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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by inanimate peanut on February 15, 2010, at 20:02:44
I thought I had a breakthrough. I found something in which I must find a little pleasure in (after all I stay up late past when I should be sleeping to do it when I normally hide in bed at any excuse) and I look forward to it when I awake in the morning. This could be a sign that I can experience pleasure. Or, it could be a sign that I'm addicted-- it's all I think about-- It's all I want to stay home and do 24/7. So my question is that-- is this a possible improvement of my anhedionia (with the Mirapex) or just a masking it with an addiction? Nothing else in my life has changed. I still take no pleasure in anything else nor do I have any motivation for anything but this.
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2010, at 21:57:06
In reply to Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or nothin, posted by inanimate peanut on February 15, 2010, at 20:02:44
Peanut so your're saying you live to take mirapex? It's once a day don't know this med. Could you be in any withdrawal during the day? Could you split the dose before sounding like your're almost calling yourself an addict? Have you been addicted not tolent to meds before? Love Phillipa missed you
Posted by floatingbridge on February 15, 2010, at 23:08:38
In reply to Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or nothin, posted by inanimate peanut on February 15, 2010, at 20:02:44
hi peanut,
finding enjoyment sounds good. why the word 'addiction'? (since i don't know the activity....is it harmful in any way?) could it be 'obsessive'? or maybe relief after so much depression? i watch that my activities don't interfere with sleep or other self care because that always bites me in the *.
i'd like to think that you're experiencing pleasure and the mirapex cocktail is working...(!)
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 15, 2010, at 23:15:44
In reply to Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or nothin, posted by inanimate peanut on February 15, 2010, at 20:02:44
i've been curious about the underpinnings of addictive behaviours as well. i flit between total despair/emptiness, and only seeming capable of performing tasks with an addictive component (video games, internet, craving junk food). it's not like these things generate huge waves of pleasure; they're just the only things i feel normal doing. the problem is when i look back to when i wasn't gravely depressed, most of the things i did which i thought made me happy had an addictive edge as well, so i wonder if i've just been self-medicating this whole time. but what? dysthymia? ADD? what's 'broken' in addictive pathologies? i tried to get at this with the last psych i met, but it didn't seem to register, and i feel like it's an important part of me recovering because i need to feel capable of doing normal stuff (like uh working, socializing).
Posted by emmanuel98 on February 16, 2010, at 3:17:44
In reply to Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or nothin, posted by inanimate peanut on February 15, 2010, at 20:02:44
Could I ask what it is that you find pleasure in? That would help me to answer your question.
Posted by janejane on February 16, 2010, at 10:31:26
In reply to Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or nothin, posted by inanimate peanut on February 15, 2010, at 20:02:44
I know your addiction is not as serious as this (you might want to tell people so they don't assume the worst), but a bell just went off in my head as I remembered that Mirapex has been known to cause gambling and sex addiction in some people. It wouldn't surprise me that it could cause other addictions too. Since you just started taking it, I think it's important to tell your doc about your new obsession. It may very well be an unwanted side effect of the drug. You might want to consider lowering your dose or stopping before it gets more out of hand.
Posted by linkadge on February 16, 2010, at 12:51:52
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by janejane on February 16, 2010, at 10:31:26
I assume I know what we're talking about.
Anyhow, I wouldn't worry about it. Just go with the flow and see how it pans out.
Many things in life could be classified as "addicting" but they are not. If you want to hold your baby are you addicted to holding your baby? No - even if you feel bad when you cannot hold him/her.
The real problem happens when the activity starts to seriously interfere with your everday life.
For instance, if the activity replaces eating, sleeping, socializing, working, saving money etc. Then there is a problem.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on February 16, 2010, at 20:30:47
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by linkadge on February 16, 2010, at 12:51:52
This is very interesting as I feel addictions could also apply to my life or obsessions. Being the very best at all things was first, then the best boyfriend, then first to have a child in my class, then going traveling all around the country, islands, and Europe, then the nursing. Worked all I could. Then beer knew when to stop. Now feel empty. Phillipa
Posted by inanimate peanut on February 19, 2010, at 20:07:28
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by Phillipa on February 16, 2010, at 20:30:47
Sorry I didn't follow up on any messages-- I was too busy playing the video game that the post was about! How's that-- write a post about being addicted to doing something and then don't even check back because you're too obsessed with doing it- lol. Luckily, I think I'm starting to get sick of it. Which is good in some ways but back to no pleasure at all then, which is bad.
Posted by rculater on February 20, 2010, at 3:59:56
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by inanimate peanut on February 19, 2010, at 20:07:28
Are you talking about MW2 ? If so, yes I have become rather addicted to that game which is the first thing in ages I have gotten into in such a way. Normally video games last 30 minutes until i start loosing interest/concentration/getting bored/not enjoying.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 20, 2010, at 22:10:17
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by rculater on February 20, 2010, at 3:59:56
we might have to open up a separate games thread ... i've been cycling through rented PS3 titles (likewise, i get about half an hour's enjoyment out of each), but despite not falling for high-concept stuff like Batman Arkam Asylum and Uncharted 2, i was surprised to find myself coming back repeatedly to Fat Princess .. it's numbingly repetitive but totally addictive
Posted by conundrum on February 20, 2010, at 23:49:32
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by inanimate peanut on February 19, 2010, at 20:07:28
I have the same issue that you and G G G unit were talking about. One of my bad habits is to play video games and the game I"m playing came out in 1999! Its also a shooter like modern warfare. Something about nailng a target really clicks something in my head. NO, not waves of pleasure but something. The main difference is the things I did before anhedonia were more productive. I studied music and played guitar all the time. It was obsessive but an obsession that was fun and accepted by others because they enjoyed music. No one cares how many headshots I get playing a game online. I also find that I waste time on the web and craving not so good foods. Its like simple sugars are the only thing that I really care to eat. Just give me soda, iced tea, a bowl of cereal, and a keyboard aand a mouse and i'm good. The guitar? Its got dust on it.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 21, 2010, at 0:24:43
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no » inanimate peanut, posted by conundrum on February 20, 2010, at 23:49:32
> I have the same issue that you and G G G unit were talking about. One of my bad habits is to play video games and the game I"m playing came out in 1999! Its also a shooter like modern warfare. Something about nailng a target really clicks something in my head. NO, not waves of pleasure but something. The main difference is the things I did before anhedonia were more productive. I studied music and played guitar all the time. It was obsessive but an obsession that was fun and accepted by others because they enjoyed music. No one cares how many headshots I get playing a game online. I also find that I waste time on the web and craving not so good foods. Its like simple sugars are the only thing that I really care to eat. Just give me soda, iced tea, a bowl of cereal, and a keyboard aand a mouse and i'm good. The guitar? Its got dust on it.
