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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 1, 2003, at 19:31:45
Here's the thing...
I read somewhere that Effexor suppresses or depletes Dopamine. The depletion of dopamine is dependent on dose; more Effexor, less dopamine in the brain. Less effexor, more Dopamine in the brain.What I'm wondering is how smoking factors into that. Nicotine cause a surge of Dopamine that lasts for a short while. While Effexor is having an action that increases the levels of Norepinephrine and Seritonon, it is also pulling down Dopamine. Would this explain why since I've started taking effexor I've also dramatically increased my smoking, been more irate, and still very depressed?
FYI, Im also using Tegretol. I think that it contributes my reduced level of anxiety and moderate adhenia.
I could be way off here, any opinions or suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
Posted by stjames on December 1, 2003, at 21:03:04
In reply to Effexor, smoking and Dopamine depletion, posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 1, 2003, at 19:31:45
> Here's the thing...
> I read somewhere that Effexor suppresses or depletes Dopamine. The depletion of dopamine is dependent on dose; more Effexor, less dopamine in the brain. Less effexor, more Dopamine in the brain.
Nope. At high doses Effexor HOLDS more Dopamine
at the clef. Nothing to do with depleting.
Posted by Mr. Scott on December 1, 2003, at 21:34:48
In reply to Effexor, smoking and Dopamine depletion, posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 1, 2003, at 19:31:45
> Here's the thing...
> I read somewhere that Effexor suppresses or depletes Dopamine. The depletion of dopamine is dependent on dose; more Effexor, less dopamine in the brain. Less effexor, more Dopamine in the brain.
>
> What I'm wondering is how smoking factors into that. Nicotine cause a surge of Dopamine that lasts for a short while. While Effexor is having an action that increases the levels of Norepinephrine and Seritonon, it is also pulling down Dopamine. Would this explain why since I've started taking effexor I've also dramatically increased my smoking, been more irate, and still very depressed?
>
> FYI, Im also using Tegretol. I think that it contributes my reduced level of anxiety and moderate adhenia.
>
> I could be way off here, any opinions or suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.-------------------------------------
Lower doses of Effexor as well as ALL SSRI's blunt dopamine. It is supposedly mediated by stimulating one of the 5ht receptors and Serzone and remeron do just that. A whole host of side effects from reducing dopamine are attributable to ssri's and Effexor. It is a neurological state which accounts for the cognitive apathy, restlessness, drug and alcohol craving sometimes seen and yes the smoking of more cigs just like schizophrenics on the older antipsychotics. My response is much the same as yours. Now...It is also possible you are experiencing a dysphoric hypomania. The way to find out is to take either 50-100mg of Benadryl, 1-2mg of cogentin or amantadine (there are others too). If your symptoms abate than it's neurological. If your symptoms don't it might be hypomania.
Posted by stjames on December 1, 2003, at 21:46:36
In reply to Re: Effexor, smoking and Dopamine depletion » socialdeviantjeff, posted by Mr. Scott on December 1, 2003, at 21:34:48
I don't think we really know the cause of the common flat effect caused by many AD's.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 2, 2003, at 17:11:25
In reply to Re: Effexor, smoking and Dopamine depletion » socialdeviantjeff, posted by Mr. Scott on December 1, 2003, at 21:34:48
Just a quick question; I'd like to try your suggestion and see what happens. Do you mean a combo of Benadryl AND cogentin OR amantadine, or just one of these?
> -------------------------------------
>
> Lower doses of Effexor as well as ALL SSRI's blunt dopamine. It is supposedly mediated by stimulating one of the 5ht receptors and Serzone and remeron do just that. A whole host of side effects from reducing dopamine are attributable to ssri's and Effexor. It is a neurological state which accounts for the cognitive apathy, restlessness, drug and alcohol craving sometimes seen and yes the smoking of more cigs just like schizophrenics on the older antipsychotics. My response is much the same as yours. Now...It is also possible you are experiencing a dysphoric hypomania. The way to find out is to take either 50-100mg of Benadryl, 1-2mg of cogentin or amantadine (there are others too). If your symptoms abate than it's neurological. If your symptoms don't it might be hypomania.
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 2, 2003, at 19:39:27
In reply to Re: Effexor, smoking and Dopamine depletion » Mr. Scott, posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 2, 2003, at 17:11:25
Start with 50-100mg of benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) as it is an anticholinergic you may even have at home. If not you can run to the drug store and get it real cheap. Next, I'd bring your concerns to the attention of your doctor and suggest either a dopaminergic such as amantadine or a stronger anticholinergic such as Cogentin. If that doesn't do it(particularly the Cogentin) you probably have some kind of activation be it anxiety/agitation or hypomania.
Just my thoughts, but I think you can trust them.
Scott
> Just a quick question; I'd like to try your suggestion and see what happens. Do you mean a combo of Benadryl AND cogentin OR amantadine, or just one of these?
>
>
> > -------------------------------------
> >
> > Lower doses of Effexor as well as ALL SSRI's blunt dopamine. It is supposedly mediated by stimulating one of the 5ht receptors and Serzone and remeron do just that. A whole host of side effects from reducing dopamine are attributable to ssri's and Effexor. It is a neurological state which accounts for the cognitive apathy, restlessness, drug and alcohol craving sometimes seen and yes the smoking of more cigs just like schizophrenics on the older antipsychotics. My response is much the same as yours. Now...It is also possible you are experiencing a dysphoric hypomania. The way to find out is to take either 50-100mg of Benadryl, 1-2mg of cogentin or amantadine (there are others too). If your symptoms abate than it's neurological. If your symptoms don't it might be hypomania.
>
>
>
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This is the end of the thread.
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