Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 128049

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Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by missliz on November 20, 2002, at 1:06:23

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your exp!, posted by Festus on November 18, 2002, at 22:41:07

Well, Neo, I know your experience all to well. I tried Adderall and Ritalin, was not impressed. I like MAO inhibitors, wich sound all scary but are really more off a lifestyle trade off. Give up pizza, get a nice life, go out for chinese instead.
I mention this because Parnate metabolizes into amphetamine and methamphetamine, and frankly the quality is better than the stuff you buy already speed. It's a tough ride onto it though- you have to be ready to be well, because it does a big rewire and renovation in your head and it can be overwhelming. Many people have a hard time with feeling good after being so sick for a long time. And it's a high maintenance lifestyle that not everyone can deal with. Much simpler than being diabetic, though. If you choose this option titrate the dose up SLOWLY as a little goes a long way for many people. Nardil is excellent too, gentler but can cause some weight gain.
Just a thought. Ask your doc about it, but don't be surprised if s/he freaks. A lot of residents weren't trained in these drugs after prozac came out and think they're dangerous. I think this is an overeaction- so do a lot of psychopharmacologists. They're difficult, but nowhere near as difficult as a lot of other illnesses and treatments. And MAOIs have made a big comback because frankly SSRIs are great for whining yuppies but have limited efficacy in long term treatment resistant deppression. Been reading studies on the Web ;p . And They never worked for me.

More info than you bargained for?

missliz

 

Ready to be well. . .

Posted by BekkaH on November 20, 2002, at 10:09:26

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by missliz on November 20, 2002, at 1:06:23

It's a tough ride onto it though- you have to be ready to be well, because it does a big rewire and renovation in your head and it can be overwhelming. Many people have a hard time with feeling good after being so sick for a long time.

SSRIs are great for whining yuppies but have limited efficacy in long term treatment resistant deppression. More info than you bargained for?
>
> missliz
**************************************************

What an excellent point: You have to be ready to be well. Wow! Dr. Bob could start a new board just for discussing that topic! And, yes, it is difficult coping with feeling good after you've been sick for so long because depression has a nasty habit of becoming a way of life.

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » missliz

Posted by Geezer on November 20, 2002, at 13:48:19

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by missliz on November 20, 2002, at 1:06:23

Hi missliz,

I hope you keep posting here - you have given more honest-to-goodness, REAL, information than I have read in a long time. You are right about the dangers of mixing amphet. with MAOIs, your right about the limitations of SSRIs in sever and protracted depression, and your right about "getting well after prolonged illness". I am currently "tripping the light fantastic" with ECT and 30mg. of Parnate......appreciate your message.

Geezer

 

MissLiz

Posted by BekkaH on November 20, 2002, at 22:37:06

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » missliz, posted by Geezer on November 20, 2002, at 13:48:19

MissLiz,

I agree with Geezer. It's great to have you here. Your posts are honest, direct and informative. You tell it like it is. How refreshing. Where have you been all these years?

Bekka

 

Re: Ready to be well. . . » BekkaH

Posted by Hattree on November 21, 2002, at 15:46:46

In reply to Ready to be well. . . , posted by BekkaH on November 20, 2002, at 10:09:26

Hey, Bekka...
Haven't seen you for awhile. Was wondering if you had ever gotten in touch with Memantine.

Yes, missliz is a poster child for parnate...I've been thinking about biting the MAOI bullett for awhile now. Guess its time for me to think about whether I want to be well badly enough to give up red wine.

 

Re: Ready to be well - Hattree

Posted by BekkaH on November 21, 2002, at 18:27:55

In reply to Re: Ready to be well. . . » BekkaH, posted by Hattree on November 21, 2002, at 15:46:46

Was wondering if you had ever gotten in touch with Memantine.

I've been thinking about biting the MAOI bullett for awhile now. Guess its time for me to think about whether I want to be well badly enough to give up red wine.
************************************************

Hi Hattree!
It's nice to "see" you. No, I haven't tried Memantine. It seems that most of the research is "pre-clinical" (done on rats), so I think I'll wait before I subject myself to it.

