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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on January 4, 2006, at 20:07:26
I take Dexedrine, a 10mg spansule 2x a day. I found it AMAZING compared to my Ritalin days, as the Dexedrine did not make me anxious or jittery. Quite simply, my doc put me on it to try and lift my usual mid-winter deep melancholy.
I can even take the Dexedrine an hour or so before bed and sleep great. But, I am on my 3rd week of it, and have noticed the past five or more days, I've felt more sad, hurt...everything than before. That's why I wanted to ask for others knowledge. Thanks very much...I really appreciate it. None of my other meds have changed.Jay
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 4, 2006, at 22:45:03
In reply to Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:(, posted by jay on January 4, 2006, at 20:07:26
I actually take the same dose to augment my antidepressant combo. I'm pretty sure that I did not find it to increase my depression, but I did get to the point where it wasn't enough. I eventually added lithium to my meds to further address my depression. Still struggling through, but I suppose it is all helping? What other meds do you take?
Best,
EE
Posted by rjlockhart on January 5, 2006, at 0:45:18
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » jay, posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 4, 2006, at 22:45:03
Dexedrine can severely disturb the emotion center in the brain, i have HORRID experiences with amphetamines, years.
I have been on Adderall Dexedrine, 1997 started.
Dexedrine can help with depression but also disturb it afterwards.
I have had many many posts on this before about 2-3 years ago.
You have to realize what it will do. I have had nights of insomnia no sleep, redosing, absolute lifelessness afterwards.
Low doses are better, I take 40mg.
I've almost burnt out on talking about amphetamines...
Talk to your doctor about Klonopin or Ativan (antianxiety agents).
Babblemail if needed.
Matt
Posted by Sarah T. on January 5, 2006, at 3:26:38
In reply to Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:(, posted by jay on January 4, 2006, at 20:07:26
Hi Jay,
I think it's possible that Dexedrine can have both antidepressant effects and depressing effects. I'm horribly sensitive to nearly all meds. When I was on Dexedrine, I found that there was a very fine line between too much and not enough, and when I took too much, I'd get depressed and/or fatigued, exhausted, even zombie-like. This problem occurred with Ritalin and Adderall, also. Of the three, I think Dexedrine is the best if you're using it as an antidepressant.
I realize you're on the Spansules, so it's a little bit difficult to control the dosing. I wonder whether your doctor could give you an rx for 5 mg Spansules and 10 mg Spansules, so you could try taking a bit less. Then, if you find you need more a few hours later, you can always take more. My doctor kept telling me, "Take more; you're on such a low dose," but whenever I took more all at once (rather than spacing the doses throughout the day), I'd flop down in a chair with exhaustion. My guess is that too much neurotransmitter was released all at once, so I got depleted and had to wait until more was released.
May I ask what other meds you're taking with the Dexedrine?
S.
Posted by Sarah T. on January 5, 2006, at 3:28:22
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » jay, posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 4, 2006, at 22:45:03
Hi Emily.
Can you tell me what medications you take with Dexedrine? I have a lot of difficulty combining meds, so I'm always looking for combinations that might work.
S.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 5, 2006, at 9:10:46
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Sarah T. on January 5, 2006, at 3:28:22
Well, it is debatable how well it "works" for me, but I suppose it is doing something. I also have GAD in addition to major depression. It should be said that I am the opposite of you--I usually need lots of a med to get an effect. So brace yourself for a lot of meds...
Lexapro 40mg
Neurontin 1200mg (divided into 3 doses)
Desipramine 125mg
Lithium 750mg
Dexedrine 20mg (divided into 2 doses)
Ambien 2.5-5 mgBest,
EE
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 5, 2006, at 9:14:42
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » jay, posted by Sarah T. on January 5, 2006, at 3:26:38
> I realize you're on the Spansules, so it's a little bit difficult to control the dosing. I wonder whether your doctor could give you an rx for 5 mg Spansules and 10 mg Spansules, so you could try taking a bit less. Then, if you find you need more a few hours later, you can always take more.I'm not sure if spansules are available at 5mg, but tablets are. They are not extended release, but really give you a lot more control over your dose. They are also easily split into 2.5mg pills if you need it.
It also occurs to me that you may need to up your dex dose if you have been on it for a while. According to my pdoc, you sometimes get used to it and need to go higher.
