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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BradD on April 2, 2005, at 17:21:47
Ok so i've been fighting with social phobia for over 5 years with little luck. Here is my story:
1) Klonopin - worked at first at 2mg, but suddenly stopped working after around second week. Biggest dissapointment for me because it worked extremely well.
2) Tramadol - worked at 400mg, but also lost its effects after few days. However I found that 2-week break brings the effects back but only for few days. Another dissapointment :(
3) Xanax - effective but tolerance went WAY UP VERY FAST. I've used it for 2 months - at first 1mg was enough, at the end of the 2nd month I needed 3mg and it didn't even work as good as 1mg at the beginning!
4) other benzos - Valium, Ativan, Seroxat, Medazepam - practically no effect on social anxiety/phobia
5) Amisulpride (Solian) - 50mg/day . Worked great for 2 months, then pooped out. I've tried using it for another few months but it never worked again.
6) Pramipexole (Mirapex) - 1.5mg/day . Made me more confident, anti-depressed but didn't remove social phobia completely (maybe around 50%) plus it wasn't pro-social at all.
Ok here is the treatment which worked THE BEST for me (unfortunately I had to stop it because my GHB/Xyrem source has dried up :(
5) Adderall + GHB - this was not only the best treatment for social phobia but it also made me SO PRO-SOCIAL as I have never been before in my life (even MDMA or alcohol doesn't work as good as this combo). I literally could walk to every girl and make small-talks and inteliggent conversations, which normally is impossible for me because of the anxiety. I wish GHB was more available, as it is wonderful anti-anxiety treatment ; too bad it was labeled 'date-rape drug' and scheduled.
Since GHB has not been available, I've been looking for some other treatment.
Lyrica (pregabalin) is not yet available in my country (eastern europe), but I have little hopes for it because of the studies I've seen. And the price is pretty high for it.
Nardil,Parnate - both are not available in my country, because they are irreversible MAOis - but there is possibility of importing those drugs. So here is my question - how much Parnate does one need in order to achieve social anxiety relief ? Importing Nardil is way too expensive (at least at 75-90mg dose).
Moclobemide - what do you think of this MAOi ?
Concerta (Ritalin XR) - is it pro-social as Adderall ?
What else can I try?? Other dopamine agonists like Requip etc? Are dopamine agonists helpful in social phobia?
As a final note I need to mention that I've been drinking at least 3-4 beers/day for the last 2-3 months to control my social phobia, since no other available treatment comes close to relieving my symptoms unfortunately ;(( That's why Im looking for some medicine to help me out with my condition and so I could stop poisoning my body with alcohol.
Ok I'm done rambling ;) Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.
Take care,
Brad
Posted by WeeWilly on April 2, 2005, at 17:56:52
In reply to ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by BradD on April 2, 2005, at 17:21:47
The only way to know how many mg's of Parnate would be effective for you, is for you to try it. I take Parnate for three months per year and it is quite helpfull reducing social phobia and slow thinking etc.. Many years ago when I first tried Parnate it was effecacious at 5 or 10 mg's. Now I have to go up to 50 mg's. After 3 months it abruptly stops working. I have gone as high as 80 or 100 mgs and the positive response would not return. Everyones biochemistry is unique so YMMV. Best wishes
Posted by lunesta on April 2, 2005, at 18:03:18
In reply to Re: ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by WeeWilly on April 2, 2005, at 17:56:52
high doise lyrica is basically like GHB.... I am also on Xyrem and Lyrica so i know :)
Posted by bark2323 on April 2, 2005, at 22:39:49
In reply to ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by BradD on April 2, 2005, at 17:21:47
I dont know if this would work for you, especially since klonopin quit working for you, but klonopin plus provigil really helped me. The provigil on its own seemed to reduce my anxiety and was pro-social. Just a thought.
matt
Posted by The_Resistance on April 3, 2005, at 3:26:38
In reply to Re: ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by bark2323 on April 2, 2005, at 22:39:49
Hey Brad
Sorry your having such a hard time with SA, it is a horrible condition.
For me nothing works as well as GHB.
I have tried Pregabablin, but my response wasn't as positvive as Lunesta's. It worked well to begin with, but tolerance quickly developed, even raising the dose didn't help me.
Tolerance does reverse with time.May I ask which country you live in? How did you get hold of Adderall?
Posted by jay on April 3, 2005, at 4:57:52
In reply to ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by BradD on April 2, 2005, at 17:21:47
Brad,
Sorry you have had such a hard time. I am in the same boat as well, but have found *some* relief, which I should be greatful for. I wouldn't bother with the Moclobemide...we have it here in Canada and I tried it a few times...and it leaves you feeling yukky, especially since it only has a half-life of a few hours, and you have to take many doses during the day. I would say it is about as effective as caffiene. But, you may want to try it just to see..we are all different.
Concerta...I found it wayyy too speedy and rough, and prefer the regular Ritalin. You might want to try experimenting with small doses of Ritalin at many times through the day.
I can't say much else because I have had most of the same experiences of others on here. Really try some odd combinations...maybe even an atypical antipsychotic like Risperdal or Zyprexa with something like Ritalin. Anyhow...best luck on your journey...
Jay
Posted by The_Resistance on April 3, 2005, at 8:54:43
In reply to ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by BradD on April 2, 2005, at 17:21:47
Brad may I ask what your experience with Mirapex was like?
