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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 becksA on October 15, 2004, at 14:36:17
I have been diagnosed with a type of bipolarity..we're not sure which type yet...although it seems to be 80 - 90 percent on the depression side of the line...I do take adderall xr, 30mg at 7 in the morning before work. I have found that for the most part, (at least more often than not, my mood is much better throughout the mornings....and tends to lead back towards depression mid-afternoon. could this be because the adderall is wearing off?
Having said this, I still have my depressed mornings because of the bipolar, but the adderall does seem to have an anti-depressant effect on me. Is this realistic?
Thanks
Posted by Optimist on October 15, 2004, at 16:19:35
In reply to Could Adderall be helping with depression?, posted by becksA on October 15, 2004, at 14:36:17
> I have been diagnosed with a type of bipolarity..we're not sure which type yet...although it seems to be 80 - 90 percent on the depression side of the line...I do take adderall xr, 30mg at 7 in the morning before work. I have found that for the most part, (at least more often than not, my mood is much better throughout the mornings....and tends to lead back towards depression mid-afternoon. could this be because the adderall is wearing off?
>
> Having said this, I still have my depressed mornings because of the bipolar, but the adderall does seem to have an anti-depressant effect on me. Is this realistic?
>
> ThanksRebound depression is one of the dark sides of stimulants like Adderall. What comes up must come down, so this may be what's causing the depression later in the day.
Stimulants aren't particularily noted for their long term antidepressant qualities. If you're looking for more energy, or have atypical features to your depression you want to try wellbutrin or parnate.
IMO AD's will do a more effective job of relieving the depression than stimulants.
I myself am on 450mg of wellbutrin SR and 5mg Adderall XR twice a day. The wellbutrin tends to act more on my depression where the Adderall works more on my energy.
Another option is to take another dose albeit smaller later on in the day so the AD response of the Adderall can last longer for you. Perhaps 6 hours after your morning dose. Most likely you'll need a smaller dose at this time since there's already some Adderall in your system from the morning. I do this two dosing schedule and it seems to work better for me.
Posted by becksA on October 15, 2004, at 18:11:23
In reply to Re: Could Adderall be helping with depression? » becksA, posted by Optimist on October 15, 2004, at 16:19:35
We've already determined that AD's do nothing for me. I have tried just about every single one of them. My doc thinks I've got bipolarity, so we're going to try and see if Lamictal will do anything. If not, his next suggestion is Wellbutrin. Thanks
Posted by Whit on October 16, 2004, at 8:12:43
In reply to Could Adderall be helping with depression?, posted by becksA on October 15, 2004, at 14:36:17
WARNING WARNING WARNING
What you are experiencing is your brain's attempt to communicate to itself the fact that Adderall (which is a mixture of pure amphetamine salts) is an addictive substance and has extremely high potential for abuse.
I have made the mistake of using Adderall several times in the past to relieve depression. Yes, I know it feels like Heaven on Earth at first, but it is ultimately a quick trip to addiction and misery. Soon you will have to take a higher dose just to avoid the rebound depression at all.
My advice to you: go right now and flush that dangerous stuff down the toilet before it really hurts you or your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Been there and done that (Whit)
> I have been diagnosed with a type of bipolarity..we're not sure which type yet...although it seems to be 80 - 90 percent on the depression side of the line...I do take adderall xr, 30mg at 7 in the morning before work. I have found that for the most part, (at least more often than not, my mood is much better throughout the mornings....and tends to lead back towards depression mid-afternoon. could this be because the adderall is wearing off?
>
> Having said this, I still have my depressed mornings because of the bipolar, but the adderall does seem to have an anti-depressant effect on me. Is this realistic?
>
> Thanks
Posted by Optimist on October 16, 2004, at 12:01:42
In reply to Re: Could Adderall be helping with depression?, posted by Whit on October 16, 2004, at 8:12:43
> WARNING WARNING WARNING
>
> What you are experiencing is your brain's attempt to communicate to itself the fact that Adderall (which is a mixture of pure amphetamine salts) is an addictive substance and has extremely high potential for abuse.
