Shown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by zonked on January 27, 2010, at 22:15:43
Hi all, sorry it's been awhile--
Beginning: Parnate 120mg
Lamictal 200mg
Gabapentin 300mg 3x/day
Ativan 1mg up to 2x/day prn anxiety
Temazepam 30mg @ bedtimeEnd: Subtract Parnate, add Concerta (time release Ritalin 36mg)
Finally got up to a high enough dose of Parnate. The problem was that the theraputic dose was either equal to, or very near, the hypomanic dose (yea, I got there) and I took myself off of it until I could hear from the doc.
After the discontinuation [which was very unpleasant] ended, I had some weird crying spells that weren't depressive in nature, but I did sense Lamictal was taking care of the lion's share of my depression.
Talked to the doc today--I was supposed to have started Dexedrine last visit, but Medicaid declined it and we've been fighting that fight--I suggested to the doc we try Concerta again (I took it in college) while we continue to fight for Adderall or Dexedrine for my ADD symptoms, since they are offering a convenient 30-day free coupon.
Now I remember what I hate about stimulants! The wear-off effect. I wouldn't call it depression, just exhaustion, with touches of sadness and anxiety--you all know what it's like [who've taken psychostimulants].
Man, getting all these right again is a bitch...
Would like suggestions as to how to deal with the wear-off effect--medicines, techniques... I find I crave cigarettes most at this time of day. FTR, Strattera is not an option - both Effexor and Cymbalta (significant NE-reuptake) drove me _nuts_.
zonked
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on January 30, 2010, at 23:10:53
In reply to -Parnate + Concerta [and psychostimulant wear-off], posted by zonked on January 27, 2010, at 22:15:43
You can lay down during these periods, I know there not pleasant..i've experienced them for years, and still do with Vyvanse. Coffee or caffiene during the wear off period help/ yet it doesnt stimulante dopamine like dextroamphetamine does, but it will still keep you alert, just you'll have to deal with the dopamine leaving the synapse.
There is Wellbutrin, yet it doesnt really do anything with stimulant's...it improves dopamine transmission, but at it's best it is low dose of amphetamine [5mg] and that's around 450mg daily.
I stopped Wellbutrin, it takes the intrest out of ciggerattes when you smoke them, it like smoking a piece of paper, not fun.
There's B-6 and B-12 and l-tyrosine to take after wear off periods but it's really not that great because of insomnia, and can cause some irrtiblity. I used to take Restoril, now I just take Ambien.
be well..
Posted by floatingbridge on February 3, 2010, at 20:21:32
In reply to -Parnate + Concerta [and psychostimulant wear-off], posted by zonked on January 27, 2010, at 22:15:43
Zonked,
I'm still trying to figure that out myself. I don't have an answer--sorry.
Strattera was awful for me as well.
Hope you get the meds you want, and if you find away to lessen the post-stimulant low, I'd love to hear what you come up with.
This is the end of the thread.
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