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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on March 5, 2003, at 8:05:24
I am interested using a stimulant instead of Effexor. Must keep in mind I have very, very intense anxiety levels. The apathy caused by the mostly serotogenic meds over the past decade seems ground into my brain. I wonder if my dopamine pathways have been deeply dampened by the SRI meds. (Please read my little story of difficulties since childhood below.)
I could still likely take my daily clonazepam, but could absolutely use the motivation caused by a stimulant (again, esp. after I have tried pretty much every a.d. available in Canada. The only one I had a partial response to was Nortiptyline, which I understand is a med also used sometimes for ADD/apathetic/atypical depression. The nortriptyline seemed to lose it's effect even after I got up to 150 mg's, with blood checks and all.)
Interestingly, Zyprexa seemed to help at first, and I understand it increases some extra-cellular dopamine levels, while dampening other mechanisms. But, after a year, it stopped working.
Anybody switched, successfully, from an a.d. to a stimulant? An interesting note aside. In grade school, I was diagnosed with a developmental disorder (back then they nastily would have called me a 'retard'.) I was diagnosed starting at two years of age, because I had very delayed cognitive and physical skills. My Mom told me the doctor had considered I also suffered from some aspects of 'minimal brain dysfuntion'.(My motor skills, everything from my grip to startle reflex showed some pretty severe oddities.)
I was 'held back' in grade one and two. In grade school, I was teamed up with a psychologist and linguistics specialist brought in from Toronto (an hour away) to do special "physical rehabilitation training" as I couldn't even do things like ride a bike. My speech was full of problems, from very bad lisps to taking up until grade 5 to learn to pronounce words right. I did speech, numeral, physical, and cognitive function therapy every evening at home until I was in Grade six. I failed math and English in both grade 7 and 8, and had to take special summer school remedial courses. They thought I might have to eventually go to a "special school" (you know, VERY basic level education where you spend the day doing menial tasks.)
So, with the above combined, does stimulant therapy sound like an option? That "label" stuck with me, and that is why I think I have some of the intense anxiety and depression I do. The reason I say that is because everything else in my life, especially very strong and loving parents who did (and would do) anything for me, was there. Why should I be unhappy, depressed and full of anxiety?
Anyhow..thanks for listening, and any responses appreciated.
Thanks,
Jay
Posted by zeliva on March 5, 2003, at 13:58:58
In reply to Effexor Apathy. Should I try a stim? Help please, posted by jay on March 5, 2003, at 8:05:24
Hi Jay.. I just tried Provigil which is stimulant and has few side effects. I was taking Xanex but I haven't needed it for about a month now. The Provigil hasn't made me feel anxious. But I have only taken it one day. I did hear from this site that it is really exspensive. My pdoc gave me samples to try. See if your pdoc has any samples. Hopefully they have it in Canada! Good luck.
Posted by delna on March 6, 2003, at 4:25:33
In reply to Effexor Apathy. Should I try a stim? Help please, posted by jay on March 5, 2003, at 8:05:24
may i ask what dose of efexor u are on.
i felt apathy till my dose was raised to 300 daily. with added wellbutrin itt was good and i was well. i stopped my meds coz i was sick of drugs.
anyway whwn i fell ill again i tried ritilan 10mg which made me really anxious and so i had to stop it.
for me high dose effexor and wellbutrin have been the best option.
hope u find some anwsers
Posted by linkadge on March 6, 2003, at 19:36:37
In reply to Effexor Apathy. Should I try a stim? Help please, posted by jay on March 5, 2003, at 8:05:24
Anxiety can be a syptom of so many imballences,
in the brain. Keep in mind that your genetics
determine the different developement rates
of neurotrasmitter systems.For instance, girls generally have more sophisticated dopaminergic systems early
in life (hence better grades, handwriting etc)
but, later boys later take the lead at
adolecence.I was a very unmotivated child, but now I have
bipolar disorder (characterized by periods of
extreme motivation)Personnally, I would look to your current symptoms.
Why did you choose an antidepressant?
How much effexor are you on now ?
Without any meds, what would your symptoms be?
You might consider Wellbutrin.There's no reason you can't consider a stim,
if you have little concentration/motivation.For apathy, you can try a stim, MAOI, Wellbutrin,
You might even consider fish oil, which does miracles for my motivation, (studies show it can dramatically enhance dopamine function)Good Luck
Linkadge
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