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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 ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 11:02:25
Hello,
I have been considering trying a stimulant for my EDS, lack of motivation and short attention span caused by taking an SSRI. I have considered Dexedrine and Ritalin.Could anyone who has taken a stimulant long term tell me: If you reduce the dose gradually over time, how bad are the withdrawal symptoms from the stimulant likely to be?
Has anyone taken a stimulant for SSRI-induced apathy without it pooping-out?
Has anyone on psycho-babble suffered psychotic symptoms as side effects of their prescribed stimulant?
Ed
Posted by TheOutsider on November 15, 2004, at 13:32:10
In reply to Psychostimulants, posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 11:02:25
> Hello,
> I have been considering trying a stimulant for my EDS, lack of motivation and short attention span caused by taking an SSRI. I have considered Dexedrine and Ritalin.
>
> Could anyone who has taken a stimulant long term tell me: If you reduce the dose gradually over time, how bad are the withdrawal symptoms from the stimulant likely to be?
>
> Has anyone taken a stimulant for SSRI-induced apathy without it pooping-out?
>
> Has anyone on psycho-babble suffered psychotic symptoms as side effects of their prescribed stimulant?
>
> EdI took Dexedrine over a period of months for possible ADD and poor motivation.
I went from 30mgs of dexedrine a day to nothing, I didn't taper at all. I didn't really seem to suffer any withdrawal, I felt perhapse a bit depressed the next day, but I was still able to function.
I seem to be lucking in that I don't get addicted to things very easily, some people do find stimulents addictive (I'm sure you know).Don't listen to the anti stimulent hysteria you hear from some NHS doctors! They don't know what their talking about.
Posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 13:39:21
In reply to Re: Psychostimulants, posted by TheOutsider on November 15, 2004, at 13:32:10
Thank you for your response :-) I really appreciate it.
I came of Effexor without tapering so I guess I'm prepared for anything! Just kidding!
Any one else withdrawn from stimulants?
All the best...
Ed
Posted by Keith Talent on November 16, 2004, at 6:17:26
In reply to Psychostimulants, posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 11:02:25
I took dextroamphetamine 20 mg thrice daily whilst on sertraline (Zoloft) 200 mg daily. It worked wonderfully well for about four weeks then the effect burnt out. I then stopped it and went through hell - feeling dead and good for nothing for about a month or two.
The problem may be that dextroamphetamine causes release of dopamine, as well as blocks its reuptake. This seems to me to be a less sustainable mechanism of action that just blocking reuptake (which is what methylphenidate does). So I may trial methylphenidate in the future.
Posted by ed_uk on November 16, 2004, at 7:13:31
In reply to Re: Psychostimulants, posted by Keith Talent on November 16, 2004, at 6:17:26
Keith, I'm worried that methylphenidate would increase my anxiety. I know this can also be a problem with dextroamphetamine but it seems to be less common. Perhaps dex would be sustainable if you just took low doses occasionally, rather than using it daily. I guess you've probably tried that though!
Regards,
Ed
Posted by pablo1 on November 16, 2004, at 13:49:33
In reply to Psychostimulants, posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 11:02:25
Some people do get a depressed crash when coming down off stimulants even on a daily basis & I've heard of a similar thing lasting maybe a week or so after quitting completely but generally it's nothing at all like coming off effexor or benzos. Serious addiction & withdrawl with stimulants really only applies to someone who is smoking crack or shooting up meth or something like that which is 100 times more intense than a therapeutic dose of ritalin. Therapeutic stimulant doses are more like drinking coffee all day than shooting heroine, it's really quite gentle and harmless for most people.
Posted by anxiety_free on November 17, 2004, at 20:59:49
In reply to Psychostimulants, posted by ed_uk on November 15, 2004, at 11:02:25
I take 60mgs Adderall for ADHD/lack of motivation, and to even out the effects of my AP and ADs. Anyway, I like adderall much more than ritalin and more than straight dexedrine...I guess the blend of amphetamines works better for me. Anyway, one day I decided to stop taking Adderall cold turkey (why, I don't know...) and fell asleep..for 4 days. Another time though, my script ran out and my doc was out of town for the week, and nothing happened...I just felt sluggish, then I got a refill. Generally speaking, withdrawal from stimulants is usually more psychological than physical, which I guess is an upside. As for the psychosis...I've never had it happen to me, but it did happen to a friend of mine..I have her some AP and some benzos, she was fine. Good luck!
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