Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 73996

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Dopamine Depression and Sex Drive

Posted by SarahC on August 7, 2001, at 14:31:37

I've had mild depression for many years, and have recently been on medications for it including prozac, celexa and wellbutrin. All have helped the depression to varying degrees, but all have also killed the remnants of my sex drive.

Five years ago I was on Parlodel to treat a prolactinoma. While taking it, it was the best I've felt in many years! At the time, I was told that lowering the prolactin was the cause for my improved state of mind and increased libido. The prolactinoma has since been removed and my prolactin levels have remained on the low end of normal.

So now I wonder if Parlodel might have some other anti depressive effect? My doctor is reluctant to perscribe it for my depression, so I'd like to know if it might at least be worth a try, or if some similar drug is prescribed for depression. I know it is normally used to treat Parkinsons related to dopamine levels and I wonder if that might be more related to my depression than the prolactin was. Coincidentally or not, one grandparent and cousin have Parkinsons.

Anyone else been on Parlodel for depression or can point me to any studies or research? Thanks!

 

Re: Dopamine Depression and Sex Drive

Posted by SadSuzie on August 7, 2001, at 20:00:15

In reply to Dopamine Depression and Sex Drive, posted by SarahC on August 7, 2001, at 14:31:37

You might give selegiline a try.


> I've had mild depression for many years, and have recently been on medications for it including prozac, celexa and wellbutrin. All have helped the depression to varying degrees, but all have also killed the remnants of my sex drive.
>
> Five years ago I was on Parlodel to treat a prolactinoma. While taking it, it was the best I've felt in many years! At the time, I was told that lowering the prolactin was the cause for my improved state of mind and increased libido. The prolactinoma has since been removed and my prolactin levels have remained on the low end of normal.
>
> So now I wonder if Parlodel might have some other anti depressive effect? My doctor is reluctant to perscribe it for my depression, so I'd like to know if it might at least be worth a try, or if some similar drug is prescribed for depression. I know it is normally used to treat Parkinsons related to dopamine levels and I wonder if that might be more related to my depression than the prolactin was. Coincidentally or not, one grandparent and cousin have Parkinsons.
>
> Anyone else been on Parlodel for depression or can point me to any studies or research? Thanks!

 

Re: Dopamine Depression and Sex Drive » SarahC

Posted by Mitch on August 8, 2001, at 8:26:47

In reply to Dopamine Depression and Sex Drive, posted by SarahC on August 7, 2001, at 14:31:37

> I've had mild depression for many years, and have recently been on medications for it including prozac, celexa and wellbutrin. All have helped the depression to varying degrees, but all have also killed the remnants of my sex drive.
>
> Five years ago I was on Parlodel to treat a prolactinoma. While taking it, it was the best I've felt in many years! At the time, I was told that lowering the prolactin was the cause for my improved state of mind and increased libido. The prolactinoma has since been removed and my prolactin levels have remained on the low end of normal.
>
> So now I wonder if Parlodel might have some other anti depressive effect? My doctor is reluctant to perscribe it for my depression, so I'd like to know if it might at least be worth a try, or if some similar drug is prescribed for depression. I know it is normally used to treat Parkinsons related to dopamine levels and I wonder if that might be more related to my depression than the prolactin was. Coincidentally or not, one grandparent and cousin have Parkinsons.
>
> Anyone else been on Parlodel for depression or can point me to any studies or research? Thanks!

This is a "little" off the subject, but other meds that are called dopamine agonists also tend to reduce prolactin secretion and are prescribed by some pdocs (usually as an augmentation agent) to help with depression. These are intended for people with Parkinsons's however. Two examples that I have tried are Mirapex (pramipexole) and Permax (pergolide). I am not sure if Parlodel is a DA agonist or not.

Mitch


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