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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by metafunj on September 23, 2009, at 11:30:55
In one thread you mentioned that you tried Remeron and it helped with your depression. Does this mean that it helped relieve anhedonia? If so this would help to support my theory that after an SSRI peoples brains can be come swamped with serotonin because there are decreased number of transporters. In this case 5HT antagonism, which is a function of Remeron, would help.
My email address is [email protected]. If you feel like emailing me, don't hesitate.
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 23, 2009, at 13:07:56
In reply to For Alexander - Remeron, posted by metafunj on September 23, 2009, at 11:30:55
Yes it did. I only gave it 2.5 weeks unfortunately, I regret not giving it 6 weeks, but Remeron can be rough at times. I suspect that Remeron's grehlin increasing effect is also important since ghrelin increases mesolimbic dopamine.
It's NA & DA effects are also important for relief of anhedonia, I think. It knocks on out too, so it improves insomnia somewhat.
If I had to start over again, I would take it any day over SSRI's. I think following the advice of starting at 30 mg is a good idea, as tiredness and somnolence is worse at 15 mg.
if you decide to trial it, I would give it 6 weeks to 3 months. Better said than done of course.
Posted by metafunj on September 23, 2009, at 15:10:11
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 23, 2009, at 13:07:56
It may have been too short a trial to notice, but were there any cognitive improvements? or creativity?
Have you found something else that works better, because it seems like you, Wanderer123 and I are in the same post-ssri anhedonic boat, so to speak.
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 24, 2009, at 6:51:20
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by metafunj on September 23, 2009, at 15:10:11
The moment whatever it was that kicked in NA, DA, Ghrelin or whatever, my cognitive abilities improved incredibly. It's worth noting that when I tried Remeron, I hadn't been on SSRI's long term and I didn't have major anhedonia, like I do now.
Posted by metafunj on September 24, 2009, at 10:09:40
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 24, 2009, at 6:51:20
In theory Remeron should reverse some SSRI induced anhedonia. Its worth a 2nd shot.
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 24, 2009, at 10:37:13
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by metafunj on September 24, 2009, at 10:09:40
I am not gonna try any psyc drugs until I have fully optimized my hormonal status. Which is quite poor.
Posted by metafunj on September 24, 2009, at 14:31:24
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 24, 2009, at 10:37:13
Wouldn't boosting dopamine, decreasing serotonin transmittion help bring your prolactin levels back down?
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 25, 2009, at 9:53:01
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by metafunj on September 24, 2009, at 14:31:24
It should in theory. Is your prolactin high?
Posted by metafunj on September 25, 2009, at 17:48:38
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 25, 2009, at 9:53:01
If that shows up on a standard blood test then no, because I would have seen it. If you need to get it tested seperately then I don't know.
Posted by metafunj on September 25, 2009, at 17:52:28
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by metafunj on September 25, 2009, at 17:48:38
The rest of my endocrine functions are normal, so I'm not suspecting a problem with prolactin.
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 26, 2009, at 7:16:00
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron » metafunj, posted by metafunj on September 25, 2009, at 17:52:28
Are you gonna try it then?
Posted by metafunj on September 26, 2009, at 14:12:59
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 26, 2009, at 7:16:00
Well I'm taking wellbutrin now which doesn't seem to be doing anything except give me side effects. Hopefully I'll soon be starting low dose prozac (for 5HT2C antagonism)+ Buspar. If that doesn't work out I'd try Remeron.
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 27, 2009, at 8:26:37
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron » Alexanderfromdenmark, posted by metafunj on September 26, 2009, at 14:12:59
is your doctor or psychiatrist willing to prescribe and listen to you.
One of my major problems with getting well is that doctors and psychiatrists are completely unwilling to listen to any suggestions, I have, because they have this I am god attitude.
Posted by metafunj on September 27, 2009, at 12:13:33
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 27, 2009, at 8:26:37
Well right now i'm just seeing a general practitioner. She seems pretty open to my suggestions and even said that I know more about psych meds and neurotransmitters than she does.
She is willing to prescribe any antidepressant, but she says I'd have to go to a psychiatrist if I wanted to go off label using drugs like stimulants, APs, DA agonists, or anything else.Dodes your psychiatrist even believe that Lexapro has caused all these problems for you? For that matter does your family even believe you? My family believes that this is just depression returning, despite the fact that the symptoms are all completely different from when I was depressed.
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 28, 2009, at 8:48:24
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron » Alexanderfromdenmark, posted by metafunj on September 27, 2009, at 12:13:33
My family sort of believes me now though it took some a lot to convince them. Had to show them studies and what not.
There are no medical professionals in my country who believe anything, I say. That's really hell when you are ill.