As for Parnate, I tried it a long, long time ago and, as so often happens with me, I had a paradoxical reaction to it. I had daytime "sleep attacks," almost like narcolepsy. My doctor added a wee bit of ritalin to the mixture and the sleep attacks stopped, but in other respects, it didn't seem to be that great of an antidepressant for me. It does help many others, though, and I think it's worth a try if you're willing to make the dietary changes. I had a hard time giving up pizza. After I got off of Parnate and went through the two-week washout period, I ate pizza every night for several weeks. I'm interested to learn more about Moclobemide, which is not available in this country.

Bekka


 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 10, 2004, at 16:18:59

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by missliz on November 20, 2002, at 1:06:23

Hey, ive been on ritalin now for almost a year. I started out on adderall and quickly switched over to ritalin. I am starting to notice that my tolerance for it is increasing, and i want to either switch back to adderall, or maybe even try dexedrine. I was wondering if anyone knew which one had better chances of losing weight. Thanks

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by Laree on January 10, 2004, at 16:59:31

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 10, 2004, at 16:18:59

Hey--I've been on Adderall for over a year now. My tolerance has been increasing to it, and thinking of switching to Ritalin (discussed w/pdoc) if it doesn't stop due to other med. changes...what has your experience been like on Ritalin, if I may ask? I'll swap ya' stories, lol...do you have ADHD, ADD, or something else? I have ADHD and am trying to make it through my 2nd year of college with my head above water, so to speak...When did you feel tolerance to Ritalin increasing, and does it help concentration, focus, alertness, etc.?
Thanks :)


> Hey, ive been on ritalin now for almost a year. I started out on adderall and quickly switched over to ritalin. I am starting to notice that my tolerance for it is increasing, and i want to either switch back to adderall, or maybe even try dexedrine. I was wondering if anyone knew which one had better chances of losing weight. Thanks

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your exp!

Posted by tenshen on January 11, 2004, at 12:14:43

In reply to RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your exp!, posted by Neo on November 17, 2002, at 18:38:01

It wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Is that your main style of depression? Anhedonia/apathy/low mood. Usually the dopamine chemistry is at fault in those cases. Stimulants can work because they release dopamine. They helped me. Effexor, paxil, lexapro and celexa just made it worse for me.

At least you will know on the first day if it is helping. And if it does it could give you a gauge on what drugs may work for you.

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 11, 2004, at 17:55:41

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by Laree on January 10, 2004, at 16:59:31

Hey, ive really liked the ritalin but now it seems to just be wearing off. I have ADHD, and if i dont take it i am just a mess! But i found that is just helped me focus on what i needed to do, and helped me pay attention-because that was one of my main problems. I started it in high school and now that i graduated and work, i still it. I didnt really have any bad side effects or anything, only good. Its funny because when i dont take my ritalin im off the walls, and everyone notices it. Im prescribed to take 3 10mg pills a day. I used to follow that, and it worked, but now what i do is just take all 3 at once. I know thats not good but its the only thing that works now. Let me know about you and the adderall, thanks! :)

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by blaine on January 12, 2004, at 15:04:13

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 11, 2004, at 17:55:41

> Hey, ive really liked the ritalin but now it seems to just be wearing off. I have ADHD, and if i dont take it i am just a mess! But i found that is just helped me focus on what i needed to do, and helped me pay attention-because that was one of my main problems. I started it in high school and now that i graduated and work, i still it. I didnt really have any bad side effects or anything, only good. Its funny because when i dont take my ritalin im off the walls, and everyone notices it. Im prescribed to take 3 10mg pills a day. I used to follow that, and it worked, but now what i do is just take all 3 at once. I know thats not good but its the only thing that works now. Let me know about you and the adderall, thanks! :)

Hi I am just starting this and you are the first i have responded too. Please try the Concerta. I think it maybe what you need, also it is a better version of what you are were on. It has one more up, only one pill for 12 hours!!!

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 12, 2004, at 19:41:29

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by blaine on January 12, 2004, at 15:04:13

Thanks for the advice,im new here also! :) Does the concerta suppress your appetite? The ritalin does when i take high doses, but it wares off in a few hours. Let me know please, thanks!

