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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:29:30
I have been on Prescription Amphetamine 9 years (Adderall 8 years/ Dexedrine 1 years [currently])
I have been through HELL with the harshness of this psychoactive drug.
I have taken doses moderate, over and over again and I feel its wearing me down.
Can this be scaned on a MRI or a CAT scan, because i need to know if there is any damage done.
You feel confident, witty, but i have been on this so long.
Ok, the past 5 days i have been on a binge, and it has been HORRID. I feel lifeless, i take my prescribed dose in the morning again and i feel i have to have stop.
Im not doing hard core, like methamphetamine (speed) but its amphetamine which is similar but not as strong. Can it still have dameging effects?
Help?
Posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:35:47
In reply to What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:29:30
I dont know what this is.
When i stop taking it, or it wears off, i still feel almost manic, alert, stress stimulation.
What is this? I have got to do something.
Posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:47:14
In reply to Re: forced dopamine, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:35:47
I feel so anxious i am sweating, its worn off, but still feel anxious as hell.
Plus dealing with stress from life.
Posted by yxibow on January 21, 2006, at 15:41:54
In reply to What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:29:30
> I have been on Prescription Amphetamine 9 years (Adderall 8 years/ Dexedrine 1 years [currently])
>
> I have been through HELL with the harshness of this psychoactive drug.I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling rotten on this medication. Amphetamines are harsh.
>
> I have taken doses moderate, over and over again and I feel its wearing me down.
>
> Can this be scaned on a MRI or a CAT scan, because i need to know if there is any damage done.Unfortunately MRIs (nor their lesser cousin CAT) do not show enough detail at the synapse level. You would have to have a stroke or lesion to be able to witness any damage and one would definately know the consequences or at least result of that. I wish a PET scan could show why I have had my bizarre illness for 4 years but all it is in the end money gone and not enough information for the doctor unless I had my own personal placebo panel set up. We're not quite there yet :/
> Im not doing hard core, like methamphetamine (speed) but its amphetamine which is similar but not as strong. Can it still have dameging effects?no, Desoxyn is methamphetamine, thats true.
>
> Help?Well, its been tested for 35 years if that's any hope, I would think the number of patient hours has been fairly well studied. There is of course also Adderall XR. As for long term effects, they have been associated with psychosis (reversible on discontinuation). Drugs or substances that alter urine pH will alter the elimination of the substance from the body.
Posted by vbAgent on January 21, 2006, at 16:41:05
In reply to Re: am i going crazy from dexedrine, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:47:14
> I have been on Prescription Amphetamine 9 years (Adderall 8 years/ Dexedrine 1 years [currently])
> I have been through HELL with the harshness of this psychoactive drug.
> I have taken doses moderate, over and over again and I feel its wearing me down.
> Can this be scaned on a MRI or a CAT scan, because i need to know if there is any damage done.
> You feel confident, witty, but i have been on this so long.
> Ok, the past 5 days i have been on a binge, and it has been HORRID. I feel lifeless, i take my prescribed dose in the morning again and i feel i have to have stop.
> Im not doing hard core, like methamphetamine (speed) but its amphetamine which is similar but not as strong. Can it still have dameging effects?
> Help?> I dont know what this is.
> When i stop taking it, or it wears off, i still feel almost manic, alert, stress stimulation.
> What is this? I have got to do something.> I feel so anxious i am sweating, its worn off, but still feel anxious as hell.
>
> Plus dealing with stress from life.Hi rjlockhart, I found something about Adderall (not Dexedrine per se but related) on http://www.additudemag.com/experts.asp?DEPT_NO=901&ARTICLE_NO=32&ARCV=1
"Any stimulant medication has the potential of causing addiction, but not at the doses used for AD/HD when monitored by a physician. Used properly, there is minimal to no likelihood that you would become physiologically addicted to Adderall. Once you learn how much these medications help, it might be possible to be psychologically worried that you'll have problems if your go off the medication. This is not addiction. You should discuss your concerns more with your physician."
"If you are having problems with your prescriptions or have any concerns requiring immediate attention, please consult your doctor as soon as possible or dial your local crisis intervention hotline. ADDitude is unable to assist in these urgent situations." Near the top of this page is a blurb that says, "In a crisis, please also get help in person." I think you feel that people are tired of listening. Remember your doctor, a pharmacist and (most importantly) your family and friends in a crisis. Please talk to someone. Write down everything that's on your mind; just get it out of your system. You'll feel so much better, really!!
