Posted by Tomatheus on December 24, 2005, at 14:09:03
In reply to Re: Anyone have success with PREGNENOLONE? » Tomatheus, posted by tecknohed on December 23, 2005, at 20:03:56
Tecknohed,
Thanks again for your message. I'm actually getting back to you a lot sooner than I thought I would. As I mentioned in my first post, depression has definitely been my biggest problem, as it has been quite debilitating and persistent for the last six years of my life. Although I have never discussed social anxiety/phobia with my pdoc, I have always suspected that I might have a touch of it. I've always been relatively introverted, and those around me are usually pretty quick to point out that I come across as being relatively shy and quiet. I was even named the quietest guy in my high school graduating class, if that's any kind of indication. Of course, those who are the really the quietest would never qualify for such a distinction because they don't end up getting to know enough people to be voted the quietest. So, I guess I was the quietest person who talked to people but still had a quiet demeanor, or something like that. But that's another issue. As far as social phobia/anxiety is concerned, I really don't tend to see it as a kind of "fear" in my case, but it might actually be there, at least to an extent. I will say that I've basically been at least relatively introverted my entire life, but it was never something that seemed to interfere much with my functioning. Maybe it did, though, at least partially. After the depression struck, I eventually convinced myself that something was seriously wrong (but not quickly enough).
I think I mentioned in my first post that I am also on 75mg/day of Nardil, and I have now been there for two weeks and four days. I'm not getting what I would consider to be a robust antidepressant response, but I do think that it is finally starting to help with my condition. I think I am definitely less depressed and tired during the day than I was when I taking 60mg/day, and even though I'm not quite getting the response that I would like, I'm more functional than I've been, and I really don't feel nearly as depressed as I did when I wasn't taking any meds. This effect obviously might not last (but I do think I'm past the period of mood elevation that I tend to get right after I increase the dose), but I would say right now that Nardil is probably the best single med that I've ever taken. I'm going to give it another 2-3 weeks before I decide (along with my pdoc) whether I should stay at 75mg/day or go up to 90mg/day. And if I go up to 90mg, I'll then give it a few weeks to see how I feel on that dose before I try augmenting it with anything. I might also try Provigil (depending on how tired I feel), and I'm going to see what else I can find out about Idebenone. That's one supplement that I've never tried or even heard about, and I don't think it's available at most U.S. health-food stores. If I decide that I want it, however, I should be able to order it online no problem, assuming that it's legal :). It's encouraging to hear that it's helped augment your Nardil response.
Anyway, it's great to hear that you're getting a good response from pregnenolone, and I hope the activating and mood-brightening effects persist for at least a few days (of course, I hope they persist longer, but it would be really nice if you could at least get a good response for the holidays). I know that you said that your headache is nothing serious, but it does become more bothersome, I would try opening the pregnenolone capsule (assuming that it's a capsule) and dumping some of it out, which would essentially put you at a lower dose. But of course, if it's not a problem, you might as well stay where you are and enjoy pregnenolone's effects for as long as they last.
Tomatheus
> Thanks Tomatheus for such an informative post.
> Your story mirrors mine in many ways, except mine revolves more around social phobia. Depression is there though, often lingering in the background ('especially' lately).
>
> Yes I am on Nardil, currently 75mg/day. Have been for 2 years apart from temp 6 week Marplan trial. Nardil is the one I intend on staying with indefinitely, or for as long as poss. I also take Provigil (modafinil) 500mg/day. It completely takes away any tiredness and similar side effects from Nardil and has a mild mood lifting effect of its own, but without any other effects good or bad, so is an ideal addon.
>
> Back to the supplements, I currently take Idebenone 300mg/day. Take note, as this has DEFINITELY enhanced the Nardil. From what I can tell, it seems to have a good serotonin effect. When I first started at 150mg/day it was very strong and I had definite excess serotonin symptoms, but they faded quite quickly. It's now settled and seems to make the Nardil 'brighter', smoother even.
>
> As for the Pregnenolone, it arrived today so I've taken my first dose of 50mg. And yes, I feel something already! It feels activating and brightens my mood too! Great timing, as I needed something like this to help me get through the Christmas period. I've dropped the Idebenone to 150mg/day too, just in case.
> There is a slight headache, probably from an interaction with Nardil. But nothing serious.
>
> I'll keep posting my progress.
poster:Tomatheus
thread:591213
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/591910.html