Posted by AndrewB on February 28, 2001, at 11:53:47
In reply to No, that's something quite different, posted by jimmygold70 on February 26, 2001, at 16:01:10
Jimmy,
I want to hopefully clarify some things here. I have been taking amisulpride for over a year and a half and for longer than that been keeping track of the effects of low dose amisulpride, and sulpiride, which is a close relative of amisulpride.
First of all, to be blunt, tell your doctor to go back again to his books, because he is dead wrong on the likelihood of sulpiride causing tremor in low doses. In low doses this would be an EXTREMELY rare side effect I believe. What some doctors either forget or don't realize is that sulpiride (and amisulpride) have roughly opposite physiological actions on certain brain receptors at low doses than they do at high doses. In other words, instead of blocking certain receptors, as sulpirde does, at high doses, it actually (indirectly) stimulates these same receptors. This is a crucial distinction because it is the blocking of certain of those receptors that is thought to lead to the tremor. Therefore, tremor is NOT an expected side effect of low dose sulpiride. I certainly have never experienced any tremor, for as long as I've been taking low dose amisulpride. Nor have I heard of any first hand accounts of it happening with others with either med. One final note on this. I once tried Mirapex which directly stimulates the receptors which I refereed to above as being indirectly stimulated by low dose sulpiride. Interestingly, the Mirapex caused a large improvement in fine motor coordination. For example, in games of basketball I started making shots with great accuracy from long range. I interpret this as possible evidence that while if you block these certain receptors, as you do with high dose sulpiride, you tend to impair fine motor coordination, if, instead, you stimulate these receptors you have the potential to actually improve fine motor coordination. So if your doctor asks why you want to keep taking low dose sulpiride, tell him you want to make sure your hands keep steady!
On to another topic. What you describe as negative thinking loops and fearful anticipation (dread) is what can be roughly termed as a subtype of anxiety. It tends to be accompanied by low self esteem, gloomy outlook and periods of social withdrawal. It is exactly the type of anxiety that I have when I am not medicated. Sulpiride and amisulpride should be noted for being especially effective, perhaps unrivaled by any other meds, for treating this type of anxiety. I think that you will find if you resume sulpiride that, indeed, the negative thinking loops and dread will again subside, as they did with your first short trial with sulpiride.
One suggestion for you Jimmy. I like to suggest to people who respond to sulpiride to also to trial amisulpride to see which one of these meds gives them the better effect. I don’t know about the laws concerning the importation of medicines for personal use into Israel. But I would like you to know that amisulpride can be ordered without a prescription, over the internet. In particular xxx is noted for its quick and reliable service and reasonable prices.
Another point, remember that while we are here on earth, that we, not our doctors, are the ultimate arbitrators of our health decisions. I suggest that people on the road to self recovery seek the best medical specialists out there with particular expertise concerning one’s own malady. Beyond that, since the road to regaining one’s mental health is in part a trial and error process involving the trials of various meds, it is important that you have a doctor that is willing to allow trials with a variety of drugs that hold promise of efficacy and safety, even if they are not the medicines used as first options to treat depression and anxiety. Too many doctors, when faced with treatment-resistant deppresives, are unwilling to prescribe, or ignorant of, drugs that are not among the standard protocol, highly marketed, medicines for treating depression.
As I share some of your symptomology, feel free to ask me any questions, if the need arises. And.... best wishes for your recovery!
AndrewB
poster:AndrewB
thread:54664
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/55111.html