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Re: I forgot to mention my main question: WHICH one » Charlotte

Posted by nightlight on March 24, 2002, at 19:32:23

In reply to I forgot to mention my main question: WHICH one, posted by Charlotte on March 22, 2002, at 14:07:03

> might be better for me - the Dexadrine or Adderall?

Charlotte,

Everybody's different, and one person's gift from heaven is another person's hell.
I despise Rit (methylphenyldate), which I tried in 5mg. imm. release, titrating from 10 to 60 mgs. a day.The dose (anywhere from 5-40) mgs per dosing always did the same thing-made me irritable and anxious for about 45 minutes, w/no greater thought clarity, and then I wd. crash HARD(in less than an HOUR) and wd. have to take a long nap to replenish my (always lagging)energy level and quell my desirento scream at a/t or anybody. I have never tried the long-acting form, and don't really care to.

My latest psych started me on Adderall 5 mgs twice a day, over the course or many weeks, months we have played with dosage. I was given as much as 120 mgs. daily, still immediate release. But, Add. doesn't 'feel' like IR, due to its subtle onset. It was OK, a big improvement over lying on the sofa for 3 months in a severe, non-functional, anhedonic, joyless, volitionless, unbathed heap. (I was also in a pain flare, that needed to be attended to, but it took months for me to see my g.p. and get him to change my pain meds). Once pain was waning, I serendipitously found this new shrink and a terrific psychologist (actually, the therapist came first & he intro'd me to the p-doc.) They are both smart, open, and they LISTEN to me-amazing!

So, back to subject, I tried IR generic dexedrine (not dextrostat, they were out), and it was not as successful as the Adderall. (I had begun to feelsleepy and scattered again). I had been taking Zoloft-it did nothing-no AD ever has for me, unless I really needed a good dose of hyper- or hypo-somnolence. None ever significantly helped w/alertness or motivation or depression. Remeron DID help relieve anxiety really well, but I was constantly grazing-food was my 'mission'.

Immediate release dex was practically worthless.
Switched back to Adderall, began Effexor 37.5, as a last AD resort. I tried it before, but it made me so sleepy, I could't function. With a stimulent on board, we decided to try again.It does make me sleepier with each dose increase, but that wanes in a couple wks. and I do believe it has lifted my mood at least a little. After a month, I felt I was still feeling way under-stimulated and groggy.

Last appt. with p-doc, I asked if we cd. shop around with what was available, he said sure (I hardly believe this p-doc exists!) and I am now on dex spansules, 20 mgs. on arising and 10-20 anywhere from 1 to 4 p.m.( Amphetamines do not make me 'wired', I can easily fall asleep shortly after taking a dose, but I don't want to and I don't feel I must crawl back into bed, which has been my genral tendency I've had tobattle with for years). And, I will try to increase Effexor from 187.5 to 225 sometime next week.

SO FAR (drumroll...) I like the dex spansules best. For me, the smoothest and the most energizing and motivating of what I've sampled so far.

I have suffered from excessive daytime sleepiness, undiagnosed ADD, and anxiety for more than 30 years, and, believe me, it can definitely take one off on very sad life courses: self-medication, isolation, personal digust, depression and the disintegration of 'self'.

Until the sleepiness from each increase in my Effexor diminishes, I won't know for sure, if I am finally on the right track. But, I do feel I'm on the 'upswing'.

Please excuse my long-windedness. Please post your progress.

Good luck!
nightlight


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