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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 11:31:56
I wonder if there's anything out there I haven't tried? No, I know there is, but I'm afraid to try anything else! I've been on everything from Elavil to Adderall to Cymbalta.
I've been diag'd with deppression, but I think I wasn't born with the same amount of endorphins as most poeple. It takes a lot for me to smile but I'm not like sad all the time either. I'm pretty laid back and find it very hard to do things (which, in and of itself, is depressing).
The only thing that I've found somewhat helpful is narcotics (vicodin, tyl 3, etc.). But, even they don't help in the long run as they cause great fatigue and even depression.
Right now I'm on Topamax (just started a week ago - 25mg) for migraines, and Vicodin (2 tabs every 4 - 6 hours). I took some of my leftover Dexedrine to see if it would counterbalance the weariness that Vicodin causes (not to mention the Topamax) and sure enough, it helped a ton! I felt pretty good, energetic, like my mind was "all there", and I can tell when I feel good, cause my vision is more clear too. And I think the Topamax is helping to even out the moodiness that the Vicodin can cause.
Anyway, none of these, except perhaps the Topamax, are long-term remedies. My pdoc gave me Provigil over the weekend to try to see if that would help and I was terribly SLEEPY on it! (I thought it was supposed to keep you awake!) and I just didn't feel good in general on it.
HELP!
Posted by john berk on January 17, 2006, at 14:59:25
In reply to Sick of striking out with drugs!!!, posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 11:31:56
Hi,
hope this doen't go the way of the alternative board, but running, fast walking raises endorphins, as does DHEA,a hormone that is found in health food stores!!
i know what you mean about meds, i have only had luck with prozac, i tryed many others, and prozac is barely doing it's "job", good luck...john
Posted by luca1975 on January 17, 2006, at 15:11:06
In reply to Sick of striking out with drugs!!!, posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 11:31:56
I felt the same. I felt very fatiqued my first two days on Provigil. Also, it made me feel icky, and weird.
Posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 15:15:06
In reply to Re: Sick of striking out with drugs!!! » picklehead, posted by john berk on January 17, 2006, at 14:59:25
Thanks for your suggestions, John. Believe it or not, I work out up to 5 times a week! Well up until like 3 or 4 weeks ago, as the different meds I've been trying cause extreme fatigue (especially in my muscles), no excuse really, though, I should at least walk for 15 minutes or something, but it's hard at this cold, grey time of year here in Chicago!
DHEA, I've heard of it, guess I'm pretty skeptical of natural products, unless they're popular.
Good luck to you... when all else fails... hang in there.
Posted by Phillipa on January 17, 2006, at 19:24:33
In reply to Re: Sick of striking out with drugs!!! » john berk, posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 15:15:06
If it's cold and grey in Chicago could that be producing SAD? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by gibber on January 17, 2006, at 19:59:34
In reply to Sick of striking out with drugs!!!, posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 11:31:56
Picklehead,
Sorry you're not doing well. If you feel you may have atypical depression you may want to try some MAOIs. I'm on Nardil and have noticed a slight difference but more than any other drug I've taken. I'll be increasing dose soon. I have tried provigil and did get some nice wakefulness from it, so I guess my response was different than yours. Someone mentioned DHEA, I tried it as well as 7-KETO its much safer brothren. I don't think I had a response to that, otherwise I'd still be on it. Good luck, keep trying!
Posted by blueberry on January 17, 2006, at 21:21:04
In reply to Sick of striking out with drugs!!!, posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 11:31:56
If you are pretty sure it's an endorphin thing, then there are some simple cheap experiments you could do to find out, available at your local health food store.
DHEA has already been mentioned but I don't know much about it.
D-phenylalanine (internet mail order) converts directly to endorphins, kind of like the bodie's own natural amphetamines, except milder and softer, but with all the qualities you are looking for.
