![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 9 to 33 of 33. Go back in thread:
Posted by Brainbeard on November 4, 2010, at 17:44:30
In reply to Re: Factory Of Raw Essentials, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 4, 2010, at 17:25:43
> Sounds a bit strange. Don't they just import the 5mg tablets from a European country where Dexedrine is sold?
Well no, comrade, it appears not so. I just checked it and at the website of the Dutch pharmacies it is explicitly stated that dextroamphetamine is available by prescription in capsules that are *custom made* at the local pharmacy as the *brandless* dexamphetamine-sulphate.
I found a document giving technical details about the preparation, and it actually boils down to preparing capsules or tablets from raw dextroamphetamine with chemicals and fillers.
Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2010, at 18:37:28
In reply to Chemicals And Fillers, posted by Brainbeard on November 4, 2010, at 17:44:30
So it's compounded so your dose could be customized if needed? Phillipa
Posted by sigismund on November 4, 2010, at 18:40:25
In reply to Re: The Upward Slope » Brainbeard, posted by sigismund on November 4, 2010, at 16:21:22
>>Hope this is not the beginning of the end.
>Absolutely not.
>This is the end of the beginning.
I'm just quoting Churchill (of course).
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 5, 2010, at 2:46:18
In reply to Chemicals And Fillers, posted by Brainbeard on November 4, 2010, at 17:44:30
>I just checked it and at the website of the Dutch pharmacies it is explicitly stated that dextroamphetamine is available by prescription in capsules that are *custom made* at the local pharmacy as the *brandless* dexamphetamine-sulphate.
I see. It sounds remarkably labour-intensive. I wonder how much it will cost. Probably more than you would expect.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 5, 2010, at 6:33:14
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers » Brainbeard, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 5, 2010, at 2:46:18
> I see. It sounds remarkably labour-intensive. I wonder how much it will cost. Probably more than you would expect.
Well, I picked it up today - at a new pharmacy closer to my area of residence - and asked about the production. They said they could simply order it and they had a stack. In the information that goes with my neat little bottle of dexies, the name of a specific pharmacy ('De magistrale bereider') is mentioned as the maker of the pills, dex 1mg and 5mg. The pills got 'dexamfetamine 5mg' on them (!). So I think most pharmacies will order these generic tablets. I thought Dex was exotic in Holland, but apparently that is not so! It is probably even covered by my insurance.................
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 5, 2010, at 14:42:19
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by Brainbeard on November 5, 2010, at 6:33:14
What dose do you start with?
Posted by Brainbeard on November 6, 2010, at 9:36:21
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 5, 2010, at 14:42:19
> What dose do you start with?
5mg twice a day, but I've actually started today with only 2.5mg. Placebo or not, it already seems to help me with doing chores in a (more or less) organized way.
What is great about Dex is that I know it doesn't interfere with my christian spirituality, where Ritalin/Concerta does.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 6, 2010, at 14:24:51
In reply to Spoilers And Spillers, posted by Brainbeard on November 6, 2010, at 9:36:21
Great - let us know how you get on.
Posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 7:54:18
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 5, 2010, at 14:42:19
>What is great about Dex is that I know it >doesn't interfere with my christian >spirituality, where Ritalin/Concerta does.
Because I have had waxing and waning of spirituality on certain medications, I often ask myslef how accurate my religious belief system can be, if my connection with God is blocked by a molecule. Maybe I am inducing a brain chemistry similar to that of an athiest? How can I go back to "believing", in an all powerful force which can be selectively shut out by a simple molecule. What about the children raised on ritalin? If they fail to develop a meaninful connection with God because of the actions of methylphenidate imposed on them from early life, are they destined for hell? Could there concievably be a drug which works the opposite way? I.e. a drug which turns an athiest into a believer? If so, would religious groups deem it ethical to use such drugs as part of their church growing practices? You know, "welcome to the neighbourhood, try this pie spiked with Religinoft --> if you feel strangely religious, here's our church's buisness card". What about patients, like yourself, who respond well to a drug except for the disturbing side effect of "loss of religous belief", would they be candidates for Religinoft augmentation? Hmm, maybe I should start such an application on freepatents.com.....
be back in a sec...
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 7, 2010, at 9:24:22
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 7:54:18
>Religinoft
How would they advertise that one?
