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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AdamCanada on May 24, 2008, at 17:45:28
I suffer from strong treatment resistant depression, social anxiety... lack of interest, low drive, low motivation, etc.
I normally have taken 9.5mg of paxil, 0.5 clonazepam (klonopin i think) 2-3 times a day, Gabapentin 300mg-600mg a day (improves socialness, drive, motivation, but loses effect), and 2.5mg Ritalin 4-6 times daily.
What has changed? I now take Ativan (Lorazepam) 0.5 2-3 times daily instead of Clonazepam, and 1.25mg Dexedrine 4-6 times daily instead of Ritalin.
At first I switched the ritalin to Dexedrine. Almost emmediately I felt an improvement as Ritalin has a loss of effectiveness over time. By the 3rd day my mood was improved to a significant degree and I felt more drive, motivation, and even passion for photography and willingness to actually meet with friends. I felt more able to concentrate, felt more creative. By the 4th day it was similar but perhaps a bit less.
Then I made the switch from Clonazepam to Ativan. As the days went by... perhaps the 6th day of all this... 2 of which being on ativan and 6th of being on dexedrine I was feeling QUITE WORSE.
My heart would be beating very quickly. I would feel hot headed and other times have cold clammy hands. Creative able to concentrate? Not a chance. I felt like my mind was shut off and in the gutter. Plus my anxiety would increase.
Those first days of Dexedrine were so promising... then it all went downhill and today I have not taken Any Dexedrine at all. I'm trying to think of what my next move will be as I see how I feel without any amphetamine.
Can anyone offer me any possible insight over what happened? Any advice, ideas, insight, anything at all would help. I just need some idea of what on earth is going on here.
I assume it has to be the Dexedrine that caused me to feel worse over time since Ativan is suppossed to be so mild anyway.
Plus dexedrine causing me to lose a lot of wieght, even more than when i was taking ritalin.
Posted by Sigismund on May 24, 2008, at 18:54:14
In reply to Problems with my med change Dexedrine + Ativan,, posted by AdamCanada on May 24, 2008, at 17:45:28
That is pretty much what my experience of Dexedrine was like.
If I took it every day I would end up feeling much much worse.
Very occasional use was great.
It's not as if you were taking much of it.
(But I do wonder with all the other things you are taking whether there might not be some long term downside to how you feel long term.
It's difficult, I know.)
Posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2008, at 23:58:19
In reply to Re: Problems with my med change Dexedrine + Ativan, posted by Sigismund on May 24, 2008, at 18:54:14
Also klonopin is stronger than ativan could you be perhaps withdrawing from benzos? Phillipa
Posted by ncrainbow on May 27, 2008, at 7:29:05
In reply to Problems with my med change Dexedrine + Ativan,, posted by AdamCanada on May 24, 2008, at 17:45:28
It is possible that the Klonopin/Dexedrine match was better for you than when you swithed to Ativan. Although Klonopin and Ativan are in the same class, they do vary in a few ways. Klonopin stays in your system much longer so if you are taking it a few times a day, you are likely not to experience any of those typical benzo hills and valleys. I have been told that Klonopin has a mood stabilizing effect which might offset any mood sie effects you are getting form the dexedrine.
Before totally giving up on Dexedrine, you could either try going back to the klonopin or try a different formulation of dexedrine. It comes in either a time release spansule or just a straight dose.
Ncrainbow
Posted by AdamCanada on May 28, 2008, at 22:00:39
In reply to Re: Problems with my med change Dexedrine + Ativan,, posted by ncrainbow on May 27, 2008, at 7:29:05
> It is possible that the Klonopin/Dexedrine match was better for you than when you swithed to Ativan. Although Klonopin and Ativan are in the same class, they do vary in a few ways. Klonopin stays in your system much longer so if you are taking it a few times a day, you are likely not to experience any of those typical benzo hills and valleys. I have been told that Klonopin has a mood stabilizing effect which might offset any mood sie effects you are getting form the dexedrine.
>
> Before totally giving up on Dexedrine, you could either try going back to the klonopin or try a different formulation of dexedrine. It comes in either a time release spansule or just a straight dose.
>
> Ncrainbownt
This is the end of the thread.
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