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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

I got myself into a little bit of a situation.

D

deadendgame

Bluelighter
Joined
Jul 23, 2014
Messages
356
Hello. I am a 25 yo paranoid schizophrenic living in my parents' basement. So I'm been taking adderall since April. I been prescribed this med because I can't pay attention. Don't know if I have ADHD, but doctor wants me to try it out. Anyways, I tried it out for three months now. But instead of taking the recommended dosage, I take them only occasionally but I take in alot of them each time.

I know that I have to quit eventually, but I'm trying to taper down with my doctor. He lowered my dosage a little this month. My main concern is that based on the pharmacology, I now have a dopamine deficiency, the severity of which is unknown. Now I'm scared out of my mind, because on the days I don't take it, I actually can't focus and am unmotivated to do anything. Like I literally don't want to do nothing the whole day.

Also, my ability to react to emergency situations is impaired, like my reaction time is slowed my 3-5 sec. I have a few things to figure out now: 1) The condition of my dopaminergic system and how to replenish the lost dopamine. Most important thing since dopamine is involved in almost everything. 2) Extent of damage to other chemicals like serotonin and testosterone. My first question is does anyone know the fastest way I can get my dopamine levels to normal if its even possible?

Also, is my levels of epinephrine low and if so, how to replenish it? Lastly, I was wondering if my doctor would prescribe me sinemet (L-dopa/carbidopa combo) which delivers the direct precursor of dopamine to the CNS. Hypothetically, would this be an effective treatment for addy withdrawal? My reasoning is that a direct supply of L-Dopa would be directly converted to dopamine. I know very well that a man without dopamine is a dead man so this is a serious problem that needs to be fixed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Just wondering if our fantastic mods might have somewhere to put this where it will get more attention. Do we still have Basic Drug Discussion..?

Best wishes, op
 
Most of the time most docs are pretty apprehensive about stimulants with psychotic disorders. If you are taking excessive amounts then that increases the risks. I wouldn't worry too much about replenishing your dopamine supply. You really haven't been on them for that long even if you are abusing them. There can be damage done to the dopamine system from amphetamines but that is usually from heavy, daily use for years. It wasn't that difficult to stop taking them for me after being on them for quite a few years. Usually a little sluggish/fogginess and there is an inability to concentrate, some excessive sleeping but the worst of it wears off in a few days, there may be a couple of weeks where things are foggy but it clears up relatively quickly. With a good diet and some exercise those receptors will repair themselves. No need to worry so much man. You should be okay.
 
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You know what? Be honest with your doctor and tell him/her your concerns, and above all be honest.

I was hospitalized for 4 weeks in Sept/01 for kidney failure, and I was 100% honest with the doctors (admitting, attending, etc). I told them about my alcohol use, benzodiazepine use, barbiturate use, marijuana use and (at that point) limited psych use. No frowns or disapproving stares/glances.

They wanted to know what I had taken in the last 2-3 months prior to admission as that may have had an impact on my subsequent treatment. Even my stupid attempts to smoke methahqualone weren't held back. They didn't care because they wanted me to get better.

And I do mean being honest about how you've consumed your adrenal. They might frown, go tsk.....but in the end, their professionalism will win out.

Good luck and good vibes.

Tom
 
Don't worry about dopamine levels, serotonin levels, etc. If you're living right none of it matters and it will all work itself out accordingly.
 
Si Dread said:
Just wondering if our fantastic mods might have somewhere to put this where it will get more attention. Do we still have Basic Drug Discussion..?

Best wishes, op
Click to expand...

You're right. Perhaps this would get more attention in BDD, though also might be worth seeing how it goes in Neuroscience and Pharmacology Discussion...Let's see what input BDD has on it :)
 
I agree with Thomas, you need an MD's professional opinion on this one. I don't know if us here at BL can really tell you the right thing to do. Just be honest with your doc
 
Thomas Davie said:
You know what? Be honest with your doctor and tell him/her your concerns, and above all be honest.

I was hospitalized for 4 weeks in Sept/01 for kidney failure, and I was 100% honest with the doctors (admitting, attending, etc). I told them about my alcohol use, benzodiazepine use, barbiturate use, marijuana use and (at that point) limited psych use. No frowns or disapproving stares/glances.

They wanted to know what I had taken in the last 2-3 months prior to admission as that may have had an impact on my subsequent treatment. Even my stupid attempts to smoke methahqualone weren't held back. They didn't care because they wanted me to get better.

And I do mean being honest about how you've consumed your adrenal. They might frown, go tsk.....but in the end, their professionalism will win out.

Good luck and good vibes.

Tom
Click to expand...
Qft
 
L-tyrosine and L-phenylaline (sp?) are your best friends for dopamine receptor recover. And exercise also.
 
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