Posted by Anhed on January 4, 2009, at 19:11:59
In reply to Your vote to treat ANHEDONIA, posted by JohnL on August 14, 1999, at 17:17:25
> My previous post asking about Selegiline probably gave me away. Here's the situation. I need some ideas. I have been on Prozac for six weeks (20mg). Jumpstarted it with SAMe. St Johns 900mg a day. Remeron (7.5-15mg) as needed for sleep. Prozac is the foundation treatment, the other stuff seems to help, but not enough to write a book about. I have a 1-10 depression scale. 1 is suicidal. 10 is "It's a nice day, I think I'll take the dog for a walk." Or, a 10 might be "I feel like playing my guitar". I've been at 2 to 4 range for two years. But right now I'm about a 6 or 7. Definitely improved. More sociabe at times, more confident, less procrastination. The primary symptom remains: anhedonia. Inability to anticipate or enjoy pleasure. No joy. No spark.
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> Anhedonia seems to stump every doc I've talked to. I've tried the SSRIs, Serzone, Wellbutrin, TCAs, Remeron. Haven't tried MAOIs. It is my guess that the dopamine system is at fault here, and that something like selegiline, amisulpride, amineptine might do the trick. Anhedonia is a primary negative symptom of schizophrenia as well, which is treated well with amisulpride. Don't know, maybe a Ritalin or something is possible. I just don't think any more serotonin approaches are going to help much, or they would have already.(Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, now Prozac)
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> I've played guitar professionally for 30+ years. Some enthusiastic peers said I was the best in the state. But since depression hit me, my poor guitars remain untouched in their cases. Haven't played in 1 1/2 years. What a waste. I can't play because it breaks my heart to not enjoy it. Or anything else for that matter. I want so much to sit down and pump out some serious music again. Anhedonia, what a beast. So my good friends, help me out here. Ideas to ponder? Thanks. JohnL.Dear John,
I know this reply is some 10 years after your post.
Anyway, if your're still around, for what it's worth, my oldest son Alex, 24, also a musician, suffers from what you describe.
Alex discovered a recent patent dated 02/23/2006 on the internet by a certain Dr Nathanson entitled "Treatment of Anhedonia". The link is:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2006/0217394.html
Hope this helps. At least you're in the US where psychiatrists, such as Nathanson, are less conservative. Most psychiatrists just don't get it - namely that the very anti-depressants they prescribe are also responsible for causing what Nathanson calls "iatrogenic anhedeonia." Ritalin (methylphenidate)is certianly in there as the main drug to treat it.
Alex is still struggling. If you would like to correspond with him,let me know and I'll send you his email address.
To see someone who used to love music so much is to suffer with them.
You're not alone.
Kind Regards,
Paul
Australia
poster:Anhed
thread:10100
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/872283.html