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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 24, 2006, at 8:52:15
In reply to Re: Dexedrine » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 6:46:53
Hi Paul!
> I live downunder, not exactly pill hand over USA, but am scripted Ritalin+Valium+Prozac.
Wow, its very hard to get your hands on valium, let alone ritalin, and together, *no way* - like in I'm sure the pdocs eyes would pop out if you suggested the two.
I'm migrating!
And another thing, it seems that in the UK adults with ADD/HD don't exist according to the docs. I've yet to come across someone formally diagnosed as one.
Ed_uk might have a better idea through.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 9:59:47
In reply to Re: Dexedrine, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 24, 2006, at 8:52:15
Hi Ya!!
"Wow, its very hard to get your hands on valium, let alone ritalin, and together, *no way* - like in I'm sure the pdocs eyes would pop out if you suggested the two."
I was initially given .25mg XANAX by a top PsyDoc-due to sever GAD.
On returning to my GP, and he giving me scripts (as authorised) for 3x.25 Xanax). I asked about Clonaxepam-saying that i heard it lasted longer. I am SURE he made the mistake of scripting 2!!mg tabs 3x daily=6mgs Clonazepam/Klonopin, instead of the .5mg tabs.
Well he didn't want to be seen to be making an errror, so he continued with this, until i had quite a supply at one point, of Roche (R) brand Rivotril-perhaps 150-2mg tabs!
I was reffered to an agency (and seen by a bitter grumpy US PsyDoc) who seemed to think i should be weened off "THE DEMON TRANKS-HAHA) so began my 40mg a day of Diazepam (Valium) taper, :
-Actually .5mgs Clonazepam=10mgs Diazepam:So I should have been started at 120mgs Diazepam really.
Today iam scripted 10mgs Valium daily, and i ran out early-always, unless my friendly Pharmacist makes a mistake and gives me double scripted or more (has happened)-God bless him, i can even go to him and 'borrow some tabs to see me thru':)
Two years ago I saw the same PsyDoc (a top man in his field, apparently) althought ittle concern for the complex case he say before him. he bought up ADD/HD issues, something i had never thought before, and started me on generic 10mg IR tabs of Ritalin 20mgs daily, over 2 years being scripted 20-80mgs daily.
I think i have outgroun the gen Rit, and wish a different treatment, so we'll see.
So it's Uppers, downers, ADs, Betablockers, alcohol.
Cheers
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 24, 2006, at 12:22:39
In reply to Re: Dexedrine » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 9:59:47
I'm definately migrating!! :o)
Well, Oz beats the system here in the UK at any rate.
I wish I had a friendly pharmacist! They could slip me a couple of ritalins.....
Sigh.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by pseudoname on May 24, 2006, at 14:11:55
In reply to Dexedrine, posted by denise1966 on May 24, 2006, at 5:44:56
Hi, Denise.
> Does anyone know […] how I can get hold of it in the UK?
Here are some links about prescribing stimulants for adults in the UK. I don't know if they'd be helpful. The focus of these links is on ADHD, but as Meri-Tuli and I were discussing in an earlier thread, most depressives can honestly report plenty of attention problems to qualify them for ADHD treatment.
• “But there are only two adult ADHD NHS clinics in the UK and she had to wait a year for an appointment.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/adhd_prog_summary.shtml
• “Q: Where can an adult who thinks he or she might have AD/HD get help and treatment?
“A: The best place to start is to get in touch with a local support group, they will know about the services in your local area and how to access them. There are only 2 NHS Adult ADD/ADHD Clinics in the UK so getting a referral to one of these is different in each area. However there are a number of private consultants who will be known to the local groups.” http://www.adders.org/info28.htm• “Decisions to continue or initiate [stimulant] treatment in adults should be considered by adult psychiatrists after an assessment of symptoms and as part of a wider programme of care.” http://www.cambsmh.nhs.uk/documents/NICE/ADHDSCGFeb06.pdf?preventCache=14%2F02%2F2006+14%3A30
• I couldn't see this article because it only shows up for people inside the UK! It might be worth looking at: http://www.besttreatments.co.uk/btuk/conditions/10237.html
Like I said, I don't know but maybe these could provide some leads…
Posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 15:31:22
In reply to Re: Dexedrine » Paulbwell, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 24, 2006, at 12:22:39
> I'm definately migrating!! :o)
>
> Well, Oz beats the system here in the UK at any rate.
>
> I wish I had a friendly pharmacist! They could slip me a couple of ritalins.....
>
> Sigh.
Hi Ya!"I wish I had a friendly pharmacist! They could slip me a couple of ritalins....."-actually he has, i'll get to that.
