Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 863507

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Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by mav27 on November 17, 2008, at 6:49:56

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Well the ssri's i have found numb everything.. but not nessisarily seratonin itself because i havent had the numbness on nardil, parnate or the tricyclics.

I've been on low dose amisulpride, it doesn't effect my sleep at all. Bupropion made me quite drowsy. Havn't tried selegiline.

Not all ssri's made me sleep more, cymbalta certainly did as it did for you, as did lexapro. The other ssri's ive been on caused insomnia though (the only one i havnt tried is prozac)

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by llurpsienoodle on November 17, 2008, at 9:16:50

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Hey X,
Nice to see you posting! welcome :)

As it turns out, I take zoloft 100mg and bupropion 300 mg (SR).

The addition of the bupro greatly greatly reduced my sense of apathy, maybe because it seemed to help with decision making and energy.

Also with the anhedonia bit-- well at first food was not all that palatable. However, other pleasurable activities (ahem!) were enhanced.

hope that helps some?

-Ll

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by mav27 on November 17, 2008, at 10:03:07

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Bupropion becomes very expensive.. fast. For the brand name stuff i think you end up paying around 80-90 bucks a fortnight.. you can save a little by buying it in 90 tablets.. i think that costs about 170-180 from memory and should last 6 weeks.

The generic is a lot cheaper though.. the generic made me really drowsy which isn't really the norm for bupropion but a lot of people here seem to have had wierd problems with generic bupropion as well. Made me very agitated as well.

Amisulpride is nice and cheap unless you doctor is nice enough to lie and say you have schizophrenia of course.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » mav27

Posted by B2chica on November 17, 2008, at 12:22:00

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander, posted by mav27 on November 17, 2008, at 10:03:07

it depends which generic of wellbutrin. buproprion is made by glaxo but budeprion can be made by Lemon or Teva. i had real trouble with the budeprion.
so i'd call the pharmacy and see which generic they carry.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » B2chica

Posted by Phillipa on November 17, 2008, at 12:43:35

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » mav27, posted by B2chica on November 17, 2008, at 12:22:00

Same with xanax as Greenstone is the real deal confirmed by pharmacist. Wellbutrin I'd love to know now whether mine was generic or brand and which type as it reved me up so bad ended up in hospital. The last time will ever go. Since the surgery that is. Love Phillipa

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by raisinb on November 17, 2008, at 12:57:16

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

This is just a personal anecdote (your mileage may vary) but my depression came with severe anhedonia, as well, and SSRIs have been the answer. Zoloft + Wellbutrin was a good combo. Right now I'm on Lexapro + less Zoloft, and I have more emotional ups and downs--I can get sadder or more fearful, but also happier.

100 mg of Zoloft (without Wellbutrin) had a bit of a blunting effect (not unpleasant after being suicidal, but maybe not a lifelong choice).

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by bleauberry on November 17, 2008, at 17:53:16

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

It could very well be that you need both, something serotonergic and something dopaminergic/noradredergic. Not just one or the other. The key is to get the right balance.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by X_ander on November 17, 2008, at 22:34:23

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Hello again..and thanks very much for the warm welcome..

I'm seeing my pdoc tomorrow, and I should probably mention that it has DEFINITELY been an effort to get her to consider the dopaminergic side of things with regards to apathy etc...

I'm not sure if it's just my experience, but the pdocs that I've seen (4 in total) all seemed very apprehensive about the dopamine-acting meds..almost like it's unheard of in Oz. In the US, Britain, France it seems to be well, at the very least, heard of anyway lol.

An interesting side-issue, are psychiatrists more conservative down-under?? Probably not a question many of you could answer I suppose since you guys are mostly US and Canada based I'm guessing...?

Anyway I'm seeing her tomorrow so I guess I'm gonna ask to try bupropion, & maybe raise the possibility of adding sertraline and a benzo or something to begin with as I learn how I react..

