Posted by Tony P on April 6, 2024, at 0:31:54
In reply to Re: Bupropion + modafinil alternatives » Tony P, posted by SLS on April 4, 2024, at 16:42:13
Hi Scott,
Good to hear from you. I always value your experience and your helpful suggestions.
I've tried Effexor and for me it's a washout, I get intolerable anxiety. Cymbalta, which gives a different ratio of NE & 5HT iirc, is much better, but not ideal, for reasons I think I mentioned in my original post. I've come to believe that my 5HT levels are likely adequate; just about any A/D that targets 5HT makes me unpleasantly anxious, even lamotrigine did. In fact, years ago I had the unpleasant experience of serotonin syndrome from an unexpected interaction between Serzone and Wellbutrin (I posted screeds of nonsense on this very board all night just to keep sane, until someone else signed on and "talked" me down). So I've concluded it's DA that I lack, and probably NE.
One idea I was reminded of earlier tonight by a video that YouTube helpfully algorithmically served up to me is that DA can be boosted by some activities. I don't have much capacity for exercise these days, as I have peripheral arterial disease and can't even walk far without pain. But I _can_ walk, and I can start progressively doing more, also getting back to a set of exercises a physio recommended to me -- if I can break my lifelong sedentary habit and resistance to most exercise.
Another physical DA booster I've heard suggested a couple of times is a cold shower (just 1-2 minutes). I'm a bit shower-shy lately, partly because I don't have an en suite shower, but really it's just a matter of making my mind up to it. I have a health worker coming once a week who will help me shower if I just ask him!
As you can see, I'm posting at length to try and talk myself into doing some of these things. I'm a lifelong pill popper, though, so I really want an NDRI to give me a chemical kick-in-the-pants to get going!
Thank you for the MAOI suggestion. The last time I saw the pdoc I'm going to in a couple of weeks, he mentioned them, but I demurred on account of my favourite lunch or snack is often salami or aged cheese.
As a last resort ;-) to overcome my inertia, I may try self-hypnosis. I've been amusing myself recently with some of the many recorded hypnosis sessions on the web, and one of the practitioners I like has one to encourage exercise that I haven't tried yet. Well, maybe tomorrow....
Thanks once again for responding, Scott. I hope you are well. I will post again when I know what I'm doing!
--Tony
I think I am a verb
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Pregabalin
Bupropion (low dose)
Modafinil
Propranolol
Baclofen
Tamoxifen, Rosuvastatin, Tamsulosin
Kava-kava & other supplements
poster:Tony P
thread:1122358
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20230117/msgs/1122363.html