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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 eric wagner on March 13, 2008, at 18:19:46
I was wondering if anyone has any info. on stimulant medications that is/has helped them - w/ or w/out combination medications
I've been on many types of all classes of antidepressants w/ no positve response whatsoever
I was put on Daytrana (Methylphenidate patch) 30 mg./9 hrs. approx. 4 months ago. for ADD, depression, anhedonia, antisocialness, etc.
For the first 2 weeks had a positive response, first ever for any medication i've ever taken
Initially I had:
excellent concentration, comprehension, etc.
more optimistic outlook towards life
less worrying, negative thoughts
interest in old hobbies
motivation to get stuff done, work, cleaning, research,etc.
lessened depressionThen after the first 1.5 - 2 weeks passed, all positive responses lessened by the day, w/ only slightly improved concentration left
After a couple months, I was put on a higher dose of 60 Mg./9 hours
Initially I had:
excellent concentration, comprehension, etc.
more optimistic outlook towards life
almost no worrying, negative thoughts
interest in old hobbies
motivation to get stuff done, work, cleaning, research,etc.
no sign of depressionThen after the first 2 weeks on higher dose passed, same results
After years & years of trials, i finally found something which produced positive results, only to last 2 weeks
I am a healthy 33 year old male who is very active
I believe I have a very high tolerance for medications
Any info., suggestions, past &/or current use overview will be MUCH appreciated
eric m. wagner
Posted by 4WD on March 13, 2008, at 21:28:44
In reply to stimulant only - ADD/Depress./Anhedonia/'Normalcy', posted by eric wagner on March 13, 2008, at 18:19:46
Have you tried Provigil? It was no good for me- helped for a few days then made me more depressed but a lot of people swear by it. I tried Concerta once but it made me more depressed.
I'm not really a good example. I used to abuse stimulants back in the 70's and I think I ruined the way my brain reacts to them.
Only other thing I can say is that the same thing happened to me with Geodon. It worked great for two weeks, then had to raise the dose. I kept doing this till I reached my maximum then had to come back down because I was getting too much norepinephrine action. But it was a great 4-5 months.
Marsha
> I was wondering if anyone has any info. on stimulant medications that is/has helped them - w/ or w/out combination medications
>
> I've been on many types of all classes of antidepressants w/ no positve response whatsoever
>
> I was put on Daytrana (Methylphenidate patch) 30 mg./9 hrs. approx. 4 months ago. for ADD, depression, anhedonia, antisocialness, etc.
>
> For the first 2 weeks had a positive response, first ever for any medication i've ever taken
>
> Initially I had:
> excellent concentration, comprehension, etc.
> more optimistic outlook towards life
> less worrying, negative thoughts
> interest in old hobbies
> motivation to get stuff done, work, cleaning, research,etc.
> lessened depression
>
> Then after the first 1.5 - 2 weeks passed, all positive responses lessened by the day, w/ only slightly improved concentration left
>
> After a couple months, I was put on a higher dose of 60 Mg./9 hours
>
> Initially I had:
> excellent concentration, comprehension, etc.
> more optimistic outlook towards life
> almost no worrying, negative thoughts
> interest in old hobbies
> motivation to get stuff done, work, cleaning, research,etc.
> no sign of depression
>
> Then after the first 2 weeks on higher dose passed, same results
>
> After years & years of trials, i finally found something which produced positive results, only to last 2 weeks
>
> I am a healthy 33 year old male who is very active
>
> I believe I have a very high tolerance for medications
>
> Any info., suggestions, past &/or current use overview will be MUCH appreciated
>
> eric m. wagner
Posted by cumulative on March 13, 2008, at 23:16:09
In reply to stimulant only - ADD/Depress./Anhedonia/'Normalcy', posted by eric wagner on March 13, 2008, at 18:19:46
Unfortunately, the initial, bordering-on-hyperthymic mood lift from psychostimulants typically rapidly develops tolerance. This effect is related to dopaminergic activity in the nucleus accumbens, in response to which there is a rapid re-regulation. It's typically not something you can chase down, as adrenergic side effects rise. OTOH the therapeutic effects of improved concentration (perhaps a milder mood-lift as well) are separate and usually can last a very long time, or sensitize.
Posted by bleauberry on March 15, 2008, at 11:16:24
In reply to stimulant only - ADD/Depress./Anhedonia/'Normalcy', posted by eric wagner on March 13, 2008, at 18:19:46
Stimulants do have a reputation of rapid tolerance. Whether it is taken as a prescription drug or a street drug, tolerance develops quickly. Higher and higher doses are needed to get the desired effect, and then eventually it can boomerang and make the person worse than before they started. That said, there are some people who have been on stable doses for a long time. Some develop tolerance and some don't.
I've heard the drug Memantine prevents tolerance to stimulants and opiates. I saw an obscure scientific article somewhere that said Ginseng could prevent and reverse stimulant tolerance. Solid proof on these is missing, but just something to consider. As that goes, there really isn't solid proof of anything with psych drugs. But when it comes to stimulant tolerance, the two substances Memantine or Ginseng pop up.
At least you have a clue in what brain circuitry to focus treatments. Stimulants are mostly a dopamine/norepinephrine thing, with maybe just a tiny bit of serotonin involvement. Other drugs in the same category would include: other stimulants, wellbutrin, milnacipran, desipramine, amisulpride, provigil, adrafinil, trivastal. My personal favorites from past usage for the purposes you are looking for were adrafinil or milnacipran, though I haven't yet tried the trivastal sitting in my cabinet.
Posted by Eric Wagner on March 18, 2008, at 12:33:40
In reply to Re: stimulant only - ADD/Depress./Anhedonia/'Normalcy', posted by bleauberry on March 15, 2008, at 11:16:24
Thanks for all the replies
I appreciate itHas anyone ever tried Concerta?
Or ever switched from Daytrana or other form of shorter acting methylphenidate to Concerta?How long does it last & does it produce the same effects as shorting acting form?
thanks,
Eric M. Wagner
Posted by cg1973 on March 20, 2008, at 17:19:24
In reply to stimulant only - ADD/Depress./Anhedonia/'Normalcy', posted by eric wagner on March 13, 2008, at 18:19:46
Have you tried Dexedrine SR? It's got an anti-depressant effect as well as helping the ADD. I have found both Dexedrine and Adderall to be much more helpful than Ritalin, Concerta, et. al.
This is the end of the thread.
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