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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by momof1bpkid on September 8, 2004, at 22:17:42
Just a quick question. My sons pdoc is starting him on Straterra 40mg. He was taking 54mg of Concerta XL (extended release). I have read that stopping concerta suddenly can cause issues. The doctor did not mention slowly tapering him off, he just said to start giving him the straterra he has been on the concerta for a good period of time (less than a year but longer than 6 months).
Should he be tapered off this while starting Straterra? can he take smaller doses of concerta while still taking the straterra?Thanks :)
(I plan on calling the pdoc tomorrow to make sure but just wondering in the mean time!)
Posted by MindReseacher on September 9, 2004, at 7:25:28
In reply to Stopping Concerta XL suddenly??, posted by momof1bpkid on September 8, 2004, at 22:17:42
Hi, in my opinion only, i would say, slowely drop the concerta, and add straterra. But the straterra will help some of the withdrawls (moresoe fatiuge, lack of motivation issues). Im not to up on COncerta, which is long acting Ritalin, But it does have some powerful dopamine blockade and Ne. Straterra mainly effects NE , which is less prone for addiction. I know for me , i take adderall, and i would defenitely feel the difference. I felt the difference stopping adderall, and taking Ritalin.And there were both the same dosages.
Desiprimine seems similar to straterra and iv taken that TCI,which basically did squat. Some heart racing thats about it, and my top of my head was tingling, esp during intense excersice.If he is on say 60mg, taper it down say 20mg, each week, and slowely add small dose of straterra, But thats my opinion, and if his doc says different do so. I, for example, take 60-90mg of adderall, i have a nice tolerance to it. If i were to stop, cold, which i have, I would need Ritalin. After that, i spend 5 days in bed basically. Caffiene, Ephedrine, did nothing, and i was not about to take desipramine, even though i have some. Possibly welbutrin would be an alternative for amphetamine or methylphenydate breaks.
But my add is very bad, and it actually is not in the concentraction area. I have one type which effects motivation, daily living is just boring, i dont do anything, nor feel joy in doing simple tasks. I thought this was a seratonin problem, but turned out to be ADD, preferably dopamine. Now there are different dopamine centers in the brain.
The one that psychostimulants, addicts, and doctors who are hesatant to write certain drugs which release dopamine from the nucleus accumbens. This is the brains reward center, gives you a feeling of accomplishment, pleasure at what you are doing. The other "addictive" receptor is the opiate Mu receptor, which is mediated by pain medications.
But all illicite drugs, such as cocaine, Meth, Heroin, Oxys, and to an extent Ritalin, Adderall, Dex, all have there belongings in this center. P-stimulants dont have any opiate properties, this is what i was addicted to. ANd i used to cover up my mental disorder. But i just got worse and dug me in a whole.
Im not sure why your doc is just cutting him, but maybe he had a bad reaction or something. I dont know too much about youngsters and addiction to adderall, or Ritalin, but some say its kittie like cocaine. Well everyone has there own opinion. My theory is if it works well, doesnt cause problems, or nasty side effects or withdrawls, i would be in favor of taking a medication,although im very into natural remodies, and hope to some day replace most of these meds.MIND research
Posted by Hattree on September 9, 2004, at 12:21:37
In reply to Stopping Concerta XL suddenly??, posted by momof1bpkid on September 8, 2004, at 22:17:42
Cutting the Concerta probably wouldn't cause more than a few days of tiredness and irritability. If it were me, tapering would be worse, but give it a try and see how he does. You wouldn't expect any opiate-like withdrawal.
But if you start the Strattera without getting the Concerta out of his system, how will you know what is doing what? And from what I read, Strattera is kind of a complicated drug.
Posted by TheOutsider on September 10, 2004, at 14:06:38
In reply to Re: Stopping Concerta XL suddenly??, posted by Hattree on September 9, 2004, at 12:21:37
I don't know how useful my input is, but incase it is I'll post it anyway.
I went from 30mg of dexedrine to nothing without tapering.
I did not suffer any withdrawals.I had only been at this dosage for about a month though.
Posted by momof1bpkid on September 17, 2004, at 11:03:50
In reply to Re: Stopping Concerta XL suddenly??, posted by TheOutsider on September 10, 2004, at 14:06:38
THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR INPUT
he was having problems sleeping and alot of irritability.
he is on a variety of meds (5 to be specific)
thanks for your help
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