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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by craiggetty on January 24, 2006, at 2:24:18
I take 40-60mg of dexedrine capsules per day. They keep me awake without having to nap, but i find myself unable to stick to the task at hand (i.e. a term paper). instead, i surf the net, or call friends. i know this is partially a procrastination problem, but i wonder if ritalin would help me focuse more.
*by the way, my other meds are wellbutrin 200mg and cymbalta 60 mg...
plus vitamin b and folic acid supplements (not that thosereally do anything).
Posted by Sarah T. on January 28, 2006, at 2:44:48
In reply to dexedrine good for energy, but not focus, posted by craiggetty on January 24, 2006, at 2:24:18
Hi. I wonder whether the difficulty you have with focusing is a function of dexedrine or of the combination of meds. Maybe the combo provides too much stimulation?
On Dexedrine, I was more gregarious than on the other stimulants. On Adderall and Ritalin I was quite withdrawn. While on Adderall or Ritalin, I was able to focus, but I was so withdrawn and even depressed on them that it wasn't worth it. But that's just me. There are a lot of people here who benefit from one stimulant and not another.
How long have you been on Dexedrine? Is it possible you've developed a tolerance to it and might need a change anyway?
Posted by Paulbwell on January 28, 2006, at 5:04:39
In reply to Re: dexedrine good for energy, but not focus » craiggetty, posted by Sarah T. on January 28, 2006, at 2:44:48
> Hi. I wonder whether the difficulty you have with focusing is a function of dexedrine or of the combination of meds. Maybe the combo provides too much stimulation?
>
> On Dexedrine, I was more gregarious than on the other stimulants. On Adderall and Ritalin I was quite withdrawn. While on Adderall or Ritalin, I was able to focus, but I was so withdrawn and even depressed on them that it wasn't worth it. But that's just me. There are a lot of people here who benefit from one stimulant and not another.
>
> How long have you been on Dexedrine? Is it possible you've developed a tolerance to it and might need a change anyway?
After having used Methylphenidate (Ritalin) for 2 years) is is certainly less pro social, hence i would like to switch to Dextroamphetamine, but combined with Nicotine or Caffeine or when first started (at 20-30mgs) gave me great straight thinking) the effects have altered after 2 years and i'm looking at a change,MANY FOLKS state Dextroamphetamine is more prosocial, while
ANY FOLKS state Ritalin is less social, i believe them.YES Ritalin is great for hyperictivity and focus when first used, but the damn brain changes, cause either a change in compound or an increase in dosage-i was scripted 80mgs Methylphenidate recently! 20mgs 4x daily, althought i take it when i feel it does the best good!-leaving me with a an extra of this C11 med around.
Cheers
Posted by alohashirt on January 29, 2006, at 22:23:59
In reply to Re: dexedrine good for energy, but not focus, posted by Paulbwell on January 28, 2006, at 5:04:39
I've found Focalin XR (long acting single isomer methylphenidate) much better than Concerta (long acting methlyphenidate) both from symptom reduction - sharper, clearer and fewer side effects. It's possibly worth a try.
> > Hi. I wonder whether the difficulty you have with focusing is a function of dexedrine or of the combination of meds. Maybe the combo provides too much stimulation?
> >
> > On Dexedrine, I was more gregarious than on the other stimulants. On Adderall and Ritalin I was quite withdrawn. While on Adderall or Ritalin, I was able to focus, but I was so withdrawn and even depressed on them that it wasn't worth it. But that's just me. There are a lot of people here who benefit from one stimulant and not another.
> >
> > How long have you been on Dexedrine? Is it possible you've developed a tolerance to it and might need a change anyway?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> After having used Methylphenidate (Ritalin) for 2 years) is is certainly less pro social, hence i would like to switch to Dextroamphetamine, but combined with Nicotine or Caffeine or when first started (at 20-30mgs) gave me great straight thinking) the effects have altered after 2 years and i'm looking at a change,
>
> MANY FOLKS state Dextroamphetamine is more prosocial, while
> ANY FOLKS state Ritalin is less social, i believe them.
