Posted by jrbecker on April 7, 2003, at 16:09:26
In reply to Re: Cortisol and DHEA Balance, posted by Larry Hoover on April 7, 2003, at 15:43:14
Just to add further confusion to the debate, I have used both pregnenolone and DHEA as daily supplements for atypical symptoms. I find that pregnenolone is much more potent than DHEA at equal dosages. Not sure why, but perhaps it's because pregnenolone is not only used to manufacture DHEA but also produce cortisol. Since I'm an atypical case, I don't believe Preg has a damaging effect on my depression due to its cortisol connection. Both preg and DHEA have been tested for its AD effects and have been found to be moderately helpful. However, it seems the preference is towards DHEA in most of the literature, and seems like the safer bet. In terms of dosages, when I first started taking it, I saw great benefits from 50mg or more. But after a couple of weeks, it seems that the effects had built up in my system and I had to keep lowering my dose because of increased anxiety/agitation. Dr. Sahelian has written something to this build-up effect, saying that it takes a little time to see the full effectiveness of low dosages. Now, I only use 2 mg of pregnenolone 2-3 x per week. Part of the reason why such a low dose works is b/c of the build-up effect I mentioned, but also because I recently started up Remeron again. It's my belief that alpha-2 antagonism of the med is synergizing with the effect Pregnenolone, DHEA and its metablites have on alpha-2 receptors. So two mentions of warning: 1) if you're taking DHEA or Preg, beware of the build-up effect over the first few weeks. If you are experiencing any increased anxiety, agitation, or hostility, you should probably lower the dose. 2) If you are taking any med that has adrenergic effects, it will synergize with the effects of the DHEA or pregnenonolone -- (e.g. Serzone and Remeron... and this list might also flag SNRIs like Effexor, NARIs like Strattera, MAOIs, TCAs, and Stims)
poster:jrbecker
thread:215282
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030407/msgs/217088.html