Posted by linkadge on August 21, 2006, at 21:12:16
In reply to Re: Tell Me About Longterm Ritalin, posted by finelinebob on August 21, 2006, at 20:40:50
I had the option to use ritalin to augment antidepressants, but I (personally) chose against it.
There are some risks, but I don't know if you want my opinion on that.
For starters, ritalin turns on "addiction genes" known as "Intermediate-early genes" or deltafosB. These substances build up in the neucleus accumbens and have recently been associated with addiction. These genes are turned on by harder drugs like amphetamines and cocaine. The problem is that the genes stay on for a very long time, even after the drug is discontinued.
It is being debated that this could make the user dependant on the substance or similar substances, and cravings for the drug may go a long time.
Long term ritalin use can also cause lasting changes in reward capacity. For instance, if mice are given it for a while, they often develop reward deficits for a long time after the drug is discontinued. Unlike other antidepressants, ritalin directly activates the pleasue centres of the brain.
You will crash on ritalin. That means that when the drug leaves your system you will become depressed. You don't crash on prozac since it has such a long halflife, but ritalin crashing is no fun at all.
I havn't heard too many accounts of it working long term for depression. I know paulbwell was using it for depression, he started at 20mg and last time I heard he was at 80mg. I remember him saying something along the lines that it wasn't as effective as when he first started, so tollerance to the mood elevating effects does develop.
This mediaction may pose long term cardiac risks. It appears to increase the risk of sudden cardiac events, as well as perhaps causing structural changes to the cardiac muscle.
This medication appears to cause chromisomal abnormalities which is a risk factor for cancer.
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=7996
Methlyphenidate + SSRI combination is very powerful, but I think that you will end up getting worse down the road (personally).If you do use it, stick to low doses, and try not to increase the dose. Wellbutrin might be a better option since it does have more long term data supporting its use as an antidepressant.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:678814
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060818/msgs/678854.html