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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 sometimesblue on October 15, 2007, at 20:15:46
In reply to Re: Lost Motivation + Focus???....now what? » sometimesblue, posted by Netch on October 12, 2007, at 16:03:08
> If a med distabilizes your mood it could be a sign that your bipolar or mixed state.
> That would indicate that you should try lamictal first... and then add prozac/Bupropion if you need additional AD effect. An option is to add lithium.I guess the best person to diagnose this is a therapist/psychatrist? Unfortunately, I have to mental health coverage with my insurance. And so, it's been a case of trial and error with my Physician to determine what combo works best for me.
> Since you're using ultram for chronic back pain I assume your pain is severe. I would try to get a MRI scan to exclude any problem that could be addressed surgically.I did have an MRI which showed a bulging disk. The Ultram doesn't do much for the pain anyway. I'm seeing an orthopedic doctor and hopefully physical therapy to strenghten the muscle around the disk to ease the pain.
What do you think of adding Ephedra to the mix for energy/focus? It used to work for me, but i stopped taking it because i figured i wouldn't need it anymore once I was on Buproprion. But since the BP isn't working for that anymore, i thought maybe i should go back on it.
I know if i were seeing a therapist i would get better help, unfortunately, that isn't an option, and so i look to you guys for help. You seem to be well versed on the subject, more so than my doctor.
-SB
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2007, at 20:15:48
In reply to What about EPHEDRA?? » Netch, posted by sometimesblue on October 15, 2007, at 10:19:05
>
> What do you think of adding Ephedra to the mix for energy/focus? It used to work for me, but i stopped taking it because i figured i wouldn't need it anymore once I was on Buproprion. But since the BP isn't working for that anymore, i thought maybe i should go back on it.
>
> I know if i were seeing a therapist i would get better help, unfortunately, that isn't an option, and so i look to you guys for help. You seem to be well versed on the subject, more so than my doctor.
>
> -SB
>Don't take ephedra. I use to use a lot (abused it) and it damaged my heart. If you want to use a stimulant, maybe try something like Provigil ... it's safer.
Maxime
Posted by sometimesblue on October 15, 2007, at 20:15:48
In reply to Re: What about EPHEDRA??, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2007, at 19:13:57
How much did you use? And if you don't mind, what damage was caused? I thought it was relatively safe?
-SB
Posted by Maxime on October 17, 2007, at 19:50:34
In reply to Re: What about EPHEDRA?? » Maxime, posted by sometimesblue on October 15, 2007, at 20:15:48
> How much did you use? And if you don't mind, what damage was caused? I thought it was relatively safe?
>
> -SB
>
>I was taking 10-15 pills a day. Each had 350mg of Ma Huang Extract. Damage? A heart attack. I'm only in my 30s. I was taking so much that often it would make me throw up. I would shake so much it was awful.
Maxime
Posted by psychobot5000 on October 18, 2007, at 17:04:16
In reply to Re: What about EPHEDRA?? » Maxime, posted by sometimesblue on October 15, 2007, at 20:15:48
> How much did you use? And if you don't mind, what damage was caused? I thought it was relatively safe?
>
> -SB
>
>This note caught my eye. Ephedra hasn't been studied as much as related drugs, mostly amphetamine, but there is little reason to believe it's safer. Probably less abusable, (more likely to make you jittery and make your heart pound, and so less likely to be taken in large doses to get 'high'), but in a sense that's not really a good thing.
Ephedra causes, compared to amphetamine, more 'peripheral' effects, which mostly means it's more likely to give you a racing heartbeat. Thus, it's actually more dangerous to your heart than amphetamine...so, you know, be careful.
My point being, if you take Ephedra, know how healthy your heart is first (an electrocardiogram?), and only take it in doses that won't put too much extra stress on your ticker. Some people checked their pulse occasionally, too, to make sure their heart isn't racing.
Assuming they're 25mg pills, which seem to be the standard, ten pills a day is way too many.
Best,
Psychbot
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