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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 26, 2003, at 19:14:59
Someone posted somewhere that they were on Adderall for GAD. I've not heard of this before, and would like to know if anyone(with GAD) has had success with this med, and how it works for it.I understand that a lot of GAD symptoms, like cognitive/memory problems, loss of focus/scatterbrained, always thinking /worrying are kinda ADD or OCD symptoms, so maybe there's a dopaminergic problem aspect to GAD. If it's a stimulant though, wouldn't it cause more anxiety?
I'm so sick of BuSpar right now, and not getting enough relief.....would love to go back to my low dose of Klonopin, maybe Adderall would be a good augment for Klonopin?
Appreciate any opinions/info. Thanks, I love you all!
Posted by zeugma on October 26, 2003, at 19:47:17
In reply to How does Adderall help GAD?Adder/Klonop work??, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 26, 2003, at 19:14:59
> Someone posted somewhere that they were on Adderall for GAD. I've not heard of this before, and would like to know if anyone(with GAD) has had success with this med, and how it works for it.I understand that a lot of GAD symptoms, like cognitive/memory problems, loss of focus/scatterbrained, always thinking /worrying are kinda ADD or OCD symptoms, so maybe there's a dopaminergic problem aspect to GAD. If it's a stimulant though, wouldn't it cause more anxiety?
> I'm so sick of BuSpar right now, and not getting enough relief.....would love to go back to my low dose of Klonopin, maybe Adderall would be a good augment for Klonopin?
> Appreciate any opinions/info. Thanks, I love you all!Stimulants did not make me more anxious, they just made me lose weight FAST (no good for me). Caffeine sometimes helps with my anxiety, as it gives me more energy to think clearly, and maybe stimulants can help with the 'cognitive interference' aspect of anxiety. I've heard that ADderall would be better for social anxiety than Ritalin, which can exacerbate it.
I can empathise with your frustration with BuSpar. I am not taking it for anxiety... I would have ditched it long ago if that was all it was good for. But my pdoc loves it, and yours probably does too. He knows I'm still anxious as hell, and he sits there and checks his notes and tells me to raise the BuSpar dose to 40mg. I remind him that I tried that six weeks ago and got questionable anxiety relief, but also debilitating muscle weakness that got worse the longer I took it at that dose, and that felt similar to what I felt on an old neuroleptic years ago... But pdocs love it because it's so 'benign.' He told me point blank that he's not going to prescribe me anything else for my anxiety. So now I'm sitting here feeling anxious and physically drained, and wondering when i can find the will to ditch him and find someone better.
Posted by Viridis on October 27, 2003, at 0:01:03
In reply to How does Adderall help GAD?Adder/Klonop work??, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 26, 2003, at 19:14:59
Amphetamines are good antidepressants -- it's just hard to get them prescribed for that. I take Adderall for ADD, and Klonopin for anxiety. The Adderall increases my enthusiasm as well as concentration, and I don't find that it induces anxiety at all (although some other stimulants like Wellbutrin, caffeine etc. do). The combination works very well.
I can see how Adderall could work for GAD for some people, by improving confidence and motivation. But without an ADD diagnosis, I suspect that very few doctors would be willing to prescribe it.
Posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 27, 2003, at 0:48:59
In reply to Re: How does Adderall help GAD?Adder/Klonop work?? » Jasmine Neroli, posted by Viridis on October 27, 2003, at 0:01:03
I am taking Adderall for GAD, along with Klonopin (1 mg/day) and Neurontin (900 mg/day).
My friend who is a counselor suggested Adderall for GAD. My pdoc was perplexed but she said OK. It worked great the first few weeks but not as effective since (but still OK). One thing is for sure: It was the first med out of the 20 or so Ive tried that ANY effect on my anxiety.
As you know, all meds affect each of us differently. I would suggest trying it.
I have never been diagnosed with ADD.
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 28, 2003, at 0:37:25
In reply to Re: It was me, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 27, 2003, at 0:48:59
How much Adderall do you take? How does Neurontin fit into the picture?
Thanks DYKH.
Jas
Posted by EscherDementian on October 28, 2003, at 7:48:09
In reply to BuSpar and pdoc frustration, posted by zeugma on October 26, 2003, at 19:47:17
> > I'm so sick of BuSpar right now, and not getting enough relief.....
> I can empathise with your frustration with BuSpar. But my pdoc loves it, and yours probably does too. He knows I'm still anxious as hell, and he sits there and checks his notes and tells me to raise the BuSpar dose to 40mg. I remind him that I tried that six weeks ago and got questionable anxiety relief, but also debilitating muscle weakness that got worse the longer I took it at that dose. But pdocs love it because it's so 'benign.' He told me point blank that he's not going to prescribe me anything else for my anxiety. So now I'm sitting here feeling anxious and physically drained, and wondering when i can find the will to ditch him and find someone better.
>
>Ditch him.
i did mine who had the same attitude, and i am so grateful for the pdoc i found after that. The new pdoc knows, perscribes for and remembers: me/my mental-physical individuality. -Not the med publications, finito.
(and Buspar's a joke, IMHO)
Ditch him.
~Escher
Posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 29, 2003, at 1:46:36
In reply to Re: BuSpar and pdoc frustration, posted by EscherDementian on October 28, 2003, at 7:48:09
Jas:
I take 10 mg of Adderall, 1mg of Klopin and 900 mg of Nuerontin per day. Like I said before, I have tried just about everything in the book and Adderall was the only med to ever have an effect on GAD, although it is not quite as much as when I started.
The Nuerontin is a stabalizer. It "smoothes" everything and makes the other meds work better. I would suggest trying it. It is also know as a mood elevator and can help depression. It is also very safe. Let me know how you are doing. Michael
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on November 2, 2003, at 23:12:43
In reply to Re: Jas, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 29, 2003, at 1:46:36
Hi Michael: I've now been back to my Pdoc. He told me he'd never heard of Adderall being used for GAD, unless there was a suspicion of ADD too!
Anyway, he's agreed that BuSpar 30mg has done very little for me and the side effects outweigh it's usefulness. So...HOORAY!...I can take klonopin only, for a month to see if it's all I need. I am taking .5mg to 1mg per day. My doc will be looking for signs of tolerance at my next visit, as well as efficacy for GAD.
I'm quickly tapering off the BuSpar and taking .5mg daily of Klonopin right now ( 4 days), and feel good! Yeay!
The next med he will consider is the RIMA, maclobemide (Manerix), but I will ask him about neurontin at that time. Thanks for your interest!
Jas
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on November 2, 2003, at 23:22:15
In reply to Re: BuSpar and pdoc frustration, posted by EscherDementian on October 28, 2003, at 7:48:09
Hey Escher & Zeugma:
Well, I didn't have to ditch my Pdoc after all. I saw him this week and he agreed that the BuSpar was having little effect and too many side effects, so I'm quickly tapering off it. I can now take Klonopin only (.5-1mg daily) for a month and he'll review it for GAD efficacy and tolerance then. He didn't really want to try it and suggested Manerix, but was willing to go with the small dosage of Klonopin. Yeay!! He even suggested adding Omega 3 fatty acids. Woohoo..he must be reading up on stuff! I know he's not a fan of benzo's, but I told him I'm not a fan of SSRI's or SNRI's!!! He said that Klonopin wasn't gonna have to cause me be hospitalized to withdraw from, at least!!! Lol.
So, sometimes, keeping on being a "broken record" can help!
I hope this works. Good luck to you guys!
Jas
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