I guess that's a good place to start..let us know if you have any other thoughts on things to start with medication-wise and I'll keep you guys posted as things progress,

Cheers to all, X_ander.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by mav27 on November 17, 2008, at 22:55:09

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 17, 2008, at 22:34:23

Yeah i had to show my pdoc info about selegiline being used as an AD in other countries, after that he was ok about prescribing it (i never ended up going on it though) Bupropion i just got from the GP as a private script. None of the pdocs i've seen would even use T3 as an augmenter.. they want me to see a specialist mood clinic in syd or vic i think it was for that.
Dopamine agonists i reckon will be near impossible to find a pdoc to prescribe.. i don't think one would lie about you having parkinsons for a start and without that you will be paying like $50 a tablet.

When i was in hospital here in tas the head shrink told me they can prescribe stimulants to adults as long as 5 docs all agree it's needed.. i think it may be different between states though.

Amisulpride is easy because pdocs love prescribing anti-psychotics.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by Mikez on November 19, 2008, at 2:32:01

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander, posted by llurpsienoodle on November 17, 2008, at 9:16:50

Your situation is something most psychiatrists know nothing about. You are already miles ahead of the average psych by thinking the dopamine route. I wouldnt go with bupropin as that actually works more on noradrenaline, which can severely disrupt sleep.. in me anyway. Infact insomnia is one of the most common side effects from this drug. A low dose of selegeline could very well be beneficial. However the first I would try is repreve (ropinirole), a dopamine agonist. Infact, insomnia is not one of the side effects, or if so, quite rare. Sudden sleep onset is actually a listed side effect and it is used in restless leg syndrome (more a movement disorder but if it caused insomnia, they wouldnt really use it).

If you are unable to obtain any of these, you could try L-dopa, which can be bought on the internet for free and is considered a supplement (also a drug). Mucuna pruriens also contains L-dopa. L-dopa converts to dopamine.

Finding what you want is one thing, but getting a dr to prescribe it can be hell .

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » Mikez

Posted by mav27 on November 19, 2008, at 2:47:03

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by Mikez on November 19, 2008, at 2:32:01

ropinirole isn't available in Australia. L-dopa is but only by prescription.

There are the ones we can get
http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/healthpro/search/results?atc-code=N04B&publication=GE

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by Mikez on November 19, 2008, at 3:19:10

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » Mikez, posted by mav27 on November 19, 2008, at 2:47:03

It is available in Aus , just not on the PBS.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcmed.nsf/pages/gwcrepre/$File/gwcrepre.pdf


Was wondering, why you didnt want to take the selegiline?

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » Mikez

Posted by mav27 on November 19, 2008, at 3:30:44

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by Mikez on November 19, 2008, at 3:19:10

ahh sneaky.. what would be a decent dose of it to take? The stuff is actually cheaper than bupropion.

For me i didn't end up taking selegiline because of it's effect on Noradrenaline.. anything that touches noradrenaline in me causes severe hypotension, sexual dysfunction and sleepiness (weird i know)

> It is available in Aus , just not on the PBS.
>
> http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcmed.nsf/pages/gwcrepre/$File/gwcrepre.pdf
>
>
> Was wondering, why you didnt want to take the selegiline?

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by Mikez on November 19, 2008, at 3:55:31

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » Mikez, posted by mav27 on November 19, 2008, at 3:30:44

Ha..yeah im the same.. I cant touch noradrenaline.. even a tiny amount makes me angry , unable to sleep, no sex drive. etc.

Ive heard in low doses selegiline only works on the dopamine system not nora, but i dont know if i believe its fully selective.

Start at 0.25mg/day and work up to 2-4mg/day over 4 weeks. If you can get this prescribed pls tell me ! Its very hard to get docs to prescribe anything that is not "mainstream", despite clear evidence.


Not sure if we are allowed to post our email, so if u want to discuss send PM thru here:)

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by desolationrower on November 19, 2008, at 4:41:45

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by Mikez on November 19, 2008, at 3:55:31

I thought you wanted a drug that makes you sleepy???

