![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 38. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by West on June 6, 2008, at 18:13:42
I suffer from a mood disorder but i'm not sure what exactly. I feel in a trough half the time, do not enjoy activities that interest me (literature, drawing + painting) and lack appropriate emotional response to situations. I find i get distressed and angry easily. i have also feel as if some block has been implemented in my brain, preventing me from remembering facts, names, words- even what I did yesterday. I mentioned all this to the psychiatrist earlier today who said there was nothing wrong with me and that i should try to involve myself more in clubs and social care and generally stop being so isolated. A typical brit, I have a tendency to conceal my fluctuating emotions behind a veneer brighter that belies the dark ocean of its core, which I am afraid he took as given - On the whole I like exchanges to be pleasant and try to be sensitive to the feelings of others. I have used recreational drugs in the past to cope or just to curb the lifelong feelings of joylessness and detachedness which i'm putting down to dysthymia. I have had trouble with finding pleasure ever since i can remember so i thought dopaminergics would helpful- hence dexedrine, or even amilsupride. Also I read some of ACE#s posts and he has got loads of good stuff to say about nardil for social anxiety which is wretched and has been a big black cloud over my life with its viscous circle of shyness-no friends-isloation-depression.
I have taken fluoxetine and escitalopram both of which helped to some extent caused motivational + apathetic feelings. Also tried bupropion and selegeline - B caused a thumping heartbeat, memory problems and irritability, S just insomnia. All i am taking at the moment is zopiclone to sleep and slow down negative thoughts at night time. Can anyone relate? Have people found dexedrine or ritalin useful, coud you mention the names of any doctors you found helpful for these complaints if you happen to reside in (northern) England xxx
Posted by dbc on June 6, 2008, at 20:03:33
In reply to Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 6, 2008, at 18:13:42
I really have no idea about amphetamine in the UK as far as specifics. But from posts on various forums it seems much harder to aquire stimulants in the UK comparatively to say some other narcotic like opiates. I dont mean that in a drug seeking manner either but for legit medical therapies.
While its the direct opposite in the US.
Posted by West on June 6, 2008, at 20:41:04
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by dbc on June 6, 2008, at 20:03:33
do you mean like tramadol?
Posted by dbc on June 6, 2008, at 21:43:14
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 6, 2008, at 20:41:04
right
Posted by garylee on June 6, 2008, at 23:24:41
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by dbc on June 6, 2008, at 21:43:14
Hi
I think if you find a good pdoc then prescribing something like Ritalin wouldn't be a problem. They give it to kids over here for ADD/ADHD. Just as long as it's relevant to your diagnosis then there won't be a prescribing problem.
As for opiates, my pdoc has prescribed Codeine before and has also dihydrocodeine and Tramadol. I pushed for Oxycodone (Hydrocodone isn't available over here as far as I know) and Subutex, as they could see the massive difference on Subutex when I was taking it and went to see them. Oxycodone was a straight no, no. Only pesrcibed with major surgery etc. Subutex 'could' be got, but you'd have to get down your local D&A clinic and either say you are a heroin or crack addict or explain your situation along with a letter from the pdoc and ask if they will dispense?
If you are looking for a adventurous pdoc, who has more powers, then I can put you in touch will some Harley Street type ones, they don't come cheap though, around £250 a session, but they can be well worth it...
Regards
Gary
Posted by garylee on June 6, 2008, at 23:26:17
In reply to Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 6, 2008, at 18:13:42
P.S. These doctors I'm talking abvout are south england, but make a trip of it to London??
:O)
Gary
Posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 4:47:46
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by garylee on June 6, 2008, at 23:26:17
I am going to make an appointment with a pdoc up here and try to get nardil which i hope will improve the social anxiety symptoms. Trouble is, one day it's terrible, and the suffering seems unbearable, then i wake up the following day feeling ok like nothing had happened. On these days taking nardil might not seem such an attractive prospect. GaryLee thanks for your post- i appreciate it. I'm going to London in July > £250 does sound quite steep !! Do you pay more for prescriptions also?
Posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 10:18:47
In reply to Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 6, 2008, at 18:13:42
Stimulants aren't usually prescribed to adults in the UK. I think they're actually contraindicated for use in depression and fatigue. From the BNF:
"Central nervous system stimulants include the amphetamines (notably dexamfetamine) and related drugs (e.g. methylphenidate). They have very few indications and in particular, should not be used to treat depression, obesity, senility, debility, or for relief of fatigue."
