Posted by zeugma on November 1, 2005, at 20:54:10
In reply to Re: subtypes of anxiety, posted by CleverGuy on November 1, 2005, at 20:35:13
> I totally agree that the subtypes of anxiety and the grey areas in between are vast and respond differently, and quite strangely, to psychostimulants. That is why we have all been through so many drugs; they work differently in everybody and differently for every disorder. Trial and error. I would like to know what you thought of Provigil. How is it when compared to the classic psycostimulants. Not for use in treating anxiety, I can see that is a mess. Rather, for their normal uses to stimulate the brain, does Provigil work as well as Ritalin or the amphetamines? >>
well, i have never taken amphetamines, but i can compare it to ritalin. Now my own reaction and comorbidities result in idiosyncracies of response, but here is what I would say:
Ritalin helps with perception, feeling awake, feeling fully 'there,' thinking quickly (perhaps too quickly), speeds my reflexes.
Provigil helps my physical coordination, mental organization, triggers less panicked responses, and it's easier to keep my desk clean (tradeoff: on Ritalin my desk is a mess but I can sift through rapidly to find something I need, on provigil my desk is more orderly but I sift less rapidly. Net effect identical).
Ritalin is better for focus. provigil is better for staying calm enough for implementing a plan. and yet the frustrating thing is that combining them would seem to be the perfect combo, but instead of canceling each other out as Ritalin cancelled out Klonopin for me, the side effects just multiplied exponentially and i also felt like the Rit was speeding me up and the Provigil slowing me down, and it was sort of both happening at once, if you can imagine that. It gave me very strange feelings.
I think Provigil (aka Attenace, aka Sparlon) has received an approvable letter from the FDA, and is set to be marketed early next year for pediatric ADHD. I think other posters might be able to comment on the focus/organization dichotomy that these drugs present.
-z
poster:zeugma
thread:574191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051031/msgs/574323.html