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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 blueberry1 on January 16, 2007, at 6:42:18
Hi Linkadge,
Hey, you mentioned in a previous thread about stimulants that you had taken Ritalin as monotherapy.
I was just curious, what were the doses? How long? Why did you stop?
I've tried Ritalin briefly and have a bottle of it to play with and could get it renewed if I wanted. My trials were too short. Here's what happened...
First, my doses were probably too low. First dose of the day was 5mg. Nice antidepressant effect. When it wore off, the second 5mg dose didn't do nearly as much as the first. When that wore off, the 3rd dose didn't do anything except create anxiety. So I was scared off. Maybe my doses were too low? Or maybe I'm one of those that just builds tolerance way too fast?
I was interested in your experience with it.
Posted by linkadge on January 16, 2007, at 11:41:19
In reply to Linkadge - Ritalin, posted by blueberry1 on January 16, 2007, at 6:42:18
I took SR 20mg and IR 3-4x5mg.
The big think with this med is don't abuse it or you're screwed. If you start to crave it, then you will need to stop alltogether.
I found it worked best, when I planted myself right in the middle of something that I would normally enjoy if I wasn't depressed.
For instance, I'd ask, "what would I be doing if I had the energy, motivation and interest?"
So, say I'd plan an event like watching a movie with a friend, (something that while on an SSRI, I'd probably get bored 1/4 of the way through)
Or something that I'd never enjoy or bother to do while depressed.Then I'd take the lowest dose of ritalin necessary to jumpstart that event. Then hopfully, it will be the event, and not the drug that you remember as being good.
ie. Never use the drug to feel good in iteself, use the drug to facilitate some aspect of recovery.
If you're just sitting around popping ritalin you're screwed.
Don't get me wrong, I would still take it regularly, but just have a plan.
YMMV.Why did I stop? Fear of neurotoxicity, fear of chromisomal dammage, fear of addiction, fear of long term cardiac consequence, you name it.
P.S. If I thought the drug was safer, I'd probably give it another round.
Linkadge
Posted by juanantoniod on January 16, 2007, at 20:44:43
In reply to Re: Linkadge - Ritalin, posted by linkadge on January 16, 2007, at 11:41:19
For instance, I'd ask, "what would I be doing if I had the energy, motivation and interest?"
Linkadge: Although this thread wasn't meant for me, I am on stimulants as an adjunct for ADs (also VNS Therapy), so I will find it very very useful. In fact, I'm going to print it out and put it on my computer.
THANK YOU!!!
Posted by linkadge on January 17, 2007, at 16:23:13
In reply to Re: Linkadge - Ritalin » linkadge, posted by juanantoniod on January 16, 2007, at 20:44:43
Hey no problem.
I'll try not to keep blabbing or anything but,
I understand that when somebody is really depressed, it can be very hard to even remember times that were good, let alone have the energy and motivation to cary them out.
But I don't believe that the memory itself of the happy even is gone, it is that the memory has no emotional color, and that present experiences bring no satisfaction.
Sometimes it is almost too painfull to walk down memory lane to remember the things that once brought us pleasure. We are afraid that the memories will taunt us like a cany caught in the vending machine.
But, nomatter how painful, take the time to at least identify activities once considered pleasurable.
Even if bringing the event back to life is stimulant asissted. Somtimes the event can bring back a atrong desire for further recovery.
Linkadge
Posted by juanantoniod on January 17, 2007, at 18:18:28
In reply to Re: Linkadge - Ritalin, posted by linkadge on January 17, 2007, at 16:23:13
Wow! That is deep and also very helpful. Thank you! I wish you were my therapist. :)
Antonio
> Hey no problem.
>
> I'll try not to keep blabbing or anything but,
>
> I understand that when somebody is really depressed, it can be very hard to even remember times that were good, let alone have the energy and motivation to cary them out.
>
> But I don't believe that the memory itself of the happy even is gone, it is that the memory has no emotional color, and that present experiences bring no satisfaction.
>
> Sometimes it is almost too painfull to walk down memory lane to remember the things that once brought us pleasure. We are afraid that the memories will taunt us like a cany caught in the vending machine.
>
> But, nomatter how painful, take the time to at least identify activities once considered pleasurable.
>
> Even if bringing the event back to life is stimulant asissted. Somtimes the event can bring back a atrong desire for further recovery.
>
> Linkadge
Posted by liliths on January 21, 2007, at 10:43:25
In reply to Re: Linkadge - Ritalin, posted by linkadge on January 17, 2007, at 16:23:13
hi Linkage
I just had to tell you that this brought tears to my eyes. It is so sad and so hard to feel this way... you captured it well
thanks
namaste,
lilith> Hey no problem.
>
> I'll try not to keep blabbing or anything but,
>
> I understand that when somebody is really depressed, it can be very hard to even remember times that were good, let alone have the energy and motivation to cary them out.
>
> But I don't believe that the memory itself of the happy even is gone, it is that the memory has no emotional color, and that present experiences bring no satisfaction.
>
> Sometimes it is almost too painfull to walk down memory lane to remember the things that once brought us pleasure. We are afraid that the memories will taunt us like a cany caught in the vending machine.
>
> But, nomatter how painful, take the time to at least identify activities once considered pleasurable.
>
> Even if bringing the event back to life is stimulant asissted. Somtimes the event can bring back a atrong desire for further recovery.
>
> Linkadge
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Posted by tessellated on January 22, 2007, at 21:14:56
In reply to Re: Linkadge - Ritalin, posted by linkadge on January 17, 2007, at 16:23:13
This is the end of the thread.
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