Posted by conundrum on March 26, 2010, at 15:10:18
In reply to Re: Severe anhedonia...I can't live like this anym » bleauberry, posted by Economist on March 25, 2010, at 20:53:15
norepinephrine does increase interests? Did you look at that link I posted? Animals that are depleted in norepinephrine don't have a hedonic response to drugs. The only thing they still respond to without norepinephrine is food.
Drugs that increase NE can increase pleasure. Dopamine is overestimated in its role in anhedonia. The body is unfortunately way more complicated than that. Some people respond to dopamine but not all. Just look at tricyclics. They all increase Norepinephrine some only increase norepinephrine and yet they are usesful in treating anhedonia. They don't really boost dopamine except through some post synaptic antagonism.
I've found low doses of prozac increase interest. Norepinephrine seems to add color.
It seems like you've done all you can do to try to boost DA, you need to try something different. It seems that the antidepressant response to most drugs with the exception of maybe lexapro depends on some increase in norepinephrine.
Bottom line it doesn't just give you energy and raise blood pressure, it has mood effects. I used to think the same things you are, but I've found DA drugs and supplements don't do squat for me. ie Wellbutrin, Ritalin, NADH, L-Tyrosine with Vit C and B6, Mucan Puriens, Rhodiola Rosea.
Also I would say anhedonia is my worst symptom. So far low dose prozac and NRI have been the only thing to help.
poster:conundrum
thread:940577
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100318/msgs/940979.html