Posted by alchemy on September 30, 2010, at 19:56:17
In reply to Adderall and Bipolar II, posted by sailboat77 on September 29, 2010, at 20:23:53
I am sort-of bipolar II with no ups. Just different levels of depression.
How long have you tried Adderall? I'm just curious based on my own experience. When I tried it is when my "bipolar" tendencies were manifested. First week on 30mg was awesome, I thought I had found a miracle after 20 years.
Then, not so great- up and down, with deeper downs. That was about 3 years ago. (added abilify which made things worse. became so bad I tried the ect & luckily it worked). My first week on Adderall & my first week after ECT were the best week-long times of my life.
I now have the same questions as you now that I am on a stabilizer (Lamictal). I have been taking dexadrine most of the time for about 8 months. Based on my experience, I am hesitant. I don't think it has ever made a big difference, maybe because of the Lamictal. I think it has helped my motivation at times. But I can also take it and take a nap.
My dr. actually thought I should take it more regulary, and then try increasing it. I didn't take his advice for very long. It pretty much just made it hard to sleep.
I don't want to give it up because it does seem to occasionally to help a little bit with motivation. (and I admit I like the weight loss effects). But I am worried it may be having a negative effect on me, especially long term.
---> Any input from anyone if the effects of a stimulant can be blunted when on a stabilizer?
Sailboat:
- What are your experiences with stabilizers?
- Do you think the depression that comes when the adderall wears off is worse than if you wouldn't have taken it (just my curiousity for my situation)
- Ideally I would guess it would be best for you to be on a stabilizer when taking a stim.
- What about a long-acting version?
- Like mentioned earlier, Provigil is a unique med for energy, but not a stimulant.
poster:alchemy
thread:964252
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100926/msgs/964335.html