It's true, you might be able to get a private pdoc to give you dex if you pay him enough, but the chances of getting it on the NHS are close to nil. You might have better luck with amisulpride. I take 50mg as required and it helps a little. Parnate is another alternative to stims that UK doctors might prescribe, and I found it very helpful at higher doses.
I too live in northern England. I had a hell of a job getting a script for zopiclone - have I just been unlucky? I was hospitalized for a manic episode a few months ago, but my pdoc still wanted to discontinue zopiclone as soon as possible. Like you, I find it helps slow down my negative thoughts at night and helps me rest. Fortunately I 've just seen a doc who is willing to give me zopiclone long term. He's also an addiction specialist, and I'm hoping he will consider prescribing me buprenorphine or methadone for my depression. I'm also dependent on opioids (they're the only thing that has worked for my problems). Tramadol was very effective for treating mood symptoms, but when I asked one of my old pdocs to consider it he refused. I'm hoping my current opioid dependence might be a way of sneaking in the back door to get bupe or methadone for depresson. I've heard of other people getting opiates for depression in the UK, but mostly they got methadone or oxycodone. I'm suprised by the oxycodone.
I also tried Ritalin, amphetamine, bupropion, selegiline and cocaine, and wasn't impressed with any of them. I've never tried dexedrine, but I have a feeling Parnate might actually be the closest thing, and for me it was superior to all the drugs mentioned above (bar opiates).
-Horny
Posted by dbc on June 7, 2008, at 10:58:21
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine?? » West, posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 10:18:47
The UK mental health system sounds well...odd. In the US things like social anxiety are usually taken care of by a psychologists rather than medication.
Hey parnate is an awsome drug for depression and the anhedonia you describe but its not something to be taken lightly. It can be dangerous if a doctor doesnt understand what they're doing with an MAOI or a patient doesnt know about some of the dangers (ie you can die from eating types of cheese).
The same goes for dexedrine except its amazingly and brutally addictive. During the 60s and 70s it was prescribed pretty openly along with valium and both became a problem of epidemic proportions and so prescribe it very infrequently in the US compared to ritalin or adderal. The only drug with more negative stigma attached to it is Desoxyn (methamphetamine).
I know even getting benzos (valium, klonopin, xanax, ativan) prescribed in the UK is near impossible these days so it sounds like mental health in general is extremely conservative on the other side of the pond.
Posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 13:12:30
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by dbc on June 7, 2008, at 10:58:21
Thanks for your thoughts >> dbc- i think you're absolutely right about p'docs being conservative here. I just saw an on call GP here who was running an out of hours surgery in Northallerton and she agreed to give me a prescription for 3 diazepam 'just to tide me over' until i could see my real GP on monday. She hinted strongly that she was doing me a favour and that this was not normal practice. My GP HAS prescribed me 30 diazepam 5mg before after i complained of dysphoria and sleeplessness with suicidal ideation (a rough patch). Actually i would be happy enough with this(diazepam)kind of relief in the long-term: i don't usually find it takes much to throw me out of my feelings of dysthymia and unease. Someone posted earlier (a fellow atypical) about seeing a doctor and after presenting their symptoms, asking whether he thought she had atypical depression, the doctor relied 'no, i think your symptoms are quite typical of depression'. She said she found this 'quite disheartening', I call it a f**king disgrace- the least these people could, on their £100,000 salaries is begin to familiarise themselves with, and learn to distinguish, highly prevalent mood disorders- so that a proper diagnosis can be made.In addition he/she touched on the sense of feeling like a 'phoney' depressive- that to others he/she appeared to be prefectly fine but if he/she was quizzed on how they felt when alone 10 mins earlier a safe bet would be far from wonderful- i get this. (Even my parents wonder when i sudenly fall silent whether i'm simply indulging what they call my 'artistic side'). This might be true if i didn't experience consistent bouts of mental anguish. It must be costing the nhs serious time and money to have patients go back and forth between GPs and psychiatrists for lack of a proper diagnosis and the appropriate psychic drugs. The private psychiatrist who I will see has a very dim view of things, saying that apparently very few nhs p'docs are encouraged to identify anyone who isn't BP or schizophrenic. RE the amphetamines it does sound as if dexedrine might be problematic and a little counter-productive. Ritalin allowed me to focus and write in some depth, something i have very rarely found capable of doing despite achieving respectable a-levels from a great school. Since then things haven't gone quite as smoothly and i have flaked out on 4 courses at 3 universities/Art schools and am considering dropping out on my current decision choice of fine art. Not that the alternative is any better- i'd rather be on a course i don't attend than face holding down a job. My brain is on sabbatical, leaving me with this hungry hollow cave which gobbles up all worldy knowledge and facts and clarity, generally refusing me any access to it and being a total bastard. I am intersted in amilsupride
which i understand is an asti-psychotic, but at low doses a partial dopamine agonist which sounds very interesting. Will it produce a ritalin-style lift and focus? Sorry for the ranting- it's really good to share all this stuff. Best of luck to you all ! Westphalia
Posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 13:32:51
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine?? » West, posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 10:18:47
Horned one- you mention using the poppy to soothe your psychic woes- i'm sure you know opium is the oldest AD in the book- physicians would routinely prescribe laudenum for sufferers of the black dog. Opium grains were available over the counter from pharmacists, one account from the 19th C. tells of the wave of epidemic opium consumption among the proliteriat in Manchester during a time when it was cheaper than ale. Kids all doped up and everything. Apparently opium , not tea, was the opium of the masses.
