Posted by Brainbeard on October 13, 2009, at 11:57:14
In reply to Re: question for brainbeard. » Brainbeard, posted by metafunj on October 12, 2009, at 23:01:13
> My main dx is depression but the only part of depression i experience is anhedonia along with cognitive problems, which were in the ADHD range when given a preliminary test. This leads me to think my problem is dopaminergic.
Yeah, well, no problem is probably simply 'dopaminergic' or 'serotonergic' in nature - as for one thing, these neurotransmitter systems are very closely intertwined, but I see what you mean of course. You could try imipramine, which has been used for ADD (and ADHD?), or its metabolite desipramine, if you wanna avoid SRI.
> I'm never suicidal, sad, or cry very often.Never sad? Wanna swap brains?
>
> Hopefully I'll get some buspar next week and get a DA boost. I've read its important not to take too much Buspar as one of its metabolites 1-PP has negative side effects.
>Yeah, well, I wouldn't think too much of the 1-PP metabolite.. There are indeed several studies that seem to indicate that low dose Buspar might be more effective than high dose. But still, some people get rave results with higher doses. I recommend this study for an original look at low- and high dose buspirone: http://www.pni.org/neuropsychiatry/aggression/buspirone/
The author suggests that 'Low doses may correspond with a presynaptic agonism with a feedback loop producing overall postsynaptic antagonism at all serotonin receptors. This would imply a short delay, such as days, which is what one finds. Conversely, high dosage, postsynaptic agonism in the irritable hyperactive agitated kind of patient would imply a secondary regulation of the serotonin 2A receptor, with consequent serotonin 2 antagonism: this may characterize an intimate, inverse feedback relationship with serotonin 2 mechanisms.' This also reminds me of Stephen Stahl who has argued that 5HT1A-agonists work synergistically with 5HT2A-antagonists.
While buspirone in lower doses decreases serotonine levels, I have seen a research abstract that showed that a single dose of 20mg (already considered a high dose) 'significantly increased levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, and free serotonin' (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9826102).Still, higher dose buspirone will cause higher prolactin levels, and buspirone is also a partial D2-antagonist. So the story is inevitably complicated.
A 30mg dose of Buspar gives me sort of a dizzy, buzzy boost that is actually enjoyable. I've been taking 30mg both after breakfast and after dinner for a while. In the afternoon, it gave me a rapid heartbeat and made me stressy. Eventually, I have decided to cut back to 10mg thrice a day, since I didn't find the higher doses worthwhile enough.
Only a little experimentation will show what works best for you.
poster:Brainbeard
thread:919193
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20090701/msgs/920799.html