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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by janejj on December 16, 2001, at 18:22:57
Hi,
I've been taking prozac for 8 weeks 2morrow and I'm feeling the benefits now for sure, which is good ! although I'm going to ask the doctor to add some wellbutrin for its added benefits !!
The thing is everytime I have a cup of coffee i get really happy, sociable, and generally feel on top of the world. it doesn't happen when i drink tea, so I am wondering if there is some chemical in coffee which is interacting with the prozac ? Anyone else have this experience ? Anyone have any theories as to why this is happening ?
I don't need to drink alcohol when i go out any more just have a cup of my favorite coffee !!!
Thanks for any replies in advance !
Regards
jane
Posted by Bill L on December 17, 2001, at 8:47:23
In reply to Prozac and Coffee make me really social !!Why?, posted by janejj on December 16, 2001, at 18:22:57
Does coffee have more caffeine than tea? Oh well who cares? The important thing is that it works and my advice to you is keeping drinking lots of coffee!!!
> Hi,
>
> I've been taking prozac for 8 weeks 2morrow and I'm feeling the benefits now for sure, which is good ! although I'm going to ask the doctor to add some wellbutrin for its added benefits !!
>
> The thing is everytime I have a cup of coffee i get really happy, sociable, and generally feel on top of the world. it doesn't happen when i drink tea, so I am wondering if there is some chemical in coffee which is interacting with the prozac ? Anyone else have this experience ? Anyone have any theories as to why this is happening ?
>
> I don't need to drink alcohol when i go out any more just have a cup of my favorite coffee !!!
>
> Thanks for any replies in advance !
> Regards
> jane
Posted by sid on December 17, 2001, at 10:03:53
In reply to Re: Prozac and Coffee make me really social !!Why?, posted by Bill L on December 17, 2001, at 8:47:23
Coffee is a depressant in the long run however.
Posted by Mitch on December 17, 2001, at 10:10:46
In reply to Prozac and Coffee make me really social !!Why?, posted by janejj on December 16, 2001, at 18:22:57
> Hi,
>
> I've been taking prozac for 8 weeks 2morrow and I'm feeling the benefits now for sure, which is good ! although I'm going to ask the doctor to add some wellbutrin for its added benefits !!
>
> The thing is everytime I have a cup of coffee i get really happy, sociable, and generally feel on top of the world. it doesn't happen when i drink tea, so I am wondering if there is some chemical in coffee which is interacting with the prozac ? Anyone else have this experience ? Anyone have any theories as to why this is happening ?
>
> I don't need to drink alcohol when i go out any more just have a cup of my favorite coffee !!!
>
> Thanks for any replies in advance !
> Regards
> jane
Jane,I noticed that when I took Prozac. I think the Prozac (as with many SSri's)loosens up that "switch" in your head that gets "stuck" allowing your brain to be more cognitively flexible. It makes it easier to flow and shift gears with the context of conversations. The coffee increases your alertness, so you are more "tuned-in" to what everybody else is saying-you listen better. I don't know about the difference between tea and coffee, but tea generally has a lot less caffeine.
Mitch
Posted by janejj on December 17, 2001, at 12:06:00
In reply to Re: Prozac and Coffee make me really social !!Why? » janejj, posted by Mitch on December 17, 2001, at 10:10:46
Hi
Thanks for your replies everyone. I read somewhere that Caffeine is a bit like an amphetamine and increases levels of dopamine in your brain making for a happier person. Dopamine is also supposed to be implicated in social phobia as well, because levels are low. So perhaps now that my seratonin levels have increased, I am much more senstitive to Caffeine and any increase in dopamine. Meaning that seratonin and dopmine levels need to be high enough for me to be a sociable person ! So by asking my doc to add wellbutrin, which increases Dopamine levels, to Prozac. I could cure my social anxiety?
What do you think ? I'm no neuroscientist so is this idea flawed in any way ?
Thanks in advance
Jane
>
>
> Jane,
>
> I noticed that when I took Prozac. I think the Prozac (as with many SSri's)loosens up that "switch" in your head that gets "stuck" allowing your brain to be more cognitively flexible. It makes it easier to flow and shift gears with the context of conversations. The coffee increases your alertness, so you are more "tuned-in" to what everybody else is saying-you listen better. I don't know about the difference between tea and coffee, but tea generally has a lot less caffeine.