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by blaine on January 14, 2004, at 12:05:14

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 11, 2004, at 17:55:41

In the research I have found the side effects do include weight loss, with children especially. R and C as I will call them are the same chemical drug called, ready for a tongue twister,"METHYLPHENIDATE HCL". with Ritalin the drug is put in a regular or EXtended release capsule. Basically, as you take the pill your tummy digests it slowly over ? hours. Then it is time for another pill. Concerta is made of the exact tongue twister word, only this company made a way for it to be released slower with the same effect as a three times a day dose. Cool to me, I dont know if you are into this but i am a Nursing student and love this stuff. Please make sure you go to the same Pharmacy or tell all your Pharmacies you are on this and other drugs. IT IS IN THE SAME CLASS AS COCAIN, and can kill you vey quickly if not matched with the other drugs you take for heart,or blood pressure, and seizure meds. Make sure you go to a Pharmacy that gives you a list of drugs tah interact badly. Sorry for rambling but my Concerta hasn't started yet. This is my first day on it. I know this info because i understand the research that they put out. READ ACTS 2:38, 19:1-10 in the Bible. GOD bless.

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by blaine on January 14, 2004, at 12:15:58

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 12, 2004, at 19:41:29

ADDERALL is a amphetamine, it is not the exact same drug. I wouldn't try it until you try the Cocerta. Just because it is a different drug that acts the same , but not in every person. You know Ritalin, Concerta is Ritalin under another name and pill coating,different companies call medicines that are the same different names so the can produce it in a different way. The Adderall is a totally different chemical, used for the same purpose. They are not, however the same chemical. Concerta is more expensive than regular Ritalin, but you and I know how great it is to be "NORMAL" in our lives. I'd be in prison if not for these drugs, and GOD saved me.

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by blaine on January 14, 2004, at 12:43:47

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by Laree on January 10, 2004, at 16:59:31

Adderall is an AMPHETAMINE whereas the drugs,Ritalin and Concerta are a stimulant of a similar type. I have ADD?ADHD?, my psych hasn't decided which to label me. I am in college too. My last year for Nursing, I can't tell you if they work only what i told Tropicalgirl i just wrote because you are in college like me, and we are proof ADD/ADHD kids are not dumb. WE LEARN DIFFERENT:-) Did you know we have the exact same symptoms as people who are gifted and many of us are above average inteligence! We are just told we are dumb all the time, so we believe it. I found out i have an IQ of 130. That means i am ranked as "superior inteligence" on a chart. I got D's and E's in school. I only graduated because of night school. They wouldn't put me in Special Ed in school. So, He's Stupid followed me to adulthood. Now I'm just crazy, ha ha ha. Better than being lonely and confused, people still like me even though i'm crazy. When i was stupid they thought i was just a jerk. LOL blaine9199@yahoo.com e-mail me folks, my adress book is empty:-(

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 14, 2004, at 16:39:07

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by blaine on January 14, 2004, at 12:43:47

Hey, thanks for the info! Im actually looking into nursing school also :) Im gonna talk to my doctor next week about switching, hopefully she'll support it. The ritalin just wares off way to quick, so i end up taking my whole daily dose at once just so it'll work, and i know thats not good for me. But its the only thing that will keep me in my chair and shut me up! I remember hearing that ritalin can make you feel more shy, where adderall can make you feel more outgoing-and i feel like i have gotten a little more shy. Hopefully my doctor will know what to do :)

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » TropicalGirl12

Posted by Laree on January 14, 2004, at 21:54:16

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 11, 2004, at 17:55:41

Hi again! Thanks for your personal exp. on Ritalin...Here's mine on Adderall (i have been on it for over a year and am currently on 50 mg./day):
--At first, Adderall made me feel a lot more put together and organized. My attention span improved phenomenally; before i got on Adderall, I could not sit through a movie (even if i enjoyed it) in the theater without having to get up and take a walk or something. Actually finishing a book was an idea i had to snicker at (in regards to my attn. span); i simply felt as though i could not sustain my attn. long enough, and it seemed pretty rare that things "grabbed" my attention. Not long before I was prescribed Adderall I can recall one of my old bosses telling me she did not think my focus was really on my job when I was at work and she led me to believe she didn't think it was all my fault, either...but I digress...
As it turns out, I got on Adderall and switched companies that year. I was still prettymuch chronically late (I have been my whole life, I swear!) to work, but found I was very focused on my duties while I was there and worked a lot more efficiently. It did make me feel more "personable" I suppose...or maybe I just felt more confident because I thought I was doing a much better job? Oh, and I went back to college this past summer and had a 3.84 GPA - I could actually study for hours! it felt fantastic!
Who knows--but my appetite was def. curbed, esp. at first...I think I dropped a few pds. when I first got on it. I often get ravenous by evening though, so my weight has remained relatively stable.
Best,
L.


