AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question QUESTION: Dear Dr Galbraith
For many years I have suffered from chronic mental tiredness and a foggy head with poor concentration; I also require a lot of sleep, both at night and in the afternoons. I am a positive thinker so I'm definitely not depressed although my symptoms might suggest otherwise. I've tried just about everything there is including prescription SSRIs (made me feel worse) and thyroxine (did nothing). I have in the past taken a few drugs (not many), namely ecstacy and cocaine. Cocaine made me feel normal - no tiredness or 'brain fog'. I was considering that my symptoms might be from low dopamine. Do you think this is possible? And if so, what is the most effective/least dangerous way of increasing dopamine, either with prescription drugs or natural substances?
many thanks - Jade (UK)
ANSWER: Dear Jade
Definitely not cocaine as it eventually destroys the person taking it no matter how attractive it may seem. I am wondering whether you are suffering from adult ADD and need treated with an appropriate drug such as Ritalin or one of the newer non-stimulant drugs for this affliction. I suggest you try to be referred to a psychiatrist for proper appraisal and treatment. I do not think you should be self-treating.
Regards
Dr Alan Galbraith
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for such a fast response. I've only taken cocaine once - it's not a very attractive option to be honest with you. I'm just fed up of feeling tired all the time. I was prescribed the SSRI and I saw a private doctor who suggested I might be hypothyroid based on symptoms even though blood tests are normal. I'm still taking 100mcg but it's not doing anything. It's not ADD - I can't concentrate because I'm so tired. Any other ideas about what might be wrong with me?
Regards
Jade
Answer Dear Jade
How do you know it is not adult ADD? It does not sound like hypothyroidism to me so I tend to agree with you there. Another option is chronic fatigue syndrome which is a vague entity at the best of times with a multitude of optional treatments. I do believe this does exist and is not a cop out as some people would have as believe. As there are so many proposed treatments I suggest you look at the following sites: www.immunesupport.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-treatment.htm; www.fatigueclinic.co.uk; counsellingresource.com/distress/chronic/cfs/cfs-treatment.html; www.chronicfatigue.org/index.html ; www.complemed.co.uk/chronicfatiguesyndrome/CFStreatment.htm ; acamh.org.uk/pooled/articles/BF_EVENTART/view.asp?Q=BF_EVENTART_211076; umm.edu/.../what_chronic_fatigue_syndrome_its_symptoms_000007_1.htm.
There are lots more sites on the Net which you can easily find. I am sure they will provide you with plenty ammunition - much more than I can give. Let me know how you get on.
