Posted by KaraS on September 26, 2005, at 0:40:57
In reply to Re: I'm keeping my fingers crossed too... » KaraS, posted by neuroman on September 25, 2005, at 20:03:18
> Hi Kara,
>
> > I know this intellectually yet I find myself wanting to go back on Effexor low dose (75 mg). In the past that amount did raise my spirits while controlling the anxiety. It allowed me to be good company and feel some joy. I didn't have any motivation on it but I found once I went off of it that I didn't have any more motivation. I'm wondering if I went back on it and added in enough of a stimulant, whether this might be a good combination. What do you think?
> Horrible idea?
>
> I understand completely. I've felt so rotten lately that I've even wondered if I should just start taking the Elavil again so that I can sleep and function again. Maybe half a life is better than no life. But I'm not there yet. I still say that a tiny amount of Paxil or tryptophan or 5htp (if they were available) way back when I was really excited (too excited) about life could have made a huge difference, but not now. I think you should stick with the dopaminergics for now. Are they still making you tired? Maybe you should consider starting with tiny amounts and building up slowly. I took a bupropion SR during the week and didn't feel much. I haven't been sleeping and got out of bed exhausted the next day but as the morning progressed I started feeling pretty good. I ended up having the best day that I've had in a long time. Almost felt normal. Had very little pain. Was listening to and enjoying music. I think I just may be a very slow metabolizer and may need to take it every other day. Maybe taking it every day it was building up in my system and triggering the autoreceptors to shut down dopamine secretion and knock me out. Maybe we need subclinical dosages initially so we can come in below the radar (autoreceptors) so to speak. Also Dr. Jay Goldstein would give all of his patients taking stimulants 500mg of niacinimide per day because he felt it protected the dopamine neurons. I don't know why or how but it might be a good idea.
That would be great if every other day on the bupropion works for you. An easy solution and much cheaper! I had never heard that about niacinimide. I used to take about 500 mg. a day for anxiety instead of a benzo. Some people can easily take 1500 mg. a day (500 mg. at one time) but even 167 mg. at a time is VERY sedating for me. I have read that NAC is also good to take to counteract neurotoxicity. I don't have any side effects from that one.
> I agree. My sister's been on zoloft for seven years. We're a lot alike. I think she's been getting some signs of low dopamine and want her to start supplementing with DLPA or tyrosine.
I wonder if that is enough to help. I would be curious to hear how that turns out.
> > I wonder if that would also pertain to the startle response when you're hit on the knee. Mine always makes the doctors think that I'm hyperthyroid ... even though I'm hypothyroid.
>
> They may be related. I like the fact that my reflexes are over the top, because it allows me to kick my doctors and not be held responsible. :-)
LOL
> > How does Effexor fit in here? Does it desensitize the 5-HT1a receptor?
>
> Not sure i'll have to look into it.
>
> > My doctor thought that beta blockers might do that for me but it hasn't proved to be enough. A friend of mine just told me about another of the doctor's patients who is doing a lot better just from the beta blockers. But there are still other medications for us to try yet.
>
> I'm sorta trying to do this with the lamictal but i think it might be blocking a few too many ion channels.
That's probably my next trial. I'm a little afraid of THE rash particularly since I don't have health insurance. Maybe I'll try lithium orotate first though.k
poster:KaraS
thread:556477
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050921/msgs/559681.html