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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by merpmerp on January 15, 2011, at 13:57:50
So I haven't talked about this with anyone yet, but for the last 2 weeks I've been playing around with an even lower dose of Lexapro - about 1.25 mg. (It's hard to get it right because the pill starts to crumble.) With this I've been taking 500 mg tyrosine 30 min before breakfast and another 500 mg 30 min before lunch. My tyrosine also has Vitamin B6 in it which is supposed to help it be absorbed? I guess.
The result has been quite good. My cognitive functions have returned. I have interest in things again and interest in life again. I have no nasty ideation, either of the intrusive or non-intrusive type.
It's wonderful to feel the color come back into life and feel curious about things again.
There are some downsides. I do get more anxious than I did on higher doses of Lexapro. I'm combating this with exercise and cognitive behavioral exercises. I do think that I am less anxious than I would be without the med - i.e., I think that it is having an effect even at such a low dose.
I also have been having trouble sleeping. Not a lot of trouble, but a little bit of trouble, which is leaving me slightly tired. I may have to cut back on my caffeine intake... sadness. :'(
The tyrosine bottle says to take only 1 caplet a day (500 mg total) but from reading research online, I saw that doses of around 6000 mg/day have been tested and shown to have good effects, so I feel safe taking 1000 mg/day. I did try taking 1500 mg/day but it left me feeling weird. Headachy, spacey and kind of hot all over. I'm not sure if that was the tyrosine or the Vitamin B6 that's in it, but I won't be doing that again.
Anyway, I just wanted to let people know how this combo was working out for me. So far, so good!
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2011, at 18:54:34
In reply to Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine, posted by merpmerp on January 15, 2011, at 13:57:50
Maybe it means you no longer need an antidepressant and just something for sleep? Wouldn't that seriously be great? Phillipa
Posted by merpmerp on January 16, 2011, at 10:13:23
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » merpmerp, posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2011, at 18:54:34
> Maybe it means you no longer need an antidepressant and just something for sleep? Wouldn't that seriously be great? Phillipa
It could indeed mean that. I believe that right now I'm between episodes... my mood disorder isn't chronic but rather, episodic, and my episodes of extreme depression can be set off by not much of a trigger at all. So I will keep using this and hope that it works to prevent future episodes, but yeah, right now I need only a little boost or no boost at all :)
Posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2011, at 18:56:49
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » Phillipa, posted by merpmerp on January 16, 2011, at 10:13:23
That is great and also that a tiny dose of lexapro is all you require. Phillipa
Posted by merpmerp on January 16, 2011, at 19:09:06
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » merpmerp, posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2011, at 18:56:49
For now, a tiny dose is all I require... but I like that it's in my system so that if things start to go south I could increase it. :)
Posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2011, at 21:27:34
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » Phillipa, posted by merpmerp on January 16, 2011, at 19:09:06
No worry of it not working again if you stay on it. Got it!!!!! Phillipa
Posted by creepy on January 19, 2011, at 15:45:29
In reply to Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine, posted by merpmerp on January 15, 2011, at 13:57:50
My experience was that at 5mg and less, lexapro had no effect at all. In fact my depression was creeping back in at this dose.
At first when I lowered the dose I felt better, which I think was part of the discontinuation process.
The real test of whether such a small dose is effective, is if your symptoms dont return.
If you do so well on tyrosine, have you tried wellbutrin? Its the only AD besides zoloft that touches dopamine reuptake.
my experience with wellbutrin was that the antidepressant effects poop out after awhile and leave you with only anxiety side effects =(
Posted by merpmerp on January 24, 2011, at 16:56:38
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine, posted by creepy on January 19, 2011, at 15:45:29
Yes, you're quite right, the real test will be in the long term. I do feel that it is having some effect though.
As to why I'm not trying Wellbutrin, it's because I'm fed up with my pdoc at the moment, I basically feel she doesn't listen to any of my ideas and isn't willing to do anything except boost my Lexapro dose through the roof and then give me benzos and Ritalin when I can't tolerate that. I don't feel that I want to deal with her at the moment (finding a new pdoc would not be impossible, but would be difficult) and at least tyrosine is something I can try on my own without needing her to write a scrip.
Posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2011, at 20:00:22
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » creepy, posted by merpmerp on January 24, 2011, at 16:56:38
MerpMerp you are now down to l.25mg how do you feel? Phillipa
Posted by merpmerp on January 24, 2011, at 20:22:20
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » merpmerp, posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2011, at 20:00:22
Hi, Phillipa - thanks for asking :)
I actually feel fantastic. Better than I have in over a year. A fairly consistently high mood and motivation. I think the tyrosine really helps a lot, and although I get anxious, I think the Lexapro just helps a tiny bit, enough to take the edge off.
Posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2011, at 20:55:26
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » Phillipa, posted by merpmerp on January 24, 2011, at 20:22:20
Seriously? Wow that's great. You know just read your signature diagnosis doesn't sound like depression to me more like Gad? As seems lower dose of antidepressants better and not to downplay but tyrosine is weak but haven't taken it as you have. But sounds like anxiety to me. Can you compare tyrosine to a benzo? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by merpmerp on January 25, 2011, at 9:09:51
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » merpmerp, posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2011, at 20:55:26
Yes, I've spent some time wondering how anxiety fits in with my diagnosis. This last/current episode that started about 2 years ago was accompanied by a high amount of anxiety, but prior to that, my earlier episodes (either 2 or 3 of them, I'm not sure about one of them) had essentially no anxiety; just guilt, self-loathing, and extreme depression. So anxiety is a new thing that I'm not sure where it fits just yet.
As for benzos, I've taken only Klonopin, but tyrosine doesn't feel at all like a benzo to me. Benzos slow my thinking speed, which calms me but makes it hard for me to do work and other stuff. Whereas it seems like tyrosine just gives me the energy and motivation to tackle the things that are stressing me and thus deal with it in a productive way. That's just my subjective experience thus far.
> Seriously? Wow that's great. You know just read your signature diagnosis doesn't sound like depression to me more like Gad? As seems lower dose of antidepressants better and not to downplay but tyrosine is weak but haven't taken it as you have. But sounds like anxiety to me. Can you compare tyrosine to a benzo? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by creepy on January 25, 2011, at 9:57:51
In reply to Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine, posted by merpmerp on January 15, 2011, at 13:57:50
Good luck on that combo. Make sure you use any extra motivation and energy to get some exercise when possible, to maximize the benefit.
Im on zoloft + wellbutrin right now and the zoloft inhibits metabolization of wellbutrin a bit, so Im probably effectively taking more than 150mg. Doing pretty good for a change!
so far Ive raised the zoloft dose 3x, and each time its pooped out after a week or so. The higher I go the longer it lasts in between. so maybe 75 or 100mg will be enough. It may be the wellbutrin thats really the key here.
If you do manage to get another pdoc, and dopamine seems to be your thing, Id recommend this combo. Wellbutrin pushes dopamine, as does zoloft (a small amount). It will also boost wellbutrin by slowing its metabolism. My issue has always been that I clear wellbutrin so fast. If it was a 24hr drug Id be all set.. but the XL version is gone after 10 hours.
Posted by merpmerp on January 25, 2011, at 10:53:43
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine, posted by creepy on January 25, 2011, at 9:57:51
Thanks for your thoughts! I definitely am trying to exercise more. Exercise alone doesn't really do much for me, but it seems lately that the tyrosine might increase the mental benefits I get from it.
I've heard talk of both Zoloft and Prozac pushing dopamine, but I thought Prozac is actually stronger at it. Is Zoloft better for dopamine?
Posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2011, at 18:55:10
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » creepy, posted by merpmerp on January 25, 2011, at 10:53:43
I've heard some say in real life that zoloft was like drinking a pot of coffee? True or not? Phillipa
Posted by merpmerp on January 26, 2011, at 9:53:37
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » merpmerp, posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2011, at 18:55:10
I've occasionally heard that, but never tried Zoloft. Prozac (back when it worked for me) was a little like that, but it was good because that was what I needed right then to pull me out of my melancholy.
Posted by creepy on January 26, 2011, at 10:26:43
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » creepy, posted by merpmerp on January 25, 2011, at 10:53:43
So far im only on 75mg zoloft and 150mg wellbutrin. I have the feeling the zoloft isnt doing much at this dose besides pushing wellbutrin higher.
It might be a little sedating for me on its own. The anorgasmia is the worst side effect so far though. The longer Im on it the more that improves.
I read some psychopharm book that claimed zoloft only works on dopamine at the high end of the dose range, like 200mg and up. I certainly do feel a little restless and fidgety on it, but that could be wellbutrin.
Im trying to use that restless energy to get back to the gym and overcome the chronic fatigue, but its tough.
Posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2011, at 19:56:40
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » Phillipa, posted by merpmerp on January 26, 2011, at 9:53:37
Always since 20's been super anxious, panic, now Gad and PTSD. So you have the sleepy kind and I have the upper kind. Phillipa
Posted by rogerk on January 31, 2011, at 1:57:50
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine » merpmerp, posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2011, at 19:56:40
yah anything that hits dopamine seems to agitate me, so altho im glad u found something else. wellbutrin might not be the best in the long run for you. and i thought u already tried wellbutrin.
Posted by rogerk on January 31, 2011, at 2:02:08
In reply to Re: Updating - mini dose of Lexapro + tyrosine, posted by rogerk on January 31, 2011, at 1:57:50
i also recalled creepy that u also had that same reaction to me while being on PPIs correct? or was it beta blockers?
again this is therapeuticbrigg in case you forgot.The ppis i figured out i was actually having an extreme allergic reaction to. specifically prevacid. zegerid doesn't attack me so much, and acutally works better.
so does the zoloft in any way bother u? i cant take aspirin so anything with antiplatelet activity is hard for me. altho lexapro has been the best for me in that aspect.
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