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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on March 26, 2012, at 20:48:28
Just curious.
- Scott
Posted by Bob on March 26, 2012, at 23:55:20
In reply to Has anyone tried prazosin?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2012, at 20:48:28
> Just curious.
>
>
> - Scott
I'm contemplating it, but do not look forward to possible dizziness and increased sexual dysfunction in light of the fact that I already have problems with both issues.
Posted by SLS on March 27, 2012, at 7:30:39
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » SLS, posted by Bob on March 26, 2012, at 23:55:20
> > Just curious.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
>
> I'm contemplating it, but do not look forward to possible dizziness and increased sexual dysfunction in light of the fact that I already have problems with both issues.The dizziness and fatigue are most problematic during the first week or two. You might lose some libido, but sexual performance remains intact. Since I am the only one reporting the use of prazosin use, I wouldn't want to extrapolate my experience to others. I don't think reduced libido is guaranteed as a side effect. I do find that my sex drive is increasing now, but I believe this to be due to the lifting of depression. I am not without some interest. I just don't get a tingle between my legs at every female I walk by. I guess you might say that the lust is dampened, but not the experience of sex once you get started. At 6 mg of prazosin a day, I am quite capable of being aroused and reaching orgasm. If things change, I'll let you know. I will remain optimistic that my libido will increase again as the depression evaporates.
For me, trading libido for remission from a severe and unremitting depression is a "no-brainer" compromise.
- Scott
Posted by psychobot5000 on March 27, 2012, at 23:12:54
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » Bob, posted by SLS on March 27, 2012, at 7:30:39
Hello,
Scott, perhaps you (or anyone) could answer a question: does prazosin (or propanolol, for that matter) actually directly affect anxiety? I had thought beta-blockers and their like were only useful for the outward side-effects of anxiety, like palpitations and sweating, and so were useful in a sort of placebo way because they eliminated those aspects of a panic reaction. Perhaps this is true of propanolol and not prazosin?
I haven't been researching meds for a couple of years now, but this prazosin sounds promising for anxiety and possibly sleep; I've wondered for a long time why more norepinephrine-blocking agents weren't used for such purposes. Since drugs that increase catecholamines often increase wakefulness and could cause anxiety, it seems obvious that drugs that do the reverse might be useful anxiolytics or hypnotics. Anyway, I'm interested in trying prazosin, and, Scott, if I do get to, over the next few weeks, I'll be sure to let you know how it works :)
Posted by kagome on March 27, 2012, at 23:24:35
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin?, posted by psychobot5000 on March 27, 2012, at 23:12:54
I plan on trying it right after adding Low Dose Naltrexone (which is priority because I think my endometriosis is a huge part of my depression not to mention painful as all get out), but of course that means it will be years till I can take it since my p-doc thinks I'm obsessed with meds and moves at glacial speeds in changing them. However, it sounds perfect for me. It also got mentioned in the most recent Scientific American - the real magazine, not online, so I can't link to it - but you should check it out at the library. It's on the negative cognitive affects of stress and it seems to be pretty hopeful about prazosin's assistance both in lessoning stress and rebuilding neural connections.
-kagome
Posted by SLS on March 28, 2012, at 1:22:02
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin?, posted by kagome on March 27, 2012, at 23:24:35
> I plan on trying it right after adding Low Dose Naltrexone (which is priority because I think my endometriosis is a huge part of my depression not to mention painful as all get out)
:-(
> It also got mentioned in the most recent Scientific American - the real magazine, not online, so I can't link to it - but you should check it out at the library.
I will look for the article, thanks.
:-)
> It's on the negative cognitive affects of stress and it seems to be pretty hopeful about prazosin's assistance both in lessoning stress and rebuilding neural connections.
Wow. I had no idea.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by g_g_g_unit on March 28, 2012, at 4:31:20
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » kagome, posted by SLS on March 28, 2012, at 1:22:02
For the record, Prazosin is available to order online. I may do just that if my p-doc isn't willing to prescribe it.
