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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on November 13, 2002, at 19:10:30
antidepressants take months to work, and often only give a partial response
how do stimulant/ADD meds compare? am i going to feel 100% normal (whatever that's like) right after taking my first pill?
Posted by babs on November 13, 2002, at 19:37:17
In reply to what's an ADD med like? , posted by cybercafe on November 13, 2002, at 19:10:30
Speaking as someone who just started adderall last week, I can tell you that it does work right away. I, with great trepidation, took my first pill and about a half hour later felt the difference. I felt calmer, more focused and there was a noticeable improvement in my mood. I don't know if it takes awhile (days, weeks) to get the full effect of a stimulant, but I did notice the difference right away. Hope this helps.
Posted by utopizen on November 13, 2002, at 19:44:06
In reply to what's an ADD med like? , posted by cybercafe on November 13, 2002, at 19:10:30
> antidepressants take months to work, and often only give a partial response
>
> how do stimulant/ADD meds compare? am i going to feel 100% normal (whatever that's like) right after taking my first pill?
>>You mean strictly for ADD? ADD meds will cause anxiety in those with pre-existing anxiety disorders, possibly even those without (but I'm not sure).
As for an AD knocking out ADD, um, I've heard in repeatedly as one of the "alternative options," but only in the "comma form." You know, some medical paper goes on for like 50 pages on stims, and in the last paragraph they rattle off AD meds as possible alternatives. They do this with Desoxyn too... they'll talk about dexedrine and ritalin and adderall, but desoxyn is just mentioned as one of the others.
I really and skeptical about claims ADs are even options for ADD. I think it would have to be a very mild case of ADD if so, or maybe just a lucky response. I've taken Wellbutrin, Celexa, Paxil, Buspar, Neurontin, and now on 225mg of Effexor. I never changed in my concentration with any of these, only with the stims.
I'm pretty sure that when docs refer to ADs as effective for ADD, they're generally referring to ADHD with hyperactivity, not ADHD inattentive type. Although exceptions always occur, I'm pretty sure that's what a doc really means when they consider this as an alternative. Clonidine's also used as an alternative, and we certainly know that doesn't help anyone concentrate on anything beyond their sleeping.
Ritalin though, let me tell you- it made me feel terrible. When I first got it I for the first time in my 18 years of life could concentrate on what a teacher was saying. So I was estatic and didn't focus on the way it made my stomach ache and head ache and leave me constipated and dysphoric. Everything felt dull, it was terrible. Eventually I switched to Adderall, only after several months of tolerating Ritalin while I was riding on the placebo magic that made me ignore the side effects.
Adderall was great... Dexedrine too. I like both, but Adderall lasts longer, and Dexedrine only lasts for a few hours. I suppose I should probably try out the spansules. Desoxyn was great too, but it only worked at a dose higher than the PDR said was average, which of course means to my doc stay the hell away from it. Desoxyn was simply the best, but my doctor doesn't consider that a legitimate reason to get it over Adderall. Geez, they're both in the same schedule, but let's act like Adderall's asprin...
Posted by utopizen on November 13, 2002, at 23:17:29
In reply to Re: what's an ADD med like? , posted by babs on November 13, 2002, at 19:37:17
and never, ever use it when you're tired to replace rest.
You'd need more of it to do this, because the amount necessary to trick your tired brain into vigilance is higher than the regular dose (if you're really deprived of sleep, not just in a lull).
It's not just unhealthy, but you'll quickly develop a tolerance to it this way. So really, never do this.
Posted by viridis on November 14, 2002, at 6:28:15
In reply to what's an ADD med like? , posted by cybercafe on November 13, 2002, at 19:10:30
Adderall works very well for me, at a very low dose (5-10 mg/day). It started working right away, although it was a bit activating (yet mentally calming) for the first few days.
I have ADD, panic disorder, and episodic major depression. I started with Klonopin and occasional Xanax, which took care of most of the anxiety but still left some depression. After adding Adderall, I was able to think more clearly and the remaining depression essentially disappeared.
Now I take 1 mg Klonopin in the morning, along with 5 mg Adderall and another 2.5-5.0 mg Adderall a few hours later. This is very effective for me, and has no noticeable side effects. Finally, I feel normal.
There seems to be a special synergy between Klonopin and Adderall for some people (like me), and others have reported similar experiences on this board. So far, I've had no need to adjust the doses of either, and am doing quite well.
Posted by utopizen on November 14, 2002, at 8:23:37
In reply to Re: what's an ADD med like? , posted by viridis on November 14, 2002, at 6:28:15
So am I the only one with the un-cool doctor on this board that won't prescribe Klono?
Posted by cybercafe on November 14, 2002, at 13:10:35
In reply to Re: what's an ADD med like? , posted by viridis on November 14, 2002, at 6:28:15
> Adderall works very well for me, at a very low dose (5-10 mg/day). It started working right away, although it was a bit activating (yet mentally calming) for the first few days.
>
> I have ADD, panic disorder, and episodic major depression. I started with Klonopin and occasional Xanax, which took care of most of the anxiety but still left some depression. After adding Adderall, I was able to think more clearly and the remaining depression essentially disappeared.
>
> Now I take 1 mg Klonopin in the morning, along with 5 mg Adderall and another 2.5-5.0 mg Adderall a few hours later. This is very effective for me, and has no noticeable side effects. Finally, I feel normal.
>
> There seems to be a special synergy between Klonopin and Adderall for some people (like me), and others have reported similar experiences on this board. So far, I've had no need to adjust the doses of either, and am doing quite well.
yeah i combine coke and klonopin (and parnate and zyprexa) nowanyone here bipolar II as well?
is there a particular stimulant better for bipolars?
This is the end of the thread.
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