Posted by Iansf on February 15, 2005, at 17:46:01
In reply to Re: Are any of these new GABA meds effective?, posted by HoldenYosarian on February 15, 2005, at 2:46:38
> O.K. sabre, a bit more advice--glad to help anyway possible, by the way.
> 1. You haven't been taking enough tyronsine. You need at least 3 g/ day to realize any potential antidepressant benefits. Problem is, it's metabolized not only into dopamine and noradrenaline (norepinepherine), but epinepherine, as well (i.e. adrenaline) in the medulla--which means if you have problems with anxiety to begin with, the epinepherine's going to aggravate it. However, you can forestall this with a beta-blocker--so my recommendation would be to try tyrosine again, increase to at least 3 g/day, progressing up to 5 before giving up, and adding a beta-blocker at the same time.
>
> 2. As far as the glutamine is concerned, don't take over 3 g/day. You'll risk burning out neurons with an "excitatory" effect at a higher dosage. This is serious sh*t. We're talking significant brain damage--if used at that strength for any length of time.
>
> Sounds like your main issue is Noradrenaline, if Tyrosine was so helpful--dopamine is a byproduct of Tyrosine, of course, so I'd recommend you ask your pdoc for some wellbutrin, as well.
> When referring to social ease, you'll find you're main concern is cortisol. L-theanine is a fairly good tool to head-off cortisol production (they haven't figured out exactly why or how) and is also metabolized into dopamine and norepinepherine. Epimedium (an herb) is one of the all around best cortisol fighters, and is considered an "adaptogen", as it contributes to increases in and stabilization of neurotransmitter function. L-Methionine should also be on your list. Tuanrine's a great calmative, and there's no L or D form, so don't bother looking---it's just called Taurine. Many swear by it.
> One caveat...be wary of the psyches (you mentioned a site). They're not scientists--less so that the average physician--and only rarely do their homework, as a rule, I've found.
> I can't say say I completely disagree with what you've said regarding the site's advice, expecially considering I haven't seen it---but if it is as you say, the context is off. You see, Glutamine is used as a fuel in the production of both Da, Na, and many other factors and co-factors. DA and NA are "modulators" of Glutamine translation to GABA because they are formed first, and it's only what's left over that's translated to GABA. It's main affect is on ATP production and cellular metabolism--thus the energy. Little is actually translated into GABA.
> I understand your pain, and the everpresent desire for just a moment of relief. Unfortunately, GABA is not the answer. It's yet another corporate scheme to keep us on the roller coaster of consumption--Neurontin,gabatril, etc, etc. Have you ever known, or seen a post by someone who's reached a satisfied,stable state through the use of GABA influencing drugs? You won't find one. Again, give the reboxetine/effexor/wellbutrin a chance before you going any further chasing GABA. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I also get the feeling that you have ADD. Get tested. ADD is responsible for more misery and dysfunction than anyone unfamiliar with it has any idea of (I hope this isn't presumptuous, I have it too--I've just gotten good at reading the signs after lots of study). Also, when you feel your supps are wearing out, combine them with licorice root and bioperine complex (indian black pepper rhysomes).
>
> Thanks for the welcome, hope to hear from you soon.
>
Holden, I too have social phobia, but I have to say I've not found Wellbutrin even minorly useful in that regard. I've taken Wellbutrin for a long time, and it does lessen depression (what it actually does is enable me to come up from depression when I fall into it - and that's exactly how I fell, like I'm falling - rather than preventing it). But it is no help with social phobia.The meds I've found useful unfortunately are the SSRIs, which also make me totally impotent. Since an important reason for my wanting to do something about social phobia is to be able to form a close relationship, the SSRIs work against. It's been a cruel irony for me: if I take a med that makes it possible to meet people and form an attachment, it puts me out of the running in an entirely different way.
Actually, I've never come across anyone whose social phobia was helped by Wellbutrin. There probably are people, but I'm willing to be they're in the minority.
Given what I've written, do you think the Tyrosine, etc. regimen you recommended would be of benefit to me? Thanks.
John
poster:Iansf
thread:448915
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050212/msgs/458345.html