My Pharmacist sure is friendly (I AM CONVINCED ITS MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PHARMACIST YOU GET ON WELL WITH, THAN A DOC=PSY OR PC-AFTER ALL THEY HAVE THE MEDS, NOT THE DOC, WHO ONLY HANDS OVER THE THE PAPER PADS).He has been A LIFE SAVER TO ME, giving me 180 5mg Valiums, when the dcript said 90 (monthly-CD-class c) and slipping me a umber when i'm short.
He has also given me (sveral times) an extra box, 30 tabs, of 10mg IR Ritalins, (class CD b2, Morphine is class b1) when he (i think) forgot he have given me 1 already, before ordering, and giving me my stock of 7-8 boxes.
Yep folks get a Druggest you like, and you likes you!!cheers
>
> Kind regards
>
> Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 24, 2006, at 15:45:14
In reply to stimulants in UK links » denise1966, posted by pseudoname on May 24, 2006, at 14:11:55
Wow, thanks PN!!
Now, will SSRIs make AD/HD alot worse?? When I was on celexa for a year and a half, man, I had serious concentration issues. Like, pretty serious. But now, not on anything, concentration is better, but still not ideal I guess.
How would I go about testing to see whether I have adult ADD?? I'm pretty sure I'm not hyeractive - can you have AD/HD without the hyperactivity??
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by pseudoname on May 24, 2006, at 15:57:28
In reply to Re: stimulants in UK links » pseudoname, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 24, 2006, at 15:45:14
> Wow, thanks PN!!
Gosh, you're welcome. I'm glad you liked them.
> Now, will SSRIs make AD/HD alot worse??
I don't know. (??)
> How would I go about testing to see whether I have adult ADD?
Can you contact one of those local ADD chapters? Maybe they would know where to start. Go here http://www.adders.org/sgroups.htm and click England (or Wales or whatever).
> can you have AD/HD without the hyperactivity?
Yes. According to that site, in the UK it's called “ADD inattentive”.
Posted by Sobriquet Style on May 24, 2006, at 17:58:44
In reply to ADHD testing in UK » Meri-Tuuli, posted by pseudoname on May 24, 2006, at 15:57:28
From what I've read theres over 12 million benzo's scripts given out a year in the UK and stimulant medication scripts are on the rise too, although they're not in the millions and the large majority are for children. I doubt its impossible to get either scripted, theres ways of getting what you want, but firstly, there has to be a *need* eg a therapeutic advantage for prescribing the drug and then there has to be a doctor to write the prescription. The former is most important, the latter is seeing how determined you are to forfil your need and join the milions and hundreds of thousands who currently have.
Probably easier said then done? :)
~
Posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 18:07:11
In reply to Re: ADHD testing in UK, posted by Sobriquet Style on May 24, 2006, at 17:58:44
> theres ways of getting what you want, but firstly, there has to be a *need* eg a therapeutic advantage for prescribing the drug >
> Probably easier said then done? :)
>
> ~
>
>
A F*CKING NEED?How about not being able to hold down a job, or worse, a lack of quality of like in this world?-HA?
Thats all i want, i've pretty much given up on the first one.
If
-Ritalin
-Valium
-Xanax
-Dextroamphetamine, or even (for the real f*cked up)
-Desoxyn, script MethamphetamineOr any pill can help, bring it on-OK!
Cheers
Posted by Sobriquet Style on May 24, 2006, at 18:24:05
In reply to Re: ADHD testing in UK » Sobriquet Style, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 18:07:11
>A F*CKING NEED?
Like f*cking ADHD, or a type of depression that will respond to a stimulant, sorry if I wasn't too clear :)
>How about not being able to hold down a job, or worse, a lack of quality of like in this world?-HA?
Yeah that too, for example if its a case of not being able to hold down a job, but by taking some amphetamines you can - then by all means find a doctor to gve you a prescription to get your life back.
-Ritalin
-Valium
-Xanax
-Dextroamphetamine, or even (for the real f*cked up)
-Desoxyn, script MethamphetamineI bet *some* people without psychiatric illness would feel pretty buzzed out on all / or some of them.
>Or any pill can help, bring it on-OK!
Ok, whatever floats your boat man.
>Cheers
Peace
~
Posted by Sobriquet Style on May 24, 2006, at 18:34:37
In reply to Re: ADHD testing in UK » Sobriquet Style, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 18:07:11
>A F*CKING NEED?
As in a condition requiring relief, what you said were good examples by the way. By your use of block capitals (shouting?) i'm assuming you thought my use of the word "need" was used perhaps alittle "losely"
Sorry if that offended you, Paul - be - well :)
~
Posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 18:44:36
In reply to Re: ADHD testing in UK » Sobriquet Style, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 18:07:11
Thanks dude,
The meds i mentioned DO have abuse potentiol to some folk, ut allow other folk to live more normally. I'v taken them apart from Dex.