Posted by dbc on June 7, 2008, at 14:58:25
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 13:12:30
> Thanks for your thoughts >> dbc- i think you're absolutely right about p'docs being conservative here. I just saw an on call GP here who was running an out of hours surgery in Northallerton and she agreed to give me a prescription for 3 diazepam 'just to tide me over' until i could see my real GP on monday. She hinted strongly that she was doing me a favour and that this was not normal practice.
>Thats insane, i receive 60 10mg diazepam a month. Although taking that many would get me an odd hmm and a hah from the old doctor so i try to maintain a more moderate dose unless were trying out a new psych med that i cant tolerate (seroquel anyone?) and then i get the green light to take however many is needed.
Posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 15:43:36
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by dbc on June 7, 2008, at 10:58:21
>The UK mental health system sounds well...odd. In the US things like social anxiety are usually taken care of by a psychologists rather than medication.
Sounds like an awful lot of posters in the US are taking medication (particularly benzos) for social anxiety. I thought the craze for CBT was pretty much a UK thing - CBT is the preferred treatment for social anxiety and depression here, with medication usually being a short-term measure. My pdoc insisted I see a CBT therapist as one of the conditions of supplying me with clonazepam, and I'm still being pestered to have therapy. Actually I had a referral in January, but I still haven't heard anything back from that. It took over a year to get an assessment interview from my CBT therapist.
>Hey parnate is an awsome drug for depression and the anhedonia you describe but its not something to be taken lightly. It can be dangerous if a doctor doesnt understand what they're doing with an MAOI or a patient doesnt know about some of the dangers (ie you can die from eating types of cheese).
On balance, Dexedrine isn't a drug to be taken lightly either. I think the dietary restrictions are pretty much notorious, but I didn't have a problem with them myself.
>The same goes for dexedrine except its amazingly and brutally addictive. During the 60s and 70s it was prescribed pretty openly along with valium and both became a problem of epidemic proportions and so prescribe it very infrequently in the US compared to ritalin or adderal. The only drug with more negative stigma attached to it is Desoxyn (methamphetamine).
From the 50s through to the 70s there was an epidemic of barbiturate/amphetamine (Purple Hearts, Dexamyl etc) and benzo addiction here. These days it's pretty much impossible to get prescriptions for any of those drugs, especially if you're a young adult. There was a big crackdown on these kinds of drugs from the late 70s to the mid 80s, but British doctors certainly weren't always as conservative in their prescribing habits. Prescriptions for Valium, barbs and amphetamines peaked in the 70s - I read in "The Pursuit of Oblivion" that in 1976 there were enough barbiturates prescribed on the NHS to supply every man, woman and child in the country with a sleeping pill for every day of the year. Amazing to think how prescribing habits have changed so drastically in a relatively short period of time. One of the reasons my pdoc is willing to give me zopiclone is because he did his training in that era, and thinks that 'the pendulum has swung too far in this country'.
-Horny
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 16:06:33
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine?? » dbc, posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 15:43:36
Followed the thread and what you all say is true about the USA no opiods here unless just had surgery. Phillipa
Posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 17:06:34
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine?? » dbc, posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 15:43:36
>>CBT is the preferred treatment for social anxiety and depression here, with medication usually being a short-term measure.
