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Re: Scott et al...dopamine agonist + Effexor? » SLS

Posted by Shes_Initforthemoney on March 25, 2012, at 10:55:18

In reply to Re: Scott et al...dopamine agonist + Effexor? » Shes_Initforthemoney, posted by SLS on March 25, 2012, at 5:14:54

> > I was wondering what you guys thought of adding a dose of a dopamine agonist like pramipexole to my 225 mg dose of Effexor XR? I am looking at trying to slightly stimulate the few dopamine receptors pramipexole can do.(As high dose Effexor tingles the dopamine a little bit.) Mostly, to enhance sex drive, but take away a bit of the apathy ad's can cause.
>
>
> Would you consider trying a low dose of Abilify first? As a partial DA agonist, it acts to gently increase dopamine flow when levels in the synapse are low. By contrast, pramipexole, as a full agonist, should be more likely to cause a downregulation of postsynaptic DA receptors, leaving them less sensitive than when you started. This is speculation on my part. However, what is not speculation is that pramipexole can cause sleep attacks, especially at low dosages.
>
> I have seen only one report on Psycho-Babble of a robust response being associated with pramixole treatment. By contrast, there are multiple reports of Abilify being effective at dosages ranging between 2 - 5 mg, usually when used as an adjunct to other drugs in unipolar depression. For bipolar depression, the dosage might have to be higher. I need a minimum of 10 mg for Abilify to have good effect.
>
> I like Effexor. Two drugs that I know work to augment Effexor are Wellbutrin and nortriptyline. Of course, Abilify is a valid option.
>
> Of course, I hope you do well with pramipexole should you opt to try it first.
>
>
> - Scott

Scott:

You know, you may be my long lost brother..lol. We seem to have similar responses to meds, hence maybe similar genetics. I have tried Abilify numerous times, and I'd get an 'okay' response. I've also tried it at the 2, 5, and 10 mg doses. All no avail. I would often get the really bad akathisia, and have stuck it out for up to 8 month trials. But in particular I am looking for the slight boost in sex drive, which I didn't find with Abilify.

BUT...that being the key word..I have never tried Abilify with Effexor. My thinking is along the lines of hitting possible, even if only weakly, dopamine pathways. Maybe I will give Abilify a shot with my new combo. Plus, I am going to cut down my Prozac augmentation a fair bit.(Which of course dampens sex drive as well.)

I agree Effexor and Nortriptyline are really good drugs, and even in anxiety, they hit the norepinephrine pathways that, likely through regulation, help with the anxiety. Prozac has been my outstanding award winner for years (about 11) and the Effexor seems to have a positive additive effect. I also take Dexedrine Spansules, 10mg 2 x a day. Dexedrine has been excellent for me, as it is so much smoother to me than the other stimulants.

I see you are doing well with Notriptyline augmentation. Nortriptyline has also partially helped me in the past.

Thanks and best,
Jay


"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we'll change the world," ~Jack Layton 1950-2011

 

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