![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on April 21, 2003, at 8:44:59
In my endless quest to set my mind straight, I've read a decent amount of literature on the typical disorders and palliative measures employed to address them. Lately, I've been wondering if a stimulant might not be useful. My brother and father are poster children for ADD, and I really can't pay attention to save my life. I try my best to avoid anything that requires sustained mental concentration, and I fidget constantly. I score quite well on standardized tests, but was miserable in school. I'm constantly bored, and often tired.
That's no DSM description of a stimulant benefactor, but it seems (given that my anxiety is already addressed with Celexa) that they would be the most likely source of relief.
Anyone else with experience in this area agree/disagree? Is ritalin (or another stim) a feasible long-term solution?
Posted by fachad on April 22, 2003, at 0:37:10
In reply to Profile of a ritalin benefactor, posted by Eddie Sylvano on April 21, 2003, at 8:44:59
I'm a Ritalin benefactor without a firm ADD diagnosis.
Ritalin or other stimulants have been the most tremendously beneficial long term solution (nearly 10 years now) that I have found in all the psych meds.
You will likely need to work with a pdoc, not a GP as they are very reluctant to RX for stimulants.
Here are some previous posts I've done on the Profile of a Ritalin Benefactor:
Posted by Questionmark on April 22, 2003, at 0:38:43
In reply to Profile of a ritalin benefactor, posted by Eddie Sylvano on April 21, 2003, at 8:44:59
i found that being on Ritalin or any psychostimulant daily for long periods of time (even weeks) loses its effectiveness. The "up" period is less and less perfect and is shorter. The "down" (or rebound as they call it) comes on faster, lasts longer, and is more severe. Basically it just makes me anxious and semi-paranoid. i guess some people can stay on it for long periods and receive good benefit though. This is just my experience.
Posted by noa on April 22, 2003, at 7:54:36
In reply to Re: Profile of a ritalin benefactor, posted by fachad on April 22, 2003, at 0:37:10
Also, sometimes stims are used to augment ADs and to provide alertness if the ADs diminish alertness. You just have to be careful because some people find stims increase their anxiety.
Posted by noa on April 22, 2003, at 7:56:47
In reply to Re: Profile of a ritalin benefactor, posted by noa on April 22, 2003, at 7:54:36
PS--I take adderall xr, and have no ADD diagnosis, although I sure have some of the organizational issues. I think that some of my ADD like qualities (from childhood on) are due to anxiety and depression, and now, additionally from the AD meds I take.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on April 22, 2003, at 10:17:48
In reply to Re: , posted by Questionmark on April 22, 2003, at 0:38:43
It's encouraging to hear that ritalin can be of long term use (fachad, thanks for the links. very informative). My main concern is that (like QM said) they'll create a cycle of up and down, and eventually wink out. At the moment, though, the inattention is so bad that I can lose track of what people are saying while speaking to them. Meetings are a chore. I can't work for more than 10 minutes straight.
My other concern is that I can't get them. I'm almost positive that my HMO GP will shrug me off, or won't referr me to a pdoc. How much does it cost to consult one on your own? I know places to order it online, but I don't want to be found guilty of importing a scheduled drug for which I have no rx. It's so frustrating.
Posted by Viridis on April 22, 2003, at 15:30:07
In reply to Profile of a ritalin benefactor, posted by Eddie Sylvano on April 21, 2003, at 8:44:59
I find low-dose Adderall helpful for concentration (I've been diagnosed with ADD). I take 10 mg/day and so far it still seems effective, after over a year. I do skip a day or two here and there, in part to help avoid developing tolerance (my pdoc encourages this). I haven't noticed any withdrawal or discomfort when I miss doses.
I also have anxiety problems, and Adderall doesn't seem to worsen this; if anything, it has a somewhat calming effect for me (I am taking Klonopin and Neurontin as well). All around, it's a helpful med for me, with essentially no side effects. The nice thing about stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall is that you should know very quickly whether they're going to be beneficial, instead of the weeks-long wait with many ADs.
Posted by Jack Smith on April 22, 2003, at 17:11:40
In reply to Re: Profile of a ritalin benefactor, posted by fachad on April 22, 2003, at 0:37:10
> I'm a Ritalin benefactor without a firm ADD diagnosis.
>
> Ritalin or other stimulants have been the most tremendously beneficial long term solution (nearly 10 years now) that I have found in all the psych meds.Are you currently on a "regular" antidepressant and which one? What else do you take and what would you say your main disorder is? i.e. depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.