11 replies to this topic

[Animal]

Hey all, I am intending to start a course of Agomelatine within the next few days primarily in order to help ameliorate my chronic dysthymia and anhedonia, and also secondarily to help regulate my sleep cycles through it's melatonin agonism.

The choice I had to make at this juncture was between trialling either Tianeptine/Stablon or Agomelatine, and my decision was ultimately because the Ago only has to be dosed once a day, whereas the Tianeptine needs to be taken 3 times daily. I wanted a pharmaceutical which can at least give me the illusion of normal functionality, rather then making me feel so dependant on the substance.

I was just hoping that any individuals with relevant experience or info could offer their advice. I have done a search on the substance and have read the relevant abstracts/studies, but what I really want is anecdotal reports from people so I can get a better idea of the reality of the experience. I know that some people here do have direct experience with Agomelatine, so please, share your opinions! Thanks!

Edited by Animal, 29 June 2010 - 09:41 PM.

[FunkOdyssey]

I've used it. Mainly it improved my sleep quality. I felt like I was sleeping really well and waking up refreshed. There was a very subtle improvement in mood. That's about all I could notice.

In the end I wasn't terribly impressed with it but at least it had zero side effects or withdrawal syndrome, which was nice for an antideprssant.

[Animal]

I've used it. Mainly it improved my sleep quality. I felt like I was sleeping really well and waking up refreshed. There was a very subtle improvement in mood. That's about all I could notice.

In the end I wasn't terribly impressed with it but at least it had zero side effects or withdrawal syndrome, which was nice for an antideprssant.

Thanks for that, what was your dosing?

My sleep quality is terrible, so even if it only improves that, I may continue to use it, depending on my financial situation. Like you mention the lack of side effects and withdrawal effects really appeals to me.

What are you currently taking? If you don't mind me asking.

Like a tit I somehow spelt Agomelatine wrong in the thread title, would any benevolent moderator see fit to change that?

[FunkOdyssey]

Thanks for that, what was your dosing?

My sleep quality is terrible, so even if it only improves that, I may continue to use it, depending on my financial situation. Like you mention the lack of side effects and withdrawal effects really appeals to me.

What are you currently taking? If you don't mind me asking.

I used 25mg nightly. Currently I am using and enamored with 2.5mg escitalopram and 7.5mg dexmethylphenidate XR + 2.5 - 5mg IR in the late afternoon/evening. The two have improved mood, anxiety, sociability, concentration, and energy levels without significant side effects.

Low dose on the SSRI is key. Should be getting maybe ~50% 5-HT transporter occupancy at that dose, compared to >80% on typical therapeutic doses. Even 5mg escitalopram is up into the lethargy/apathy zone.

Edited by FunkOdyssey, 30 June 2010 - 01:24 AM.

[Animal]

Thanks for that, what was your dosing?

My sleep quality is terrible, so even if it only improves that, I may continue to use it, depending on my financial situation. Like you mention the lack of side effects and withdrawal effects really appeals to me.

What are you currently taking? If you don't mind me asking.

I used 25mg nightly. Currently I am using and enamored with 2.5mg escitalopram and 7.5mg dexmethylphenidate XR + 2.5 - 5mg IR in the late afternoon/evening. The two have improved mood, anxiety, sociability, concentration, and energy levels without significant side effects.

Low dose on the SSRI is key. Should be getting maybe ~50% 5-HT transporter occupancy at that dose, compared to >80% on typical therapeutic doses. Even 5mg escitalopram is up into the lethargy/apathy zone.

Interesting, it's always fantastic when you find a regime that works exactly how you want it too. It's somehow relaxing in that you don't feel the constant need to pursue superior medication. I did actually have a pleasant regime that included the inferior stereocentric racemic form of your SSRI; Citalopram. But I had to stop that due to physical side effects which I mentioned in another thread.

The thing is my dysthymia is primarily of the lethargic/apathetic type, so I'm not even sure if SSRI's are an appropriate medication for me. Are you prescribed the dexmethylphenidate or do you acquire it personally? I haven't even tried the XR form of ritalin yet, so would be interested if you could describe to me how sustained the effects are, and also how responsible for the positive effects of the regime you believe the dexmethylphenidate is. Thanks!

[FunkOdyssey]

The thing is my dysthymia is primarily of the lethargic/apathetic type, so I'm not even sure if SSRI's are an appropriate medication for me. Are you prescribed the dexmethylphenidate or do you acquire it personally? I haven't even tried the XR form of ritalin yet, so would be interested if you could describe to me how sustained the effects are, and also how responsible for the positive effects of the regime you believe the dexmethylphenidate is. Thanks!

I'm prescribed the dexmethylphenidate. I've tried methylphenidate SR, adderall IR, and vyvanse previously. Methylphenidate was too peripherally stimulating and caused panic reactions. Adderall had the same propensity but I was able to control it by cutting the dose very small. Unfortunately it was not effective at those lower doses.

Vyvanse was my first really positive psychostimulant experience. However, it had a distinct recreational feel to it and did not seem to actually make me any more productive. I was also not comfortable with its potential for neurotoxicity.

Dexmethylphenidate is great. Its smoother than racemic methylphenidate both coming up and coming down, centrally active without the jitters and cardiovascular side effects, neuroprotective, awesome. Focalin XR provides more even drug concentrations over an 8 hour period than two IR doses:



It does seem to last for a full 8 hours. I attribute improvement in anxiety to escitalopram, improvements in concentration and energy to dexmethylphenidate, and improvements in mood and sociability are contributed by both drugs.

[Animal]

Ah I envy you, seems you've found a regime for life!

So have you been prescribed these psychostimulants to treat ADD? I must admit you do not seem like the type who just wants to get a buzz and do some coursework, like so many on here. So I'm curious if the stims were your first choice, or if you slowly narrowed it down to whatever was effective against your particular affliction.

[FunkOdyssey]

Ah I envy you, seems you've found a regime for life!

So have you been prescribed these psychostimulants to treat ADD? I must admit you do not seem like the type who just wants to get a buzz and do some coursework, like so many on here. So I'm curious if the stims were your first choice, or if you slowly narrowed it down to whatever was effective against your particular affliction.

They are prescribed for ADD. I don't think I have "real" ADD, but more like a pseudo-ADD flavor of cognitive dysfunction resulting from chronic infection. It helps quite a bit.

Bupropion was my first choice but its effectiveness waned after a couple months and it began causing strange neurological problems (would sometimes not be able to swallow, so weird), a feeling of pressure in the eyes, and increasing anxiety.

[magniloquentc0unt]

So, two years later, how did the agomelatine go?
i took ssri years ago for dysthimia, and when i stopped i was left with dysthimia, anhedonia, emotional blunting and brainfog.
i want to take one single med and see if it can fix me back and your insight might be of great value

[Mr Kebab]

I tried agomelatine and it did nothing at all. The red flag for me is the complete lack of side effects. If your monoamine system is being tweaked in any way, there are going to be side effects.

[magniloquentc0unt]

what were the symptoms you were trying to cure? how long did you take it?

[Mr Kebab]

what were the symptoms you were trying to cure? how long did you take it?

I do a lot of international travel for work and also have sleep issues so thought it might help to reset circadian rhythm and improve sleep via 5ht antagonism - but have seen no effects at all