Dopamine increases sensation. Increasing sensation, instead of blunting it with Serotonin enhancing drugs would seem more preferable to rebuilding nerves. In experimenting with both sides of the spectrum, I found that my neuropathy was worse on medications that were too pro-Serotonin as I was blind to my pain triggers(like laying a certain way for instance).

On the flipside, too much dopamine may cause anxiety and inability to relax. Finding your middle ground is the best solution and tipping the scales a little in the Dopamine direction. You can even do this by adding Blueberry, Pomegranate, and other fruit extracts to your regimen. Vitamin D or Methyl B-12 are serotonin enhancing and can cover those bases. You can enhance Serotonin levels with Vitamin D and Methyl B-12 amongst other routes.

I do take the Methy B-12 5000 mcg and also Vitamin D-3 2000 IU per day. Many thanks for your imput!

David

Apollo,

I was prescribed Bupropian along with other medications this past fall and winter for neuropathic pain in my feet. These included nuerontin, celebrex, lexapro, lyrica, indomethacin, amitryptilene and desipramine. I consequently developed undesirable side effects and discontinued all.

In retrospect I feel like the lyrica and the tricyclics were the root cause of the bad side effects, but I felt it was best to stop all the medications just to make sure.

I plan to start taking Bupropian again next week. It DID seem to help me with my stress and pain levels before I discontinued it.

I think that I will try the Wellbutrin XL (the once daily time-release version), and I read that 300 mg once per day seems to be the suggested dose. Does this dose level sound correct for neuropathic pain?

Mrs D?

Most people start lower and titrate up. This way, the palpitations side effects seem to be less likely.

You may also find that you don't need the high dose. I think it is always a good idea with drugs that affect neurotransmitters to titrate up. (once there you may have to titrate down, if you decide to quit. Tapering off drugs that affected neurotransmitters is typically needed if you have been on them for months or years).

For example, TCAs which were the first antidepressants, work in very low doses. The Wellbutrin may be the same.

Thank you for your thoughts, Mrs. D!

Based on what you said, what would be your suggested recommended dosage then, and is the one a day "XR" version available in your lower suggested dosage?

David