Posted by michael on March 15, 2002, at 18:47:33
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin Ritalin, posted by Charlotte on March 15, 2002, at 4:55:11
> Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm a little afraid of taking more WB because of the seizure warnings.
Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about the seizures... Especially if, as you indicate below, the wb is helping. [I may be mistaken, but I think 400mg SR is the "max" dose, and some people - under the care of their doctor - take more.]
> I'm not opposed to trying a higher dose of Ritalin and will try that this weekend -- but because I'm 5'4" and 115 lbs., I'm wondering if body size matters in the amount one takes?
Again, I'm not 100% certain, but I am pretty sure that physical size is not that relevant... moreso your chemistry, and how your body/brain reacts to it.
> The only other med I've tried concerning depression is Prozac and that was 3-4 years ago. It made me totally flat-lined and blank. The ADD thing is a recent discovery, so this is all new to me.
I tried prozac, and for me all it did was make me a bit spacey, and nearly eliminate my short term memory - I'd go to another room (5 or 6 steps) and by the time I got their, I'd forgetten what I was going to get... & this could happen 3 - 5 times in a row, until I started either writing it down, or repeating it to myself until I actually had in my hand what I was going to get... I never really saw that side effect mentioned anywhere... except for 1 other person here at PB.
> I've been on the WB for about 9-10 weeks and can finally feel the depression lifting. And I do like what the Rit is doing for me mentally -- I take it and about an hour later can just concentrate on what I'm doing. My desk at work hasn't been so clear and organized in 3 years. Too bad it only last about 2.5 - 3 hours after that.
I find dexedrine lasts about an hour longer...
> But even during this, I'm tired. It's like a rollercoaster all day. At any point in the day I could lie down and nap. Instead, I smoke and drink coffee and, in the afternoon, eat chocolate.
I know what you mean, it sucks.
> I have cut way back on the coffee though.
> If this daytime sleepiness doesn't get any better in the next 30 days, I'm asking for something different / more. I did some reading on the Modafinil and it sounds so promising -- but I wonder if the doc would prescribe it w/o a diagnosis of narcolepsy.I doubt that would be a problem. If the doc were going to hesitate at prescribing something, it would be the ritalin or dexedrine. Modafinil is Much "safer" in respect to abuse, so usually not a problem.
> I'd be a little nervous in self-medicating with the adrafinil -- esp. since there are precautions regarding liver function.
> The concerta sounds good too, except Bart says it didn't address his ADD which is important to me now that I've experienced a little focus and concentration on a regular basis.Concerta is ritalin, just extended release, so 1 dose covers the time span that would normally require 2 or 3 regular doses. So it *should* help you in the same way (I say should only because you never know with meds... for me, it gave me headaches, even at comparably lower doses...)
> I guess I'll have to resign myself to experimenting for awhile as it sounds like pretty much the norm. If the depression and ADD and sleepiness could all be addressed, I'll bet that would feel wonderful.
Probably. Hope we all get to find out. Good luck.
poster:michael
thread:97835
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98205.html