Posted by ben on August 15, 2001, at 14:16:58
In reply to Re: Stimulants take how long to work? » adamie, posted by Cindylou on August 15, 2001, at 13:27:11
Stimulants like Methylphenidate (Ritalin) or Amphetamines (Dexedrine) are used for antidepressant augmentation. They dont really have antidepressant action but noth can give you energy to do your stuff instead of sitting around an ruminating....and that could be worth a lot. Many docs are afraid of prescribing them because of addiction. In fact it is seldom that persons suffer from a single depression abuse them. It is more common for people suffering from a personality disorder or polytoxicomaniacs..... I think a good respect of this drugs is needed to use them. I tried Ritalin for my strong sedation of Paxil. My experience is mixed. First I tried 2.5 mg in form of the normal tablet. I quickly felt dizziness for a while...then I had a boost of energy and mood...and 4 hours later I crashed (exhaustion, more depressed feelings). Then I tried the slow release tablet (Ritalin SR) and I didnt felt such dizziness....it made me relaxed and more focused. My doc said that you have to try it several days in different dosage. I am still trying (since two weeks) and found 10 mg two to three times daily the best result. I dondt take it every day. The problem with Ritalin is the short half life (2 h) so you have to take it usually 3 (or more) times daily....if not it is possible that you experience ups and dows (energy and mood). To avoid this you can try Amphetamine (Dexedrin) which works longer (half life 7h). it is possible that one works really better for you than the other one...so try perhaps both. Adrafinil and Provigil are options too but there is not such a long experience with this two drugs...newer doesnt mean better....but you could try them too. And they work totally different . I dondt know if (and how) they affect mood.
Good luck
> Stimulants work right away -- you'll know within an hour or two how it works for you. I have found that Ritilan causes me rebound depression -- when the effect of it wears off (in about 3 or 4 hours) my depression is worse. Taking more just makes things worse -- each time I took it, it worked less and made me more depressed.
>
> Adderall does not have that same effect on me because it is longer acting. It helps my concentration and gives me energy. It also kicks in right away, and lasts about 6 hours or so. I am not taking it alone, however -- I am also taking Prozac, and will be adding Buspar to help with agitation. I'm not convinced that Adderall alone could help my depression.
>
> Wellbutrin is a good option to try, as someone else mentioned ... it is an antidepressant but not an SSRI, and it is more stimulating that many of the SSRIs. Effexor was horrible for me too, by the way.
>
> Good luck! I know how hard it is to keep searching for the right thing. I've been searching for a long time now, but I keep getting closer to the right "mix" for me.
>
> Take care,
> cindy
>
> >
> > hi everyone. Before persueing such things as VNS for depression I am willing to try stimulants if I am able to get them from my stubborn pdoc.
> >
> > Stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall are supossed to be fast acting for depression correct? As in even in a few days? Maybe less? I have tried two seratonin medications and there is no doubt in my mind that they made me worse. While on effexor thoughts of hopelessness and possible suicide were extremely high. My heart was beating so fast that I actually had some heart pain. Off the effexor I am feeling better.
> >
> > Due to my bad experience with AD's so far I really want to try stimulants as a few people have suggested. Which are the best stimulants that could be easy to get for depression? If my pdoc wont prescribe me then I will try to get one from my family physician. So far I am thinking Ritalin and Adderall but I dont know if there are better ones for depression.
poster:ben
thread:75133
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75154.html