>
> YES Ritalin is great for hyperictivity and focus when first used, but the damn brain changes, cause either a change in compound or an increase in dosage-i was scripted 80mgs Methylphenidate recently! 20mgs 4x daily, althought i take it when i feel it does the best good!-leaving me with a an extra of this C11 med around.
>
> Cheers
>
Posted by Sarah T. on January 30, 2006, at 1:38:18
In reply to Re: dexedrine good for energy, but not focus, posted by alohashirt on January 29, 2006, at 22:23:59
Hi alohashirt,
How did you figure out the dosing for Focalin XR? I guess for Focalin immediate release, you'd use half of the regular Ritalin dose, right? But what about the XR?
S.
Posted by alohashirt on January 30, 2006, at 6:52:30
In reply to Re: dexedrine good for energy, but not focus » alohashirt, posted by Sarah T. on January 30, 2006, at 1:38:18
> Hi alohashirt,
>
> How did you figure out the dosing for Focalin XR? I guess for Focalin immediate release, you'd use half of the regular Ritalin dose, right? But what about the XR?
>
> S.I went from Concerta 72mg 7.00am
to Focalin XR 40mg 7.00am, 20mg at 1.00pm
I think its always a "suck it and see" approach because people seem to respond so differently to a given dose.
Posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 0:09:47
In reply to Re: dexedrine good for energy, but not focus, posted by alohashirt on January 30, 2006, at 6:52:30
Hi alohashirt.
I'm glad that worked for you. When you were on Concerta, how many hours did the 72mg taken at 7:00 am last? When I took it a few years ago, it didn't last as long as I'd hoped. No, actually, it did last about 10-11 hours, but the last few hours (approx. 7th - 11th hours) were quite unpleasant. It wasn't as smooth a decline as I had hoped.
S.
Posted by alohashirt on January 31, 2006, at 5:40:37
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta » alohashirt, posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 0:09:47
> Hi alohashirt.
>
> I'm glad that worked for you. When you were on Concerta, how many hours did the 72mg taken at 7:00 am last? When I took it a few years ago, it didn't last as long as I'd hoped. No, actually, it did last about 10-11 hours, but the last few hours (approx. 7th - 11th hours) were quite unpleasant. It wasn't as smooth a decline as I had hoped.
>It lasted for 8 or 9 hours for me.
I would usually take Metadate CD or dexedrine at 2.00pm
> S.
Posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 19:31:14
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta, posted by alohashirt on January 31, 2006, at 5:40:37
Hi. Hmmm. So you took methylphenidate and Dexedrine on the same day, separated by quite a few hours. I've heard of others doing that. I'm not sure I could tolerate that combination.
Posted by alohashirt on January 31, 2006, at 21:38:38
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta » alohashirt, posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 19:31:14
> Hi. Hmmm. So you took methylphenidate and Dexedrine on the same day, separated by quite a few hours. I've heard of others doing that. I'm not sure I could tolerate that combination.
Even took them at same time for a while. I couldn't tolerate a full dexedrine dose because of blood pressurre effects. It seems like were at such a primitive stage with all this.
Posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 22:19:19
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta, posted by alohashirt on January 31, 2006, at 21:38:38
> > > Even took them at same time for a while. I couldn't tolerate a full dexedrine dose because of blood pressurre effects. It seems like were at such a primitive stage with all this.
I can't believe you said that. Just recently, I said nearly the same thing to my pdoc about psychiatric meds. I used the word "primitive," also. Psychopharmacology is primitive, especially when compared with pharmacology in some other medical specialties.
Posted by Paulbwell on February 4, 2006, at 5:03:16
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta » alohashirt, posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 22:19:19
> > > > Even took them at same time for a while. I couldn't tolerate a full dexedrine dose because of blood pressurre effects. It seems like were at such a primitive stage with all this.
>
> I can't believe you said that. Just recently, I said nearly the same thing to my pdoc about psychiatric meds. I used the word "primitive," also. Psychopharmacology is primitive, especially when compared with pharmacology in some other medical specialties.
