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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 16:35:26
Ello,
Is is really necessary for everyone with ADD to take stimulants everyday? I've heard people say that intermittent use increases the risk of addiction but to be honest I'm not convinced.
Intermittent administration of stimulants to animals has resulted in 'sensitization'. Intermittnet use would probably be less likely to lead to tolerance though.
What do you think? I don't understand why this has been so rarely discussed on p-babble.
Ed.
Posted by 10derheart on January 15, 2005, at 21:40:13
In reply to 'As required' use of stimulants, posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 16:35:26
Hi ed,
Interesting question. I don't read this board much, but have personal experience. Diagnosed with ADD 3 years ago. Very stable on 80 mg. Strattera daily for 14 months now, but I also have Ritalin (actually generic methylphenidate) to take PRN. My current pdoc prescribes 90-5 mg. tablets every month - rarely use them all. She is very comfortable with this as she knows my history and that I know my body/brain well. I take the MPH if I really need that extra concentration/focus at home, work or a social function, since it "fine tunes" that. I take at least 20-25 mg. at those times. Maybe on average 2x a week.
Was previously on at least 80 mg. MPH daily prior to Strattera, it was good for motivation and focus, but never centered me and turned down the brain chatter like Strat does. So I use the MPH off and on with no problems with dependence. But, if one had a history of that, or of any troubles with stimulants, it might be different story, I'm sure.
This combo seems ideal for me. Hope this sheds a bit of light.
Posted by Maxime on January 15, 2005, at 22:43:22
In reply to Re: 'As required' use of stimulants, posted by 10derheart on January 15, 2005, at 21:40:13
I take 30 mg of Adderall XR a day for depression. If I miss ONE day, that day I am dizzy and nauseous and tripping over things.
Maxime
Posted by zeugma on January 16, 2005, at 10:36:32
In reply to Re: 'As required' use of stimulants, posted by Maxime on January 15, 2005, at 22:43:22
I take 60 mg Ritalin LA every time I work a full day (monday thru friday).
I was taking 60 mg on weekends too, so that I could get work done around the house, but he told me to take only 30 mg/day during the weekend. This is not because of sensitization/tolerance but because of cardiac side effects. It is the same reason I am now taking 50 mg nortriptyline/day, down from 100 mg.
-z
Posted by bimini on January 16, 2005, at 13:37:33
In reply to 'As required' use of stimulants, posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 16:35:26
I don't think so either. I think the risk is more the inability to control the amount. "As required" can mean 10 tablets or 20 or vary from month to month. If you are required to take one each and every day, one could be fair to assume 30 per month to be used with none remaining. If the extras become arbitrary, insurance stops covering 30 per month.
bimini
Posted by CareBear04 on January 17, 2005, at 13:08:19
In reply to Re: 'As required' use of stimulants, posted by bimini on January 16, 2005, at 13:37:33
i take adderall xr 30mg each morning. if i don't take this before my day starts, i can't function properly or wake up. i have regular adderall in 10mg pills, which i'm instructed to take as needed. i can take the immediate release or not, depending on how i feel. but i feel addicted, not just physically dependent, on the morning XR dose. i hate it, and it scares me that i'm so scared of the drs cutting off my supply. i'm scared of possible mood crashes, of the tiredness and deadness, and of the inability to focus. but a lot of the drs i've seen lately are really against stims as part of my treatment, esp because of appetite suppresion. so yeah, i feel addicted to my everyday dose but not my prn. hope that helps.
This is the end of the thread.
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