![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 46. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 15:47:09
Saturday, I took 2.5mg of dextroamphetamine, Dex for short,in the morning. The drug seemed to have a mild, pleasurable effect, helping with motivation and concentration for several unpleasant chores.
Sunday, I took 2.5mg in the morning and in the afternoon. I attended a Church service and was moved to tears several times. I experienced the service as a very personal message from God to me, seeing all kinds of meaning and interrelatedness.
In the afternoon, the drug both helped with chores and made me more irritable at times. I know irritability can strike me when I'm on Concerta/Ritalin.Today, Monday, I went to work on Dex - 2.5mg twice. Like I have noticed before, Dex slowed down my cognitive functioning at work. It's like I'm concentrating on too many things at a time - or perhaps, I can't concentrate on more than one thing, while I have to keep track of several things simultaneously.
My social functioning was impaired too. Socializing all of a sudden felt unnatural and forced. I was just getting the hang of socializing with colleagues and friends. I made spontaneous contact anyway, but couldn't enjoy it.
I don't know wether these are just start-up side-effects. Ihave heard long-term users mention anti-social side-effects. Slowed down cognition seems pretty bizarre. Maybe my brain has to get used to the stuff.
Tonight, I find myself rather irritable and unhappy. Anhedonic. Is it because the Dex has left the building? Or are it the very lingering effects of the drug?
I think I'll move on to 5mg twice a day tomorrow. Or 2.5mg three times a day. Or four times.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 8, 2010, at 16:00:39
In reply to Conquest Of Paradise - First Days On Dex, posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 15:47:09
>I think I'll move on to 5mg twice a day tomorrow.
Is that wise? You seem to have experienced some rather profound effects even at the low dose. Perhaps you should wait a little longer?
Posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 16:06:20
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - First Days On Dex, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 8, 2010, at 16:00:39
> Is that wise? You seem to have experienced some rather profound effects even at the low dose. Perhaps you should wait a little longer?
Well, apart from the question wether wisdom is really my cup of tea, my p-doc told me to start with 5mg twice a day. So technically, I'm being a little naughty now, although erring (if at all) on the side of caution.
The half-life of Dex seems impossible to pin down. It all has to do with the PH value of the bladder. I take bethanechol against dry mouth, but b. also makes me piss sooner and more. Which means I will piss out more Dex. It's such a cruel world...
Posted by Brainbeard on November 9, 2010, at 3:52:30
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - First Days On Dex, posted by Brainbeard on November 8, 2010, at 16:06:20
I've been ordering a pile of paper, for archiving and paying smouldering bills. Everything that reminds me of the recent past - from about three years ago to now - hurts. The melancholic pain of nostalgia. Apparently, the Dex stimulates it. Ritalin makes me feel like being on top of the world - but also makes me care less about my partner. Dex is totally different.
I find all tasks and chores that need to be done so overwhelming. Dex does help with doing unpleasant stuff. On Ritalin I tend to avoid nasty chores and go surfing the internet or something. Pleasure seeking behavior. This is less so or not so with the Dex.
I'll try taking 2.5mg three or four times today, to see if I can smear out the drug's effects over the day a little more.
Posted by Phillipa on November 9, 2010, at 10:30:47
In reply to Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Four, posted by Brainbeard on November 9, 2010, at 3:52:30
No experience with the med but I've not heard others report feelings like this should you call you doc? Phillipa
Posted by Brainbeard on November 10, 2010, at 6:56:59
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Four » Brainbeard, posted by Phillipa on November 9, 2010, at 10:30:47
> No experience with the med but I've not heard others report feelings like this should you call you doc? Phillipa
No Phillipa, that won't be necessary. I'll discuss the effects of the Dex when I have a telephonic consultation with him next week. The possible manifestations of stimulants in any user are manifold. 'YMMV'.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 10, 2010, at 13:52:38
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Four, posted by Brainbeard on November 10, 2010, at 6:56:59
>when I have a telephonic consultation with him next week.
I read that as 'telepathic' the first time around. I was going to recommend a dosage reduction.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 10, 2010, at 15:10:08
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Four, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 10, 2010, at 13:52:38
> >when I have a telephonic consultation with him next week.
>
> I read that as 'telepathic' the first time around. I was going to recommend a dosage reduction.Hahaha.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 10, 2010, at 15:16:07
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Four, posted by Brainbeard on November 10, 2010, at 15:10:08
Today went well in the beginning. The Dex helped me to pick up on several chores. The problem seems to be, however, that while the Dex increases my drive and motivation, it decreases my ability to distinguish between what's important and what's not. It also doesn't improve my skills for planning and organizing.
And, like methylphenidate (Concerta/Ritalin), it can trigger neurotic loops - so I found out today.
My Dex experience is pretty harsh. I feel out of it most of the day. Will things get better over time?
Posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:23:08
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Five, posted by Brainbeard on November 10, 2010, at 15:16:07
Maybe adderall would be better for you? Maybe the increase in dopamine is making you loopy.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 11, 2010, at 11:20:39
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Five, posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:23:08
> Maybe adderall would be better for you?
Unfortunately, instant release generic dex is all we got here.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 11, 2010, at 11:21:52
In reply to Re: Conquest Of Paradise - Dex Day Five, posted by Brainbeard on November 10, 2010, at 15:16:07
That Dex... It really doesn't seem to help me!!! It gives me brain fog!!!! It makes me more anxious!!!! It exacerbates my dry mouth!!! WHY AM I TAKING IT????