I very often forget to search for an issue in previously posted answers. As you know, there's an incredible amount of useful information about amphetamines already on Dr. Bob's site and on the Internet. Take it easy dude... :-)
p.s. You're never alone. I'm 28 and have taken stimulants off & on for many years. We share some of the same worries, fears and (possibly) diagnoses. If you ever want to talk let me know, I'll give you my email address.
Posted by shasling on January 21, 2006, at 17:48:23
In reply to What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:29:30
Ya know, Rj, you just don't sound good. You have serious concerns about your use of the drug and its long term affects on your well being - and this isn't your first post on that - yet you still keep taking it. That's a bad sign. You are on a self described binge and that's another really bad sign. You know these things....
If you were a family member, someone whose condition I was familiar with and whose life I could really butt into, I'd insist you get off it, clear up and see then if it's still necessary to take. There's got to be an alternative med for you by now...
But you're not and I can only butt in so much, so I will say this: Take it for what it's worth from a recovered hard core meth addict with the lovely brain damage to match, but speed of any kind is always borrowed energy. It's not free, and you will pay for it somehow sooner or later.
Its typical to know at some point that its gone bad on you, yet still keep taking it in an eternal and fruitless effort to recapture how good it used to be, so ask yourself this: Is it doing you as much good as it is bad? If not, it needs to go. It doesn't get much simpler than that.
Please take care, and remember that if you're feeling confused and crazy, that it can be the drug. It totally can get you that way over time. It gets better after you get rid of the drug.
Suzie
Posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2006, at 19:04:25
In reply to Re: What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by shasling on January 21, 2006, at 17:48:23
Matt good advise. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Johnny B. Linux on January 21, 2006, at 20:12:27
In reply to Re: What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by shasling on January 21, 2006, at 17:48:23
Posted by jamestheyonger on January 21, 2006, at 21:07:05
In reply to What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:29:30
> Ok, the past 5 days i have been on a binge, and it has been HORRID.
Sounds like you need to seek substance abuse treatment.
Posted by jamestheyonger on January 21, 2006, at 22:40:14
In reply to Re: What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by shasling on January 21, 2006, at 17:48:23
"Take it for what it's worth from a recovered hard core meth addict with the lovely brain damage to match, but speed of any kind is always borrowed energy."
I totally agree. Been there done that. Large doses of speed carry a common risk. A cardiac event; either a heart attack, blowing out an artery or stroke (blowing out a blood vessel in your brain). I took too much speed, had a stroke
and LOST THE ABILITY TO SPEAK for 12 hours.I think abusing speed is the reason your mental health is not what you want it to be and you have frequent attacks at night.
This is Russian roulette. It is only a matter of time before you hit the real bullet if you continue abusing speed.
Posted by shasling on January 21, 2006, at 23:59:46
In reply to What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:29:30
Rj I think it may have been sugested that some frustration was detected in your reponses. If mine came across that way, let me correct that. No frustration or otherwsie neagtive energy at all was intended. Thats the thing with communicating in print; inflection and nonverbal cues are lost.
What was intended was just honesty. My apologies if it sounded harsh. I do truly pull for you, it pains me to hear so much pain and confusion in your posts.
Truly with much respect and hope for your well being,
Suzie
Posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 16:38:31
In reply to Re: What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by jamestheyonger on January 21, 2006, at 22:40:14
Im going to outpatinent.
Posted by shasling on January 23, 2006, at 16:50:53
In reply to Re: im already in treatment, posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 16:38:31
> Im going to outpatinent.
Congratulations, Rj, that isn't easy to do at all.
And the treatment isn't always easy, but its worth it. I promise. I am so pulling for you. Please stay in touch, if you don't mind doing so.
Very best of luck to you, brother.
Suzie
Posted by jamestheyonger on January 23, 2006, at 21:09:02
In reply to Re: im already in treatment, posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 16:38:31
Do not waste time not being totally honest with them about what you are putting in your body.
Posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 22:05:55
In reply to Re: im already in treatment, posted by jamestheyonger on January 23, 2006, at 21:09:02
I've already told them what i have done.
So dont dictate to me what i do and need to do. Because already know what needs to be done.
got it, good.
Posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 22:22:48
In reply to Re: im already in treatment - jamestheyoungester, posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 22:05:55
i've know what i did, and i know what it does to your brain, similar to what you said.
Just the way you said it made me mad, sorry.
I went in and told them that i took 3 times the dose that i am suppost to, in one day. There are Methamphetamine addicts [1] in there [not me] they do hard core, opiate [4] [prescription] like Oxycountin for there accident that happened and then got addicited,people who are just normal but there going through a time they dress nice not sloppy, they dont like to mention much about why, mainly they talk about what is happening in there life, and chat chat chat chat chat! [im sorry its the drama queen's] gosh.,.... slow down!
Anyways its really hard on my reputation that im in this place. I dont want to be put "substance abuser" NO! NO NO NO PLEASE NO. I would have a serious nevous breakdown if that happened.
Tommorow im going to get reevaluated. Im scared. With medication. Pray Pray Pray Please Pray.
I am going to get out of this, and my mom isnt going to lock me up, i mean it.
Sorry for the other post.
Matt
Posted by Phillipa on January 23, 2006, at 22:37:20
In reply to Re: substance abuse, posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 22:22:48
Matt I'm hanging in for you and praying for you. Love Mom Jan
Posted by Paulbwell on January 24, 2006, at 2:12:00
In reply to What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time?, posted by rjlockhart on January 21, 2006, at 12:29:30
> I have been on Prescription Amphetamine 9 years (Adderall 8 years/ Dexedrine 1 years [currently])
>
> I have been through HELL with the harshness of this psychoactive drug.
>
> I have taken doses moderate, over and over again and I feel its wearing me down.
>
> Can this be scaned on a MRI or a CAT scan, because i need to know if there is any damage done.
>
> You feel confident, witty, but i have been on this so long.
>
> Ok, the past 5 days i have been on a binge, and it has been HORRID. I feel lifeless, i take my prescribed dose in the morning again and i feel i have to have stop.
>
> Im not doing hard core, like methamphetamine (speed) but its amphetamine which is similar but not as strong. Can it still have dameging effects?
>
> Help?What caused you to seek Matt?
Did your relatives/you think you Dexedrine became problematic?
Cheers dude
Posted by shasling on January 24, 2006, at 7:09:01
In reply to Re: substance abuse, posted by rjlockhart on January 23, 2006, at 22:22:48
I'll pray for you as well. What you are doing is difficult.
Again, for what its worth to you (maybe something, maybe nothing) being scared is a really normal reaction. If you weren't scared right now there'd be something wrong with you.
Your not wanting to be labled is understandable. However, some very nice people live their lives as ex-substance abusers, which nobody has to know about by the way (in the US anyway, I don't know where you are or what your privacy laws are like). Those close to you knew there was a problem before you did, and I'm sure they'd rather have a live ex-abuser than a damaged or dead practicing one. Anyone who really matters ought to be simply relieved and proud of you, and not have time to be scandalized by the label. All that having been said, your fear of it is real and understandable and I don't meant to minimize it, just balance it a bit.
Good luck at the re-eval.
Strength, you are at the very worst part of it right now. It gets easier with time.
Posted by Glydin on January 24, 2006, at 14:20:41
In reply to Re: What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time? » rjlockhart, posted by Paulbwell on January 24, 2006, at 2:12:00
Posted by Paulbwell on January 28, 2006, at 4:11:51
In reply to Re: What can chronic Amphetamine doses do over time? (nm), posted by Glydin on January 24, 2006, at 14:20:41
Many folk take dextroamphetamine and ritalin and desoxyn (methylphetamine Hcl) for decades, for diagnosed medical issues. This does not make them speed addicts, I know a Narcoleptic gentlemen (in his 60's) who has taken methylphetamine Hcl tabs,(for OVER 40 YEARS) 15mg SR, 4-5 daily (morning, he felt like a normal person) before they were discontined, and now is given 4x5mg Desoxyn IR tabs 4x daily=80mgs Methylamphetamine, to remain awake and able to work and remain something of a normal life.
he is not seeking a high, just an opportunity to live a somewhat normal life, despite his sever disorder, requiring the potent Methylphetamine Hcl tabs.
Folks seeking a high with Amphetamines are doomed to failure, because they require ever increasing doses to acheive this, thus a downward slide.
Cheers
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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