Best,
EE
Posted by linkadge on January 5, 2006, at 14:59:02
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:(, posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 5, 2006, at 9:14:42
Depression is a documented side effect of stimulants. Not enevitable, but documented.
I am assuming that your doctor had tried other antidepressant treatments before starting the dexedrine.
Linkadge
Posted by jay on January 5, 2006, at 17:46:45
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » jay, posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 4, 2006, at 22:45:03
Hi Emily...
Thanks for the response. I am on a really weird combo of drugs, but they really seemed to help. I am on Prozac, 80mg a day; Nortriptyline, 100mg a day; Zyprexa, 10mg a day; Seroquel, 200mg a day; Klononpin, 4mg a day.
I know...it sounds crazy that I don't consider any of these other meds to cause the depression. It's just that I've been on all these others for 3 or more years, and the Dexedrine, just 3 weeks. And this wave of depression has been about exactly 3 weeks.But, now I am wondering if maybe my dose is a bit too low as you mentioned, or maybe I need to add a good mood stabilizer. (The only problem with lithium is that it made me very irritable and angry when I was on it.) But, maybe another. BUT, instead of adding more meds, I should either a)try to ride this out or b)do some dose changes of the Dexedrine.
Thanks very much for your thoughts. I really need some different perspectives right now.
Take good care,
Jay
Posted by jay on January 5, 2006, at 17:52:19
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:(, posted by rjlockhart on January 5, 2006, at 0:45:18
Matt....
Thanks...it seems like Dexedrine is one of the best tolerated drugs around, but like all of them, some people have difficulties. I've been of the Dexedrine for a day now, and there are some *very minor* changes...but I don't know. Will have to see... Oh ya, the Klononpin is great, and I am lucky to have a very open doctor who prescribes it with all these other meds.
Thanks....best and take care..
Jay
Posted by jay on January 5, 2006, at 18:13:44
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » jay, posted by Sarah T. on January 5, 2006, at 3:26:38
Hi Sarah...
I may do what you said when I see my doc on Monday. I've been one day off of the med, but I certainly am not having *that* great of a time off it. The other meds I am on...oh boy...here is the fun part..80mg Prozac; 10mgs of Zyprexa; 200 mgs of Seroquel; 100mgs of Nortriptyline. 4mgs of Klonopin. I've been pretty stable on these meds for about 3 years...but lately over the previous month or so felt very "socked in the gut" by winter depression. But, I have been also thinking, since I am on a fair number of meds, I should try maybe some herbal or vitamin stuff...but one thing at a time. So, I will try and get say 5 and 10 mg Spansules from my doctor on Monday...and I will space it out more.
Thanks very much for your help...best and take care..
Jay
Posted by jay on January 5, 2006, at 18:16:43
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:(, posted by linkadge on January 5, 2006, at 14:59:02
Thanks Linkadge...I am going to be experimenting with some dose changes, and maybe some herbal stuff since I am on so many meds right now. I will let you know how I make out.
Best and take care...
Jay
Posted by linkadge on January 5, 2006, at 18:28:25
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » linkadge, posted by jay on January 5, 2006, at 18:16:43
I think that zinc is probably a good supplement to take with a stimulant, since it can generally potentiate the effects on concentration (thus lowering effective doses), and zinc as well has antidepressant properties.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2006, at 19:41:02
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:(, posted by linkadge on January 5, 2006, at 18:28:25
Zinc has antipressive properties? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on January 5, 2006, at 20:10:27
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2006, at 19:41:02
Definately,
Interestinly, the Tricylcic antididepressant imipramine, and ECT both increase concentrations of zinc in the hippocampus.
Some info at:
http://biopsychiatry.com/zincantidep.htm
Linkadge
Posted by Sarah T. on January 5, 2006, at 23:02:15
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Sarah T., posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 5, 2006, at 9:10:46
Hi Emily Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for your reply. That is quite a cocktail of medications! I wish I could tolerate polypharmacy.
Have you ever tried Cymbalta/Duloxetine? If so, how did you respond to it?
Thanks.
S.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 6, 2006, at 0:02:39
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Sarah T. on January 5, 2006, at 23:02:15
Actually I've never tried Cymbalta or Effexor. When pdoc and I were at a decision point we went for an SSRI and TCA combo instead. Pdoc said that we'd still be targeting the same neurotransmitters and I wouldn't have to w/draw from the Lex first.
