Posted by garnet71 on February 26, 2009, at 1:00:32
In reply to Re: neurotransmitters and eye dialation, posted by desolationrower on February 24, 2009, at 23:46:56
> um...locus correleus is particularly suceptible to age-related degeneration, don't know if that is related to eyes though, although it is an important grouping of norep. neurones...
>
> interesting observation...have you ever been on a TCA, mirtazapine, betablocker, amphetamines, etc? how do you respond?
>
> -d/r
--------------Hi d/r!
I have no idea what locus correleus is. I just don't have the motivation to learn the technicalities of brain chemistry, so I ask the experts here :))
As to what I've "been on"--with initial PTSD/severe depression (about 8-9 years ago): Effexor and Wellbutrin worked best; I couldn't tolerate the SSRIs. After that, for the past 7 years or so, I had severe anxiety/panic attacks, and all xxRIs prescribed to me caused depression or other bad side effects, but for some reason alleviated the anxiety. So I'd go on, then off, then on, then off. A cycle of insanity. I couldn't decide what was worse-being in a state of anxiety or falling ill to the side effects of xxRIs. Occaisonal use of benzos; nothing regular and no strong dosage. Benzos, however, always worked best with the least side effects.
I just started Buspar (15 mg x 2), and realized I'm not comfortable with that drug, and the anxiety already dissapated before it was prescribed (in thinking I need something long term for high-stresses/to prevent anxiety or panic attacks in future). I also just started taking .25 Xanax x 1 at night, but don't need it every night. The newest drug to my regimen is recently prescribed Ritalin (20 mg x 2) which has helped more than any of the xxRIs. It gives me an effect similar to Xanax, but as I said before, I had no anxiety when starting this regimen.
I think there are dopamine or endorphine or whatever issues in my family, all extended family with issues are paternal; grandmother with schitozophrenia; ADHD son, autistic nephew; dyslexic cousin; my sis is bp and my father and brother were not 'right', although I have no idea what their diagnoses would be, except that my father was a lifetime, but controlled, alchoholic.
I have no clue, but appreciate your responding to me. I am unhappy with the pupil changes, as silly as that sounds. Just have a lot of self-awareness, both bodily and mentally, and have a hard time not feeling 'myself'--in terms of all angles (that would include change in pupil size....lol). I also think eyes project a lot about an individual...and cant' deal with not being me--can't deal with any unnaturalness--I had a hard time deciding to get my wisdom teeth pulled; would be the worst candidate for plastic surgery or having my appendix removed or anything like that. I can't even get myself to take birth control pills, because I find it disturbing and unnatural to not have a regular cycle; I can't deal with that, and they take me away from my femininity.
This change appeared before I started taking my current med regime; probably about 2 years or so ago. I have little concept of time, so I'm not sure when it exactly happened.
Although I'm a very sexual being, I don't flatter myself in terms of the ex. I think I was a drug to him, and him perhaps to me. I never felt so high in my life until sex with him. I literally felt high, a transcended state of consciousness, when we were 'together'. I hate to admit that, but it's true. I initially thought I was totally in love with him, and him with me. I even thought-in terms of linguisitics/body language (before I thought about brain chemistry or addiction), that because his pupils became so large when he looked at me, that it meant he really must love me. Even today, I have his pheremone scent imprinted on my brain. Now, I wonder if my brain chemistry is really messed up.
poster:garnet71
thread:882278
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20090129/msgs/882555.html