>
>
I have been scripted 80mgs Ritalin before and taken anywhere from 10mgs-140mgs daily-NOW,I managed to acquire a few Desoxyn (Methylamphetamine 5mg IR tabs) recently, and MY o MY where they SO different, They were so strong!, i could focus like a MF!!, these tabs opened my eyes!!
Far superior to Methylphenidate, with fewer SE's!!. Concentration and focus on whatever i was doing was automatic, no effert involved.
A truely superior, and far more satisfactory med than methylphenidate.
Funny how both meds start with Methyl, but thats where the similarity ends!!
Cheers
Posted by cindy lou on February 19, 2006, at 13:39:38
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta » alohashirt, posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 19:31:14
Hi,
I am glad to have found this thread.My question:
- Can I take Concerta twice a day to ward off the inevitable "crash" when it wears off? (If not, any other ideas?)
Here is some background:
I had been taking Dexedrine for a few years (combined with Lexapro and Klonapin -- both of which I took at night.) The Dex was basically an adjunct to the Lexapro (or whatever SSRI I was taking at the time -- all ADs tend to make me very tired.)
I took about 30 mg. of Dex a day -- 10 mg. 3x a day, as needed. At first, I only needed 5 mg. at a time to feel more energized -- like a boost to my coffee. It would last about 4 or 5 hours. In time, I needed to increase to 10 mg. to feel the "boost," and the energy didn't last as long. I wasn't more focused either, just more "awake."
For a few months now I have been experiencing extreme fatigue, depression, brain-fog, irritability, and I've been so scatter-brained it almost feels like disorientation. Dexedrine barely makes a dent -- I have tried 15 mg. at a time, which makes me hyper, a bit over the top, and then I "crash out" in a few hours.
My pdoc just switched me to Concerta, and also wants me to stop the Lexapro. His theory is that perhaps my depression has been caused by ADD all along (rather than the other way around).
I have been treated for depression for about 15 years on various different meds and combos. I began having strong ADD symptoms about 6 years ago after having my first baby. The ADD has continued to get worse as more is added to my plate (adopted a baby 2 years ago -- she had major surgery, etc. etc.) My pdoc surmises that I could have had ADD all along, but I managed it better without so much chaos and responsibility. His theory does sound right to me -- I have always been a good student, but also a big daydreamer all the way through school. Lots of doodling and staring out the window.
I took Concerta for the first time yesterday. I waited until Noon to take it, and I was very tired for a couple hours, so I took 5 mg. Dex. This really helped, and I felt very good and "smooth" until 8:30 when I could tell that everything was wearing off -- that familiar "crash."
I did not stop the Lexapro yet, but I am tapering off (from 10 to 5 mg.)
All this rambling leads me back to my original question: Can I take Concerta twice a day, to ward off that crash 8 hours later? (like taking one at 8 a.m., and another at 2 p.m.?) Or should I just take a Dex. half the way through?
Thanks for listening! I appreciate any feedback --
cindy
PS. Today I took the Concerta at 9 a.m., and began feeling quite tired around 2 p.m.
PPS. We have explored the possibility of me having Bipolar II, but it doesn't seem like an accurate dx for me. Have tried mood stabilizers, but they make me more volatile.
> Hi. Hmmm. So you took methylphenidate and Dexedrine on the same day, separated by quite a few hours. I've heard of others doing that. I'm not sure I could tolerate that combination.
Posted by cindy lou on February 19, 2006, at 14:20:30
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta, posted by cindy lou on February 19, 2006, at 13:39:38
Forgot to mention that I am taking 18 mg. of Concerta for now.
> Hi,
> I am glad to have found this thread.
>
> My question:
>
> - Can I take Concerta twice a day to ward off the inevitable "crash" when it wears off? (If not, any other ideas?)
>
> Here is some background:
>
> I had been taking Dexedrine for a few years (combined with Lexapro and Klonapin -- both of which I took at night.) The Dex was basically an adjunct to the Lexapro (or whatever SSRI I was taking at the time -- all ADs tend to make me very tired.)