We have been piling things onto the combo b/c all of the meds seem to have been helpful, but not completely so. So we don't want to ditch something that is potentially useful. When we can stabilize me for a while we'll start looking at dropping something. Sigh. I'm always so jealous of the people on the TV commercials who are magically fixed by one pill!
Best,
EE
Posted by Sarah T. on January 6, 2006, at 0:29:40
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Sarah T., posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 6, 2006, at 0:02:39
Oh, I know exactly what you mean about being jealous of the people in the commercials who are miraculously cured with one pill! If only it were so easy!
May I ask how long you've been on Lexapro, and do you take it in the morning or at night? I understand it can be quite activating for some people. When I took Celexa, I had to take it at night. Have you ever taken Celexa?
Also, how long have you been on Dexedrine? Oh, as of a few years ago, Dexedrine Spansules (name brand) were available in 5 mg strength, but I don't know whether they are still available since it's been quite some time since I took them. And I agree with you about the 5 mg immediate release version. They are the most versatile and easily dosed.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 6, 2006, at 11:18:55
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Sarah T. on January 6, 2006, at 0:29:40
I have been on Lex for about 2 yrs. I never tried Celexa, but I'm considering switching to it b/c it would save a lot of $ b/c my insurace isn't so great. I took Paxil for about 1.5 yrs and then it seemed to "poop out." So I switched to prozac and did not get great results. Then I started w/ Lex and it was pretty good for anxiety and depression, but not good enough.
The dex is a more recent addition--I think maybe 6 months. I started out at 5mg 2x/day, but after a few months (and lots of stress in my personal life) we bumped me up to 10mg 2x/day.
Best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on January 6, 2006, at 17:27:12
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2006, at 19:41:02
Can you explain how an upper like dexadrine can help with anxiety I just don't understand. I'd think it would be like drinking strong coffee nonstop. Thanks, Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on January 7, 2006, at 2:07:34
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Sarah T., posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 6, 2006, at 11:18:55
Hi Emily Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for your reply. I was wondering whether you take Lexapro in the morning or at night. If you take it at night, does it interfere with sleep?
It sounds as if you have a good drug cocktail and, if there's any way you can handle the cost of Lexapro, I don't think you should switch to Celexa. I say that only because I know how hard it is to find a good medication regimen, and I'd hate to see you upset the balance. Of course, I don't know how you'd respond to Celexa, but it made me pretty lethargic and "wimpy." The problem with that is that you might have to keep increasing the Dexedrine dose just to overcome the fatigue and apathy from Celexa. And the more you increase the Dex, the sooner tolerance might develop. I think Dexedrine is a good drug, so you want to stave off tolerance as long as possible.
Oh, one more question about Lexapro. In addition to wanting to know whether you take it in the morning or evening, I was wondering whether you had a difficult start-up on it. I've come across a number of posts here from people who had very bad anxiety during the first month or so on Lex. Several people had to add and/or increase their Klonopin dose while they were easing into Lexapro.
Sarah
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 7, 2006, at 12:49:16
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Sarah T. on January 7, 2006, at 2:07:34
Oops--I forgot to answer your am/pm question before. I take my Lex in the am. I've never tried it at night. I think that pdoc just told me to take it in the am b/c people find it stimulating. I had experienced some sleep disturbance, but I don't think it was lex related. It probably was anxiety-related, so pdoc put me on Ambien so that sleep deprivation wasn't working against us.
As for start up problems, I don't really remember any. It may be a little different b/c I was switching straight from prozac, so while the prozac was decreasing, the lex was increasing, so it may have been a more gentle taper up. I also think that I started w/ "only" 20 mg, so I didn't just jump right in at the 40. Gosh, I'm searching my memory for anything abt lex start-up, but I don't remember much, so I guess that is probably a good thing, huh? I would have remembered if it was awful! I should say that the only drug that ever made me too anxious to continue w/ it was Wellbutrin. Perhaps I'm not ultra-sensitive to that s/e, but again, who knows? Such a guessing game.
I think you have a good point abt the Lex vs Celexa. I think I will hold off on that one. I have heard that some people experience the 2 drugs very differently.
Best,
EE
Posted by Sarah T. on January 7, 2006, at 22:34:04
In reply to Re: Can Dexedrine cause depression? Pleeeeze help:( » Sarah T., posted by Emily Elizabeth on January 7, 2006, at 12:49:16
This is the end of the thread.
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