>
> I have made the mistake of using Adderall several times in the past to relieve depression. Yes, I know it feels like Heaven on Earth at first, but it is ultimately a quick trip to addiction and misery. Soon you will have to take a higher dose just to avoid the rebound depression at all.
>
> My advice to you: go right now and flush that dangerous stuff down the toilet before it really hurts you or your loved ones.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Been there and done that (Whit)
>
>
> > I have been diagnosed with a type of bipolarity..we're not sure which type yet...although it seems to be 80 - 90 percent on the depression side of the line...I do take adderall xr, 30mg at 7 in the morning before work. I have found that for the most part, (at least more often than not, my mood is much better throughout the mornings....and tends to lead back towards depression mid-afternoon. could this be because the adderall is wearing off?
> >
> > Having said this, I still have my depressed mornings because of the bipolar, but the adderall does seem to have an anti-depressant effect on me. Is this realistic?
> >
> > Thanks
>
>
Whit, I think you're generalizing a little bit from your poor experience with Adderall. Everyone who tries Adderall doesn't go in to addiction. It's quite a useful drug for many.
Posted by Optimist on October 16, 2004, at 12:05:43
In reply to Re: Could Adderall be helping with depression?, posted by becksA on October 15, 2004, at 18:11:23
> We've already determined that AD's do nothing for me. I have tried just about every single one of them. My doc thinks I've got bipolarity, so we're going to try and see if Lamictal will do anything. If not, his next suggestion is Wellbutrin. Thanks
The fact that your AD's are pooping out on you is most likely tied to your bipolarity. The AD may be causing you to switch more quickly. A mood stabilizer may be more useful to you. Hopefully the lamictal will work in that regard.
My impression is that stimulants aren't a good idea with bipolar. I've heard it tends to destabilize the individual, so adderall may not be the best idea. I'm sure some others could elaborate more on this.
Posted by Securitas on October 28, 2004, at 5:30:13
In reply to Re: Could Adderall be helping with depression? » Whit, posted by Optimist on October 16, 2004, at 12:01:42
I agree. I've never been in remission from depression with any number of nostrums, especially SSRI's, however noting that I did improve on Wellbutrin+ an SSRI, and suspecting that NE uptake inhibition was my ticket, I was placed on the selective NE uptake inhibitor Strattera, and voila, remission, nearly complete, for three months. It stopped working, and intolerant of higher dose Strattera, I was placed on Adderall XR, again following the noradrenergic theory. In combination with low dose SSRI this regimen has held me in complete remission for 9 months.
No euphoria, and no tolerance, dose is the same.
Also no hopelessness, helplessness, or lead-weight in the chest despair. Even the seasonal worsening of my depression that coincides with the falling leaves is no where in sight.
S.> > WARNING WARNING WARNING
> >
> > What you are experiencing is your brain's attempt to communicate to itself the fact that Adderall (which is a mixture of pure amphetamine salts) is an addictive substance and has extremely high potential for abuse.
> >
> > I have made the mistake of using Adderall several times in the past to relieve depression. Yes, I know it feels like Heaven on Earth at first, but it is ultimately a quick trip to addiction and misery. Soon you will have to take a higher dose just to avoid the rebound depression at all.
> >
> > My advice to you: go right now and flush that dangerous stuff down the toilet before it really hurts you or your loved ones.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Been there and done that (Whit)
> >
> >
> > > I have been diagnosed with a type of bipolarity..we're not sure which type yet...although it seems to be 80 - 90 percent on the depression side of the line...I do take adderall xr, 30mg at 7 in the morning before work. I have found that for the most part, (at least more often than not, my mood is much better throughout the mornings....and tends to lead back towards depression mid-afternoon. could this be because the adderall is wearing off?
> > >
> > > Having said this, I still have my depressed mornings because of the bipolar, but the adderall does seem to have an anti-depressant effect on me. Is this realistic?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> >
> >
>
>
> Whit, I think you're generalizing a little bit from your poor experience with Adderall. Everyone who tries Adderall doesn't go in to addiction. It's quite a useful drug for many.
This is the end of the thread.
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