Religinoft - your ticket to heaven.....as seen on TV. Only available in the Bible Belt. Terms and Conditions apply.
Posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 11:04:18
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 7:54:18
I felt strangely religious after coming off prozac 7 years ago. I started reading the Bible and became more of a Christian on my own than a Catholic. I also was very obsessive about things, like one girl who rejected me. I couldn't stop thinking about her for a year until I met my next g/f. It was a very intense period of my life. I also was into astrology and numerology, which generally doesn't work with Christianity, but in my mind at the time all were connected, and sometimes I felt that connection and it was very moving. Sometimes I'd well up at work. The downside was I also believed in a lot of conspiracy theories. So my head really was not in the right place. Also I thought about religion so much I could not enjoy life, since according to strict Christian beliefs most fun things were off limits. No more rock music, or movies with violence. Also I had to wrap my head around the fact that most of the earth's population was going to hell and was I cool believing and loving a god that would do that.
Well I had been taking ginkgo since stopping prozac and it didn't help much with memory. So after about 2 years I stopped it and a month later the religious/paranoid feelings went away. The anhedonia got much worse, and part of me felt like the world had died, but I had my rational mind back. I was no longer tormented by thoughts of if I was going to hell, or my family and friends, or whether people are elected or choose to believe in Christ. I was able to look at the Bible and see contradictions and things that just don't make sense to a logical mind. The same was true with the conspiracies, they all just fell apart. I am no longer religious and no longer paranoid. I don't get that connectedness feeling, but I am much more peaceful now and glad its over. Although I miss the creativity when playing music.
My guess is that after stopping prozac there was some kind of dopaminergic rebound that ginkgo biloba made even worse, which triggered religious, connectness, and paranoid feelings. Stopping ginkgo allowed me to return to a more recognizable and rational version of myself.
So I do think chemicals can increase and decrease religious feelings.
It was one of the best/worst/ most interesting periods of my life. Most people will never get to experience that, but I'm not sure I can say they should envy that.
> >What is great about Dex is that I know it >doesn't interfere with my christian >spirituality, where Ritalin/Concerta does.
>
> Because I have had waxing and waning of spirituality on certain medications, I often ask myslef how accurate my religious belief system can be, if my connection with God is blocked by a molecule. Maybe I am inducing a brain chemistry similar to that of an athiest? How can I go back to "believing", in an all powerful force which can be selectively shut out by a simple molecule. What about the children raised on ritalin? If they fail to develop a meaninful connection with God because of the actions of methylphenidate imposed on them from early life, are they destined for hell? Could there concievably be a drug which works the opposite way? I.e. a drug which turns an athiest into a believer? If so, would religious groups deem it ethical to use such drugs as part of their church growing practices? You know, "welcome to the neighbourhood, try this pie spiked with Religinoft --> if you feel strangely religious, here's our church's buisness card". What about patients, like yourself, who respond well to a drug except for the disturbing side effect of "loss of religous belief", would they be candidates for Religinoft augmentation? Hmm, maybe I should start such an application on freepatents.com.....
>
> be back in a sec...
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 11:08:42
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers » linkadge, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 7, 2010, at 9:24:22
> >Religinoft
>
> How would they advertise that one?
>
> Religinoft - your ticket to heaven.....as seen on TV. Only available in the Bible Belt. Terms and Conditions apply.I think Religinoft would do the opposite and make someone less religious by the name.
"Does someone you know, running for public office, who thinks masturbation is a sin and that homosexuality can be cured? Do they often wonder off into witchcraft and other quasi-religious mumbo jumbo? It's time to talk to them about Religionoft."
Posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 11:47:45
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers » linkadge, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 7, 2010, at 9:24:22
>How would they advertise that one?
>Religinoft - your ticket to heaven.....as seen >on TV. Only available in the Bible Belt. Terms >and Conditions apply.