There's a fantacial puritanism in 'proving' you are a legitimate candidate for drug prescription. Like it's a test. Actually CBT was useless to me since my problem is primarily anhedonic not melancholic. Both my brother and I suffer from a biological low mood which, hard as it is for doctors to believe, has no environmental basis.
I'm still being pestered to have therapy. Actually I had a referral in January, but I still haven't heard anything back from that. It took over a year to get an assessment interview from my CBT therapist.
This is unbelievable. We are arguably at a higher risk of losing our lives than cancer patients.
> >Hey parnate is an awsome drug for depression and the anhedonia you describe but its not something to be taken lightly. It can be dangerous if a doctor doesnt understand what they're doing with an MAOI or a patient doesnt know about some of the dangers (ie you can die from eating types of cheese)
Parnate is i think discontinued here. I don't know why, tried googling it but got nothing. Nardil hits GABA which I need. Strangely, half a zopiclone got me out of the flat for a run in the park the other day (At 10pm)
>
> On balance, Dexedrine isn't a drug to be taken lightly either. I think the dietary restrictions are pretty much notorious, but I didn't have a problem with them myself.
>
> >The same goes for dexedrine except its amazingly and brutally addictive. During the 60s and 70s it was prescribed pretty openly along with valium and both became a problem of epidemic proportions and so prescribe it very infrequently in the US compared to ritalin or adderal. The only drug with more negative stigma attached to it is Desoxyn (methamphetamine).
>
> From the 50s through to the 70s there was an epidemic of barbiturate/amphetamine (Purple Hearts, Dexamyl etc) and benzo addiction here.My neighbour used to take these with his mates back when 'to get more drunk'. right. Sounds like the phenobarbital/d-amphetmine combo would probably would have been very effective for atypical, someone reported taking it as a student in the 70s as an effective study aid. She is diagnosed with adult ADD today.
One of the reasons my pdoc is willing to give me zopiclone is because he did his training in that era, and thinks that 'the pendulum has swung too far in this country'.
>This made me hmmm and nod and stroke my chin. Too true. Too true. We are at a very crude level with anxiolytics certainly. In the future they will have greater specificity, less amnesia/cognitive dulling and zero dependance (we can hope). That said i've never been under the thumb of real benzodiazepine dependance except for last summer when i had a rebound anxiety after taking one lorazepam everyday for a month.
What about Modafinil? I've taken it on its own and with escitalopram. Modalert is gritty. Modiodal is better but uber expensive unfortunately (£56 for 30) And sometimes frankly you just want a nap, which is obviously impossible (i found).
GaryLee- do you have the details of the harley street docs you mentionef. I am hoping a prescription for concerta will help if the Nardil plan doesn't come through
Posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 18:16:57
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 17:06:34
>This is unbelievable. We are arguably at a higher risk of losing our lives than cancer patients.
I know. It's ridiculous that prescriptions are witheld in preference for psychological therapies, especially when they take so long. CBT was useless for me too.
>Parnate is i think discontinued here. I don't know why, tried googling it but got nothing. Nardil hits GABA which I need.
Parnate is still available here (as generic tranylcypromine) http://www.bnf.org/bnf/bnf/55/3346.htm?q=%22tranylcypromine%22#_hit. There are studies showing that it actually lowers GABA, in contrast to Nardil. I did find it useful (in combination with clonazepam) for my mood and anxiety. Nardil is the only MAOI I haven't taken, and that's because of the side effect profile. I think the combination of Parnate and a benzo is 'cleaner' and more tolerable than Nardil.
>Strangely, half a zopiclone got me out of the flat for a run in the park the other day (At 10pm)
I sometimes take a little bit of zopiclone during the day for the same reason. Benzos usually have an activating effect in me.
>That said i've never been under the thumb of real benzodiazepine dependance except for last summer when i had a rebound anxiety after taking one lorazepam everyday for a month.
I was addicted to clonazepam for years, but the docs just stopped my prescriptions one day, and I went to hell. The whole argument about benzo addiction is that they have a hellish withdrawal syndrome, so why deliberately cause such suffering?! I wasn't given a Valium taper, and I was even refused a Librium taper by the drug addiction unit I went to. Had I been a Heroin addict though, I'd have got a script for methadone and application form for benefits no messing. As it was, my doctor expected me to be fit for work after two weeks.