> Hey, ive really liked the ritalin but now it seems to just be wearing off. I have ADHD, and if i dont take it i am just a mess! But i found that is just helped me focus on what i needed to do, and helped me pay attention-because that was one of my main problems. I started it in high school and now that i graduated and work, i still it. I didnt really have any bad side effects or anything, only good. Its funny because when i dont take my ritalin im off the walls, and everyone notices it. Im prescribed to take 3 10mg pills a day. I used to follow that, and it worked, but now what i do is just take all 3 at once. I know thats not good but its the only thing that works now. Let me know about you and the adderall, thanks! :)

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by blaine on January 15, 2004, at 14:50:33

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 14, 2004, at 16:39:07

I am just writing to say Im glad I ahve good references like you. All this feed back is great, my 2 day on the combo Lexapro/Concerta is OK. Funny but I have damage to my breathing mechanism in my nervous system. It just so happens that Ritalin/Concerta are nervous system stimulants that effect our respiratory centers,breathing, I can't remember waking up feeling this alive in a long time. I am not DROWSY!! I am always drowsy, I pray this is a lasting side effect. I too am probably late more than on time, even if i love where i'm going i still seem to be late all the time. Since i can remember holding my first job! I'm 27!! well GOD bless all, Read Acts 2:38,8:1-, 19:1-10. Jesus baptism is the only Salvation that the Apostles taught, and Jesus said to do all things in his name.

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » TropicalGirl12

Posted by blondegirl47 on January 15, 2004, at 17:22:29

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 14, 2004, at 16:39:07

I agree about Ritalin, its way to up and down. Be sure to take it on an empty stomach and avoid vitamin c and or citric acid when your taking your medication. Getting dehydrated can also make you feel tired and like your meds aren't working.
I like adderal much better than ritalin, each has their own problems though.
Hope this helps
Blondegirl

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 15, 2004, at 17:25:23

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » TropicalGirl12, posted by blondegirl47 on January 15, 2004, at 17:22:29

Thanks, that does help because today for example, i took it after i ate breakfast and i didnt get the full effect at all. I got it for about 30 minutes, and then it was gone! I cant deal with that, i mean i still had to go to work :) And i will avoid vitamin C and citric acid, ill do whatever it takes!

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » TropicalGirl12

Posted by blondegirl47 on January 15, 2004, at 17:42:14

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your, posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 15, 2004, at 17:25:23

I tried the name brand ritalin and the generic brand...In this instance the generic was worthless. All it did was upset my stomach. Generic adderall works just about as well as the name brand. I believe I read here that you need to wait 2 hours after eating to take meds and wait an hour to eat after you take your meds.
Blondegirl

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 15, 2004, at 18:02:39

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » TropicalGirl12, posted by blondegirl47 on January 15, 2004, at 17:42:14

Thanks for the information, i appreciate it! Im actually on the generic ritalin-so that may explain why im not getting the results i should. I read that there was a difference, but its nice to hear from someone who has tried it. Thanks again :)

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by 8 Miles on January 16, 2004, at 20:10:35

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your, posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 15, 2004, at 18:02:39