DL-phenylalanine (health food store). It is half of the D mentioned above and half L...both convert to different kinds of endorphins, and some of the L converts to tyrosine which makes dopamine and norepinephrine.
Doses can range from 500mg to 3000mg a day, spread out in two or three dosings. Insomnia if taken too late in the day. Risk of increased blood pressure at the high doses.
Very quick ways to increase natural endorphins, usually in minutes or hours.
Posted by Phillipa on January 17, 2006, at 21:58:26
In reply to Re: Sick of striking out with drugs!!!, posted by blueberry on January 17, 2006, at 21:21:04
I have a vitamin shoppe [tradename on the internet] Vitaminshoppe google it. It's right down the road. One of the only stores. Usually have to order online or from a catalogue. I think I'll go there tomorrow and ask about it. The people who work there are passionate about supplements. They have a computer that looks up what you want to treat. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by shasling on January 17, 2006, at 23:35:24
In reply to Sick of striking out with drugs!!!, posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 11:31:56
> I wonder if there's anything out there I haven't tried? No, I know there is, but I'm afraid to try anything else! I've been on everything from Elavil to Adderall to Cymbalta.
>
> I've been diag'd with deppression, but I think I wasn't born with the same amount of endorphins as most poeple. It takes a lot for me to smile but I'm not like sad all the time either. I'm pretty laid back and find it very hard to do things (which, in and of itself, is depressing).
>
> The only thing that I've found somewhat helpful is narcotics (vicodin, tyl 3, etc.). But, even they don't help in the long run as they cause great fatigue and even depression.
>
> Right now I'm on Topamax (just started a week ago - 25mg) for migraines, and Vicodin (2 tabs every 4 - 6 hours). I took some of my leftover Dexedrine to see if it would counterbalance the weariness that Vicodin causes (not to mention the Topamax) and sure enough, it helped a ton! I felt pretty good, energetic, like my mind was "all there", and I can tell when I feel good, cause my vision is more clear too. And I think the Topamax is helping to even out the moodiness that the Vicodin can cause.
>
> Anyway, none of these, except perhaps the Topamax, are long-term remedies. My pdoc gave me Provigil over the weekend to try to see if that would help and I was terribly SLEEPY on it! (I thought it was supposed to keep you awake!) and I just didn't feel good in general on it.
>
> HELP!First thing I'd google 'atypical depression' and see if it fits. If so, that raises the likelihood that MAOIs will help when nothing else does. That's the theory, and it is in fact working for me. (And, further endangering us of being re-directed, consider long term consistent use of both fish oil and evening primrose to boost your omega fatty acids. Can be very helpful after a month or two...)
Posted by picklehead on January 18, 2006, at 9:47:37
Posted by blueberry on January 17, 2006, at 21:21:04
>In reply to Sick of striking out with drugs!!!, posted by picklehead on January 17, 2006, at 11:31:56
>If you are pretty sure it's an endorphin thing, then there are some simple cheap experiments you could do to find out, available at your local health food store.
>DHEA has already been mentioned but I don't know much about it.
>D-phenylalanine (internet mail order) converts directly to endorphins, kind of like the bodie's own natural amphetamines, except milder and softer, but with all the qualities you are looking for.>DL-phenylalanine (health food store). It is half of the D mentioned above and half L...both convert to different kinds of endorphins, and some of the L converts to tyrosine which makes dopamine and norepinephrine.
>Doses can range from 500mg to 3000mg a day, spread out in two or three dosings. Insomnia if taken too late in the day. Risk of increased blood pressure at the high doses.
>Very quick ways to increase natural endorphins, usually in minutes or hours.
------------------------------------------------I really had no idea about that kind of stuff, but, like I said, I tend to be skeptical about naturals... interesting though, about the side effects (raising your blood pressure - I've ALWAYS had low blood pressure, and insomnia - that's NEVER been a problem - can even take Provigil, Adderall, etc. and go right to bed...) makes one wonder what your body is missing cause that's evidently NOT normal.
- Jane
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