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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jonh kimble on January 19, 2004, at 1:50:33
So a faster metabolism will decrease a meds effects (or so says a doc I saw). Ive taken this drug, that drug every drug (well not quite) for depression/ anxiety never with much effect. My doc said that since I was so young, 19, and I smoke that my metabolism is probably high and this is why the standard doses didnt work. Interesting, Ive never heard of or thought of that. Also, if your metabolism is fast are you more likely to be underweight or over weight? (my guess is under) Also I need alot more to drink to get me drunk even tho Im only 145 pounds. Any thoughts?
Posted by rainbowlight on January 19, 2004, at 2:20:41
In reply to Hmm... metabolism and meds, posted by jonh kimble on January 19, 2004, at 1:50:33
Typically, from my experience the faster the metabolism, the less you weigh. However, if you burn through the food fast, and eat all the time you may gain weight. Does that make sense? I have the opposite problem. I metabolize meds very slowly so I need a much "smaller" dose than your average person, otherwise I get terrible side effects. Took me years to figure that out though, and tons of med switching because the "regular" doses were intolerable.
Posted by dragonfly25 on January 19, 2004, at 7:49:06
In reply to Hmm... metabolism and meds, posted by jonh kimble on January 19, 2004, at 1:50:33
higher matabolisim usually means less weight, and i think it makes sense what your doc says. about alcohol,it could be genetic, your ability to drink larger quantities. or you have built up a tolerance.
Posted by Maxime on January 19, 2004, at 8:52:08
In reply to Re: Hmm... metabolism and meds, posted by dragonfly25 on January 19, 2004, at 7:49:06
I'm small/petite but have a slow metabolism because of years of anorexia. But I am always on the highest dosage of anything to get any effect.
Maxime
Posted by dragonfly25 on January 19, 2004, at 9:24:29
In reply to Re: Hmm... metabolism and meds, posted by Maxime on January 19, 2004, at 8:52:08
hmm....i don't know? but i still think what his doc said has a bit of validity. of course everyone is different.
> I'm small/petite but have a slow metabolism because of years of anorexia. But I am always on the highest dosage of anything to get any effect.
>
> Maxime
Posted by Angielala on January 19, 2004, at 10:27:38
In reply to Hmm... metabolism and meds, posted by jonh kimble on January 19, 2004, at 1:50:33
Have you ever had your thyroid checked out (maybe during a normal physical?) If not, you can request that from your primary doc.... you can see if perhaps hyper or hypo thyroidism has something to do with your metabolism as well. Hypo would make your metabolism very slow- you can eat eat eat and never feel full and your body never works it off. Hyper will make your appetite decreased and you usually have a problem sleeping for more than a few hours and you will probably find that you will start losing weight. If your thyroid is a little out of whack (it's so common- especially in younger people and women) they can help balance it with a med- thus helping your pdoc meds to do their job without an obstacle.
Just one thought.
> So a faster metabolism will decrease a meds effects (or so says a doc I saw). Ive taken this drug, that drug every drug (well not quite) for depression/ anxiety never with much effect. My doc said that since I was so young, 19, and I smoke that my metabolism is probably high and this is why the standard doses didnt work. Interesting, Ive never heard of or thought of that. Also, if your metabolism is fast are you more likely to be underweight or over weight? (my guess is under) Also I need alot more to drink to get me drunk even tho Im only 145 pounds. Any thoughts?
Posted by Karen Moore on January 19, 2004, at 17:18:15
In reply to Hmm... metabolism and meds, posted by jonh kimble on January 19, 2004, at 1:50:33
I think food metabolism and drug metabolism can be very different. One major metabolism (and interaction)factor for most psychoactive drugs is the CYP450 enzyme system. Ex: Alcohol metabolism is primarily dependent on one subset of these enzymes while prozac uses (and effects) another. Due to genetic variations, we all have different quantities of these isoenzymes and thus respond to drugs differently. For instance, I am categorized as a poor P450 metabolizer (in general) and therefore if I take drugs that depend on it AND have a long half-life they tend to build up in my system and can become toxic. This is probably one reason I do MUCH better with shorter half-life drugs. This is a long shot, but perhaps the reverse is true for you??
Mayo Clinic has been researching and using this information for some time now:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/depression-rst/cytochrome.html
For the some more technical stuff see:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/444804 http://www.anaesthetist.com/physiol/basics/metabol/cyp/cyp.htm#alpha
One of the other major factors that can effect drug metabolism is kidney function. If the drug is primarily cleared through the kidneys, we each can vary in how efficient our kidneys are (glomerular filtration rate). This is age dependent, the older you are the less efficient. Though this doesn't seem to usually show up until you're 60 or so, barring no other medical ailments.Hope this was helpful. I've found it useful to track which drugs I"ve taken, which CYP450 isoenzymes they are dependent on, what their half-life is, and how I've subsequently responded.
There are definite patterns, so I think I'm getting smarter with my drug choices.
Hope this helps, though I know it can seem overwelming at times...KM
P.S. Say, has anyone out there had the Mayo blood test for P450 enzymes done yet?
> So a faster metabolism will decrease a meds effects (or so says a doc I saw). Ive taken this drug, that drug every drug (well not quite) for depression/ anxiety never with much effect. My doc said that since I was so young, 19, and I smoke that my metabolism is probably high and this is why the standard doses didnt work. Interesting, Ive never heard of or thought of that. Also, if your metabolism is fast are you more likely to be underweight or over weight? (my guess is under) Also I need alot more to drink to get me drunk even tho Im only 145 pounds. Any thoughts?
Posted by jonh kimble on January 20, 2004, at 2:54:29
In reply to Re: Hmm... metabolism and meds » jonh kimble, posted by Karen Moore on January 19, 2004, at 17:18:15
Well thank you all very much for the info. Sounds very interesting, but Ill have take it a bit at a time, with finals and all. How am i supposed to study when Im feeling this anxious? Im dissfunctional! And its 2:00 in the morning! I cant sleep at all. Ahhh... any way thanks again, Ill post when I can
Posted by Karen Moore on January 20, 2004, at 23:59:04
In reply to Re: Hmm... metabolism and meds, posted by jonh kimble on January 20, 2004, at 2:54:29
Sorry jonh, didn't mean to overwelm you. When I posted I had a nagging suspicion I might do that, argh! Oh well, hang in there, best of luck with the finals, and if you're still interested in exploring this angle later, post again to this thread and I'll (try to?) help you walk thru this morass (as best I can).
Cheers,
K.> Well thank you all very much for the info. Sounds very interesting, but Ill have take it a bit at a time, with finals and all. How am i supposed to study when Im feeling this anxious? Im dissfunctional! And its 2:00 in the morning! I cant sleep at all. Ahhh... any way thanks again, Ill post when I can
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