Posted by atreyu on February 21, 2007, at 20:53:26
RECIPE FOR CALM CLARITY: Provigil (400mg), Aricept(5mg), Lamictal(200mg), Seroquel(12.5mg), Klonopin(.5mg),Alpha GPC, CDP Choline, ALCAR, excercise, good eats, sleep
I'm a 2nd year medical student. After many years of trial and error, I’ve discovered a unique yet excellent blend of medications that cater to my particular brain chemistry. I've been on the combination above for a solid year now and have experienced negligible side effects (zero essentially). I've been clinically diagnosed with ADD mixed, bipolar mixed, social anxiety and OCD(a nasty combo). School has been a great challenge for me ever since I was a child. In high school, I managed to succeed via tutors, working extra hours after school with teachers, and unlimited parental support. My college experience was another story. I began drinking heavily and taking stimulants. I first discovered caffeine as a study drug and began consuming it in lethal doses(18 shots daily)…then I found ephedrine HCL (75mg daily), then adderall(30mg daily) and finally cocaine. I've also experimented with a slew of neurotropics (aka. smart drugs). As a result of all this self-medicating, my genetic predispositions began to show their ugly faces. I did manage to graduate with a double major in Human Biology and Visual Arts and my GPA was fairly high(3.8). Nevertheless, all these CNS stimulants(including the smart drugs) did more harm than good and left me in a manic, suicidal mess last December. Who knows how much brain damage they caused? I had to take a year off school to heal my brain and that is exactly what I have done. I would like to share my success story with you and how I've changed my life for the better:
MEDS:
1)PROVIGIL(400mg x2 1 year): Initially hated this on 100 mg, pumped it up to 200mg and concentration improved; finally at 400 mills, this drug kicked in like no other. I'm a study machine w/ boosted confidence and verbal ability(no more word salads). This is the 2nd best drug on the planet. Downside: expensive as hell, and takes about 2 months to take full effect)
2)ARICEPT(5mg x1 for 1 year): This is my number one drug as it is truly a brain steroid for healthy people or for someone that may have caused brain damage from substance abuse. It's prescribed for Alzheimer’s but regardless, it jacks your acetylcholine levels through the roof. My memory and creativity have been greatly enhanced. My critical thinking skills have also improved. Aricept has also helped tremendously with social anxiety. Downside: Expensive
3)LAMICTAL:(200mg x1 for 1 year): This drug was a life saver. That's all I can say. Increased my ability to focus, no more rapid cycling, no more hypomania(although initially it triggered this) depression is nonexistent. Downside: Expensive
4)SEROQUEL:(12.5mg before bed): I was hesitant about this drug initially but 12.5 mg is nothing and I sleep like a rock. Getting a good nights rest is probably the most important aspect of combating anxiety, add and bipolar. There may be some cognitive dulling/sedation from the Seroquel but this is easily outweighed by the sleep factor. Sleep is key. SIDE EFFECTS: At this dose, I experienced none...only increased libido and a Viagra like effect which has been great for my sex life.
5) KLONOPIN :(.25 mg x 2) this is the miracle drug for social anxiety folks but it also has some downsides. My main concern is its ability to interfere with memory consolidation and to cause cognitive dulling over time. Nevertheless, this drug is essential and at such a low dose, my cognitive concerns are minor. Klonopin helps to promote a calm alertness in combination with everything else. Good drug. Addiction can apparently be a problem with benzos yet I've yet to experience this. I have severe substance abuse issues and have never abused my Klonopin. I don’t simply out of fear that I might be damaging my memory and won’t be able to perform as well on exams. NOTE: XANAX and ATIVAN do not work for me. They’re too strong to start off with and their half-life is too short so they end up creating more anxiety.
6)LUNESTA(as needed): I rarely use this anymore after being introduced to Seroquel but if you're going to take a sleeping pill, this is the one.
SUPPLEMENTS: (Supps are not worth it if you’re not willing to fork out the dough to buy the high quality stuff. You can’t just go to Longs and buy a choline supplement and expect results. That’s ridiculous. Below are quality supps that I use:
1)JARROW ALPHA GPC (amazing stuff..boosts
Ach)
2)JARROW CDP CHOLINE (boosts Ach)
3)NORDIC LIQUID OMEGA 3,6,9 (my skin never
looked better)
4)ALCAR (don’t know but I take it anyways)
5)MULTIVITAMINNOTE: If you have any bipolar tendencies, stay away from anything with DMAE, Tyrosine, and Vinopectine…these supps along with Piracetam and Hydergine induce hypomania in me.
ALSO NOTE: THE ABOVE MEDS ARE ALL BRAND NAME AND UNFORTUNATLEY RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE. The combo above is roughly $2000/month. I get everything in samples so I don't pay this and it's also wise not to use your insurance for BP meds(despite HIPAA protection) as they trigger a red flag for anyone wanting to practice Medicine, especially surgery.
LIFE CHANGES(the most important component):
1)EAT A BUNDLE OF PROTEIN, FISH, CHICKEN,
WHEY PROTEIN SHAKES
2)VEGGIES
3)FIBER(this has been huge for reducing
anxiety as the constipation was putting
pressure on my lungs and preventing me from
breathing fully)
EXCERCISE : run 4miles in morning, 2 miles eveningSLEEP: 8 hours (no more, no less) varies for people. If you find yourself sleeping less and less and feeling more alert…you probably on the verge of manic, hypomanic state. It may feel good temporarily but you undoubtedly crash.
SO THAT'S MY PIECE. MY BRAIN WORKS BETTER THAN EVER. MY SOCIAL ANXIETY IS 98% GONE, ATTENTION PROBLEMS HAVE DIMINISHED MARKEDLY, and MOOD STABILITY IS ON LOCK DOWN. I'M AT THE TOP OF MY MED SCHOOL CLASS AT ONE THE BEST MED SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY. THERE IS HOPE FOR EVERYONE. SOME OF THE PEOPLE WITH THE MOST MENTAL ISSUES HAPPEN TO BE THE HIGHEST ACHIEVERS. WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT AND NOT A SINGLE ONE OF US IS PERFECT. EVERYONE HAS PROBLEMS BUT WITH THE RIGHT MEDS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES, THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE CAN BE IMPROVED TREMENDOUSLY. Thanks for reading--Atreyu
poster:atreyu
thread:734959
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070219/msgs/734959.html