of Tardive dyskinesia, in an earlier thread, 'is the only known long-standing, potentially irreversible side effect from any psychiatric med, and only comes from taking neuroleptic (aka, antipsychotic) meds.' This is a direct quote from my doctor's recent email to me. Effexor is not a neuroleptic.
I would say one way to be aware of the possibility of the med lowering your dopamine in the way that AD's can do with some people, is to see if you start feeling very 'dampened' and dulled and in need of excessive stimulation. If that happens, discuss it with your doctor, and you don't feel well from the med after a significant trial, you can always wean off of it under the supervision of your doctor and discuss another route of treatment. If dopamine decrease occurs while on the med and you end up coming off the med, your dopamine levels will return to their natural equilibrium. Don't worry (-:
Peter
poster:Peter
thread:214166
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/214413.html