Posted by sigismund on November 11, 2010, at 23:13:30
In reply to Paradise Lost - Dex Day Six, posted by Brainbeard on November 11, 2010, at 11:21:52
I can see that Dex would exacerbate your dry mouth and make you more anxious, but am surprised that it should make you feel more foggy.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 12, 2010, at 0:07:17
In reply to Re: Paradise Lost - Dex Day Six, posted by sigismund on November 11, 2010, at 23:13:30
Lots of stimulants make me feel weird and foggy to begin with; I know this sounds ridiculous, but even black tea (which I picked up recently .. never really drunk coffee) had me walking around in a daze until I accustomed to it.
I have the same reaction to Dex, though just assume it would go away eventually.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 12, 2010, at 4:16:33
In reply to Re: Paradise Lost - Dex Day Six, posted by sigismund on November 11, 2010, at 23:13:30
> I can see that Dex would exacerbate your dry mouth and make you more anxious, but am surprised that it should make you feel more foggy.
It is paradoxical indeed. There is some research indicating that Dex DECREASES brain activity in brain regions that are irrelevant to the task at hand. This could promote a tunnel focus, but I theorize that it also may exacerbate the ability to switch between brain regions - necessary, perhaps, for multitasking brain work. At work, I have to talk and think at the same time, and with Dex, this seems a lot harder than usual.
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2010, at 20:04:44
In reply to Re: Paradise Lost - Dex Day Six, posted by Brainbeard on November 12, 2010, at 4:16:33
Could that be as see you are on the OCD meds which is considered an anxiety disorder that your anxiety gets reved up and a stimulant isn't what you require? Just asking. Phillipa
Posted by Brainbeard on November 13, 2010, at 13:25:21
In reply to Re: Paradise Lost - Dex Day Six » Brainbeard, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2010, at 20:04:44
> Could that be as see you are on the OCD meds which is considered an anxiety disorder that your anxiety gets reved up and a stimulant isn't what you require? Just asking. Phillipa
That is what it looks like indeed. Still, anxiety can be a price worth paying if I get drive and motivation in return.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 13, 2010, at 13:34:25
In reply to Re: Paradise Lost - Dex Day Six, posted by Brainbeard on November 13, 2010, at 13:25:21
I discontinued the Dex because of its detrimental effects on work, social performance and mental stability.
Now I'm still hoping that I could take it as needed for situations in which I need to do a lot of stuff that I don't like to do. Dex does help with that. It also doesn't inflate my ego to the point where I feel so independent that I lose my sense of fairness and feel ready to quit my relationship for the slightest wrong done to me by my partner. (Methylphenidate/Concerta/Ritalin does that.) Neither does it promote pleasure seeking behavior (idem). And the come-down/rebound isn't as bad as Rita's. So it does have something to offer. It's just a bummer that it makes me perform worse in my job as a call-center agent.
Posted by sigismund on November 13, 2010, at 17:42:02
In reply to Paradise Lost - Done With Dex?, posted by Brainbeard on November 13, 2010, at 13:34:25
>Now I'm still hoping that I could take it as needed for situations in which I need to do a lot of stuff that I don't like to do. Dex does help with that.
Too right.
When I had to attend my daughter's school graduation ceremony I dearly wished for some of that with a couple of drinks to talk to the other parents at the table and to have the first dance with my daughter without my mood becoming an issue. I took a couple of tianeptines and some Valium and it really wasn't good enough.
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2010, at 19:57:49
In reply to Re: Paradise Lost - Done With Dex?, posted by sigismund on November 13, 2010, at 17:42:02
Providgil or nuvidgil? Phillipa
Posted by Brainbeard on November 15, 2010, at 5:33:21
In reply to Paradise Lost - Done With Dex?, posted by Brainbeard on November 13, 2010, at 13:34:25
I think every med deserves a second chance.
Hence I took 2.5mg of dex yesterday for a painting chore in our newly bought house. It worked rather well! Cooperation with my wife went smoothly, which is, believe me, exceptional.
Then again, after my dex break, I felt anxious and weary for days. Is this a foretaste of a future withdrawal hell?
Posted by sigismund on November 15, 2010, at 20:18:18
In reply to Dex - Second Chance, posted by Brainbeard on November 15, 2010, at 5:33:21
> Is this a foretaste of a future withdrawal hell?
I'd be very surprised.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 16, 2010, at 2:50:28
In reply to Re: Dex - Second Chance » Brainbeard, posted by sigismund on November 15, 2010, at 20:18:18
> I'd be very surprised.
Sigi, is your comment dripping with irony or what?
Posted by sigismund on November 16, 2010, at 13:23:10
In reply to Re: Dex - Second Chance, posted by Brainbeard on November 16, 2010, at 2:50:28
>Hence I took 2.5mg of dex yesterday for a painting chore in our newly bought house. It worked rather well! Cooperation with my wife went smoothly, which is, believe me, exceptional.
>Then again, after my dex break, I felt anxious and weary for days. Is this a foretaste of a future withdrawal hell?
Well,anything is possible. I was just hopeful that on this low dose of Dex that there would be no withdrawal reaction. I always used to tell myself that amphetamines had no withdrawal syndrome (like opiates, shall we say). You know but.....who knows?
No irony.
You said 'after my dex break'. Perhaps you meant 'during my Dex break'?
Posted by Brainbeard on November 17, 2010, at 6:14:44
In reply to Re: Dex - Second Chance » Brainbeard, posted by sigismund on November 16, 2010, at 13:23:10
> No irony.
Ah! So you were serious after all! I like that. :)
> You said 'after my dex break'. Perhaps you meant 'during my Dex break'?Indeed. I meant 'after I temporarily quit [before trying the 2.5mg PRN]'.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.