If you got ant Qs get back ok?-coolness
Cheers
Posted by alohashirt on May 24, 2006, at 21:44:03
In reply to Re: Dexedrine » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 6:46:53
Paul,
I'd strongly recommend dexedrine vs ritalin, even though the side effecst can be a nuisance. Where in Oz are you? I grew up in Perth & Melbourne and I can't imagine getting treatment for ADHD there.
Posted by alohashirt on May 24, 2006, at 21:47:36
In reply to Re: Dexedrine, posted by denise1966 on May 24, 2006, at 7:03:02
Where in the UK are you? There *are* pdocs in England who prescribe dexedrine, despite the BNFs cautions, but not many.
I can give you some suggestions if you babble me.
> Hi,
>
> Thanks for the responses. Doesn't look like I'll be able to get my hands on it then as no psychiatrist over here would even consider prescribing it. Shame though as I thought it might kickstart this Cymbalta which isn't working that well.
>
> I've even tried doubling the dose of Cymbalta to 120mg but doesn't seem to be making a difference. I also tried adding 400mg of Lamictal which seems to have calmed me down a bit. I know I'm not supposed to do these things but I'm just trying to experiment a bit.
>
>
> Denise
Posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 21:56:05
In reply to Paul (Re: Dexedrine, posted by alohashirt on May 24, 2006, at 21:44:03
> Paul,
>
> I'd strongly recommend dexedrine vs ritalin, even though the side effecst can be a nuisance. Where in Oz are you? I grew up in Perth & Melbourne and I can't imagine getting treatment for ADHD there.Dude,
After reading your educated posts for SOME time now, i assumed you were a Yankey, due to the pills you mentioned (i thought many were ONLY in the US).
I'm in New Zealand, actually:( and theres probably like adults being treated with stims in the 100's here!!, kids yer thousands!
I see you strongly recommend Dex, no suprise, Why Aloha? what are the nuicence SEs?I'm making an app with my Psy and gonna do it.
I value, and respect your opions-sp?, so go ahead......
Cheers dude
Posted by Sobriquet Style on May 25, 2006, at 8:51:37
In reply to Re: ADHD testing in UK-sobriquet » Paulbwell, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 18:44:36
>The meds i mentioned DO have abuse potentiol to some folk, ut allow other folk to live more normally.
Most definitely. I think (and I could be wrong) but some stimulants taken by the the normal population, by that I mean taken even though they have no psychiatric diagnosis - enable them to be more productive in their everyday life, job, relationships etc and use them wisely. Its kind of like a middle ground inbetween the people who need them for medical reasons and the people who simply take them to high etc.
>If you got ant Qs get back ok?
Cheers :-) ~ ~ How do you find the stims help?...with what kind of symptoms do they reduce, how do they help you basicially?
I often wondered if they'd help me, but i'm unsure how they could or if they may cause more problems than benefit. My main diagnosis is bipolar, but I do have concentration issues from time to time..
~
Posted by alohashirt on May 25, 2006, at 14:18:46
In reply to ALOHASHIRT-PAUL!! » alohashirt, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 21:56:05
Good luck with the dexedrine. Suck it and see is my motto. I lived in Auckland for a while as kid, ended up in london, now New York. I don't really know what I am anymore, but I'm a textbook case of adult adhd combined type.
dexedrine side effects/irritations
1. erratic effectiveness cf ritalin. vitamin C, fruit juice, acids, fatty food all appear to reduce effectiveness off dexedrine inconsistently.
2. some generics have erratic absorption. the brand dexedrine spansules are more consistent
3. dexedrine can cause insomnia more than ritalin
4. excessiev talkiness
5. in < 2% of people increase in blood pressure.
6. It's an "abusable drug" so has more/different stigma than ritalin
7. pre-employment drug screens can blip if you change jobs
8. foreign travel with a narcotic requires forethought.
9. tolerance seem sto be much bigger problem than with ritalin/focalin
10. risk of mistaking euphoric effect for symptom removal.
11. can impair sport performanceAll told its smoother, and clearer sharper than Concerta Metadate CD with less of a wear-off moodieness that Ritalin IR has. Tell us how it works out.
> > Paul,
> >
> > I'd strongly recommend dexedrine vs ritalin, even though the side effecst can be a nuisance. Where in Oz are you? I grew up in Perth & Melbourne and I can't imagine getting treatment for ADHD there.
