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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by aazospiro on March 13, 2004, at 10:47:35
Supposedly bipolar but cannot tolerate ANY of the mood stabilizers. SSRI's made my symptoms worse. Somewhat helped by bupropion. But caffeine tablets at a dose of 200 mg provides acute aleviation of restlessness, lethargy slight attention span impairment. Odd, but 1 hr after caffeine ingestion all of the ambient colours and sounds seem brighter. I dont feel high as compared to an alcohol high, or wired, just really calm but very receptive intellectually. There is very slight hand tremor but its tolerable.
What does this mean? Can anyone help me understand what is happening. I cant belive I feel so at peace and happy?
Posted by linkadge on March 13, 2004, at 17:54:11
In reply to CAFFEINE TABLETS MAKES ME CALM!!!!?, posted by aazospiro on March 13, 2004, at 10:47:35
This probably means you have some sort of attention defecit disorder. Oftentimes this can coexist with bipolar disorder (I don't know it your case) Coffee calms me down too.
Sometimes it can snap your prefrontal cortex on which tells the rest of your brain to shut up.
Linkadge
Posted by Stryker88 on March 14, 2004, at 5:09:05
In reply to Re: CAFFEINE TABLETS MAKES ME CALM!!!!?, posted by linkadge on March 13, 2004, at 17:54:11
I take them sometimes when my AD side effect (drowsiness) takes place during the day, it helps a little, but then I can't drink my evening coffee
Posted by aazospiro on March 14, 2004, at 7:44:13
In reply to Re: CAFFEINE TABLETS MAKES ME CALM!!!!?, posted by Stryker88 on March 14, 2004, at 5:09:05
> I take them sometimes when my AD side effect (drowsiness) takes place during the day, it helps a little, but then I can't drink my evening coffee
Would it be better for me if i started on Ritalin or another ADHD drug? Aren't they more "specific" for this sort of thing? Bupropion which i was taking worked, but i must say not as well as these caffeine tablets have been.
Besides Zyban is sooooooo $$$$$$$ and has become unavailable. Would substitution with methylphenidate or adderall work?
I never knew that ADHD could co-exist with Bipolar Disorder.
Thanks to all for their imput, much appreciated.
Posted by Iansf on March 14, 2004, at 18:57:27
In reply to Re: CAFFEINE TABLETS MAKES ME CALM!!!!?, posted by aazospiro on March 14, 2004, at 7:44:13
The generic form of Zyban, bupropion, is available, at least in the US. It's considerably cheaper.
> > I take them sometimes when my AD side effect (drowsiness) takes place during the day, it helps a little, but then I can't drink my evening coffee
>
> Would it be better for me if i started on Ritalin or another ADHD drug? Aren't they more "specific" for this sort of thing? Bupropion which i was taking worked, but i must say not as well as these caffeine tablets have been.
>
> Besides Zyban is sooooooo $$$$$$$ and has become unavailable. Would substitution with methylphenidate or adderall work?
>
> I never knew that ADHD could co-exist with Bipolar Disorder.
>
> Thanks to all for their imput, much appreciated.
Posted by rainbowlight on March 15, 2004, at 1:58:50
In reply to CAFFEINE TABLETS MAKES ME CALM!!!!?, posted by aazospiro on March 13, 2004, at 10:47:35
I am Bipolar II and also have ADD. I take Ritalin, as needed. I think the stimulants work much better for attention then caffeine. At least for me. I tried all of the different stimulants and found plain old Ritalin to be the best for me. You might want to mention to your doctor the effects the caffeine has on you and get his/her opinion.
Posted by green hornet on March 18, 2004, at 12:22:08
In reply to Re: CAFFEINE TABLETS MAKES ME CALM!!!!?, posted by rainbowlight on March 15, 2004, at 1:58:50
> I am Bipolar II and also have ADD. I take Ritalin, as needed. I think the stimulants work much better for attention then caffeine. At least for me. I tried all of the different stimulants and found plain old Ritalin to be the best for me. You might want to mention to your doctor the effects the caffeine has on you and get his/her opinion.
Glad to know I am not alone on the "caffine calms". Stay away from Zyban, you'll go broke -- ask your doc to write for Wellbutrin instead they are the same, or generic buproprion...works for my ADD and my depression. Green Hornet
Posted by aazospiro on March 18, 2004, at 14:41:24
In reply to Re: CAFFEINE TABLETS MAKES ME CALM!!!!?me too!, posted by green hornet on March 18, 2004, at 12:22:08
Well Green Hornet, I wish I could get someone to write for Wellbutrin but its unavailable here, and as for any other generic form of bupropion well NO LUCK. It really sucks. Pdocs are hesitant to write for Ritalin or other ADHD meds because they feel they are addictive; which they are but sometimes they really help a person gain a "normal" life. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS. They would rather me tear up my stomach lining with caffeine consumption wether it be with caffiene tabs or tons of coffee per day or SUFFER on mood stabilzers or go broke on Zyban.
GO figure! And to top it off there is no SELEGILINE available here which i am sure will work because I STRONGLY FEEL my depression [anergic, agitated, lethargy. apathetic etc.] is dopa related. And the fact that selegiline is metabolized to an amphetaminoid compound also helps and makes this agent ideal
I guess i'll just have to suffer for a bit longer.
Really sad!
This is the end of the thread.
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