Do you not attend church cause you just "don't see the point"? Or maybe, you attend church but are just going through the motions? In a recent anonymous study, 6 out of 10 churchgoers reported some degree loss of religous sensation since their first conversion. Spiritual deficiancy syndrome (SDS) is a real illness characterized by feelings ranging from mild loss of religious interest, to total athiesm. Religinoft is the first medication in its class, designed specifically to agonize the receptors known known as I-see-the-light subunit delta, and correct SDS. With medication and counselling, most patients regain the capacity to experience full mountaintop experiences each and every Sunday. Religionoft must be taken every day to experience full benefit. Don't lower the dose of Religinoft without first speaking to your doctor as a discontinuation syndrome (characterized by sudden impluses of strong hatred towards all organized religion) may occur. Other side effects may include the following:
-excsssive prayer (defined as >6 hours/day)
-dancing in aisles / tears of joy / weeping
-desire to initiate street courner preaching
-excessive donations to church
-extreme fears of impending second coming
-martyrdom
-upper abdominal crampingFor most patients, side effects are rarely severe enough to discontinue treatment. A dosage adjustment may be all that is required.
Spiritual deficiancy syndrome is treatable. Talk to your doctor about Religinoft.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 12:01:12
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers » ed_uk2010, posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 11:08:42
>I was no longer tormented by thoughts of if I >was going to hell, or my family and friends, or >whether people are elected or choose to believe >in Christ. I was able to look at the Bible and >see contradictions and things that just don't >make sense to a logical mind. The same was true >with the conspiracies, they all just fell apart. >I am no longer religious and no longer paranoid. >I don't get that connectedness feeling, but I am >much more peaceful now and glad its over.
Sounds like you were having a mild psychotic break. I had a similar break coming off celexa for the first time. When you're in one of those states you just don't see the contradictions and you can't think things through properly. The world can be "interesting" but a little too interesting. I've never been back there except with my parnate experience.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 12:02:16
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers » ed_uk2010, posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 11:08:42
>"Does someone you know, running for public >office, who thinks masturbation is a sin and >that homosexuality can be cured? Do they often >wonder off into witchcraft and other quasi->religious mumbo jumbo? It's time to talk to them >about Religionoft."
Haldol might work too :)
Linkadge
Posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 12:17:15
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 12:02:16
> >"Does someone you know, running for public >office, who thinks masturbation is a sin and >that homosexuality can be cured? Do they often >wonder off into witchcraft and other quasi->religious mumbo jumbo? It's time to talk to them >about Religionoft."
>
> Haldol might work too :)
>
> Linkadgeor Notheopramine
>
Posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 12:51:37
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 12:01:12
> >I was no longer tormented by thoughts of if I >was going to hell, or my family and friends, or >whether people are elected or choose to believe >in Christ. I was able to look at the Bible and >see contradictions and things that just don't >make sense to a logical mind. The same was true >with the conspiracies, they all just fell apart. >I am no longer religious and no longer paranoid. >I don't get that connectedness feeling, but I am >much more peaceful now and glad its over.
>
> Sounds like you were having a mild psychotic break. I had a similar break coming off celexa for the first time. When you're in one of those states you just don't see the contradictions and you can't think things through properly.That is so true, and no one could get through to me. I was sure I was right during that time. This experience has given me some insight into how uber religious folks think, and why they do the things they do.
The world can be "interesting" but a little too interesting. I've never been back there except with my parnate experience.
How long did you have the experience once off celexa and how did it compare to your experience on parnate?
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
Posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 13:57:18
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 12:51:37
Off celexa, it took me a while to normalize, probably a 4 months (with the help of lithium). Yeah, no mood swings on 2 years of citalopram monotherapy and withdrawl makes me messed up enough to be bipolar.
Anyhow, parnate gave me the worst insomnia. With parnate everything just became super intense, and any fear that "could be" was. I spend the entire day feeling painfully guilty over past mistakes. I began to think the only way I could feel normal was to beg for the forgivness from all the people I had wronged, to expose every single skeleton in my closet to the world.
Linkadge
Posted by Conundrum on November 7, 2010, at 14:15:57
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 13:57:18
> Off celexa, it took me a while to normalize, probably a 4 months (with the help of lithium). Yeah, no mood swings on 2 years of citalopram monotherapy and withdrawl makes me messed up enough to be bipolar.
>
That is why I often refer to this as a dopaminergic rebound since it is not truly bipolar. Serotonin has an inhibitor effect on dopamine, and when you stop an SSRI your serotonin is low for awhile and dopamine is high. At least this is possible in theory. Why highly trained medical doctors have not figured it out I do not know.> Anyhow, parnate gave me the worst insomnia. With parnate everything just became super intense, and any fear that "could be" was. I spend the entire day feeling painfully guilty over past mistakes. I began to think the only way I could feel normal was to beg for the forgivness from all the people I had wronged, to expose every single skeleton in my closet to the world.
