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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 37. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 14:22:06
I need help, support, whatever. Any kind of advice on how to get through this. I am on a Ritalin holiday, or The Suck as Meatwood suggested.
I'm not on anything else except for Tegretol. I woke up from a nap about an hour ago feeling more like dying than I ever have. I feel so miserable it is beyond endurance.
If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears. I'd do anything to feel better. Taking Ritalin is not an option; I took two yesterday and it did absolutely nothing for me, so I did this holiday.
Please help me if you can,
Kat
Posted by Phil on January 23, 2013, at 14:52:58
In reply to Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 14:22:06
Switch? I guess I've been lucky because I've never had to take more or feel burnt out.
You shouldn't suffer with other options out there.
I do know the feeling of not having stims when they are all that get me over the hump.
Posted by Lou Pilder on January 23, 2013, at 14:56:59
In reply to Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 14:22:06
> I need help, support, whatever. Any kind of advice on how to get through this. I am on a Ritalin holiday, or The Suck as Meatwood suggested.
>
> I'm not on anything else except for Tegretol. I woke up from a nap about an hour ago feeling more like dying than I ever have. I feel so miserable it is beyond endurance.
>
> If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears. I'd do anything to feel better. Taking Ritalin is not an option; I took two yesterday and it did absolutely nothing for me, so I did this holiday.
> Please help me if you can,
> KatChi Kat,
You wrote,[...I need help...Any kind of advice...feeling more like dying..If anyone has any advice...].
Posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 15:24:20
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by Phil on January 23, 2013, at 14:52:58
Exercise. Even if its just walking. Just get your body moving. Outside even if its not a sunny day. This always helps me. Afterwards I just feel much looser mentally and physically and not so tense. This might help your withdrawal.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 16:39:49
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by Phil on January 23, 2013, at 14:52:58
> Switch? I guess I've been lucky because I've never had to take more or feel burnt out.
> You shouldn't suffer with other options out there.
> I do know the feeling of not having stims when they are all that get me over the hump.Thanks for the advice Phil, but I have literally been on almost every antidepressant known to man. They've been my band-aids for more than 25 years, and they have all given up on me. Stims are all that's left, but I just can't tolerate the tolerance and holidays. I finally gave up and took one and already feel better.
Now, different combos of meds is something I do need to look into. When I was inpt a few weeks ago the pdoc I had there had the brilliant idea of adding tegretol to my therapy. He said 1. It will help with the anxiety I get from stims, since benzos are out for me forever, and 2. That he and much of the psychiatric community are starting to believe that cases like mine, where I switch between depression and anxiety, actually belong on the bipolar spectrum, so the Tegretol would help as a mood stabilizer too. I must say, Tegretol has really helped.
So perhaps I need another fresh opinion. My Mom keeps trying to get me to go to the Mayo (she thinks the world of it since it was there that she was able to donate her kidney to my stepfather and it went really well...5 yrs later, stepdad is still doing great). I'm starting to wonder if I should take her up on it. It will make her happy at least.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 16:42:18
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 15:24:20
> Exercise. Even if its just walking. Just get your body moving. Outside even if its not a sunny day. This always helps me. Afterwards I just feel much looser mentally and physically and not so tense. This might help your withdrawal.
Thanks poser, great advice. Unfortunately I have a busted knee. Maybe the diversion of finding an orthopedist to see ( I really need to get this knee replaced) will help. In the meantime, I can at least do some weights with my arms and my good leg. Thanks again,
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on January 23, 2013, at 17:43:09
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » Phil, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 16:39:49
Kat Vivanase instead of ritalin and keep the tegretol? Might help? Many do like vivanase. Phillipa
Posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 17:44:12
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » poser938, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 16:42:18
Eating chocolate is an idea. If you like chocolate. You have an artificially inducef low dopamine situation and chocolate is great for this.
Posted by Phil on January 23, 2013, at 17:56:53
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » Phil, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 16:39:49
You've been at this as long as I have. I was thinking another stimulant. I dunno.
Posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 18:02:26
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 17:44:12
> Eating chocolate is an idea. If you like chocolate. You have an artificially inducef low dopamine situation and chocolate is great for this.
The closest thing I have found to a prescription stimulant for me are the "mochas" at mcdonalds. Hot or cold. I tell them not to add whipped cream to it. A few sips of it and I feel awesome.
Posted by Phil on January 23, 2013, at 18:03:58
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » poser938, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 16:42:18
I agree with Philippa. Vyvanse is the best stim on the market and one of the few psych drugs that lives up to it's billing. 12-14 hours and so smooth you'll almost forget you're on it. Please talk to your doc about it.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 18:11:41
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » ChicagoKat, posted by Phillipa on January 23, 2013, at 17:43:09
> Kat Vivanase instead of ritalin and keep the tegretol? Might help? Many do like vivanase. Phillipa
Thanks for the good advice Phillipa, but for some reason amphetamines don't do much for me. Weird, huh? I broke down and took some Ritalin this afternoon, so I feel more sane. Not good, but not literally screaming b/c I was in so much pain. Sigh...my poor pdoc is gonna get an earful come Monday. Thanks again.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 18:15:17
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 17:44:12
> Eating chocolate is an idea. If you like chocolate. You have an artificially inducef low dopamine situation and chocolate is great for this.