Posted by dbc on June 7, 2008, at 18:37:46
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine?? » dbc, posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 15:43:36
> Sounds like an awful lot of posters in the US are taking medication (particularly benzos) for social anxiety. I thought the craze for CBT was pretty much a UK thing - CBT is the preferred treatment for social anxiety and depression here,
>Im an exception not the rule. I dont take benzos for social anxiety i take them because im a neurotic mess of a human being with a panic disorder most doctors have never even heard of an agoraphobia. Social anxiety is the least of my worries.
Usually whats considered minor anxiety disorders in the US are treated with SSRIs and therapy in combination. This is everything from social anxiety to even major cases of GAD.
Some of the older doctors dont fall for the benzo hysteria so much and are more relaxed about their use because they have practical real life experience with the drugs. Theres a big movement right now in psychiatry in the US to move from benzos to this 2nd (more like 3rd) generation anti-psychotics because of their supposed safety. Seroquel is the drug of choice in this crap and i almost suspected a lot of this is perpetuated by drug companies because this Atypical are expensive as hell compared to a $5 bottle of generic valium (were talking hundreds for seroquel and its the cheapest).
Posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 19:34:15
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by Horned One on June 7, 2008, at 18:16:57
> I know. It's ridiculous that prescriptions are witheld in preference for psychological therapies, especially when they take so long. CBT was useless for me too.Going to be tedious very briefly and say what about the cost of arranging cbt seesions and therapists vs largely generic ADs
>
> Parnate is still available here (as generic tranylcypromine) http://www.bnf.org/bnf/bnf/55/3346.htm?q=%22tranylcypromine%22#_hit. There are studies showing that it actually lowers GABA, in contrast to Nardil. I did find it useful (in combination with clonazepam) for my mood and anxiety. Nardil is the only MAOI I haven't taken, and that's because of the side effect profile. I think the combination of Parnate and a benzo is 'cleaner' and more tolerable than Nardil.Really? That's brilliant news. Questions 1) can you describe the effects (positive and negative)and 2)what is the likelihood of getting prescribed it WITH clonazepam (i assume it's quite
activating) - is relatively exotic stuff like this the preserve of the 'progressive' psychiatrist? Maybe you could even mention your pdoc - did you say youwere in Leeds?
> >Strangely, half a zopiclone got me out of the flat for a run in the park the other day (At 10pm)
>
> I sometimes take a little bit of zopiclone during the day for the same reason. Benzos usually have an activating effect in me.
>
Fat. Will give that one a try- who would have thought zopiclone would make it as an anxiolytic? The only forseeable problem with that would be balance + generally looking a bit 'mid-sleep'. If you ever need more I use u**tedph****cies (.co.uk) for imovane at very reasonable pricesAnd what of amilsulpride ?
Posted by undopaminergic on June 7, 2008, at 20:19:09
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 13:12:30
> I am intersted in amilsupride which i understand is an asti-psychotic, but at low doses a partial dopamine agonist which sounds very interesting.
>It's not a partial dopamine agonist, but a pure antagonist. The good thing is that it preferentially blocks presynaptic dopamine receptors that function as autoreceptors. Since these autoreceptors reduce or inhibit dopamine release, blocking them with amisulpride results in enhanced dopamine release, and as long as the dose of amisulpride is low enough not to negate the effect of increased neurotransmitter release by too extensive blockade of postsynaptic dopamine receptors, the result is a stimulant effect.
A good cheaper alternative to amisulpride is sulpiride.
> Will it produce a ritalin-style lift and focus?
>Yes, in my experience. Unfortunately, as with Ritalin, tolerance can develop and greatly diminish the effects.
Amisulpride/sulpiride and Ritalin can be used in combination, sometimes resulting in a stronger effect than with either drug alone.
Posted by undopaminergic on June 7, 2008, at 20:42:04
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by dbc on June 7, 2008, at 14:58:25
> > Thanks for your thoughts >> dbc- i think you're absolutely right about p'docs being conservative here. I just saw an on call GP here who was running an out of hours surgery in Northallerton and she agreed to give me a prescription for 3 diazepam 'just to tide me over' until i could see my real GP on monday. She hinted strongly that she was doing me a favour and that this was not normal practice.
> >
>
> Thats insane, i receive 60 10mg diazepam a month.
>I never had any trouble getting benzos either, here in the drug-restrictive Northern Europe.
> i try to maintain a more moderate dose unless were trying out a new psych med that i cant tolerate (seroquel anyone?) and then i get the green light to take however many is needed.
