Posted by blueberry on February 21, 2006, at 15:31:49 [reposted on February 25, 2006, at 13:55:56 | original URL]
In reply to alternative meds to augment ad's, posted by krybrahaha78 on February 21, 2006, at 13:41:56
Here are some ideas, if you don't mind reading for a couple minutes...
You might want to consider things that do more than just raise serotonin. If that mechanism alone was going to help a lot, luvox would probably already be doing that. Maybe take a look at things that affect dopamine and norepinephrine.
St Johns Wort is a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, gaba, and glutamate. To avoid excess serotonin, you would want to start low like maybe 150mg for a week and then increase by 150mg per week up to maybe 600mg. With its lag time and slow titration, it would probably be 6 to 8 weeks before you knew how much you liked it or not. Though much literature and most doctors would warn against it, my doctor says it is a good combination and is being used. SJW's track record from trials is generally about the same as other antidepressants, sometimes better. In one trial with major depression it was ineffective, but then, so was the zoloft it was being compared to.
Rhodiola rosea. It prevents the breakdown of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, and also stimulates the release of them, and helps support the adrenal glands. Unlike SJW, rhodiola can have an effect beginning the first day. Trials were mostly on the other side of the world, so there isn't much literature here. Though the trials were not as scientifically controlled as ours are, they did look pretty good.
If you are looking for stimulation and energy and support for the adrenal glands, then take a look at combination panax ginseng and siberian ginseng. The more relaxing ashwaganda is another type of ginseng that goes well with the others.
Sometimes ginkgo biloba can be helpful, but mostly I don't personally think it would make any huge difference.
Here is an odd one, but it can work. Pycnogenol, in addition to its powerful antioxidant effect, somehow controls the enzymes that breakdown dopamine and norepinephrine. It is being used with modest success in replacing ritalin in ADD.
Vinpocetine, viagra for the brain, an extract from the periwinkle plant, steps up energy in the brain, increases brain circulation, and stimulates the noradrenergic system.
Sorry to go so long here. Any of these are decent possibilities. I would stay away from 5htp, because I just really don't think more serotonin all by itself is going to make any dramatic difference. There are actually plenty of other alternatives, but these were simply my personally biased top picks.
I would start with rhodiola, simply because it works fast if it is going to work, and it has successfully been combined with antidepressants in a hospital setting. Next would be SJW. You could add the ginsengs in any time. They are healthy and protective against the bad effects of stress for both us ill people and healthy people.
And of course, lots of vitamins and minerals, and go especially heavy on the Bs, C, zinc, and chromium. And as much fish oil as you can handle.
In the pharmaceutical world, options for starters might include wellbutrin, remeron, or zyprexa.
poster:blueberry
thread:613150
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060130/msgs/613153.html