Posted by pseudoname on October 17, 2005, at 18:11:35
In reply to Re: please expand? » pseudoname, posted by SLS on October 17, 2005, at 16:41:07
Hey, Scott. I appreciate your interest. I've been waiting to give a sort of report on my naltrexone trial until I had a better idea of how it's going to turn out, but it's not looking too promising now. <sigh>
> What illness are you treating with naltrexone?
Unipolar depression. I've tried a couple dozen ADs & combinations over the last 17 years or so, with almost no benefit from anything. I had a weird, private theory about my depression and thought naltrexone might fit my case. I had a hard time finding a pdoc who would prescribe it, though!
> What dosage are you taking?
I started 30 days ago at 25 mg/day. But then I read one of your earlier posts (I *think* it was you), where you said you'd tried it without success and wondered if your dose was too low. So after my first week, I upped my dose to 50 mg/day, which is the standard for drug rehab. I don't think anyone takes higher average doses than 50 a day.
> What are the results so far?
I'm telling myself it's too early to write it off as (another) failure. I'm going to wait another week or so, which will make it 30 days at the full 50 mg. That's the length of time Wayne R (remember him?) said it took for naltrexone to kick in. Lee Dante's anecdotal reports also cite 30 days as the required time. Of course, most of the reports are for using it as an adjunct to a conventional antidepressant, and I'm taking it solo. If I still have no benefit next week, I'll probably add Paxil or something else to it and give it another couple months.
It had remarkable effects in the first few weeks: absolutely NOTHING was rewarding. This was a different experience than even my worst depression, but it's hard to describe exactly what the difference felt like. It was not bad or painful like depression, it was just that there was no reason to do anything. Weird. Anyway, that result has subsided.
It seems to have muted my caffeine buzz but intensified the jittery aspect of caffeine.
Naltrexone has shortened the relief I get from my occasional Adderall capsules. Adderall used to give me 6-8 hours of improved mood; now it only lasts 3-4 hours. It turns out there's research citing the same effect.
Sexual response went below zero. I assume that was a side effect, since it seems to be gradually coming back. That's partly why I was surprised at lunesta's advice to try naltrexone for low sex drive.
Some other initial results like tons of vivid, happy dreams have gone away. So much so that if it weren't for the continuing mild nausea I'd almost think I accidentally got a placebo in my last refill.
I will report more as it goes on. I'd be interested in anyone's suggestions, too.
poster:pseudoname
thread:568087
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051017/msgs/568244.html