Posted by MomofBoys on December 10, 2003, at 10:01:17
In reply to Re: Highest dose of RITILAN??? » Angel1, posted by James T. on October 12, 2003, at 21:22:35
A year ago, I had a bad car accident with head trauma. Before my accident, I apparently had depression and anxiety. When I awoke from my coma, I was just happy! :) I had memory loss and don't remember being depressed at all. I was truly internally happy.
However, as recovery went on, I found that I had trouble remembering to do things, my concentration sucked, organization of my thoughts and environment were nil. And all of the above caused me to sink into depression once again.
I was put on Lexapro, which made a happy difference! I was also tried on Strattera which helped at first but then just made me feel horrible. So I was tried on Ritalin and it really does work. I can take the short-acting Ritalin when I want to work (computer work at home) and am able to sit still and concentrate and actually be productive. I have found that Ritalin works not only for allowing me to focus on my work, but also gives me more energy to get things done around the house. However, if I do take too much of the Ritalin, I get horrible anxiety and am frozen, unable to do much at all. So I agree that the Ritalin has had a positive anti-depressant effect for me also.
I also have chronic pain from the accident and take the pain medication hydrocodone. I cannot function without it. I am physically dependent on the hydrocodone to lead a normal, pain-free life. And as much as I hate to admit it, the hydrocodone also works as a wonderful antidepressant and energizer and does really keep me motivated.
It scares me that I do need these "addictive" substances to lead a normal life but if I didn't take them, I would be in bed, day and night. I couldn't be the happy, productive mom and wife I used to be.
Yes, I have taken drug holidays and its been horrible. Withdrawal is not the issue, so I don't feel good for a day or two. But on drug holiday, I am in pain, my thoughts and thinking are very disorganized, I have no ambition and care about nothing.
It's awful that I must be physically dependent on medication to lead a normal life now but I don't consider myself an addict. I am only addicted to being my normal sense of self again.
My doc diagnosed me as supposedly OCD, but I don't agree with that diagnosis at all. I don't have adult ADD as I didn't have it before my car accident; I had head trauma which changed my personality into a happy person and also took away my chronic daily headaches and made my migraines better :) But I was left with a left arm that still has nerve damage and chronic pain/muscle spasm in my neck and shoulders because of the nerve damage in my left arm, i using the "wrong" muscles to make my arm work normally. Alright, I've gone on long enough now!!!
Mom of Boys
YOU WROTE: Since no other treatments have helped with my chronic depression of 7 years we decided to try the Ritalin.
It's not a perfect solution, but it gets me out of bed and I'm going out of the house more. Just built a new PC for my Wife which I'm using now.Before Ritalin I would stay in bed most of the day and cry really bad. Also, I am now able to work with my Therapist on a better level. I also take 300mgs of Seroquel at bedtime and 10mgs of Lexapro to help with some mild OCD.
Please add you experiences with Ritalin for depression. Also, I would like to know what Dr.Bob thinks about the dose I'm taking and any concerns.
poster:MomofBoys
thread:217765
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031208/msgs/288335.html