Posted by Adam on December 5, 2000, at 10:39:53
In reply to Re: To Andrew, posted by AndrewB on December 3, 2000, at 12:32:00
Andrew, I had a couple of questions:
1) Klonapin/clonazepam has a very long half life compared to other benzodiazepines, no less than about 18 hours. Although it is certainly lowering the excitability of dopaminergic neurons at night, chances are, if you are taking it chronically, it is having this effect during the day, too. I wonder if it might be in effect negating some of the enhancement of dopaminergic signaling you are trying to achieve by adding things like low-dose amisulpride.
2) Also, since benzos are considered an effective (if not ideal) treatment for social phobia, could it be the Klonapin that is the main contributor to your decreased social anxiety?
If this coctail works for you, these questions are really moot, of course, but I wonder if maybe a shorter-acting benzo like Ativan or Xanax might be what you're looking for in a sleep aid. There's always ambien too.
Just wondering, and am interested in your reply.
> NatG,
>
> I take 5mg./day of selegiline. Standard low dose is 10mg. One study suggests 2.5mgs is sufficient for complete MAO-B inhibition. Since selegiline has a multitude of effects at low doses, it is possible a lower dose may be sufficient or the higher dose (10mg.) more desirable. All I know is myself and 1 or 2 others are doing quite well on 5 mg. It increases motivation, energy and confidence for me. Some of the effects of selegiline at low doses are: 1) increase of dopamine in the synaptic cleft, prevention of dopamine neuron death by a metabolite of dopamine, and the prevention of general neuron death by the prevention of glutaminergic neurotoxicity. Note: glutaminergic dysfuntion and consequent neurotixic results are a common if not prevalent in bipolar depression and often is also occurring in other types of depression, but that is another topic for another posting.
>
> As I said anxiety can be effect of selegiline, as with other drugs that act on the whole dopamine system. I don't suffer from anxiety (or any other side effects) from it. It is my pet theory, that combination of an antipsychotic like amisulpride will prevent anxiety from selegiline if it were to occur.
>
> I take: 5mg. selegiline/day, 15mg. adderall a day (for further arousal, motivation and confidence), amisulpride at 50mg.s/day (takes away low mood, anhedonia, apathy, fatigue, a sense of detachment, persistant negative thoughts, and social anxiety), and klonopin at night a few night a weeks for a more refressing sleep (I think it helps to keep dopamine levels low at night).
>
> You wouldn't recognize me now from before I started taking these meds. I am really loving life. This and other med combos can be very effective in dealing with dopaminergic hypofunction and can turn one's life around.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> AndrewB.
poster:Adam
thread:49725
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/49966.html