Did it help with mood? Did it improve motivation?
Posted by Spriggy on April 3, 2005, at 13:39:07
In reply to Re: ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB BradD, posted by The_Resistance on April 3, 2005, at 8:54:43
Posted by ixus on April 4, 2005, at 7:45:28
In reply to ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by BradD on April 2, 2005, at 17:21:47
Hi Brad!
Nardil is a gold standard for treating SP. You can import Nardil for 75$ (100 tablets). At 75 this gives 112,5$. I know that Nardil from Hansam (UK) is cheaper that Pfizer's one. It is easy to negotiate if you order 6 months supply. I will probably exercise this procedure in the nearest future.
You mentioned that you live in Eastern Europe. I am from Poland.
/ixus
Posted by willyee on April 4, 2005, at 11:46:07
In reply to okay, what is GHB?? (nm) (nm), posted by Spriggy on April 3, 2005, at 13:39:07
Well acording to the govt a posion,a horriable substance,a DATE RAPE DRUG.
A natural substance once avaialable fairly cheap,banned,and anyone almost just mentioning it was rounded up in a huge arrest.
Oh did i mention soon after the ban,the govt assisted ophan medical to produce XYREM,nothing more than a horrendous over priced liquid ghb prescript med now on the market for narcolepsy.
Some argue well its for a specific disease,hmm to me if the govt says a substance is a hazdourous one,then that is the bottom line,its a load of bull.
Xyrem unfortunalty even over priced is not easy to get a script for,it is not done the usual way a med is.
GHB in short is gaba attatched to sodium hydroxide to cross into the brain rapidly....it has a wide wide range of affects but to keep it short it increases gaba while suppressing dopamine,when the drug wears off dopamine is released,pure ghb will release dopamine slowly as well as keep its sedating properties so u wake mentaly and pyhsicaly refreshed.It also relaxes muscle tone,increases sex drive,and mood.
GBL is a ingredient of ghb,one more commonly abused,its much faster on onset,more of a benzo type feel,it does not have a smooth dopamine release but instead what most call a rebound,a hard anxiety causing dopamine surge and most people will have abuse problems with gbl more so than ghb,and yess the addiction is real and horrable i know many people first hand going through it.
Posted by Spriggy on April 4, 2005, at 16:26:19
In reply to Re: okay, what is GHB??, posted by willyee on April 4, 2005, at 11:46:07
than I guess I'm confused why people are talking about it like it's being prescribed for depression.
If it's not legal, how are they getting it and aren't they concerned what affect it will have on their brain chemistry???
Posted by AuntieMel on April 5, 2005, at 8:37:35
In reply to Re: ! Social phobia, dopamine, alcohol, GHB, posted by ixus on April 4, 2005, at 7:45:28
Where in Poland? I've adopted it as my second homeland.
Sure could use a bowl of zurek and a bit of zubrowka right now.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 5, 2005, at 23:39:48
In reply to Re: off topic » ixus, posted by AuntieMel on April 5, 2005, at 8:37:35
> Where in Poland? I've adopted it as my second homeland.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect off-topic follow-ups to Psycho-Babble Social. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050330/msgs/480528.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by willyee on April 6, 2005, at 1:25:23
In reply to if it's illegal, posted by Spriggy on April 4, 2005, at 16:26:19
> than I guess I'm confused why people are talking about it like it's being prescribed for depression.
>
> If it's not legal, how are they getting it and aren't they concerned what affect it will have on their brain chemistry???
It is illegal now accept as a prescription medication for narcolepsy only.It once was legal,and many people used it with success to treat a hybrid of disorders ranging from axniety to depression.
And yess your confused cause its absurd,how does the govt potray a chemical as posion to the gullable public,and turn around and say its ok as long as its prescription.
Messing up chemicals? You arent scared to death of ssris,you are comfotred simply because the pharm company who makes it says its safe after six week trials,whos to say effexor isnt toaly screwing up brain chemistry,which i personaly feel it is.
Anyone who feels ghb is dangerous obviously never bothered to look into it,it affects the gaba dopamine system just like all the other stimulant and sedative drugs do.
Im scared of all the drugs,even parnate that i take,i dont take any comfort in the fda saying its safe,hell they ban trypophan an amino acid and yet a 18 can buy a pack of cigarretes in any store.
Id be more conerend with that,with a product that has over 90 known toxic chemicals yet not a single one is listed on the pack at all.We have no idea what we are inhaling.
Not to take away the blame off myself for using it.
GHB is a semi natural substance,albeit a serious one that should be understood by the person taking it,albeit a benificful but possably DANGEROUS one,yet no more dangerous than all these brain altering DRUGS not medication we take.
I will never call my drug a medication,its not understood what its doing,its a drug,manpulating my brain chemistry to a point where i can function,i understand and accept this as the alternaitve is much worse,however i understand it is not treating or healing anythig,the minute i stop my drug i will be sick,i take my drug cause i choose too,as a tape my drug allows me to function.
People rebuke DRUGS so much,and light a cigarette,i wish people understood anything that changes ur brain chemistry is a DRUG,we have no way of testing chemicals in the brain on a patient basis,we dont know whats going on,we just have theories,anyone who is so aganist drugs i sure hope they know their caffiene,their nictone,their anti deprassant or asprin,is certainly nothing less than a drug
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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