Posted by Paul on December 14, 1999, at 0:15:24
In reply to Re: Stimulants for Depression--Advice?Anyone?., posted by CarolAnn on November 12, 1999, at 16:28:19
> First to Zannah--I have been on 150mgs Wellbutrin twice a day for 6 wks. Only result has been 15 pounds extra(due to sweets cravings). My Pdoc was amazed at such an atypical response. 3 days ago, he added 75mgs Serzone(increase to 150mgs in a week). Too soon for anything but unpleasant side effects, but will keep you posted--you're right about new AD during the holidays-Aarrgh!.....Now for a question to anyone regarding stimulants....
> I was on 20 mgs Ritalin 3 times a day, and was stupid enough to just take more on the rebounds, after a while, I was taking 40 to 60mgs at a time as I developed a tolerance(Please don't scold, I know how bad I was and finally went off altogether). I just could not control my need for the feeling of energy and well-being that such large doses gave. Okay, here's the question:
>
> Any recommendations for a specific stimulant that would not be so compelling(yeah, I know-addicting)? I really do need something to pick me up without encouraging disabuse.
> Ciao! CarolAnn
My experience with stimulants is that they brighten my mood by about the same fixed amount irrespective of how if feel. If I'm feeling only moderately depressed, stimulants will improve my mood to the point that I feel O.K. If, however, I'm really depressed, a stimulant will brighten my mood, but not by enough to feel O.K.I would talk to my doctor about trying the narcolepsy drug modafinil(a/k/a provigil). It's not addictive, it doesn't seem to cause a tolerance, and it's Schedule 4. It's also rather expensive, so hopefully your doctor can be a little creative about getting this paid by your insurance company.
Bonne chance,
Paul
poster:Paul
thread:14919
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991212/msgs/16875.html