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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tensor on January 5, 2008, at 13:39:14
When/If a stim like Concerta poops-out is it worse compared to a regular AD poop-out? I.e. when an AD fails you're stuck in your depression, but how is it with stims, will get even more depressed because of e.g. monoamine depletion? Or is the therapeutical dose to small for that to happen?
I'm looking for a temporary solution that can make me function at work until I can function with something more 'regular'. This is for depression/fatigue.Thanks.
Posted by Racer on January 5, 2008, at 14:31:20
In reply to Question About Methylphenidate/Concerta, posted by tensor on January 5, 2008, at 13:39:14
I took Ritalin and then Concerta for some time -- maybe a couple of years? -- with no poop out, so I can't answer your question.
What I can say, though, is that I took methylphenidate for a couple of years with no poop-out. That leads me to suspect that it might be a good temporary boost for you, while you're waiting for other medication to kick in, or just during a particularly rough patch. It's certainly worth trying.
The trick, according to my experience and to my doctor, is that you won't feel "speedy." If you feel speedy, you're probably taking too high a dose. The dose I was on had certain consistent effects: a brightening of mood, a feeling of calm, and not much else. That way, there was no let down at the end of the day. Higher doses of the immediate release, while trying to find the right dose, led to feeling speedy and having a crash as it wore off.
For me, the best solution with the immediate release formulation was to take a front loaded split dose: about twice as much in the morning, with half as much at about mid-day. That also minimized any effects as it wore off. Probably the worst effect during the adjustment phase with the immediate release version was that I needed to lie down and sleep for half an hour about an hour after taking it. Eventually that wore off for me. The Concerta formula, though, didn't have that effect on me.
I truly hope reading about my experience is helpful for you.
Posted by tensor on January 5, 2008, at 17:24:40
In reply to Re: Question About Methylphenidate/Concerta, posted by Racer on January 5, 2008, at 14:31:20
Yes, Racer, this kind of reading is extremely valuable for me. This is the kind of info I need, I have no experience of stims whatsoever, may it be therapeutic or abusive. I'm actually thinking of taking your and other babblers posts with me to the pdoc which I see at Wednesday, if it's okay with you, i.e. I have a feeling that he has about the same experience that I have, never the less he has the medical expertise that I lack.
And yes, I really need a temporary boost to pull through. I have a new career in computer tech and so much else going on right now that I can't really afford a sick leave.Again, thanks.
/Mattias
Posted by tensor on January 5, 2008, at 17:31:18
In reply to Re: Question About Methylphenidate/Concerta, posted by Racer on January 5, 2008, at 14:31:20
Btw, I forgot to ask you a few things. What about dose escalation? Is it hard to come off?
Thanks.
/Mattias
Posted by Racer on January 5, 2008, at 21:00:17
In reply to Re: Question About Methylphenidate/Concerta » Racer, posted by tensor on January 5, 2008, at 17:31:18
Once I found the dose that worked, I didn't really change it. Once in a while, on the immediate release, I would take an extra in the afternoon if I really felt myself fading -- often with my mother, so it may have been psychological -- otherwise I stayed at the same dose.
When I switched to Concerta from the immediate release, I did increase the dose -- but again, that was really adjusting the dose to the new formulation. Otherwise, no dose adjustment.
I don't think it was hard to come off, but I came off along with coming off Wellbutrin, to try the EMSAM. I wasn't aware of any problems with it, though.
And feel free to take my posts along to your doctor, and to ask any other questions you might have. Again, my basic advice is to base dosage on *not* being aware of taking a stimulant. If you start to feel speedy or high, it's probably too high. (Of course, when you first take it, you probably will feel high the first day or two. Once you've gotten adjusted, though, you should just be aware of feeling more functional, not high.)
Good luck with it.
Posted by tensor on January 6, 2008, at 10:50:12
In reply to Re: Question About Methylphenidate/Concerta » tensor, posted by Racer on January 5, 2008, at 21:00:17
Posted by ericwagner on January 8, 2008, at 16:44:22
In reply to Question About Methylphenidate/Concerta, posted by tensor on January 5, 2008, at 13:39:14
im on lowest patch of daytrana (methylphenidate)
first week - felt better, more energy, focus etc.
after that nothing
This is the end of the thread.
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