-d/r

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by psyclist on November 20, 2008, at 10:49:58

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Wow! for someone who is complaining of bad anhedonia you sure write an animated first post! This is genuine admiration. It seems that only a medication-linked solution to your problems is under consideration. You do not quantify your insomnia, but your anhedonia is total. What about a solution that is not linked to medication? I'm suggesting life-style changes. Exercise, fresh air, change of scenery, new faces, new challenges... I guess writing that first post was a bit of a challenge. Keep at it. I would be interested to learn more about your insomnia, to see whether the insomnia is causing the anhedonia, or other way round, or a bit of both. I guess I must sound insufferably smug and know it all. I am sorry, I do not mean to be. I just think you need to consider all the options, not just the drug-related. My guess is your anhedonia is preventing you from making the changes in life-style that might benefit your insomnia. Maybe its a bit of a vicious circle. That could easily put you off but don't let it. I hope I have not been patronising, or that I have p----d you off. That was not my intention.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by Onestone on November 20, 2008, at 18:40:08

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Hi, people, Onestone here, it's my first post. I think I'm the guy that Douglas Adams modelled Marvin on. I found this thread whilst searching for "anhedonia" and "dopamine" on Google.

> I suffer from severe anhedonia. I'm as certain as I can be that it's not the "conventional" form of depression (if there is one) that would respond to SSRIs (luvox, lexapro) and mirtazapine, cymbalta (haven't tried efexor cos I've read the horror stories...) simply because I've tried them before and they make the lack of drive/motivation/ the apathy/emotional numbness worse.

Me, too. Ten years ago, I pretty much tried everything in the sweety shop: SSRIs, a tricyclic, an MAOI (I think). Then several years of psychotherapy, which was wonderfully useful. But .... although it's made me much more sociable and realistic and relaxed, it hasn't touched the base problem.

So, I teamed up recently with a neurologist. 6 weeks of Edronax helped my motivation in weeks 2 + 3 only, did nothing for the big A, and left me feeling like I was in a horror film, about to be <this bit was censored by an administrator> :-).

> This is, I'm assuming from other posts I've read, very VERY familiar to you all... serotonin is great for anxiety relief and deep sadness, anger, crying spells, but in relieving those symptoms it tends to numb everything.

Doesn't it just.

> So I really want to get into the dopaminergic side of things... bupropion, selegiline, maybe low dose amisulpride or aripiprazole, and then some of the dopamine agonists...

Me, too. But there's something very, very strange about dopamine therapies. My neurologist, normally very open and frank, got very vague and evasive when I raised the subject. He ended up prescribing me Cymbalta, which I haven't touched yet. I don't think I really want to gothere.

> The most recent AD I've tried was cymbalta 60mg...it really helped me sleep..but that is ALL I wanted to do. It made apathy/anhedonia even worse if that's possible.

Ah, thanks! I _definitely_ don't want to go there.

> SO so so sick of this...it's been going on for over a year and a half now...apathy towards everything, feeling nothing at all...it's like feeling dead but still breathing...it's worse than the more medically familiar sad, angry, negative affect (emotion) form of depresson which I have experienced 3-4 yrs ago.

Yes, I know. It gets a bit wearing. The few hours of pleasure I've had in the last 20 years started in a taxi with a splint round a smashed up knee, taking me home from a casualty department of a hospital. I was enjoying, _really_ enjoying the music on the taxi driver's radio. The world was wonderful till I got to bed about 2 in the morning. The knee healed up fully, by the way. The neurologist reckons I must have got a shot of morphine as a pain killer. I was in shock, and can't remember one way or the other.

> So..I'm just wondering what your thoughts are??

Dopamine enhancers: Dr. Bob, if you're reading, why are psychiatrists and neurologists so cagey about these? SSRIs and NoRIs are dispensed like there's no tomorrow, so why not Dopamine reuptake inhibitors? They do exist.

There used to be a French drug called amineptine, a tricyclic DoRI with only the most minimal side effects, if Wikipedia is to be believed. An archetypal "happy pill". The USA's FDA pressured the French into revoking its license, supposedly because of its "abuse potential". I guess the real motive was to protect their SSRI makers from competition from a drug that actually worked. Or maybe they decided that it was "immoral".

Cocaine is also a DoRI.