Yes, obviuosly Ritalin and it's cousins are of extremely different chemical structures than the true amphetamines. They work in similar modes, but each "type" works better for certain people in differnt age groups depanding upon their DX. The DX is a very difficult thing to demonstrate, and it takes time for a doctor to really be sure. I have been seeing a Pdoc since late 1996 for depression and anxiety. In the first year or so, while trying differnt meds, my Pdoc first brought up the possibility of ADD with me. He did not start me on the true stimulants (Ritalin and Adderall), but began with Wellbutrin. That worked for quite a few years until the past year or so. I have complained to him that I am suffering at work because I cannot concentrate enough on one task at a time, and I am not able to set order to my tasks. I often am tossing up 4-5 tasks at one time, and never really doing quality work on any of them. I felt great pressure to complete these tasks, and felt badly when (at least in my own eyes) I was not completing all my jobs. Some life-situations perhaps exacerbated my condition, and clearly increased my stess level to the degree that I began lashing out at people, and was becoming angry and upset for "little" reason. So, after my Pdoc tried supplementing my WB 150 SR with 100mg immediate release twice daily, and I did not show much if any improvement,he finally brought back out the ADD. I do not have (so much) the impulsivity and "acting out" hyperactivity part of the illness, but mostly the attention deficit disorder. Two weeks ago today, I dropped the 100mg IR WB, and began on 20mg Adderall (amphetamine salts) twice daily. It has taken a little while to adjust to this new med, but I have seen some potential for really positve improvements in my attention and ability to complete tasks. Is it strange to DX a man in his 40's with ADD? Not really, because I had a lot of the symptoms while I was a kid. However, mainstream medicine has some issues with it. My insurance company would not even pay for the meds until my Pdoc personally contacted them on the phone to say "yes" he had DXed me properly accordingly to DSM IV diagnostics, and yes, he had tried other treatments other than pure stimulants to treat me. I felt like some sort of criminal or drug addict the way they treated me. Well, enough of my rant. The meds ARE different, they take differnt amounts of time to work, they come in differnt time-released doses and not everyone responds the same way to either of them. A competent doc will try the one that should help you, but be willing to go with the other if the first doesn't work. From what I have read, heard and seen about the ritalin-class meds, they cause more side effects like headaches than the amphetamine class meds do. As usual, mileage varies widely with the individual. My advice is to try what you are given, but don't settle for it if the other might work better for you. I DO know that the amphetamines are much more easily and widely abused and sold into the illicit drug market, so that is clearly a driving factor as to which your doc scripts for you. Keep us informed.


8

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » blaine

Posted by jerrympls on January 17, 2004, at 23:42:10

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your , posted by blaine on January 14, 2004, at 12:05:14

> In the research I have found the side effects do include weight loss, with children especially. R and C as I will call them are the same chemical drug called, ready for a tongue twister,"METHYLPHENIDATE HCL". with Ritalin the drug is put in a regular or EXtended release capsule. Basically, as you take the pill your tummy digests it slowly over ? hours. Then it is time for another pill. Concerta is made of the exact tongue twister word, only this company made a way for it to be released slower with the same effect as a three times a day dose. Cool to me, I dont know if you are into this but i am a Nursing student and love this stuff. Please make sure you go to the same Pharmacy or tell all your Pharmacies you are on this and other drugs. IT IS IN THE SAME CLASS AS COCAIN, and can kill you vey quickly if not matched with the other drugs you take for heart,or blood pressure, and seizure meds. Make sure you go to a Pharmacy that gives you a list of drugs tah interact badly. Sorry for rambling but my Concerta hasn't started yet. This is my first day on it. I know this info because i understand the research that they put out. READ ACTS 2:38, 19:1-10 in the Bible. GOD bless.

Ritalin is not in the same class as Cocaine - it's been compared to cocaine and the chemical structure has at most found Ritalin to be a distant "cousin" - in structure - to cocaine - but don't classify Ritalin and Cocaine together. Ritalin is a schedule II in the US and I believe Cocaine is Schedule I.

Cocaine basically floods the synapse with neurohormones whereas Ritalin releases dopamine and NE and also slightly blocks the reuptake of dopamine.

I guess they both have the same addiction potential - but the comparision of Cocaine to Ritalin has mostly if not solely a product of media hype.

One could also say Xanax is "alcohol in a pill," which also has been fuled by the media - however alcohol and benzos are very dissimiliar in chemical structure and work through completely different mechinisms in the brain. But, if it gets you to tune into the nightly news then.....?

Just my 2 cents....don't take it the wrong way....

Jerry

 

Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your

Posted by TropicalGirl12 on January 18, 2004, at 9:01:05

In reply to Re: RITALIN, ADDERALL or CONCERTA: pls share your » blaine, posted by jerrympls on January 17, 2004, at 23:42:10

Actually, from what ive read ritalin and cocaine are schedule II substances.
Schedule II substances are defined by having a high abuse potential and some medical value. When taken as directed, the dependence which some Ritalin users experience is nothing like cocaine addiction and the stimulation they experience is not comparable to that of cocaine in intensity, although both drugs work on the dopamine circuits.


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