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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 6:43:41
So I'm on this combo of Seroquel XR 300mg, Lamictal 200mg and clonazepam 2mg for apathic depression and anxiety. The combo worked great for a week or so after each successive raise of Lamictal dosage but now I'm in a recession.
Any point of raising the dose of either of these?
Modafinil doesn't have that punch anymore. How about Concerta? Switching Seroquel for Abilify?
I would like to be able to exercise although I can't work as of now.Thanks. I am [xxx]
Posted by Emme_V2 on July 29, 2012, at 7:41:49
In reply to Stims?, posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 6:43:41
> So I'm on this combo of Seroquel XR 300mg, Lamictal 200mg and clonazepam 2mg for apathic depression and anxiety. The combo worked great for a week or so after each successive raise of Lamictal dosage but now I'm in a recession.
> Any point of raising the dose of either of these?
> Modafinil doesn't have that punch anymore. How about Concerta? Switching Seroquel for Abilify?
> I would like to be able to exercise although I can't work as of now.
>
> Thanks. I am [xxx]
>My doctor and I had spent a lot of time trying to find the right augmenting agent for Lamictal. Lamictal plus Abilify ended up being effective for me. The Abilify is less sedating for me than Seroquel but does still help with anxiety and depression. As for the stims, I find Focalin makes me less jittery than ritalin or dexedrine. I had tried Provigil also, but found its effects unpredictable. Good luck.
emme
Posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 8:36:52
In reply to Re: Stims? » TRD_12, posted by Emme_V2 on July 29, 2012, at 7:41:49
> My doctor and I had spent a lot of time trying to find the right augmenting agent for Lamictal. Lamictal plus Abilify ended up being effective for me. The Abilify is less sedating for me than Seroquel but does still help with anxiety and depression. As for the stims, I find Focalin makes me less jittery than ritalin or dexedrine. I had tried Provigil also, but found its effects unpredictable. Good luck.
>
> emmeThat's encouraging to hear. Are you taking it for unipolar depression? What doses of the both are you on? I have wanted to try Lamictal + Abilify, seeing my pdoc on Wednesday. Think I will keep Seroquel 100mg for awhile for sleep.
I think I will skip the stim idea, too much negative experiences on the internet.Thanks.
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2012, at 9:54:04
In reply to Re: Stims? » Emme_V2, posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 8:36:52
[xxx] did you change your name? No antidepressant now? It appeared that you are taking to me three downers. Could you stop the klonopin? I found it very depressing. Phillipa
Posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 10:07:29
In reply to Re: Stims?, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2012, at 9:54:04
> [xxx] did you change your name? No antidepressant now? It appeared that you are taking to me three downers. Could you stop the klonopin? I found it very depressing. Phillipa
Yeah, I did. So that my posts would no longer be associated with that name, you have ruined that now, thanks. Ask Dr. Bob to delete this/your post. *sigh*
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2012, at 21:19:47
In reply to Re: Stims? » Phillipa, posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 10:07:29
Why did you sign your first post as [xxx]? Did you read it?
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on July 29, 2012, at 21:31:10
In reply to Stims?, posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 6:43:41
yea ... check out abilify with your doctor it does help some with increasing mood. The Lamictal...mmm ill say stay where it is...400mg usally causes some cognitive issues that can impair daily thoughts. You should REALLY check out Vyvanse...I really think that would be good for energy and mood and concentration all in one. Concerta...i don't know it could work but its not as directly activating as dextroamphetamine.
You could also check out nuvigil with wellburin or strattera.
rj
Posted by TRD_12 on July 30, 2012, at 4:30:55
In reply to Re: Stims? » TRD_12, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2012, at 21:19:47
> Why did you sign your first post as [xxx]? Did you read it?
It's not a problem anymore, Dr. Bob was kind enough to fix it, but please don't use my former name again, thanks :-)
Posted by Emme_V2 on July 30, 2012, at 6:46:00
In reply to Re: Stims? » Emme_V2, posted by TRD_12 on July 29, 2012, at 8:36:52
> > My doctor and I had spent a lot of time trying to find the right augmenting agent for Lamictal. Lamictal plus Abilify ended up being effective for me. The Abilify is less sedating for me than Seroquel but does still help with anxiety and depression. As for the stims, I find Focalin makes me less jittery than ritalin or dexedrine. I had tried Provigil also, but found its effects unpredictable. Good luck.