Posted by SLS on March 28, 2012, at 6:41:34
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin?, posted by g_g_g_unit on March 28, 2012, at 4:31:20
> For the record, Prazosin is available to order online. I may do just that if my p-doc isn't willing to prescribe it.
http://www.rxlist.com/minipress-drug.htm
I still have not "recommended" prazosin to anyone so much as document my experiences with it and disseminate some facts about this drug. Oh, yeah... and offer some silly theories regarding its observed efficacy in treating my depression successfully.
Prazosin (Minipress) is usually a benign drug. Side effects are few and tend to disappear quickly. The startup side effects include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, and sleepiness. I got past these things before two weeks had passed. Of course, as with any drug, any sign of hives or a rash should be reported to your doctor promptly.
The one side effect of prazosin that has persisted for me is a decrease in sex drive (libido).
My best guess as to the dosage range for treating depression is 3 - 9 mg/day. I am having great results at 6 mg for which I take 2 mg three times a day. Dosing three times a day is important because prazosin has a short half life: 2 - 3 hours. It is best to start at a low dosage. Maybe 1 mg at night. I believe 3 mg/day will work for some people, so it makes sense to stay there for a week or so before increasing the dosage again. I experienced an improvement at 3 mg/day that was uneven throughout the day. Out of a sense of urgency, I popped up to 6 mg/day, and here I am.
All I can say is that when I added prazosin to my other medication it felt like a powerful and clean antidepressant. Since anxiety hasn't been so much of a problem in recent years, I can't comment on its anxiolytic properties. However, in studies of PTSD, prazosin has produced improvements in daytime anxiety and depression. This is in addition to its ability to reduce nightmares and improve sleep.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 28, 2012, at 6:45:02
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin?, posted by g_g_g_unit on March 28, 2012, at 4:31:20
> For the record, Prazosin is available to order online. I may do just that if my p-doc isn't willing to prescribe it.
I forgot to ask you what other medications you are currently taking.
Me:
Parnate 80 mg
nortriptyline 150 mg
Lamictal 200 mg
Abilify 10 mg
lithium 300 mg
prazosin 6 mgGood luck!!!
- Scott
Posted by phidippus on March 30, 2012, at 13:34:22
In reply to Has anyone tried prazosin?, posted by SLS on March 26, 2012, at 20:48:28
I have tried and been on for an extended period of time on Prazosin. It helped with my mood and attenuated panic symptoms. I may go on it again...
The good mood I attribute to some of the dopamine action Prazosin is responsible for. Unfortunately, stimulating dopamine in me is not the greatest mood fix.Eric
Posted by Bob on March 30, 2012, at 13:37:16
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » SLS, posted by phidippus on March 30, 2012, at 13:34:22
>Unfortunately, stimulating dopamine in me is not the greatest mood fix.
>
> Eric
Eric... What exactly do you mean about the dopamine not being so great?Bob
Posted by phidippus on April 2, 2012, at 9:51:58
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » phidippus, posted by Bob on March 30, 2012, at 13:37:16
Prazosin stimulates dopamine output in the prefrontal cortex.
A lot of dopamine enhancing drugs are used to benefit mood, however none have worked very well for me.
Eric
Posted by SLS on April 2, 2012, at 10:22:37
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » Bob, posted by phidippus on April 2, 2012, at 9:51:58
Hi Eric.
> Prazosin stimulates dopamine output in the prefrontal cortex.
Where can I find more information about this?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Iansf on April 2, 2012, at 15:39:45
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » Bob, posted by SLS on March 27, 2012, at 7:30:39
>>> At 6 mg of prazosin a day, I am quite capable of being aroused and reaching orgasm. If things change, I'll let you know. I will remain optimistic that my libido will increase again as the depression evaporates.
> >
>
> - ScottSince prazosin is primarily used for hypertension, it seems there would be a likelihood of a drop in blood pressure when taking it. For some this may not prove harmful, and may even be beneficial, but for others it could be problematic.
Posted by phidippus on April 2, 2012, at 16:27:01
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » phidippus, posted by SLS on April 2, 2012, at 10:22:37
http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN61562706/
Eric
Posted by SLS on April 2, 2012, at 21:42:45
In reply to Re: Has anyone tried prazosin? » SLS, posted by phidippus on April 2, 2012, at 16:27:01
This is the end of the thread.
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