No chocolate in the house, or I'd have tried it. I did realize my dopamine was low though, so I smoked a couple of cigarettes. Now *there's* a healthy solution. I had given them up and boy did I get a buzz, but no real help with my severe depression. Broke down and took a Ritalin. Talk about physical dependence. It did occur to me though that next time I should taper down my dose to avoid the plunge over the cliff. Thanks for the advice.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 18:17:32
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » ChicagoKat, posted by Phil on January 23, 2013, at 17:56:53
> You've been at this as long as I have. I was thinking another stimulant. I dunno.
Good advice, but when it really comes down to it, there are amphetamines and there is Ritalin in all its various forms. For some reason amphetamines don't do much for me at all. Weird. But thanks for the advice.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 18:18:29
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 18:02:26
> > Eating chocolate is an idea. If you like chocolate. You have an artificially inducef low dopamine situation and chocolate is great for this.
> The closest thing I have found to a prescription stimulant for me are the "mochas" at mcdonalds. Hot or cold. I tell them not to add whipped cream to it. A few sips of it and I feel awesome.You know poser, I'm gonna try that next time :) thanks for the tip.
Kat
>
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 18:19:48
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » ChicagoKat, posted by Phil on January 23, 2013, at 18:03:58
> I agree with Philippa. Vyvanse is the best stim on the market and one of the few psych drugs that lives up to it's billing. 12-14 hours and so smooth you'll almost forget you're on it. Please talk to your doc about it.
Oh, I've been on it before. And it helped, but only marginally. As I've said, amphetamines just don't work for me like Ritalin does. But thanks :)
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 18:22:33
In reply to Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 14:22:06
Update: I thank everyone for all their good advice. I broke down and took a Ritalin. Next holiday I will taper my dose down. I've never had a Holiday from Hell like this one. Might be it has something to do with the fact that my pdoc put me on Ritalin ER, rather than the immediate release form. I plan to talk to him about it on Monday. Thanks again, you guys rock :)
Kat
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 23, 2013, at 18:44:59
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 17:44:12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amineptine
Kat, this drug is avaliable in Europe, and might well help you - you can legaly import it if you have a script from your doctor. it hits noradrenalin and dopamine
My gut feel is that it would be especialy usefull combined with an SSRI such as Zoloft of Lexapro.
Posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 19:29:48
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » poser938, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 18:18:29
> > > Eating chocolate is an idea. If you like chocolate. You have an artificially inducef low dopamine situation and chocolate is great for this.
> > The closest thing I have found to a prescription stimulant for me are the "mochas" at mcdonalds. Hot or cold. I tell them not to add whipped cream to it. A few sips of it and I feel awesome.
>
> You know poser, I'm gonna try that next time :) thanks for the tip.
> KatCool, now I'm pretty sure its just called a mocha. Its basically like coffee with mocha added to it. It is already sweetened already. Strbucks or coffee made t home does taste better but there is something in the mocha. Lol the 1st time I got one I was thinking ... wow! I figured they would have to pull it off the market because its like speed.
But I'm in a situation where I'm very sensitive to foods and drinks I consume, I thin it related to a low dopamine situation I also have. But good luck!
> >
>
>
Posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 19:31:28
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I - Amineptine, posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 23, 2013, at 18:44:59
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amineptine
>
> Kat, this drug is avaliable in Europe, and might well help you - you can legaly import it if you have a script from your doctor. it hits noradrenalin and dopamine
>
> My gut feel is that it would be especialy usefull combined with an SSRI such as Zoloft of Lexapro.I like this idea
Posted by baseball55 on January 23, 2013, at 19:34:25
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying » poser938, posted by ChicagoKat on January 23, 2013, at 16:42:18
> Thanks poser, great advice. Unfortunately I have a busted knee. Maybe the diversion of finding an orthopedist to see ( I really need to get this knee replaced) will help. In the meantime, I can at least do some weights with my arms and my good leg. Thanks again,
> Kat
Sorry about your knee. Not being able to walk makes everything more difficult. But my husband just had knee replacement a few months ago and, boy, is it a brutal recovery. I had no idea how painful it would be and how long it would take.
Posted by baseball55 on January 23, 2013, at 19:38:43
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by baseball55 on January 23, 2013, at 19:34:25
Kat - Remind me why you stopped the ritalin? Were you building tolerance? If so, can't you just increase the dose?
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 10:50:00
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I - Amineptine, posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 23, 2013, at 18:44:59
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amineptine
>
> Kat, this drug is avaliable in Europe, and might well help you - you can legaly import it if you have a script from your doctor. it hits noradrenalin and dopamine
>
> My gut feel is that it would be especialy usefull combined with an SSRI such as Zoloft of Lexapro.Thanks Jono, it looks really interesting. I will ask my pdoc about it on Monday.
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 10:52:17
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by poser938 on January 23, 2013, at 19:29:48
You know poser, despite the fact that it is colder than the north pole here, I think I'm gonna run out and try one. I need something, and a combo of caffeine, sugar and chocolate may be the answer :)
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 10:54:10
In reply to Re: Without my Ritalin I feel like dying, posted by baseball55 on January 23, 2013, at 19:34:25
Now I am really scared!! I am really afraid that my knee will have to be replaced. I just made an appt. with an orthopaedist for next week. Maybe I'll cancel and just hop around on one foot for the rest of my life!
Kat
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