Posted by Michael Bell on April 5, 2004, at 23:41:32
Okay, so it's been a while. Hope everyone is seeing some progress with their situations. Some of you may remember me from my posts about social phobia and various theories/treatments I have tried. Well, here is an update: I've been on quite a few meds since I last posted, and here are the results. Except for Prozac (had to augment with Klonopin), I tried each of these drugs by itself to pinpoint the effects. I've also tried other treatments, but it would take too long to list them here. I'll also tell you what I had the most success with:
MEDICATION I've tried:
Nardil (3-4 weeks): worked very well, but too many side effects. Blood pressure varied too much. Also, I had a couple beers with it and had first manic episode ever in my life.
Klonopin (many months): I use about .5 mg to 1 mg a day, but skip two or three days every couple weeks so as not to build up confidence. Very good for physical symptoms of anxiety, but tends to cause low grade depression. Also, not prosocial.
Prozac (6 weeks): At first activating (used klonopin to balance out anxiety), then caused apathy. Good for OCD, but couldn't stand lack of sexual drive and apathy.
Reboxetine: (3-4 weeks?): Sexual disfunction and painful ejaculations. Nuff said.
Amisulpride: Works well for negative thought patterns and anxiety. Not a miracle drug, but seems like a good add on. Ran out of it a while back and can't remember the site I bought it from. I may consider it again in the future.
Selegeline: Stay away.
Moclobemide: Definitely stay away. Way too much anxiety.
Adderall: I've read the posts re: adderall + klonopin. Well, I can attest that it can be very prosocial, but the effects are fleeting and the comedown sucks. I don't recommend this for anyone without ADHD. Course, I'm not a doctor, so my recommendation is worth about two rupees.
HERBS/NOOTROPICS I've tried:Picamilon: some of you may remember that I highly touted this product. It definitely has calming influences, but is not as strong as klonopin, its effects are not as constant and also is not prosocial.
Kava Kava: Works for a while then poops out. Not recommended for long term treatment.
Blueberry leaf extract: tried this on a whim, after reading a post from a rather strange poster named Ron (sorry, but those posts were strange). It definitely has stimulating qualities without provoking anxiety. It almost seems like Adrafinil to me. I still take it because caffeine intake is believed to be a strong protective agent against parkinson's disease, and blueberry leaf extract has a high percentage of caffeic acid in it. Repeated studies have illustrated that people with Parkison's reported a much higher than average incidence of social phobia when growing up. It is one of the most potent antioxidants and protects against dopamine destruction by peroxynitrate by eletron donation.
And FINALLY: the herb that has helped the most by taking away anxiety and having prosocial effects, and making me more focused - GOTU KOLA. This is not a brand - it is the name of the plant, so no I'm not selling it, for you skeptics out there. Keep in mind, I've only taken it for a few days, but it is the BEST supplement/med I have taken (well, maybe nardil without the s/e would be better). I have NO IDEA why it works. But I can tell you that if you go to "kelly's sjw" forum and do a search, you will see that every poster who has tried this product (about 10 to a dozen) swears by it.
I'll keep you all posted.
Good luck to everyone.
P.S. My combo right now: klonopin (.5mg/day) + blueberry leaf extract + gotu kola. Feeling pretty damned good, man!!
poster:Michael Bell
thread:333172
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040402/msgs/333172.html