Posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 23:08:39
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression » Hombre, posted by former poster on February 6, 2011, at 14:31:24
Remeron was the first thing that brought me out of a deep, deep depression and anxiety-filled state. I tried Luvox and Prozac with negative consequences. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest, and I had GI issues. On Remeron I obviously felt very chilled out, and I had more energy to to be able to go out and do social things and to exercise. But it pooped out after a short time. I went up to 30mg and then even 45mg, but after a short "norepinephrine" lift I'd feel tired and moody again.
I think my brain adapts really quickly to things, downregulating receptors and whatnot. But Remeron in combination with Effexor is the ticket for me. I think the Remeron helps to increase neutrotransmitter release, and Effexor extends the amount of time those neurotransmitters stick around. Since I'm prone to agitation, racing thoughts and chronic insomnia, I take Seroquel to put a hard cap on all that. I take moderate to low doses of all these medications, basically twice the starting dosage of each: remeron 30mg, effexor 150mg, seroquel 100mg. Three pills a day, ~$1/day on generics. Not bad if I don't think too hard about what a colorful cocktail this is.
The inflammation in your knees might be a sign of something, especially if it is chronic. I only wish I knew more about these things. If that limits your AD choices, perhaps you might want to take another look at some alternative therapies, as in alternative to whatever the docs have recommended. Not to say you haven't looked or tried, but if your knees were better, maybe you'd have more options in terms of an AD.
Just thought of this - inflammation could be an autoimmune type reaction. If an antihistamine helps you, perhaps it is also because it is limiting how your immune system (over)reacts. I'd look into some herbs with steroid-like properties, licorice root comes to mind. Perhaps hitting the allergy/immune reaction could lead to some insights into your depression as well.
Best of luck!
poster:Hombre
thread:978633
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20101202/msgs/978800.html