>
> Mitch
Posted by janejj on December 17, 2001, at 17:04:36
In reply to Connected to dopamine ? Is this idea flawed ?, posted by janejj on December 17, 2001, at 12:06:00
> Hi
>
> Thanks for your replies everyone. I read somewhere that Caffeine is a bit like an amphetamine and increases levels of dopamine in your brain making for a happier person. Dopamine is also supposed to be implicated in social phobia as well, because levels are low. So perhaps now that my seratonin levels have increased, I am much more senstitive to Caffeine and any increase in dopamine. Meaning that seratonin and dopmine levels need to be high enough for me to be a sociable person ! So by asking my doc to add wellbutrin, which increases Dopamine levels, to Prozac. I could cure my social anxiety?
>
> What do you think ? I'm no neuroscientist so is this idea flawed in any way ?
>
> Thanks in advance
> Jane
> >
> >
> > Jane,
> >
> > I noticed that when I took Prozac. I think the Prozac (as with many SSri's)loosens up that "switch" in your head that gets "stuck" allowing your brain to be more cognitively flexible. It makes it easier to flow and shift gears with the context of conversations. The coffee increases your alertness, so you are more "tuned-in" to what everybody else is saying-you listen better. I don't know about the difference between tea and coffee, but tea generally has a lot less caffeine.
> >
> > Mitch
Posted by janejj on December 17, 2001, at 22:04:13
In reply to Perhaps I don't sound intellectual enough for you , posted by janejj on December 17, 2001, at 17:04:36
> > Hi
> >
> > Thanks for your replies everyone. I read somewhere that Caffeine is a bit like an amphetamine and increases levels of dopamine in your brain making for a happier person. Dopamine is also supposed to be implicated in social phobia as well, because levels are low. So perhaps now that my seratonin levels have increased, I am much more senstitive to Caffeine and any increase in dopamine. Meaning that seratonin and dopmine levels need to be high enough for me to be a sociable person ! So by asking my doc to add wellbutrin, which increases Dopamine levels, to Prozac. I could cure my social anxiety?
> >
> > What do you think ? I'm no neuroscientist so is this idea flawed in any way ?
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> > Jane
> > >
> > >
> > > Jane,
> > >
> > > I noticed that when I took Prozac. I think the Prozac (as with many SSri's)loosens up that "switch" in your head that gets "stuck" allowing your brain to be more cognitively flexible. It makes it easier to flow and shift gears with the context of conversations. The coffee increases your alertness, so you are more "tuned-in" to what everybody else is saying-you listen better. I don't know about the difference between tea and coffee, but tea generally has a lot less caffeine.
> > >
> > > Mitch
Posted by Mitch on December 17, 2001, at 23:56:14
In reply to OK maybe the prozac is making me a little loopy, posted by janejj on December 17, 2001, at 22:04:13
> > > Hi
> > >
> > > Thanks for your replies everyone. I read somewhere that Caffeine is a bit like an amphetamine and increases levels of dopamine in your brain making for a happier person. Dopamine is also supposed to be implicated in social phobia as well, because levels are low. So perhaps now that my seratonin levels have increased, I am much more senstitive to Caffeine and any increase in dopamine. Meaning that seratonin and dopmine levels need to be high enough for me to be a sociable person ! So by asking my doc to add wellbutrin, which increases Dopamine levels, to Prozac. I could cure my social anxiety?
> > >
> > > What do you think ? I'm no neuroscientist so is this idea flawed in any way ?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance
> > > JaneHi Jane,
You could try it and see. I must admit that a strong dose of caffeine still seems to beat the Wellbutrin in some ways. I am still drinking a lot of coffee and I am taking Wellbutrin+Celexa (another SSRi). You might be better off taking a low dose of a conventional psychostimulant like Adderall instead-if that's possible.
Mitch
Posted by JohnDoenut on December 18, 2001, at 17:29:39
In reply to Re: OK maybe the prozac is making me a little loopy » janejj, posted by Mitch on December 17, 2001, at 23:56:14
> You could try it and see. I must admit that a strong dose of caffeine still seems to beat the Wellbutrin in some ways. I am still drinking a lot of coffee and I am taking Wellbutrin+Celexa (another SSRi). You might be better off taking a low dose of a conventional psychostimulant like Adderall instead-if that's possible.
>
> MitchFirst of all and this has been talked about before if you (whomever) wants to do a search, if caffienne/coffee helps you then try using caffienne pills instead of coffee. Because you can then much better regulate the amount you take by cutting up a pill and also unlike coffee you are assured of a consistent dosage. I use drug store generic yellow 200mg caffiene pills which I cut in half or quarters.
