Posted by lula on February 22, 2002, at 14:31:00
Just recently I have realized there is a good possibility I do not produce enough dopamine. This is after years of knowing that something was not quite right with me biochemically. Factors that influenced this decision:
1. I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict (speed)
2. Diagnosed with ADD.
3. Abuse coffee
4. Smoke cigarrettes
5. Familiar tremor (also my mom and my 13 year old son)
6. Adrenaline-junkie (esp. as kid)
7. Use sex as a mood elevator
The only "natural" thing that makes me feel normal or good is excessive exercise. However, I cannot run five miles a day. Otherwise, I am sleepy, lethargic, and exist in a mental fog. These traits are exacerbated when I have tried SSRIs (paxil, zoloft, effexor). Serzone obliterated my short-term memory. Not surprisingly, wellbutrin has worked somewhat.Serotonin doesn't seem to be the problem but I feel strongly that dopamine and possibly norepinephrine are.
I cannot take Ritalin or adderall because they kick in my addiction. I flushed the adderall after beginning to "stray" from the recommended dose.
I thought I had found the answer (on this site) in Parnate. However, I noticed it has properties akin to methamphetamine and I cannot take anything with strong abuse potential. Do Parnate and the other MAOI-B inhibitors have histories of abuse?
What do dopamine deficient alcoholics and addicts take?
Thanks!
poster:lula
thread:95123
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020222/msgs/95123.html