>
> LinkadgeThats pretty wild. I've wondered about taking parnate, I want to destroy anhedonia, but not go back to the way I after coming off prozac. I've been looking at noradrenergic drugs, since they seem to help motivation and hedonia without making me bonkers.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 7, 2010, at 15:43:05
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers » ed_uk2010, posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 11:47:45
That cracked me up, especially the bit about just going through the motions. Is Religinoft 'highly selective' or does it have 'a unique dual mechanism of action'?
> Do you not attend church cause you just "don't see the point"? Or maybe, you attend church but are just going through the motions? In a recent anonymous study, 6 out of 10 churchgoers reported some degree loss of religous sensation since their first conversion. Spiritual deficiancy syndrome (SDS) is a real illness characterized by feelings ranging from mild loss of religious interest, to total athiesm. Religinoft is the first medication in its class, designed specifically to agonize the receptors known known as I-see-the-light subunit delta, and correct SDS. With medication and counselling, most patients regain the capacity to experience full mountaintop experiences each and every Sunday. Religionoft must be taken every day to experience full benefit. Don't lower the dose of Religinoft without first speaking to your doctor as a discontinuation syndrome (characterized by sudden impluses of strong hatred towards all organized religion) may occur. Other side effects may include the following:
>
> -excsssive prayer (defined as >6 hours/day)
> -dancing in aisles / tears of joy / weeping
> -desire to initiate street courner preaching
> -excessive donations to church
> -extreme fears of impending second coming
> -martyrdom
> -upper abdominal cramping
>
> For most patients, side effects are rarely severe enough to discontinue treatment. A dosage adjustment may be all that is required.
>
> Spiritual deficiancy syndrome is treatable. Talk to your doctor about Religinoft.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
Posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 17:09:35
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers » linkadge, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 7, 2010, at 15:43:05
>Is Religinoft 'highly selective' or does it >have 'a unique dual mechanism of action'?
Hmm.
Linkadge
Posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 15:34:02
In reply to Re: Chemicals And Fillers, posted by linkadge on November 7, 2010, at 7:54:18
> Because I have had waxing and waning of spirituality on certain medications, I often ask myslef how accurate my religious belief system can be, if my connection with God is blocked by a molecule.
Wow. Well, psychotic people often have religious delusions. A dopaminergic system running wild may promote an insane kind of spirituality. Dopamine seems to be connected to our ability to sense meaning, message, divine love..
I don't think God can be blocked by a molecule. Sensibility to God sure can. But then, may true love not be based on a decision of the will, not unaffected by, but certainly not stopped by, a lack of sensibility for whatever reason?
Posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 15:52:02
In reply to Re: Spoilers And Spillers, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 6, 2010, at 14:24:51
> Great - let us know how you get on.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to point your attention to a new thread where exactly this question - how I'm getting on - is being answered. Please don't take this personally, it doesn't mean that I don't like you either, it's just that I started this new thread where I relate about my experiences with dexamphetamine: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101107/msgs/969252.html
Posted by emmanuel98 on November 8, 2010, at 20:24:28
In reply to god-blockers, posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 15:34:02
So do epileptics. Apparently frontal lobe epilepsy often causes a strong sense of connection to a higher power and a feeling of transcendence. Karen Armstrong, the religion historian has written about this. Apparently she had undiagnosed epilepsy and joined a convent.
>
> Wow. Well, psychotic people often have religious delusions. A dopaminergic system running wild may promote an insane kind of spirituality. Dopamine seems to be connected to our ability to sense meaning, message, divine love..
>
> I don't think God can be blocked by a molecule. Sensibility to God sure can. But then, may true love not be based on a decision of the will, not unaffected by, but certainly not stopped by, a lack of sensibility for whatever reason?
>
>
Posted by morgan miller on November 8, 2010, at 20:27:49
In reply to Brainbeard's conquest - hjgasifwgigq, posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 15:52:02
> > Great - let us know how you get on.
>
> Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to point your attention to a new thread where exactly this question - how I'm getting on - is being answered. Please don't take this personally, it doesn't mean that I don't like you either, it's just that I started this new thread where I relate about my experiences with dexamphetamine: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101107/msgs/969252.html
>
>You're funny dude
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.