Posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 10:18:47
In reply to Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 6, 2008, at 18:13:42
Stimulants aren't usually prescribed to adults in the UK. I think they're actually contraindicated for use in depression and fatigue. From the BNF:
"Central nervous system stimulants include the amphetamines (notably dexamfetamine) and related drugs (e.g. methylphenidate). They have very few indications and in particular, should not be used to treat depression, obesity, senility, debility, or for relief of fatigue."
It's true, you might be able to get a private pdoc to give you dex if you pay him enough, but the chances of getting it on the NHS are close to nil. You might have better luck with amisulpride. I take 50mg as required and it helps a little. Parnate is another alternative to stims that UK doctors might prescribe, and I found it very helpful at higher doses.
I too live in northern England. I had a hell of a job getting a script for zopiclone - have I just been unlucky? I was hospitalized for a manic episode a few months ago, but my pdoc still wanted to discontinue zopiclone as soon as possible. Like you, I find it helps slow down my negative thoughts at night and helps me rest. Fortunately I 've just seen a doc who is willing to give me zopiclone long term. He's also an addiction specialist, and I'm hoping he will consider prescribing me buprenorphine or methadone for my depression. I'm also dependent on opioids (they're the only thing that has worked for my problems). Tramadol was very effective for treating mood symptoms, but when I asked one of my old pdocs to consider it he refused. I'm hoping my current opioid dependence might be a way of sneaking in the back door to get bupe or methadone for depresson. I've heard of other people getting opiates for depression in the UK, but mostly they got methadone or oxycodone. I'm suprised by the oxycodone.
I also tried Ritalin, amphetamine, bupropion, selegiline and cocaine, and wasn't impressed with any of them. I've never tried dexedrine, but I have a feeling Parnate might actually be the closest thing, and for me it was superior to all the drugs mentioned above (bar opiates).
-Horny
poster:Horned One
thread:833341
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080606/msgs/833450.html