I am currently seeing on the best hormone doctors in the world, Dr. Thierry Hertoghe. He's been a pioneer in hormones and behaviour. he comes from a famous family line of endocrinology´and intially trained to be a psyhiatrist.
The thing was that when he received and saw all these patients, he always found obvious signs of hormonal abnormalities.
I am hoping that, I will be a textbook succes, when I receive my whole treatment and get everything balanced out.
When I go to my GP or an endocrinologist here in Denamrk they tell all my blood tests are completely normal. When I see a psychiatrist, he tells me all my symptoms are imagined or psycho-somatic.
When I go to the Hertoghe's clinic where they do extensive testing(blood testing, urine testing, psychical examination) they diagnose me with thyroid defiency, adrenal insufiency, testosterone defiency, melatonin defiency and possible growth hormone resistance.
Quite a difference, I'd say.
When all these hormones are sorted, I do expect to see a profound difference in my mind and physiology.
Posted by metafunj on September 28, 2009, at 11:25:42
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 28, 2009, at 8:48:24
My family pretty much doesn't talk about it and some of them don't really believe it and say its in my head. Its kinda funny since the people who say that all take antidepressants. Whenever they say that I couldn't still be effected by drugs and its in my head, I tell them they should stop taking meds since their depression/phobias were all in their head.
The only person who believes me is my girlfriend who lives in well, Sonderborg Denmark, which is pretty far from where I am in the States.
I hope this doctor can help you. Just like greedy corporations alternative medical practitioners can take you for your money.
I don't blame you for not wanting to take meds, it is only after 6 years of nothing natural helping me resolve these issues that I've realized that poison may be the cure.
I had another question. Do you feel now the same as you did on lexapro? Wanderer123 and I both feel anhedonic now that we do not take prozac but we felt good, and his case hypomanic while on prozac. I think the reason we felt good while on it has to do with prozac's unique pharmocology.
Also do you still laugh? I laugh and people use that against me to say I don't have anhedonia, but even though I laugh it is like everything is still in black and white and I don't feel satisfied in general in life.
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 28, 2009, at 13:15:57
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by metafunj on September 28, 2009, at 11:25:42
I find it difficult to laugh, but it's not impossible. When I have more energy, I find it more easy.
The doctor I am seeing is not doing "alternative practice". Hormones are powerfull stuff with well established evidnce for impact on mood, body and behaviour. And it's a "chemical imbalance" that is well defined that you can actually test for unlike neurotransmitters.
If you decided to shoot a high dose testosterone into your veins, I can almost garauntee you that your mood would shoot through the roof.
Funny that your girlfriend lives in Denmark.
I'm looking forward to your experiment. I'll let you know about mine.
About your hypomania. A recent study showed that T3 supplementaion was of great benefit to bipolar patients. I think 33% had remession and most majority of the patients had signicant benefits.
Dr. marianco at definitive mind says he always finds thyroid abnormalities in bipolar patients.
Posted by metafunj on September 28, 2009, at 14:55:50
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 28, 2009, at 13:15:57
Ok I just wanted to make you aware that there are a lot of people selling snake oil out there, but it sounds like you have checked your doctor out.
Also, it was someone else who posted that had experienced hypomania. I just felt good on prozac.
Unfortunately I will have to wait til October 19th to see my doctor and get a script for prozac. I will definetly post about what happens.
What part of Denmark do you live in, if you don't mind me asking?
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 29, 2009, at 4:56:29
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by metafunj on September 28, 2009, at 14:55:50
Northern Denmark in Aalborg.
Eek my testogel just arrived. Am a bit hestitant about taking it.
Posted by metafunj on September 29, 2009, at 8:58:43
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 29, 2009, at 4:56:29
Why what can it do to you?
Oh btw the experiment got moved ahead to starting yesterday. :)
I'm taking 5mgs fluoxetine every other day.
Posted by metafunj on September 30, 2009, at 12:07:22
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 29, 2009, at 4:56:29
Now that you mention it when I had a blood cortisol test taken, it came back kind of low like 5.0 mg/dl. However blood cortisol tests are not really that accurate. Also I have high blood pressure which would be odd to go along with low cortisol. My thyroid function was like normal-low. I have wondered I have a problem with that because I have cold hands and feet, except in summer, and joint pains.
One thing I noticed was that after having these tests done and having my doc say I'm OK, I've felt a lot better physically. I don't feel tired so much during the day and I just kind of ignore the joint pain.
Posted by metafunj on October 8, 2009, at 22:47:38
In reply to Re: For Alexander - Remeron, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on September 29, 2009, at 4:56:29
how was the testosterone gel?
Hope your just gone cuz ur feeling better and didn't wig out or anything.
This is the end of the thread.
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