Posted by lostforwards on October 22, 2004, at 20:48:12
In reply to Re: neuroleptic-induced depression / upregulation?, posted by zeugma on October 18, 2004, at 12:29:59
> > I was taking methapromazine, a phenothiazine, at 10mg for sleep and Risperidal up to 3mg in the morning. Eventually I reached a point where I had difficulty breathing, muscle stiffness, and small amount of tremor after moving my fingers.
> > I was on 3mg for 1 week, 2 mg for 2 weeks, and 1mg for 1 week.
> >
> > As I lowered the dose and switched to taking Risperidal at night, I'd have periods where I'd feel great, then I'd feel like crap. After completely quiting the meds I feel very dead. Not depressed but just amotivated, very apathetic, and it's hard to think.
> >
> > Could this have something to do with upregulation of my dopamine receptors in response to low levels of dopamine? Will it reverse? It's been almost 3 weeks and I still feel very dead.
> >
> >
> actually, i believe the dopamine receptors downregulate. the neuroleptics block the receptors, so the brain releases more dopamine to compensate. The levels of the transmitter rise, I believe, and downregulation takes place in all the receptors except those blocked by the neuroleptic. after blockade removal dopamine levels will fall, and this could be the reason you are still feeling amotivated.
>
> why were you taking risperdal if you don't mind my asking? if it was for anxiety i think it was a poor choice on your dr.s part.
>
> also, i am not feeling well at the moment, so my conjectures could well be inaccurate.
>
> -zIt's funny when you mention anxiety. He was supposedly treating bipolar with paranoia. I did some strange things under stress though. Like I couldn't look him in the face, I'd look away and play with things. That's when he'd up the dose. There were other strange things I did too, I'm not sure if it was the meds or me. I'd scratch my head or my shoulder when I was under stress.
I'm not sure what 'caused those tics.
I experimented and tried a 0.5mg dose of Risperdial and my arms stopped swinging though I do feel slightly better ( the downregulation idea would make sense then right? ) I just want my feelings back.The other recptors will upregulate back in response to the fallen levels though?
poster:lostforwards
thread:404395
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041018/msgs/406166.html