Now, it strikes me that any medication capable of relieving anhedonia has the potential to be "abused". It's obviously of far greater importance to prevent a few idiots getting stoned on happy pills than effectively to treat anhedonia. After all the crazy kids on the front page of a newspaper would trigger a social outrage, whereas us lethargic zombies just shut ourselves off waiting to die, which doesn't inconvenience anybody at all.

So my theory is that doctors are prohibited from prescribing DoRIs to us, and thus in effect, prohibited from treating anhedonia with effective drugs. I'm trying to get my neurologist to express a view about this.

> It appears that serotonin acting meds help with sleep, but only the dopamine acting meds have any real shot at alleviating anhedonia/apathy. And more than this, dopamine acting meds are liable to induce insomnia...so like where do I go??

I have no experience of insomnia. But I'd say, try out the dopamine drugs. You might sleep OK. Or you might sleep like a woman with a very young baby ;-(. At worst, you can always discontinue it.

> Do I have to choose between sleep and feeling any kind of emotion??

Hopefully not.

> If I took bupropion together with say sertraline (zoloft)...do you think they'd sort of cancel eachother out?? Or is that just way too simplistic??

If you do, please report your experience.

> Thanks again, X_ander.

Apologies if my anger comes over a bit too strongly.

--
Onestone

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by SLS on November 21, 2008, at 7:37:16

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Do you suffer from derealization or depersonalization? These things are a likely result when one suffers from both anhedonia and anxiety? I imagine chronic sleep deprivation could have the same effect, especially if it is associated with anxiety.

Your choice of combining Wellbutrin + Zoloft is a good one. Of course, there are many more. These two drugs do not cancel each other out. In fact, they might work synergistically, as the nickname "Well-Oft" suggests.

I would leave stimulants to be used as augmentors only at this time. I don't think neuroscience has yet yielded much success by thinking in terms of "levels" of neurotransmitters. That is not to say that you are not on the right track. It just means that trying to choose drugs based upon such a simple paradigm does not alway work. If this kind of thinking keeps you away from trying specific drugs, you might miss the target entirely. Sometimes, you need to play dumb, and perform trials that seem paradoxical to the ideas you have committed yourself to.

Abilify (aripiprazole) would make a good first choice of neuroleptic to add to antidepressants. It is often referred to as a dopamine system stabilizer (DSS) because it changes its behavior base upon how much dopamine is available in the synapse. If there is not enough, Abilify acts as an agonist (stimulator) of receptors rather than an antagonist (blocker) of them. It is a bit of a chameleon. I have seen people profit from using sulpiride or amisulpride, but these drugs are more classical than atypical. They can wreak havoc with hormones and have a greater risk of producing movement EPS. With Abilify, akathisia is a risk. However, it is usually mild-moderate and passes within a week or two.

- Scott

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by X_ander on November 22, 2008, at 4:35:50

In reply to anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 16, 2008, at 22:44:12

Ok I'll respond in point form to sort of keep things on track..

1) I'm on my second day of bupropion 150mg..not feeling much, sometimes things seem to brighten up..but then they darken again. It's almost like my brain is trying to get out of prison but not quite getting there. I've had this feeling before when I tried the Label Me Sane supplements and stuff..not sure if any of you have gone that path..didn't do much, but that's a discussion for another day.

2)Ha..lifestyle changes, good one. I'd laugh if I could. Or did I just then?? Hmmm...yeah well been there done that. In fact it seems to have a pradoxical effect on me. The more stuff I force myself to do the worse I feel. New places, faces, races..anything else that ryhmes, does NOTHING. Sorry if I sound flippant but I've had my shrink tell me this stuff for a while..doesn't work.

3)Animated first post? Well thanks I guess. I try to force myself to sound better than I am. Often to my detriment in a psych session. I have a dark sense of humour, even tho I don't laugh or care I try to make others laugh...its either that or sit in a corner and stare at the wall...this is the sound of me trying to fight this thing..

4)As for dopamine reuptake inhibitors (aka stimulants)...the US is ok with them if they're prescribed. Australia is definitely among the most conservative countries with psych meds in the world. No exaggeration. Even my pdoc agrees.

