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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chinaboy on February 19, 2014, at 22:26:27
I went to visit my pdoc this morning, and he found out that I also have severe ADHD! So he prescribed Methylphenidate(Ritalin) Sustained-release(18mg/day) And he said it would help with my anhedonia and extremely low motivation. Is this true?
I've heard that Methylphenidate(Ritalin) requires some "break", which means there are take some days when I should be off it regularly to avoid its tolerance problem. Is this true?
Can you please tell me more about Methylphenidate(Ritalin) treating depression?
Now I'm on 40mg of Paxil+18mg of Methylphenidate(Ritalin). Is this combo reasonable?
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 19, 2014, at 23:07:14
In reply to Methylphenidate(Ritalin) +medical break?, posted by chinaboy on February 19, 2014, at 22:26:27
I think Ritalin is used sometimes for aspects of depression. In older and/or sick people, Ritalin or amphetamine can be used alone, to give them energy.
There's a risk of serotonin syndrome anytime you mix antidepressants or add a stimulant to an antidepressant. There's a baseline risk just from taking an SRI.
That said...18mgs is a low, low dose. I think you'll be fine (clearly, I'm not an MD, much less YOUR MD, so keep that in mind).
Ritalin and amphetamines do, in fact, help anhedonia for some folks. They can also clear up cognitive issues.
Good luck!
Posted by chinaboy on February 20, 2014, at 1:49:55
In reply to Re: Methylphenidate(Ritalin) +medical break?, posted by Christ_empowered on February 19, 2014, at 23:07:14
> There's a risk of serotonin syndrome anytime you mix antidepressants or add a stimulant to an antidepressant. There's a baseline risk just from taking an SRI.
>
Why add a stimulant with DA and NE effect to an antidepressant with primarily 5-HT effect could cause serotonin syndrome?
Now I'm on 40mg of Paxil+18mg of Methylphenidate(Ritalin).Your words really scared me.
Posted by vbs on February 20, 2014, at 3:38:25
In reply to on 40mg of Paxil+18mg of Methylphenidate » Christ_empowered, posted by chinaboy on February 20, 2014, at 1:49:55
Your medication combo seems safe. Trust that your pdoc knows the benefits and risks. I used to take high dose Paxil and Concerta 36 mg without any problem.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 22, 2014, at 7:09:33
In reply to on 40mg of Paxil+18mg of Methylphenidate » Christ_empowered, posted by chinaboy on February 20, 2014, at 1:49:55
wow. I didn't mean to scare you. I mean, I take Tofranil. I've taken SRIs. I've added stimulants to AD drugs before.
Its not that you're at super high risk or anything, just...the risk isn't 0.
Posted by Phil on March 6, 2014, at 17:53:45
In reply to Methylphenidate(Ritalin) +medical break?, posted by chinaboy on February 19, 2014, at 22:26:27
my first ssri was paxil..added ritalin and i hardly ever take a low dose of anything. i doubt that serotonin syndrome will ever be in the picture.
i told my current doctor i've read about people taking weekend or whatever off of stims. he said WHY?
This is the end of the thread.
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