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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floatingbridge on July 1, 2009, at 12:46:23
Hi All,
(I've x-posted this to transmitters)
I posted a misery-filled rant on med board already. You're welcome to read the weepy details. What I want here are the humble opinions of the brains that lurk here--feel free to simplify language and terms (please).
I know dexedrine lit up my brain--pleasure, desire, emotion--well, o.k. a little pressure and anxiety too, but for the first time I thought maybe this was how normal, healthy people feel. Yes, It releases dopamine.
(Why do some depressions seem to only respond when stimulants are added?)
Is long term stimulant use harmful?
Can I take mirapex and recoup some dopamine effect?
Some of you with experience and knowledge, can you write or babble me? I've read some--I just feel like I'm not understanding something essential to my condition and treatment. I'm ready to entertain all opinions!
FB
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2009, at 13:10:54
In reply to stimulant info/experience needed, posted by floatingbridge on July 1, 2009, at 12:46:23
Can I just wish you much luck and success and lots of responses? I don't know I wish I did. Phillipa
Posted by sam K on July 2, 2009, at 19:40:41
In reply to Re: stimulant info/experience needed » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2009, at 13:10:54
i take adderall and man it really helps. Yea it causes anxiety alone, but anxiety is better than depression and fatigue from hell. I think amphetamines are good augmenters and turn can turn AD's into more powerful meds.
No i dont think there is any long term damage. I mean unless you abuse the meds like 100mg a day for years, maybe. But not in normal dosage range. Dont worry about long term crap, and live it up. I mean probably in 10 years stimulants will "increase brain growth" or something. Lol, dont let these science theorys mess with your head too much.
How long did you take dexedrine? Usually the first day is great. Second day is okay, third is poo. If i take an antidepressant tho, it works the same everyday. I dont really like euphoria anyway.
Posted by Zana on July 3, 2009, at 16:18:08
In reply to Re: stimulant info/experience needed, posted by sam K on July 2, 2009, at 19:40:41
You had a bad day on provigil? Do you think it's worth a second try? On the other hand, if the dexedrine is working, I would stick with it. My pdoc once said you have to think about treating depression like you would think about treating cancer. Yeah, there are going to be some down sides to the meds but if you are getting help from them, that's great. And I agree with SamK. I don't think you should worry too much about long term effects. Amphetamines have been around for a long time and do not have some of the really bad side effects of other meds like seroquel.
Zana
Posted by floatingbridge on July 3, 2009, at 19:32:08
In reply to Re: stimulant info/experience needed, posted by Zana on July 3, 2009, at 16:18:08
Well, I did have a Bad Day on provigil--I was falling apart (you get it) and I felt the provigil zip my negative thoughts along w/ an unpleasant intensity. Scared me really. So now, I've been taking 100-200 per day, depending on the day, w/ klonopin.
I'm out of dex and still not sure I want to go that route. (And pdoc is away for 2 weeks) Too strong? Wore me out? Something (beside the cognitive piece) resists it. Hence the question about parnate.
So I'm laying low--and I mean low. Almost back to square one though less dysphoric.
Thanks for input and encouragement. Sam, I esp. like your idea about the yet to be discovered effects of long term stim use :) and Zana, your point is well taken. There are, I hope, less side effects.
Posted by bearfan on July 4, 2009, at 23:11:03
In reply to thanks Re: stimulant info/experience needed, posted by floatingbridge on July 3, 2009, at 19:32:08
What was the dosage on the dexedrine (ER or tablets)? I've tried adderall too and I felt it to be a bit more 'intense' with a tad bit of excessive stimultation. While adderall is mostly dexedrine, it doesn't have the salts that stimulate the Peripheral nervous system.
Posted by linkadge on July 5, 2009, at 19:04:51
In reply to Re: thanks Re: stimulant info/experience needed, posted by bearfan on July 4, 2009, at 23:11:03
I agree that stimulants can be useful. I also agree that the euporic or speedy effects are definately not desirable (for me at least).
I do appreciate the improvement in focus, planning as well as decrease in general psychomotor restlessness.
Linkadge
Posted by floatingbridge on July 5, 2009, at 19:50:25
In reply to Re: thanks Re: stimulant info/experience needed, posted by bearfan on July 4, 2009, at 23:11:03
> What was the dosage on the dexedrine (ER or tablets)? I've tried adderall too and I felt it to be a bit more 'intense' with a tad bit of excessive stimultation. While adderall is mostly dexedrine, it doesn't have the salts that stimulate the Peripheral nervous system.
Hi Bearfan,
I was taking 40-45mg this way. A.M. 15mg ER + 5mg tab, midday the same, and depending on the evening ahead, another 5mg tab.
My pdoc thinks the dopamine has a lot to do with it--a bit of technicolor living--it was like someone turned the lights on, finally. However, at the end of the day I was exhausted and began to 'feel' I just couldn't go on this way.
(I am so fr*ckin' tired of thinking about my meds!) (opps--a little venting there....)
best regards,
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on July 5, 2009, at 19:52:05
In reply to Re: thanks Re: stimulant info/experience needed, posted by floatingbridge on July 5, 2009, at 19:50:25
Posted by floatingbridge on July 5, 2009, at 19:53:18
In reply to Re: thanks Re: stimulant info/experience needed, posted by linkadge on July 5, 2009, at 19:04:51
Hi Linkage,
You ADD, too?
fb
Posted by Iansf on July 7, 2009, at 13:52:39
In reply to stimulant info/experience needed, posted by floatingbridge on July 1, 2009, at 12:46:23
I found that adderall ultimately increased my depression, but right now I'm taking 20mg/d of extended-release methylphenidate (Ritalin) as my only anti-depressant, and it's working very well. Some mornings I wake up depressed and have to go through an hour or two while waiting for the med to kick in. But because I know it works, I'm able to keep my negative thoughts sufficiently under control in the interim. For me, it has few if any side effects.
Posted by linkadge on July 7, 2009, at 16:08:32
In reply to Re: thanks Re: stimulant info/experience needed » linkadge, posted by floatingbridge on July 5, 2009, at 19:53:18
Well, we're not 100% sure.
I don't have so much problem concentrating as I have extreme psychomotor restlessness. I just can't sit for more than a minute without having to get up and move.
The ritalin helps that better than the dexedrine for me. I still don't like the cardiac side effects (mainly feeling of chest constriction).
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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