Neurotransmitters results

allison84 said:

Did your Dr do this test ?

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Phantasm said:

I don't know much about these tests or how reliable they are, but it sounds like you need more information. Did the person doing the test just give you the results and not interpret them for you?

I believe Amitryptyline raises serotonin levels, although that's a low dose, as you said. Are you taking supplements that also raise serotonin, such a tryptophan or 5-htp?

In general those results suggest stress, and if you're using supplements I guess that would be glutamine or GABA for low dopamine and GABA?

As I say, it might be best to go back and ask for more info so you have a clearer picture and put your mind at ease. I'm interested because I'm doing amino acid therapy (a fancy way of saying I'm taking supplements), and I'm finding it very helpful after a long spell feeling run down and out of sorts.

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PossessedBanana said:

Hello,

High serotonin is probably your medication. When you say glatamare you mean glutamic acid ? Low gaba and high norepineohrine and epinephrin (aka noradrenalin and adrenalin) cause anxiety. Low dopamine is normal since you have dp/dr and things don't give you as much satisfaction as they should (reward system) and your motor control and concentration is affected.

To me this test only proves the function of these molecules on your nervous system, you can guess which is high and which is low just by checking the way you feel and put your symtoms in relation with the main known neurotransmitters. Molecules can be prescribed without it, and as you said (not surprisingly) it's expensive. Also don't put too much trust into molecules only, they can help, and I hope for you they will) but they alone won't get you out of it.

Good luck

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Phantasm said:

Yes, my understanding is that some supplements will help balance out others.

I googled the supplements, and they look like various blends of amino acids and vitamins I'm familiar with, such as NAC. I did notice Kavinace contains 5HTP.

I have to say though, I thought the cost of those brands was very expensive! I spent a grand total of £20 buying my amino acids. If you want a cheaper route to more-or-less the same thing, you could just buy The Mood Cure by Julia Ross and treat yourself. The book just uses a set of questions about how you feel with no tests required, much like PossessedBanana suggested.

Either way, give it a try and see how you feel.

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Phantasm said:

Yes, 5 htp raises serotonin so that's why I mentioned it. If you're unsure or have a negative reaction, then just don't take that one. Much like with medication, there is a certain amount of trail and error about finding the right ones that will benefit you the most. It seems very confusing, but there is usually a small group of 3-4 amino acids that benefit most people.
If the results of the test are right, then I would think that would be l-glutamine or GABA for low dopamine and GABA.

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PossessedBanana said:

It's mostly about not thinking too much about it, not being obsessed with it and try focusing on your life as you did before DP, meds can help if they are suited to you, you might try a few or even a lot before you find one that helps.

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PossessedBanana said:

Haven't antipsychotics help you ? Because anxiety is the first thing to eliminate and there meds are helpfull, I have it constantly as well but I just focus on other things and forget it, and things got a lot better since I took an antipsychotic and I distract myself all day without paying too much attention to it and things got way better in a few weeks only. It's all about not only intellectually understanding but psychically understanding that you have nothing to fear, because even if you think you're not obsessed by it, you actually are subconciously very anxious about it. Hypnosis and relaxation have both helped me with this. But maybe you're different and need another sort of therapy.

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