Posted by bigcat on October 25, 2005, at 10:56:53
Dexedrine has worked well for me in the past, but lately I get so increadibly compulsive when restarting it. I bite my gums incessantly, roll my eyes, and my muscles feel sore, constricted and fatigued, like the feeling of lactic acid buildup when you're exercising intensely. I feel out of breath walking up stairs or mopping the floor. I remember having some of these symtoms when trying the Dexedrine for the first time, but I don't recall them being so aggravated and intolerable. It feels like I always have to move or pick at a body part. I'm wondering if these symptoms may be related to changes in blood pressure, and if meds like pindolol and/or atenolol would combat these symptoms. I'm also considering valium or klonopin, possibly even Luvox (??).
The first time I tried Dexedrine at a high dose for depression/lethargy/cognitive impairment, I recall having some of this OCD and tension but not nearly as severe as now, and they seemed to go away with time in relation to my depression lifting. But I'm at the point now where it seems impossible to stay on the Dexedrine, even though I know it worked so well for me in the past. I can't recall exactly how we raised the dose (I was on Nardil concurrently), but it was bearable at the time, and eventually these agitated symptopms went away.
I'm also curious if you need to be on Dexedrine for an extended period before it starts fighting off the depression. I understand that it's short-acting and largely used on an "as needed" basis for ADD, but maybe for severe depression, it needs to be in your system a while for your body to adjust while the anxiety and agitated hyperstimulation eventually wear off. The shortness of breath is a real issue, and the compulsive ticks are completely out of control. My mind seems so cluttered, impatient, and disorganized. I would say it feels like a "speeded up" and insanely obsessive depression/anxiety. Will this go away, and would blood pressure or other medications combat these side effects so I can tolerate an extended trial of the Dexedrine? Would a stimulant like Adderal or Adrafinil (Provigil) help the depression without the accompanying hyperstimulation, muscle contsriction, and compulsiveness? Perhaps if I raise the dose extremely slowly , I can avoid some of these problems and just be patient while my body adjusts (I think I probably require a very high dose before it starts chopping away at the depression). Sorry for the long and repetative post. Any suggestions?
Much Love,
Matt
poster:bigcat
thread:571695
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051024/msgs/571695.html