Posted by bleauberry on September 29, 2012, at 5:44:16
In reply to Medication to increase levels of dopamine, posted by whitmore on September 28, 2012, at 15:39:04
Based on your very informative description, the first thing that popped into my head was Savella. I say this for several reasons. Long story short, I have the same things happen to me with stimulants as you. And I respond well to savella but not any other ADs.
Another option, add nortriptyline to zoloft. Excellent combo that does a lot more than either alone.
In a Stahl book he explains how norepinephrine reuptake inhibition increases dopamine. That's because in parts of the brain, the NE pumps take up not just NE but also dopamine.
While I totally understand how much stimulants can help me on the first day or two, despite the side effects, I also understand that is a road that usually leads to bad places. Whether it is used as a street drug, an illegal drug, or a prescription medicine, it's still the same molecule, and outcomes from longterm usage are predominantly bad. I use ritalin as a life preserver for particularly bad days, but never 2 days in a row and never more than twice in week. My own rules. That way at least I can get some benefit when I need it the most, but avoid the slippery slope.
The herb rhodiola rosea could be helpful to you as well, can be added to zoloft or any other AD except maois.
Personally I have found NE far more correlated to depression, anhedonia, pleasure, drive, etc, than dopamine. But they work in concert, so it isn't an either/or situation. I just think the focus should be more on NE, not DA, despite all the internet talk of dopamine. My own experiences and listening to stories of others leads me to believe that.
poster:bleauberry
thread:1026936
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120922/msgs/1026991.html