yeah i have the same thing .. it's bad enough playing video games, but i can't even play videogames that require patiences .. i'm addicted to killing!
it seems like i spend most of my time now battling and resisting urges (for sugar, etc.). strangely, i tried some d-amphetamine yesterday and it completely fixed the cravings; it didn't just suppress my hunger and whatnot, i suddenly had no desire for sugar, video games etc. i felt so calm and reasonable. coffee today (which i never usually drink, and so still experience euphoria on) had a similar effect. SSRI's just aggravate hedonistic behaviours in me.
i've wondered how useful stuff that controls addictive pathologies (Memantine, NAC) might be in my case. do they fix the cravings but then still leave you unable to enjoy normal stuff (i.e. satisfied, but vacant), or do they have a global effect on anhedonia ..?
Posted by metafunj on February 21, 2010, at 11:21:56
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 21, 2010, at 0:24:43
Perhaps this is just our bodies way to make up for low dopamine? Shooting games might give little spurts of pleasure when you get a kill. I've noticed that I don't have the motivation or drive for platform games anymore. Games where you have to start from the beginning after dying.
Did you feel eurphoric while taking D-amphetamine?
I would like to try adderall since I think I need Norephinephrine and Dopamine.
Its nice that coffee does that for you. Doesn't do anything for me.
I'd still wait out prozac if I were you. If you find that its too much serotonin you could always decrease the dosage, which shouldn't effect DA and NE release.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 21, 2010, at 16:38:39
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no » g_g_g_unit, posted by metafunj on February 21, 2010, at 11:21:56
>
> Did you feel eurphoric while taking D-amphetamine?not particularly. i think the prozac kinda dulled that. have you tried any stims? are you able to experience euphoria?
>
> I would like to try adderall since I think I need Norephinephrine and Dopamine.
>
> Its nice that coffee does that for you. Doesn't do anything for me.
>
> I'd still wait out prozac if I were you. If you find that its too much serotonin you could always decrease the dosage, which shouldn't effect DA and NE release.yeah i'm still taking Prozac. my psychiatrist was actually worried about the akathisia and wanted me to stop but i think i might talk to him about giving it more time. i think his main concern is that i'm emigrating in 3 weeks, so he doesn't want me stuck w/out help for a while
Posted by conundrum on February 21, 2010, at 23:46:26
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 21, 2010, at 16:38:39
Sorry used the old name in my last post. THe only stimulant I've tried is ritalin and that didn't do anything. I can't feel euphoria. Haven't felt it in years, don't even know if its a feasible reality anymore. :(
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 22, 2010, at 1:14:51
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no » g_g_g_unit, posted by conundrum on February 21, 2010, at 23:46:26
that sucks :( i'm learning the hard way that sometimes you just have to keep doing things, even if there's no feeling involved, though recreation is nearly impossible
do you know how Prozac caused the anhedonia? i'm kinda worried about SSRI's now
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 22, 2010, at 1:15:03
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no » g_g_g_unit, posted by conundrum on February 21, 2010, at 23:46:26
that sucks :( i'm learning the hard way that sometimes you just have to keep doing things, even if there's no feeling involved, though recreation is nearly impossible
do you know how Prozac caused the anhedonia? i'm kinda worried about SSRI's now
Posted by conundrum on February 22, 2010, at 7:37:31
In reply to Re: Addiction/Anhedonia-- is it meds working or no 03 conundrum, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 22, 2010, at 1:15:03
I have no idea how it causes anhedonia. All I know is it only started when I stopped the drug. So if it starts to help and you take it for awhile, by all means don't stop it. There is some theorizing that taking an SSRI decreases serotonin transporters and that they remain downregulated even after the drug is stopped. This means you could have permanently elevated serotonin. However when you are taking fluoxetine some receptors, the 5 HT2 receptors are blocked by the drug. But if you stop the drug and still have elevated serotonin, from the transporter downregulation, those receptors will become activated and decrease the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in parts of the brain.
So in theory a lower dose could help since it would only really block 5 HT2A receptors and not increase serotonin that much. THis is all speculatioin though and I think that it is much more complicated than that.
I tried prozac at just 2.5 mg last October for about a month with buspar and noticed an increase in motivation and a little bit of increase hedonia. I noticed that when playing my guitar it sounded better. Anyway I only stayed on that dose for a short time before increase to 5 mg where I felt totally blunted. Then I attributed the improvement to buspar and stopped the prozac. But it wasn't the buspar at least not alone. Buspar alone doesn't really do anything. It was the low dose prozac. So now I'm back on it. I just hit the 3 week mark. I can't remember if it took 4 or 5 weeks to work but it does take awhile. Hopefully this works.
This is the end of the thread.
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