>
> I took about 30 mg. of Dex a day -- 10 mg. 3x a day, as needed. At first, I only needed 5 mg. at a time to feel more energized -- like a boost to my coffee. It would last about 4 or 5 hours. In time, I needed to increase to 10 mg. to feel the "boost," and the energy didn't last as long. I wasn't more focused either, just more "awake."
>
> For a few months now I have been experiencing extreme fatigue, depression, brain-fog, irritability, and I've been so scatter-brained it almost feels like disorientation. Dexedrine barely makes a dent -- I have tried 15 mg. at a time, which makes me hyper, a bit over the top, and then I "crash out" in a few hours.
>
> My pdoc just switched me to Concerta, and also wants me to stop the Lexapro. His theory is that perhaps my depression has been caused by ADD all along (rather than the other way around).
>
> I have been treated for depression for about 15 years on various different meds and combos. I began having strong ADD symptoms about 6 years ago after having my first baby. The ADD has continued to get worse as more is added to my plate (adopted a baby 2 years ago -- she had major surgery, etc. etc.) My pdoc surmises that I could have had ADD all along, but I managed it better without so much chaos and responsibility. His theory does sound right to me -- I have always been a good student, but also a big daydreamer all the way through school. Lots of doodling and staring out the window.
>
> I took Concerta for the first time yesterday. I waited until Noon to take it, and I was very tired for a couple hours, so I took 5 mg. Dex. This really helped, and I felt very good and "smooth" until 8:30 when I could tell that everything was wearing off -- that familiar "crash."
>
> I did not stop the Lexapro yet, but I am tapering off (from 10 to 5 mg.)
>
> All this rambling leads me back to my original question: Can I take Concerta twice a day, to ward off that crash 8 hours later? (like taking one at 8 a.m., and another at 2 p.m.?) Or should I just take a Dex. half the way through?
>
> Thanks for listening! I appreciate any feedback --
>
> cindy
>
> PS. Today I took the Concerta at 9 a.m., and began feeling quite tired around 2 p.m.
>
> PPS. We have explored the possibility of me having Bipolar II, but it doesn't seem like an accurate dx for me. Have tried mood stabilizers, but they make me more volatile.
>
>
>
> > Hi. Hmmm. So you took methylphenidate and Dexedrine on the same day, separated by quite a few hours. I've heard of others doing that. I'm not sure I could tolerate that combination.
>
>
Posted by theo on February 19, 2006, at 15:35:10
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta, posted by cindy lou on February 19, 2006, at 13:39:38
2mg Abilify has helped my ADD symptoms plus depression some and I am getting ready to add 18mg Concerta.
Just 2mg Abilify has rid me of mild depression and helps me with focus and motivation. I'll be curious to see how the Concerta works with it.
Posted by alohashirt on February 25, 2006, at 11:57:04
In reply to Re: Focalin XR dosing Concerta, posted by cindy lou on February 19, 2006, at 13:39:38
You could take Concerta twice a day but it sprobably not the best colution as Concerta releases more medication four hours after taking it. Better to take Concerta in teh morning then Metadate CD, which is an older five hour XR preparation or even try Ritalin immediate release.
I take Focalin XR twice a day for eth same reason you describe an dit works better for me than Concerta+Metadate or Concerta+dexedrine did
Posted by theo on February 25, 2006, at 22:53:44
In reply to Concerta twice a day, posted by alohashirt on February 25, 2006, at 11:57:04
> I take Focalin XR twice a day for eth same reason you describe an dit works better for me than Concerta+Metadate or Concerta+dexedrine did
At what times do you take your doses?
Posted by alohashirt on February 26, 2006, at 23:55:28
In reply to Re: Concerta twice a day » alohashirt, posted by theo on February 25, 2006, at 22:53:44
> > I take Focalin XR twice a day for eth same reason you describe an dit works better for me than Concerta+Metadate or Concerta+dexedrine did
>
> At what times do you take your doses?
>
7.00am, 12.30pm / or when I remember
This is the end of the thread.
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