> >
> > emme
>
> That's encouraging to hear. Are you taking it for unipolar depression? What doses of the both are you on? I have wanted to try Lamictal + Abilify, seeing my pdoc on Wednesday. Think I will keep Seroquel 100mg for awhile for sleep.
> I think I will skip the stim idea, too much negative experiences on the internet.
>
> Thanks.Hi. Yes, unipolar depression. I take 100 mg Lamictal and 2.5 mg Abilify. But I'm pretty sensitive to meds even at low doses.
Don't be scared off of stims by negative stories if your doctor is suggesting you try one. People tend to write about experiences when those experiences have been negative. The people with positive experiences may not feel a need to post about them on the internet. I find Focalin helpful. You would know pretty quickly if a stimulant is going to be useful to you.
Good luck.
emme
Posted by TRD_12 on July 30, 2012, at 7:54:17
In reply to Re: Stims? » TRD_12, posted by Emme_V2 on July 30, 2012, at 6:46:00
> Hi. Yes, unipolar depression. I take 100 mg Lamictal and 2.5 mg Abilify. But I'm pretty sensitive to meds even at low doses.
>
> Don't be scared off of stims by negative stories if your doctor is suggesting you try one. People tend to write about experiences when those experiences have been negative. The people with positive experiences may not feel a need to post about them on the internet.This is true.
I find Focalin helpful. You would know pretty quickly if a stimulant is going to be useful to you.
>
> Good luck.Thanks. I don't know, alcohol seems to bring me down for four-five days and I believe it's a culprit. Today has actually been a good day with 250mg of modafinil. Need to stay away from alcohol. If I can continue to stay at this level I will probably keep Lamictal and Seroquel.
I don't know about methylphenidate, can you exercise on it? How often do you take it and at what dosage?/trd
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2012, at 18:59:40
In reply to Re: Stims? » Phillipa, posted by TRD_12 on July 30, 2012, at 4:30:55
No problem guess it was a slip on your part from the past. Phillipa
Posted by Emme_V2 on August 1, 2012, at 10:44:26
In reply to Re: Stims? » Emme_V2, posted by TRD_12 on July 30, 2012, at 7:54:17
> > Hi. Yes, unipolar depression. I take 100 mg Lamictal and 2.5 mg Abilify. But I'm pretty sensitive to meds even at low doses.
> >
> > Don't be scared off of stims by negative stories if your doctor is suggesting you try one. People tend to write about experiences when those experiences have been negative. The people with positive experiences may not feel a need to post about them on the internet.
>
> This is true.
>
> I find Focalin helpful. You would know pretty quickly if a stimulant is going to be useful to you.
> >
> > Good luck.
>
> Thanks. I don't know, alcohol seems to bring me down for four-five days and I believe it's a culprit. Today has actually been a good day with 250mg of modafinil. Need to stay away from alcohol. If I can continue to stay at this level I will probably keep Lamictal and Seroquel.
> I don't know about methylphenidate, can you exercise on it? How often do you take it and at what dosage?Focalin is dexmethylphenidate. It's one of the isomers of Ritalin (methylphenidate). What concerns you about exercising on it? That you will be too overstimulated from the drug? My doctor chose Focalin because I felt too wired from Ritalin; Focalin is gentler as far as making your autonomic nervous system amped up. I do work out, although by the time I get to an evening workout, the Focalin has generally worn off. Focalin seems to be in and out of me in about 4 hours.
I take a wee dose. 0.625 mg in the morning and again mid-day.
Posted by TRD_12 on August 1, 2012, at 11:45:02
In reply to Re: Stims? » TRD_12, posted by Emme_V2 on August 1, 2012, at 10:44:26
> > > Hi. Yes, unipolar depression. I take 100 mg Lamictal and 2.5 mg Abilify. But I'm pretty sensitive to meds even at low doses.
> > >
> > > Don't be scared off of stims by negative stories if your doctor is suggesting you try one. People tend to write about experiences when those experiences have been negative. The people with positive experiences may not feel a need to post about them on the internet.
> >
> > This is true.
> >
> > I find Focalin helpful. You would know pretty quickly if a stimulant is going to be useful to you.
> > >
> > > Good luck.
> >
> > Thanks. I don't know, alcohol seems to bring me down for four-five days and I believe it's a culprit. Today has actually been a good day with 250mg of modafinil. Need to stay away from alcohol. If I can continue to stay at this level I will probably keep Lamictal and Seroquel.
