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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 michael on March 17, 2000, at 23:19:40
I've used ephedrine (it was an OTC med) in the past as kind of an energy booster when tired, like caffeine. But looking back now, it occurs to me that I've also used it to self-medicate, in a sense.
I was essentially using it like the stimulants discussed here, to allow me to concentrate and focus, and not feel run-down. So that I could actually get things done, rather than just planning to get them done (at work as well as socially or around my appt). Except that I didn't use it on a daily basis. (I was afraid that would be abusing drugs - I was just using them)When I did use it, I was clearly a lot more efficient at work - I actually accomplished work. Or I might use it to make sure I was sharp and alert if there was a big meeting or presentation, or for an interview, or if I needed to be productive and catch up on work I hadn't quite got around to, or kept up with, etc.
Anyway, I read yesterday that what ephedrine does is release endogenous NE from its stroage sites. "It has a stimulating effect on the CNS, but less pronounced than amphetamines."
I've also read that ephedrine has more of an adrenalin-like effect, affecting the whole body - muscles, organs, etc. - as well as the brain. You can get a little "wired", like you can w/too much caffeine. The other stimulants, however, supposedly have more of an effect on cognition & fatigue - helping you to feel less tired, or more sharp/alert, w/o making you feel "wired" (provided the dose is w/in reason).
So I'm wondering if that suggests that I should be looking to try convince my psych to try some stimulants? (not holding my breath on that one) Or does it not necessarily suggest anything, because it affects everyone that way? - it's a stimulant.
Also wondering if it might indicate that reboxetine might be worth checking out, given that they both seem to work primarily via increasing the effective availability of NE?
I know there aren’t any absolute “answers” to these questions. However, I’d welcome and appreciate any comments, insights, opinions, sharing of any relevant experienes or wisdom, etc. which anyone may have to offer. Thanks.
Posted by Arne on March 18, 2000, at 8:21:29
In reply to Ephedrine, Rebox., and Stim.'s - oh my!, posted by michael on March 17, 2000, at 23:19:40
Reboxetine gave me a lot of energy and ability to get things done the first day I used it, unfortunately tolerance to this effect developed after a few weeks. I think that a stimulant would work better.
Posted by AndrewB on March 18, 2000, at 9:00:15
In reply to Ephedrine, Rebox., and Stim.'s - oh my!, posted by michael on March 17, 2000, at 23:19:40
Michael,
I used to get a profound energy and mood lift from coffee. I don't know if it indicated anything but I have responded well to reboxetine. I can't compare the advantages of trying stimulants vs. reboxetine. I suppose there are advantages to both. Reboxetine, when it works, tends to improve mood, mental arousal and social functioning.
Posted by Janice on March 18, 2000, at 12:09:03
In reply to Ephedrine, Rebox., and Stim.'s - oh my!, posted by michael on March 17, 2000, at 23:19:40
From my unprofessional but very experienced viewpoint, I'd say YES. At least try to try them, or keep them in mind for the future. janice
Posted by kazoo on March 20, 2000, at 1:49:02
In reply to Ephedrine, Rebox., and Stim.'s - oh my!, posted by michael on March 17, 2000, at 23:19:40
Greetings to Michael!
Don't beat yourself up because you want (and even like) a lift once in a while.
I, too, have used ephedrine (when it was still available OTC), for its stimulating effects
because there were, and still are, times when just opening my eyes in the morning was/is
a task. There is *nothing* wrong with wanting to be your best, and doing your best, and
if it takes an external agent to do this, so be it, and so what? And don't consider yourself an
abuser, either. Medicine, when used within the proper perspective, is a miracle.
By the way, experience has taught me that some of the biggest ABUSERS of drugs (in general) are doctors themselves.As far as finding a doctor who will prescribe stimulants, my advice is don't look for one
in Connecticut. I'm having the same problem myself, and I *am* to proud to beg. You could score
coke, crack and heroin outside the hallowed, pristine halls of the Yale School of Medicine, on the street, easier than it is to get medicine you need from within. Is this any way to run a system? Good grief!Stay cool.
kazoo
Posted by Mark H. on March 20, 2000, at 18:52:34
In reply to Ephedrine, Rebox., and Stim.'s - oh my!, posted by michael on March 17, 2000, at 23:19:40
> > I've also read that ephedrine has more of an adrenalin-like effect..
Hi Michael, That has certainly been my experience with it, including causing my face to break out, my back muscles to go into severe spasms, and a temporary increase in aggression and sexuality followed by irritability and tiredness. I used to take it occasionally for asthma and during hay-fever season as a way to take a break from antihistamines and still be able to work without my nose running down my face. But I found it unpleasant and jarring.
Prescribing stimulants is highly controversial. For those of us old enough to know those old enough to remember such things, stimulants were given out relativey freely during and after WWII. At the time, it generally made sense to give stimulants to long-range pilots, for instance, and to truck drivers who needed to stay awake at the wheel. An older friend told me that in 1952, his doctor even put him on a diet of "bananas and bennies" for several weeks in order to lose weight.
Of course, yesterday's panacea sometimes becomes today's pariah, and although our understanding of stimulants hasn't changed that much in the last 50 years, no doctor today would risk offering benzadrine for weight loss or giving a trucker or college student prescription stimulants in order to stay alert all night. While medical arguments can be cited for or against such decisions, the more likely reason is that public attitudes towards such things have changed.
It is unlikely that a physician will prescribe you a stimulant if you are reasonably functional without. If you're curious, look up a few of the stimulants you've read about, and review the criteria that physicians are expected to use in assessing your need for these Class II controlled substances (highest potential for abuse -- Class I cannot be prescribed at all).
I think most of us who take psychiatric medications have trained ourselves to be even more conservative than our doctors in order to avoid the taint of being labelled "drug-seeking" or worse. I've seen that tendency backfire on occasion, resulting in hospitalizations that were avoidable (a person doesn't want to develop a "drug dependency" and so doesn't take adequate medication to control the problem -- basically, a compliance issue) or simply unnecessary suffering.
As always, discuss it with your doctor. But my layman's advice is this: if you don't need it, don't use it. Exercise, fresh air, a good diet, plenty of sleep ... enjoy them while you can, and let them make a difference while they can. Later, you may have no choice. And not so much for you -- because I know you are responsible -- I would hate to see people make it any harder for those of us who really need these medications to get them.
I hope I've avoided any sort of judgment about the issue either way in what I've written above. If not, kindly adjust for (and forgive) my biases.
This is the end of the thread.
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