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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by idelle on August 1, 2012, at 20:28:32
Are there any studies of using dopamine aganists for bipolar depression?
Posted by b2chica on August 2, 2012, at 12:41:19
In reply to studies of dopamine agonists and bipolar depressio, posted by idelle on August 1, 2012, at 20:28:32
Posted by phidippus on August 2, 2012, at 21:17:10
In reply to studies of dopamine agonists and bipolar depressio, posted by idelle on August 1, 2012, at 20:28:32
Plenty! Just Google Mirapex or Requip + bipolar depression.
Eric
Posted by SLS on August 3, 2012, at 6:24:07
In reply to i wish it was more of a topic... (nm), posted by b2chica on August 2, 2012, at 12:41:19
Mirapex was a hot topic on Psycho-Babble many years ago. You don't see many people post about it anymore. My guess is that the drug is not very helpful when treating depression in general. Bipolar depression? I don't know for sure, but I don't see people claiming a robust antidepressant response to Mirapex.
I once added bromocriptine (a DA D2 receptor agonist) to a combination of MAOI and TCA. I felt very slightly better for a few days - then nothing.
I am leery about using full DA agonists. I don't like the idea of downregulating postsynaptic receptors, and sleep-attacks can be a major side effect. I prefer the persistent improvement that I receive from Abilify. It is a partial agonist, and doesn't seem to have the the pitfalls of using a full agonist. Abilify is sometimes called a "dopamine system stabilizer". It produces a balance between agonism with antagonism based upon the concentration of dopamine in the synaptic cleft.
If I were you, I would choose whichever drug you are most enthused about. If it doesn't help, you might opt to try the other.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2012, at 9:55:40
In reply to Re: i wish it was more of a topic... » b2chica, posted by SLS on August 3, 2012, at 6:24:07
Old poster here is in remission with requip as main med. He takes vyvanase, niacin now instead of desipramine, and some over the counter sleep aid. No formal dx of bipolar but he sure has some ups and downs. Phillipa
Posted by poser938 on August 4, 2012, at 21:58:52
In reply to Re: i wish it was more of a topic..., posted by Phillipa on August 3, 2012, at 9:55:40
in 2009 i took mirapex for a bit over a month. the only thing it did was make me more sensitive to "stimulation" but no effect on my mood. after that month all the sudden my response to emotionally pleasurable things became almost nonexistent.
i believe it stimulated my presynaptic (autoreceptors) for too long and cut off my brains natural dopamine release. i have been stuck like this since then. it sucks. but... i do tend to have an atypical reaction to medications and my doc believes it is because of the encephalitis that resulted in a coma in 2001.
Posted by phidippus on August 4, 2012, at 23:39:13
In reply to Re: i wish it was more of a topic..., posted by poser938 on August 4, 2012, at 21:58:52
My bets on the coma.
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2012, at 18:46:41
In reply to Re: i wish it was more of a topic..., posted by poser938 on August 4, 2012, at 21:58:52
Poser sorry forgot about the coma. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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