> > I don't know about methylphenidate, can you exercise on it? How often do you take it and at what dosage?
>
> Focalin is dexmethylphenidate. It's one of the isomers of Ritalin (methylphenidate). What concerns you about exercising on it? That you will be too overstimulated from the drug?I read this article:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/100279-exercise-concerta/I did some weight training this morning and took 250mg of modafinil 1.5hrs before, it worked great. The training had very good impact on my anxiety, felt harmonic all day.
/trd
Posted by Emme_V2 on August 1, 2012, at 12:38:04
In reply to Re: Stims? » Emme_V2, posted by TRD_12 on August 1, 2012, at 11:45:02
> > > > Hi. Yes, unipolar depression. I take 100 mg Lamictal and 2.5 mg Abilify. But I'm pretty sensitive to meds even at low doses.
> > > >
> > > > Don't be scared off of stims by negative stories if your doctor is suggesting you try one. People tend to write about experiences when those experiences have been negative. The people with positive experiences may not feel a need to post about them on the internet.
> > >
> > > This is true.
> > >
> > > I find Focalin helpful. You would know pretty quickly if a stimulant is going to be useful to you.
> > > >
> > > > Good luck.
> > >
> > > Thanks. I don't know, alcohol seems to bring me down for four-five days and I believe it's a culprit. Today has actually been a good day with 250mg of modafinil. Need to stay away from alcohol. If I can continue to stay at this level I will probably keep Lamictal and Seroquel.
> > > I don't know about methylphenidate, can you exercise on it? How often do you take it and at what dosage?
> >
> > Focalin is dexmethylphenidate. It's one of the isomers of Ritalin (methylphenidate). What concerns you about exercising on it? That you will be too overstimulated from the drug?
>
> I read this article:
> http://www.livestrong.com/article/100279-exercise-concerta/
>
> I did some weight training this morning and took 250mg of modafinil 1.5hrs before, it worked great. The training had very good impact on my anxiety, felt harmonic all day.
>
> /trdAh, right. That's what I thought you were probably getting at. It doesn't hurt to be cautious until you know how your body handles a drug and maybe time your workouts appropriately. I do like the Focalin because it speeds me up less than Ritalin, and the immediate release version is short acting. I'm naturally a night-time exerciser anyway, so a potentially raised heart rate and blood pressure haven't really been a big issue for me since the Focalin wears off before then.
Good luck.
emme
Posted by TRD_12 on August 2, 2012, at 3:13:57
In reply to Re: Stims? » TRD_12, posted by Emme_V2 on August 1, 2012, at 12:38:04
> Ah, right. That's what I thought you were probably getting at. It doesn't hurt to be cautious until you know how your body handles a drug and maybe time your workouts appropriately. I do like the Focalin because it speeds me up less than Ritalin, and the immediate release version is short acting. I'm naturally a night-time exerciser anyway, so a potentially raised heart rate and blood pressure haven't really been a big issue for me since the Focalin wears off before then.
>
> Good luck.
> emme
>Thanks. Have you taken modafinil? If so, how would you compare the side effects between them? If not, what side effects do you have and had on Focalin and Ritalin?
/trd
Posted by Emme_V2 on August 3, 2012, at 6:12:35
In reply to Re: Stims? » Emme_V2, posted by TRD_12 on August 2, 2012, at 3:13:57
> > Ah, right. That's what I thought you were probably getting at. It doesn't hurt to be cautious until you know how your body handles a drug and maybe time your workouts appropriately. I do like the Focalin because it speeds me up less than Ritalin, and the immediate release version is short acting. I'm naturally a night-time exerciser anyway, so a potentially raised heart rate and blood pressure haven't really been a big issue for me since the Focalin wears off before then.
> >
> > Good luck.
> > emme
> >
>
> Thanks. Have you taken modafinil? If so, how would you compare the side effects between them? If not, what side effects do you have and had on Focalin and Ritalin?
>
> /trdHi. Yes. I found Provigil very inconsistent. Some days it had no effect on me, some days it made me far too hyper, and some days it was just right (the Goldilocks drug?). I gave up trying to figure out a pattern or to make it work.
Ritalin made me too jittery (feeling racy, increased heart rate). Focalin can make me a little jittery at times, but not always, and certainly less so than Ritalin did. I also take a low dose of a beta blocker for anxiety, and I think that helps offset any edginess from the Focalin. So it's really quite manageable. I've gotten good at titrating the Focalin according to my energy level.
emme
This is the end of the thread.
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