Posted by zonked on January 27, 2010, at 22:15:43
Hi all, sorry it's been awhile--
Beginning: Parnate 120mg
Lamictal 200mg
Gabapentin 300mg 3x/day
Ativan 1mg up to 2x/day prn anxiety
Temazepam 30mg @ bedtimeEnd: Subtract Parnate, add Concerta (time release Ritalin 36mg)
Finally got up to a high enough dose of Parnate. The problem was that the theraputic dose was either equal to, or very near, the hypomanic dose (yea, I got there) and I took myself off of it until I could hear from the doc.
After the discontinuation [which was very unpleasant] ended, I had some weird crying spells that weren't depressive in nature, but I did sense Lamictal was taking care of the lion's share of my depression.
Talked to the doc today--I was supposed to have started Dexedrine last visit, but Medicaid declined it and we've been fighting that fight--I suggested to the doc we try Concerta again (I took it in college) while we continue to fight for Adderall or Dexedrine for my ADD symptoms, since they are offering a convenient 30-day free coupon.
Now I remember what I hate about stimulants! The wear-off effect. I wouldn't call it depression, just exhaustion, with touches of sadness and anxiety--you all know what it's like [who've taken psychostimulants].
Man, getting all these right again is a bitch...
Would like suggestions as to how to deal with the wear-off effect--medicines, techniques... I find I crave cigarettes most at this time of day. FTR, Strattera is not an option - both Effexor and Cymbalta (significant NE-reuptake) drove me _nuts_.
zonked
poster:zonked
thread:935196
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100122/msgs/935196.html