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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 7:44:14
What's a typical dose for Adderall XR to treat depression without ADD? My pdoc wants to add it to my Effexor. She prescribed 30mg capsules to start! I would've thought maybe 10mg to start.
Ritalin helped the depression quite a bit but only for a few hours, then there's a crash. And I developed tolerance to it quickly and had to keep upping the dose. So I'd like to start the amphetamines as low as possible.
A very small amount of caffeine does wonders for me, if that's any guide.
Thanks for any info.
Posted by KaraS on August 17, 2005, at 14:06:16
In reply to Adderall for depression – what dose?, posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 7:44:14
> What's a typical dose for Adderall XR to treat depression without ADD? My pdoc wants to add it to my Effexor. She prescribed 30mg capsules to start! I would've thought maybe 10mg to start.
>
> Ritalin helped the depression quite a bit but only for a few hours, then there's a crash. And I developed tolerance to it quickly and had to keep upping the dose. So I'd like to start the amphetamines as low as possible.
>
> A very small amount of caffeine does wonders for me, if that's any guide.
>
> Thanks for any info.
That does seem like a very large dose to start with. My doctor recently started me on 5 mg. of Dexedrine and he wanted me to test my pulse rate and blood pressure as I go along so I don't increase to a point that's not safe for me. He also prescribed a beta blocker to counter these effects (my pulse rate is a bit high at times without the Dex and my blood pressure is not high at all). If I were you, I'd start at a lower dosage. Do you have a pill or a capsule? I have the sustained release spansules so I can just open the capsule and take as few or as many as I want.
k
Posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 14:19:44
In reply to Re: Adderall for depression – what dose? » pseudoname, posted by KaraS on August 17, 2005, at 14:06:16
> he wanted me to test my pulse rate and blood pressure as I go along...
That's a very good point. The Effexor I'm on can raise BP, too. So adding Adderall should be done cautiously.
> I can just open the capsule and take as few or as many as I want
It's good to know that works with the Adderall capsules. I open my Effexor XR capsules and put half in applesauce. I was afraid with the Adderall that doing that might make the amphetamines get absorbed too quickly, but it sounds like it works for you.
The 10mg capsules are the same price each as the 30mg!! Since I pay for my meds myself, that could be quite a savings if I buy the 30mg, split them, and use applesauce.
Thanks, Kara.
Posted by KaraS on August 17, 2005, at 15:14:22
In reply to Re: splitting capsules » KaraS, posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 14:19:44
> > he wanted me to test my pulse rate and blood pressure as I go along...
>
> That's a very good point. The Effexor I'm on can raise BP, too. So adding Adderall should be done cautiously.
>
> > I can just open the capsule and take as few or as many as I want
>
> It's good to know that works with the Adderall capsules. I open my Effexor XR capsules and put half in applesauce. I was afraid with the Adderall that doing that might make the amphetamines get absorbed too quickly, but it sounds like it works for you.
>
> The 10mg capsules are the same price each as the 30mg!! Since I pay for my meds myself, that could be quite a savings if I buy the 30mg, split them, and use applesauce.
>
> Thanks, Kara.
Is your Adderall sustained or immediate release? I don't know if there would be an absorption issue if they are immediate release.Unbelievable that the 10 mg. and the 30 mg. capsules are the same price! Always a good idea to get the most for your money.
Good luck,
k
Posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 16:26:24
In reply to Re: splitting capsules » pseudoname, posted by KaraS on August 17, 2005, at 15:14:22
> Is your Adderall sustained or immediate release?
I haven't gotten the Rx filled yet, but it's for Adderall XR 30mg.
Hey, I just found this at WebMD (it's from just last week). The doctor there says:
"You can open the capsule and sprinkle the beads on food, but you're still getting the same effect as Adderall XR." –http://boards.webmd.com/webx?THDX@640.AIthaLsuuVt.0@.59ae1eae!thdchild=.59ae1eae
I want it to still have the sustained-release effect after I split it, so this sounds good. I'm surprised that it's just half dissolves immediately, half 4 hours later. The advertisements make a big deal out of "4 different salts of amphetamine" getting absorbed at 4 different rates. If the WdbMD info is correct, anybody could get the exact same XR effect by just taking half a regular Adderall now, half 4 hours later.
Posted by KaraS on August 17, 2005, at 18:43:49
In reply to Re: splitting capsules » KaraS, posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 16:26:24
> > Is your Adderall sustained or immediate release?
>
> I haven't gotten the Rx filled yet, but it's for Adderall XR 30mg.
>
> Hey, I just found this at WebMD (it's from just last week). The doctor there says:
>
> "You can open the capsule and sprinkle the beads on food, but you're still getting the same effect as Adderall XR." –http://boards.webmd.com/webx?THDX@640.AIthaLsuuVt.0@.59ae1eae!thdchild=.59ae1eae
Yeah, it's the beads or spansules that have the time-release coating (or at least some of them do) so the capsule doesn't matter.
> I want it to still have the sustained-release effect after I split it, so this sounds good. I'm surprised that it's just half dissolves immediately, half 4 hours later. The advertisements make a big deal out of "4 different salts of amphetamine" getting absorbed at 4 different rates. If the WdbMD info is correct, anybody could get the exact same XR effect by just taking half a regular Adderall now, half 4 hours later.I think you're right. The marketing sounds like a lot of b.s. Still, if it helps you a lot then who cares?
k
Posted by charlie-no-nose on August 19, 2005, at 22:25:25
In reply to Adderall for depression – what dose?, posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 7:44:14
Have you been tried on other AD's and psychotherapy? Stimulants are supposed to be used only as a last resort. I have been on all classes of AD's and ECT and have yet to have stimulant suggested. Charlie-no-nose
Posted by pseudoname on August 20, 2005, at 11:31:00
In reply to Re: Adderall for depression – what dose? » pseudoname, posted by charlie-no-nose on August 19, 2005, at 22:25:25
> Have you been tried on other AD's and psychotherapy?
Yes, many many trials over many, many years. Spent tens of thousands on psychotherapy. I have also tried ECT. Absolutely nothing has helped -- except Ritalin but only briefly and with an after-crash. Caffeine seems to help, too, at low doses, but tolerance seems to develop to it after about 2 days.
This experience is part of my interest in amphetamines. I will also be taking Effexor, and possibly adding another med augment to it as this trial goes on.
My depression is incapacitating. I am about 14 years beyond the point at which a "last resort" can be considered.
I'll let you know how the Adderall turns out.
Posted by ed_uk on August 20, 2005, at 12:29:22
In reply to Adderall for depression – what dose?, posted by pseudoname on August 17, 2005, at 7:44:14
>What's a typical dose for Adderall XR to treat depression without ADD?
The doses prescribed seem to be similar to those used for adult ADD.
~Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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