Posted by KaraS on July 21, 2005, at 19:24:10
In reply to Kara, a question. . . » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on July 20, 2005, at 19:17:44
> Kara, I just read a few more of your rEEG posts above, and I see that you've also been rx'd Klonopin. I forgot to ask you how many milligrams of Dexedrine you're starting with, and how many mg Klonopin?
Hi Sarah,Thanks so much for all of your valuable information. It's so HELPFUL!! In my relief to get diagnosed and prescribed, I hadn't even thought of the poop-out factor of the dexedrine. My starting dosage on the Klonopin is either 2.5 or 5.0 (if I feel I need it) twice a day while I decrease the doxepin. I can gradually decrease it as I get comfortable enough on the Klonopin. The dexedrine dosage is 5 mg. to be used once a day initially but I can quickly go to twice a day on that as well.
I really wish I could start on a lower dosage of dexedrine to try it out - to make sure that it doesn't send my heart into a tailspin and make my anxiety a hundred times worse. (I also wish I weren't such a wimp.) One of the generic sustained release forms come in capsules. The pellets are usually enterically coated so I would be able to try smaller amounts first. I know that you advise against generics but I'd like to try both of them and see how they work. Money is a big issue since I don't have any insurance coverage and the spansules aren't supposed to be that great to begin with...
Do you think that 5 mg. could really be very stressful for me or just provide a mild stimulation?
Do you mind if I ask you how long you took the Dex? Do you have any attentional deficit issues that have been diagnosed or that you just suspect you have? Did you also not use it on weekends to help prevent the tolerance? If so, were you a complete sloth on the weekends? I am that way now all of the time so if it were just on weekends it would be an improvement. How long did it take for it to stop working for you? Have you tried Adderall or Ritalin? Would either of those work after Dex fails or are they too similar?
I am wondering if maybe we don't have similar brain chemistries. I know we've talked before about TCAs but I don't remember what your experience has been on them. Have you tried desipramine? Dr. E. mentioned that Wellbutrin, and possibly desipramine, would be the only antidepressants he'd recommend for me. I don't like thinking how few options I have if/when the Dex stops working.
I am going to bring up the tolerance issue with Dr. E. soon. He gave me his cell phone number in case I have any questions. That's something I like about him - but for what he's charging, he should be available 24/7. In fact, for what he's charging he ought to provide sexual favors as well. :-)
Take care,
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:530246
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050718/msgs/531116.html