>I don't see why you would need more benzos while trying out such a sedative medication as Seroquel. Or did you find Seroquel to give you paradoxical agitation or insomnia?
Posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 20:43:49
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 19:34:15
>
> >>>>>> I know. It's ridiculous that prescriptions are witheld in preference for psychological therapies, especially when they take so long. CBT was useless for me too.
>
>>>>>> Going to be tedious very briefly and say what about the cost of arranging cbt seesions and therapists vs largely generic ADs
Sorry this wasn't clear. As in the human and financial cost of employing therapists and arranging sessions all over the place must grossly outweigh that of generic medecines>
Posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 20:49:25
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by undopaminergic on June 7, 2008, at 20:19:09
Sulpride- essentially a dopamine reuptake inhibitor then via bloacking of presynaptic dopamine. Sounds good. Will a british Pdoc be familiar with this do you think?
Posted by undopaminergic on June 7, 2008, at 21:01:48
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 20:49:25
> Sulpride- essentially a dopamine reuptake inhibitor then via bloacking of presynaptic dopamine. Sounds good. Will a british Pdoc be familiar with this do you think?
>Yes, except possibly some younger ones. Sulpiride is a pretty old drug, and hasn't been actively marketed for a long time.
Posted by dbc on June 7, 2008, at 23:27:49
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by undopaminergic on June 7, 2008, at 20:42:04
>
> I don't see why you would need more benzos while trying out such a sedative medication as Seroquel. Or did you find Seroquel to give you paradoxical agitation or insomnia?
>I didnt quite explain the situation. Lamictal was causing minor psychotic features with me and seroquel kicked off worse hallucinations. I have some really strange neurochemistry apparently.
Posted by Horned One on June 8, 2008, at 10:20:38
In reply to Re: Any doctors in UK prescribe dexedrine??, posted by West on June 7, 2008, at 19:34:15
>Really? That's brilliant news. Questions 1) can you describe the effects (positive and negative)and 2)what is the likelihood of getting prescribed it WITH clonazepam (i assume it's quite
activating) - is relatively exotic stuff like this the preserve of the 'progressive' psychiatrist? Maybe you could even mention your pdoc - did you say youwere in Leeds?At high doses, Parnate was the most powerful stimulant I've ever taken (out of Ritalin, cocaine, amphetamine, phentermine, bupropion). So how does it help anxiety? One person described it as making him feel like a boxer getting psyched up for the fight. He found it gave him the energy and the oomph to tackle situations he would normally be afraid of and enjoy them. I found it gave me a 'buzzing' feeling and just generally made me feel more alive and productive.
On the downside, in the first week I felt like killing myself (but I've had this from other antidepressants too). This went away when I increased the dose to 40mg, and I started to like it very much. The stimulant effect tended to wear off in the afternoon - a phenomenon known among users as 'the Parnate slump'. I used to take an extra 20-30mg in the afternoon to overcome this effect. In the end I was taking 80-120mg a day, even though I was only prescribed 30mg. My pdoc took me off it after three months because he wasn't prepared to raise the dose beyond 30mg (higher doses are routinely used in the US). He was a horrible man and I wouldn't wish him on my worst enemy. Maybe he was progressive in the way he thought medication would play no part in the treatment of psychiatric disorders in the future (does this mean he thinks psychiatrists are becoming redundant?!) - I had to persuade him to give me anything, but I've had various MAOIs from two different pdocs. I've found them fairly reluctant to prescribe MAOIs, but because I've tried nearly everything else they were willing to relent. My old pdoc was Dr. Walker, and my new one is Dr. Burton. They are both based at West Park Hospital in Darlington. According to Google Earth it's just up the A167 from Northallerton.
It might be especially hard to get prescriptions for clonazepam because it's not licensed as an anxiolytic here. I did manage to get a GP to prescribe it off-label, but in time the other doctors put a stop to that. By the time I was taking Parnate I was getting my supply of clonazepam entirely from online pharmacies...
Amisulpride doesn't have any noradrenergic activity AFAIK, so it isn't as good for focus as Ritalin. I thought it felt more like a small dose of an opiate in the beginning. I was prescribed 200mg in hospital (for psychosis), but I managed to get that reduced to 50mg p.r.n as an outpatient. I've stopped taking it over the last few days because I don't think it's doing anything any more. I've been on it about six months now.
Any more questions just ask.
-Horny
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.