I have found that using caffiene like this has been helpful to me and works synergystically with my other meds like Wellbutrin and/or Neurontin. Think about it like another med in the cocktail. However I generally only take it in the am after I get up and not more than 100mg. I have been trying Adderal and I think its like caffiene but more effacasios (sp?) as they say. However I find again that caffiene augments the effect of ritalin or adderal and the other ones and works with them to create a more complete effect. I tried not taking the caffiene and just taking ritalin for example and it was not as good. They do different things. I find caffiene opens my mind in a way the others dont. However to avoid crashing or other side effect problems I only take it as I said above. You can experiment to see what works best.
JohnD
Posted by Mitch on December 18, 2001, at 23:16:24
In reply to Re: OK maybe the prozac is making me a little loopy, posted by JohnDoenut on December 18, 2001, at 17:29:39
> First of all and this has been talked about before if you (whomever) wants to do a search, if caffienne/coffee helps you then try using caffienne pills instead of coffee. Because you can then much better regulate the amount you take by cutting up a pill and also unlike coffee you are assured of a consistent dosage. I use drug store generic yellow 200mg caffiene pills which I cut in half or quarters.
>
> I have found that using caffiene like this has been helpful to me and works synergystically with my other meds like Wellbutrin and/or Neurontin. Think about it like another med in the cocktail. However I generally only take it in the am after I get up and not more than 100mg. I have been trying Adderal and I think its like caffiene but more effacasios (sp?) as they say. However I find again that caffiene augments the effect of ritalin or adderal and the other ones and works with them to create a more complete effect. I tried not taking the caffiene and just taking ritalin for example and it was not as good. They do different things. I find caffiene opens my mind in a way the others dont. However to avoid crashing or other side effect problems I only take it as I said above. You can experiment to see what works best.
>
> JohnDJust an FYI,
My pdoc has been asking me how much coffee/tea I have been consuming over the last several visits and has suggested I do exactly what you are talking about-substituting the beverages for pills. I am currently "doing" about 600-800mg/day caffeine along with 50-100mg/day of Wellbutrin. I will consider doing a switcheroo when I run out of coffee!
Mitch
Posted by JohnDoenut on December 19, 2001, at 11:51:00
In reply to Re: OK maybe the prozac is making me a little loopy » JohnDoenut, posted by Mitch on December 18, 2001, at 23:16:24
>pills. I am currently "doing" about 600-800mg/day caffeine along with 50-100mg/day of Wellbutrin. I will consider doing a switcheroo when I run out of coffee!
>
> MitchCool. Thats about 6 to 8 cups of coffee.
I dont know if you can try Adderall. Its like coffee but more refined and strong, at least to me anyway.
Also youll need to try different brands of caffiene pills as they vary in strength. Nodoz is ok and Vivarin sucks. Someone mentioned Jet something or other at Target. The generic "Stay Awake" pills are potent.JohnD
Posted by Mitch on December 19, 2001, at 12:56:20
In reply to Re: OK maybe the prozac is making me a little loopy, posted by JohnDoenut on December 19, 2001, at 11:51:00
> >pills. I am currently "doing" about 600-800mg/day caffeine along with 50-100mg/day of Wellbutrin. I will consider doing a switcheroo when I run out of coffee!
> >
> > Mitch
>
> Cool. Thats about 6 to 8 cups of coffee.
> I dont know if you can try Adderall. Its like coffee but more refined and strong, at least to me anyway.
> Also youll need to try different brands of caffiene pills as they vary in strength. Nodoz is ok and Vivarin sucks. Someone mentioned Jet something or other at Target. The generic "Stay Awake" pills are potent.
>
> JohnD
John,I have been on Adderall before, and it made me too edgy (but I didn't have any mood cycling!). Also, I was not taking the other meds then that I am now that would likely take the edginess away. I wonder if my pdoc is thinking about adding back a prescription psychostimulant (not necessarily Adderall), and is just querying me about how much coffee I am using daily to get an idea of the equivalence to figure out what dose I would need? who knows.
Mitch
Posted by Noa on December 19, 2001, at 18:50:07
In reply to Re: Prozac and Coffee make me really social !!Why? » janejj, posted by Mitch on December 17, 2001, at 10:10:46
I dunno--prozac disinhibits, coffee revs you up?
This is the end of the thread.
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