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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Susan on March 13, 2000, at 7:25:42
Question: Do you think adding a stimulant (never tried before) would counteract the negatives of klonopin (depression) while keeping the positive benefits without risking rapid cycling that the antidepressants cause? In other words: Has anyone found the combination of a benzo and a stimulant beneficial for depression with anxiety?
Posted by bob on March 13, 2000, at 16:54:19
In reply to Question for experts, posted by Susan on March 13, 2000, at 7:25:42
[given the subject line, I just HAD to chime in =^P]
> In other words: Has anyone found the combination of a benzo and a stimulant beneficial for depression with anxiety?
Boy, this one's been popping up a lot lately. ;^)
Hi Susan,
I've been on klonopin and nortriptyline for over a year now, experimenting with other meds to augment the combo. I can't say that I've had the depressive side effects from klonopin that others have had, tho. All the same, I did need something more. I've been on Ritalin for three weeks, now, and weird as it may seem a benzo and a stimulant are working fairly well together for me in terms of controlling my depression and related anxiety. I feel much better, as a matter of fact, with the Ritalin, and all it takes is missing one dose to remind me of the difference.
So yes, it can work. Your mileage may vary.
bob
Posted by saint james on March 13, 2000, at 18:51:33
In reply to Question for experts, posted by Susan on March 13, 2000, at 7:25:42
> Question: Do you think adding a stimulant (never tried before) would counteract the negatives of klonopin (depression) while keeping the positive benefits without risking rapid cycling that the antidepressants cause? In other words: Has anyone found the combination of a benzo and a stimulant beneficial for depression with anxiety?
James here....If you have a Dx of bi-polar stims can start you cycling. At least this is true a levels of abuse but will happen also at lower levels.
Things like steroids (which are analogues of amphetamine) can also start cycling so i would be wary. Cam W...comments ?james
Posted by Cam W. on March 13, 2000, at 21:16:20
In reply to Re: Question for experts, posted by saint james on March 13, 2000, at 18:51:33
James - I think you are right, but stimulants are not my forte. I have seen them used to augment SSRIs in unipolar depression, but never in bipolar disorder. I really don't want to hazard a guess. - Cam W.
Posted by JohnL on March 14, 2000, at 3:03:37
In reply to Question for experts, posted by Susan on March 13, 2000, at 7:25:42
> Question: Do you think adding a stimulant (never tried before) would counteract the negatives of klonopin (depression) while keeping the positive benefits without risking rapid cycling that the antidepressants cause? In other words: Has anyone found the combination of a benzo and a stimulant beneficial for depression with anxiety?
In Dr Bob's tips section there are physican comments that stimulants have anti-manic properties, and that they are less likely than anitdepressants to induce a manic switch. I remember one person here a few months ago did very well with Deprenyl (which has an amphetamine metabolite) and Klonopin combination.
Posted by Janice on March 14, 2000, at 23:38:09
In reply to Re: Question for experts, posted by JohnL on March 14, 2000, at 3:03:37
hello Susan,
I have both ADHD and am rapid cycling bipolar.
I take lithium for the bipolar, and a stimulant for the ADHD.
The stimulant significantly helps reduce my rapid cycling by keeping my physical energy level even on my depressed days. I used to spend 22 hours a day, on average, in bed on my depressed days. Now I spend, on average, 8 hours in bed.
All ADs, this far, increase my rapid cycling.
good luck. I'm not an expert, just experienced!
This is the end of the thread.
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