I have a question about the effect of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the COMT (catecholo-methyl-transferase) enzyme. COMT is involved in the breakdown of dopamine and I have a condition which probably involves too much dopamine activity. I have an SNP in COMT which makes it slower to act, causing a possible over-accumulation of dopamine.
I have bipolar disorder which manifests itself mostly as a mixed state--racing thoughts and irritability together with depressed, dark thoughts. I also have OCD. For the bipolar I take Lamictal, Risperdal, and Cymbalta. I also have fibromyalgia (widespread muscle tension and pain).
The Risperdal is critical. I can barely sleep without it. This has been true for many years, even before I started the Cymbalta. It calms my racing thoughts and manic irritability. At one point I took some Parkinson's drugs for restless legs syndrome, which I believe are intended to increase dopamine, and it messed me up pretty badly, like I didn't have the Risperdal in me.
The Cymbalta is great for my muscle pain and as an antidepressant, but as an SNRI it increases norepinephrine activity which seems to increase my racing thoughts. I needed more Risperdal when I started the Cymbalta.
I got genetic testing done through 23 And Me, and it shows I have the slow form of the COMT enzyme (specific SNPs are V158M +/+ and H62H +/+, where the +/+ means I have the homozygous form, same from both parents). This could partially explain why I have bipolar and irritability.
I have other problems for which it would be nice to supplement with certain substances that contain methyl groups, such as methylcobalomim and SAMe. The problem is that when I take any supplement with methyl groups I get irritability (extreme). This is a known phenomenon, related to having a slow COMT enzyme, within the community of doctors that are looking at supplementation to support the methylation cycle. The methyl groups speed up methylation which increases the production of dopamine. Without proper breakdown of dopamine a lot of it turns to norepinephrine causing irritability.
So my question is, is there some way to speed up the COMT enzyme or reduce the acitivity of dopamine and norepinephrine, possibly reducing my dependance on Risperdal and allowing me to supplement with methyl groups?
I have bipolar disorder which manifests itself mostly as a mixed state--racing thoughts and irritability together with depressed, dark thoughts. I also have OCD. For the bipolar I take Lamictal, Risperdal, and Cymbalta. I also have fibromyalgia (widespread muscle tension and pain).
The Risperdal is critical. I can barely sleep without it. This has been true for many years, even before I started the Cymbalta. It calms my racing thoughts and manic irritability. At one point I took some Parkinson's drugs for restless legs syndrome, which I believe are intended to increase dopamine, and it messed me up pretty badly, like I didn't have the Risperdal in me.
The Cymbalta is great for my muscle pain and as an antidepressant, but as an SNRI it increases norepinephrine activity which seems to increase my racing thoughts. I needed more Risperdal when I started the Cymbalta.
I got genetic testing done through 23 And Me, and it shows I have the slow form of the COMT enzyme (specific SNPs are V158M +/+ and H62H +/+, where the +/+ means I have the homozygous form, same from both parents). This could partially explain why I have bipolar and irritability.
I have other problems for which it would be nice to supplement with certain substances that contain methyl groups, such as methylcobalomim and SAMe. The problem is that when I take any supplement with methyl groups I get irritability (extreme). This is a known phenomenon, related to having a slow COMT enzyme, within the community of doctors that are looking at supplementation to support the methylation cycle. The methyl groups speed up methylation which increases the production of dopamine. Without proper breakdown of dopamine a lot of it turns to norepinephrine causing irritability.
So my question is, is there some way to speed up the COMT enzyme or reduce the acitivity of dopamine and norepinephrine, possibly reducing my dependance on Risperdal and allowing me to supplement with methyl groups?