Posted by g_g_g_unit on June 16, 2009, at 23:07:06
hi, i'm looking for an anxiolytic that will help with depression/anxiety, because it's becoming increasingly apparent to me that unless i do something to get those two factors under control, i'm not really going to get anywhere; i mean what use is it wasting money on nootropics and stuff when you barely have the wherewithal to face the day. so here's to prioritizing - *toast*.
anything sedating/cognitive dulling is counter-progressive, since what i am looking for is something that will let me return to work while i treat underlying factors. i am interested in having some blood work, cortisol testing + hormonal panels done, but it's impossible to progress when every potential decision is being filtered through an inherently irrational thought process. i can't stick to anything because anxiety demands an instant solution, and will instantly shred any feeble little structures i try to put in place. it's amazing that i've managed to stay on memantine this long; part of that fact can no doubt be attributed to the fact that it's really great at turning the volume down on repetitive thoughts. but my mood really sucks, i can't get refreshing sleep, and i can't really capitalize on the (slightly) improved attention span due to a lack of emotional range. i might try going down to 15mg to see if that helps things, but in the meantime it would help if i could deal with my mood/motivation. i'm in CBT - which helps with general life-structuring - but my feelings are that it's potential is limited, since i think there is a definite chemical/endogenous basis to my problems.
currently at my disposal is one box of brand-name Wellbutrin SR; i understand that, at higher doses, it can have some dumb-drug effects, and also wind people up. but is it possible to get benefits for anxiety + dysthymia at a lower (100/150mg) dose? there is also the added consideration that memantine might potentiate its effect, though i'm a little put off by the fact that both drugs block nACHr receptors (i realise i'm not really in a position to be picky, but like i say, anything that might further dumb me down won't really help; i also seem to be a lot more dysfunctional when over-stimulated. as a little experiment, i took 300mg of N-Acetyl-Tyrosine yesterday morning, and had to suffer through the worst physical/mental tension for the rest of the day).
i am also going to place an order for some Stablon tonight, since it's profile sounds really attractive. i am also going to pick up some SAM-e to try as an adjunct. i've considered going down the herb route but it just doesn't seem all that reliable. i was reminiscing about my experience with St John's Wort, but after taking some bacopa these past couple days - which is great for stress, but leaves me a little fogged out - i recall that i had a similar reaction to SJW.
my GP is in the process of finding me a new pdoc, and also willing to support + supervise any decision i make, but until then, would Stablon or Bupropion be a better band-aid for motivation problems, coupled with mood, sleep + anxiety issues? i also realise bupropion is often contraindicted in anxiety patients, but at the moment most of mine stems from watching my life + potential slip away from me, so anything which promotes functioning could theoretically prove to be anxiolytic
poster:g_g_g_unit
thread:901437
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090611/msgs/901437.html