Yes, the small percentage of ppl who may abuse prescription stimulants is/would certainly be enough to make tabloid front-pages..consumer groups would be up in arms...right-wing conservatives would use it as a politcal pawn.

The large number of us who suffer from chronic apathy/anhedonia don't really have the strength to fight for the things we so desperately need. A kid gets high on ritalin and tom cruise jumps on a few couches, the fact that street-drugs are mostly stimulants adds to the stigma... and although the FDA (for the US) and the TGA(for Australia) may know that it could help...nothing gets in the way of votes and money.

If there is ever to be a change made to help those of use who need it...it needs to come from us. Using the psychiatric journal articles that are out there. Read them. Show your shrink. This is science supporting the theory. There's a US psychiatrist named Don Nathanson..he has patented a treatment plan for anhedonia, focusing on dopamine neurotransmission. Google "treatment for anhedonia" it should be there. SHow it to your shrink. Knowledge is power.

5) Dopamine agonists without the PBS coverage (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for those non Aussies) wont be $50 a pillits like $1.50 a pill. Expensive yesbut if it works, a small price to pay of course that depends on your finances.

6) Selegiline is MAO-B selective (up until about 10-15mg if I remember correctly).. As I understand it MAO-B metabolises only dopamine. However, dopamine is the precursor to nor-adrenaline. So Id think that you increase dopamine, then downstream metabolisation means you get more noradrenaline. Of course that is a very basic way of looking at it.

7) Getting a doc to prescribe it can be hell. But dont let up until you get your way. Its all you can do so dontDO NOT give up. Its your life on the line, not theirs. Dont be submissive. They can be intimidating at times. Again knowledge is your friend. Go in there armed with papers. Journal articles on anhedonia, apathy and the dopamine connection. These are written by doctors pretty much for doctors/students etc. It shows what youre talking about is real. Do it.

I think thats it. Ill update any new developments on my condition and the bupropion treatment.

Take care, X_ander.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by mav27 on November 23, 2008, at 6:32:37

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 22, 2008, at 4:35:50

http://www.thedaily.com.au/blogs/is-it-just-me/2007/sep/07/adults-adhd/

maybe we can try acting like we have adult adhd.. Seems they must be able to prescribe the stimulants as they did to this 43y/o diagnosed with adhd.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by Mikez on November 23, 2008, at 10:45:57

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander, posted by mav27 on November 23, 2008, at 6:32:37

Good luck, my quest has all but failed I dont have the energy or money any more to find a dr who is open to this because none are. If you can find out, please do tell..ill fly over there if needed.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander

Posted by JadeKelly on November 24, 2008, at 9:57:18

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 22, 2008, at 4:35:50

Hello X_ander,

I have what sounds to be the same type depression as you, I've been calling it atypical/treatment resistant Major Depressive Disorder. Not sure if their similar, or anhedonia is more the correct term.

This "anhedonia" is as exactly as you describe, apathy, no pleasure in things, food, numb, able to "hide" it for short periods of time. No crying, etc.

No standard A/D's work for me. I do suffer from insomnia but as result of MAOI I am taking. My list:

Emsam: patch form of seleligine, started with 1/2 patch, equals 10mg. D/C'd to try Parnate

Parnate: 30mg 1x day (upping to 40mg) Current

Wellbutrin: Don't recall Dose. Took a while ago. I suspect you will soon experience a burst of energy on Wellbutrin as I did. How long it lasts I geuss is individual.

What I've noticed is profound early response, energy, cognitive ability restored, interest in going out, seeing people, exercise, etc. Slows way down as does effect past week 2.

Ritalin for a long time before depression, years, and functioned quite well. My PDoc diagnosed me back then with ADD. It worked quite well, I used as directed.

All early responses lasted approx. one week except Ritalin, was not depressed at that time. Wondering about the Dopamine/ noradrenaline connection "down the line". I've been on Parnate for a month. Are you saying some of that early good energy/ good mood may return? I've been considering adding Nortriptyline. Over kill?

Suffer(ed) insomnia from all these meds. Only thing that worked for me was 1mg Klonopin (clonazapam), plus 6mg Melatonin 1/2 hour before bedtime.