>
> Dude,
>
> After reading your educated posts for SOME time now, i assumed you were a Yankey, due to the pills you mentioned (i thought many were ONLY in the US).
>
> I'm in New Zealand, actually:( and theres probably like adults being treated with stims in the 100's here!!, kids yer thousands!
>
>
> I see you strongly recommend Dex, no suprise, Why Aloha? what are the nuicence SEs?
>
> I'm making an app with my Psy and gonna do it.
>
> I value, and respect your opions-sp?, so go ahead......
>
> Cheers dude
>
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2006, at 21:08:28
In reply to Re: Dexedrine » Paulbwell, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 24, 2006, at 12:22:39
Merri Ed's friendly ha ha I know he wouldn't do anything to lose his job. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2006, at 21:12:00
In reply to Re: Dexedrine-Stims, Benzos.... » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 15:31:22
Paulwell I E-mail with someone from Melborne and you wouldn't believe all the meds he takes and valium too. 20mg a day and his doc prescribes them. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2006, at 21:16:08
In reply to Paul (Re: Dexedrine, posted by alohashirt on May 24, 2006, at 21:44:03
Isn't Declan from Perth? Love Phillipa
Posted by Paulbwell on May 26, 2006, at 7:35:10
In reply to Paul (Re: Dexedrine, posted by alohashirt on May 24, 2006, at 21:44:03
> Paul,
>
> I'd strongly recommend dexedrine vs ritalin, even though the side effecst can be a nuisance. Where in Oz are you? I grew up in Perth & Melbourne and I can't imagine getting treatment for ADHD there.Hi ya!!
So I KNEW YOU HAD TO BE IN THE US, DUE TO MEDS YOY HAVE MENTIONED!!
Focalin
Dex Spans....
You lived in New Zealand ha?-cool."I'd strongly recommend dexedrine vs ritalin,"
You and everyone else. Is Ritalin REALLLY that crap?.
I have been scripted the crap from 20-80mgs daily!!
I have read of folks who have safetly taken script Meth/Amphetamine, for 40+ years.
yer, for the sake of my mental health, i better stop it.I value yr threads enormously.
Cheers
Posted by pseudoname on May 26, 2006, at 8:16:09
In reply to Re: Paul (Re: Dexedrine-ALOHASHIRT » alohashirt, posted by Paulbwell on May 26, 2006, at 7:35:10
> "I'd strongly recommend dexedrine vs ritalin,"
>
> You and everyone else. Is Ritalin REALLLY that cr*p?I got *excellent* antidepressant benefit from Ritalin, but tolerance built up very quickly. I went from like 20mg to 140mg in a few weeks. Also, on the old version, the after-crash was terrible.
The new Metadate CR is a lot better that way, but I only take it once or twice a month on top of my other med.
Posted by Paulbwell on May 26, 2006, at 8:20:08
In reply to Re: Ritalin » Paulbwell, posted by pseudoname on May 26, 2006, at 8:16:09
> > "I'd strongly recommend dexedrine vs ritalin,"
> >
> > You and everyone else. Is Ritalin REALLLY that cr*p?
>
> I got *excellent* antidepressant benefit from Ritalin, but tolerance built up very quickly. I went from like 20mg to 140mg in a few weeks. Also, on the old version, the after-crash was terrible.
>
> The new Metadate CR is a lot better that way, but I only take it once or twice a month on top of my other med.Hi,
What are your other meds?, are you being treated for other than ADD/HD issues?.
Thanks
Posted by pseudoname on May 26, 2006, at 8:34:49
In reply to Re: Ritalin » pseudoname, posted by Paulbwell on May 26, 2006, at 8:20:08
> What are your other meds? are you being treated for other than ADD/HD issues?
I'm only being treated for depression. I don't think I have much attention problems. For depression I've tried 30+ meds & combos (all the biggies) and ECT. The only things that worked were Ritalin and Adderall. Ritalin led to tolerance, and Adderall only helped the worst low trough of depression.
For 5 months, I've been on the synthetic opioid buprenorphine (Subutex) for depression. It WORKS! It has gradually been changing my life. It's hard to get prescribed, though, and pdocs are almost universally misinformed about it.
I don't know if opioids have any effect on AD/HD, but some people find them stimulating, so maybe.
Posted by Paulbwell on May 26, 2006, at 8:46:13
In reply to Re: Ritalin » Paulbwell, posted by pseudoname on May 26, 2006, at 8:34:49
I hear ya!!
I have taken IR Morphine tabs, orally, Plugged, snorted. Morphine 20mg SR crushed and snorted.
Codeine, tabs orally~400mgs
60mg DHC tabs. orally and plugged.Opis do indeed relieve depression, but at what cost?
Cheers
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