Thanks for the tip on the journal. Keep us posted on your journey!

~Jade

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » JadeKelly

Posted by desolationrower on November 24, 2008, at 16:40:11

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia » X_ander, posted by JadeKelly on November 24, 2008, at 9:57:18

> Hello X_ander,
>
> I have what sounds to be the same type depression as you, I've been calling it atypical/treatment resistant Major Depressive Disorder. Not sure if their similar, or anhedonia is more the correct term.
>
> This "anhedonia" is as exactly as you describe, apathy, no pleasure in things, food, numb, able to "hide" it for short periods of time. No crying, etc.
>
> No standard A/D's work for me. I do suffer from insomnia but as result of MAOI I am taking. My list:
>
> Emsam: patch form of seleligine, started with 1/2 patch, equals 10mg. D/C'd to try Parnate
>
> Parnate: 30mg 1x day (upping to 40mg) Current
>
> Wellbutrin: Don't recall Dose. Took a while ago. I suspect you will soon experience a burst of energy on Wellbutrin as I did. How long it lasts I geuss is individual.
>
> What I've noticed is profound early response, energy, cognitive ability restored, interest in going out, seeing people, exercise, etc. Slows way down as does effect past week 2.
>
> Ritalin for a long time before depression, years, and functioned quite well. My PDoc diagnosed me back then with ADD. It worked quite well, I used as directed.
>
> All early responses lasted approx. one week except Ritalin, was not depressed at that time. Wondering about the Dopamine/ noradrenaline connection "down the line". I've been on Parnate for a month. Are you saying some of that early good energy/ good mood may return? I've been considering adding Nortriptyline. Over kill?
>
> Suffer(ed) insomnia from all these meds. Only thing that worked for me was 1mg Klonopin (clonazapam), plus 6mg Melatonin 1/2 hour before bedtime.
>
> Thanks for the tip on the journal. Keep us posted on your journey!
>
> ~Jade

I think nort would be a good drug to add, its something i've been thinking about myself (although i think i have a somewhat different depression to you).

I like melatonin; i've also been taking trazodone and find that most nights i sleep totally normally.

-d/r

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia

Posted by X_ander on November 25, 2008, at 4:51:48

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by Mikez on November 19, 2008, at 2:32:01

Hi Jade,

I'm not really saying anything about whether mood will improve down the track, due to dopamine conversion to noradrenaline. I'm not a doctor. But I know some basic theory, and I've taken meds myself.

I would assume if a person has anhedonia like we do, then dopamine enhancing meds are the best bet. I'd think the conversion to noradrenaline down the line wouldn't necessarily be a good thing for anhedonia.

But again things aren't that simple to the point where we can say that the conversion to NA is a bad thing for anhedonia and apathy. At the end of the day it really is trial and error... I did research because I know how I responded to serotonergic meds...and most of the docs here don't look beyond the end of their noses..at possible reasons why. The research (well the finding of other ppls research) led me to the dopamine side of things.

I think that is pretty much as far as we can take the neuroscience/chemistry of it because no-one can be certain how anything in the brain works. Psychiatry/neuroscience just isn't that advanced.

Dopamine seems to be THE neurotransmitter most associated with anhedonia/apathy. And I would think we should try as many of the dopamine-enhancing meds (agonists, reuptake inhibitors, MAO-B Inhibitors etc.) until we get a robust response.

I may just have gone a little off track there...lol sorry

Bupropion day 5...now on 300mg, sleep is no better or worse really. I've had fleeting moments of focus and energy but that seems to have dissipated. It certainly doesn't make me jittery or anxious. I think it's definitely on the right track..but I can't help but think it may not be strong enough on the dopamine side of things. I'm pretty sure the dopamine reuptake inhibition is not all that strong in bupropion..certainly not compared to stimulants..probably why it isn't classified as a stimulant :P

Take care X.

 

Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia Thanks X! (nm)

Posted by JadeKelly on November 26, 2008, at 9:43:43

In reply to Re: anhedonia along with severe insomnia, posted by X_ander on November 25, 2008, at 4:51:48


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