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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 ADD'er in SC on September 9, 2002, at 19:26:39
In the past, I've read numerous posts regarding the mix of amphetamines and antidepressants. Certainly, there are some obvious mixes like maoi's. I've read successful post regarding mixing with Effexor, Wellbutrin to name a few.
What has anyone heard of regarding this combination and any/all specific info would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Posted by Phil on September 9, 2002, at 20:12:20
In reply to Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by ADD'er in SC on September 9, 2002, at 19:26:39
Excellent combo for me. Started on Ritalin and Paxil and the Ritalin was a lifesaver. I took it with several drugs I was switching to.
I've been on Celexa, Adderall XR, Wellbutrin SR, and Clonazepam until today. I'm switching to Lexapro tonight.
Ritalin and Adderall both are what seemed to make the cocktail work and helps some with apathy.
If you take too much you can carry on a fascinating conversation with a lamp post.
Posted by ADD'er in SC on September 9, 2002, at 20:31:16
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by Phil on September 9, 2002, at 20:12:20
Thanks Phil,
Do you find that some pdocs are a little hesitant to prescribe ssri's and stims? I may hitting mine up for an ad on to the adderall xr (30 mg) that I am currently taking. I'll be sure and watch out for those lamp posts ;- )
If anybody else has an additional piece of info or two, I'd love to hear it.
Thx
Posted by Phil on September 9, 2002, at 21:45:39
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey » Phil, posted by ADD'er in SC on September 9, 2002, at 20:31:16
No hesitation. I think, by and large, Austin has some good pdocs and they use what works. Simple as that.
Stims can enhance any SSRI you're on. Well, that's been my personal experiece. YMMV
Posted by Katalina on September 13, 2002, at 12:01:50
In reply to Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by ADD'er in SC on September 9, 2002, at 19:26:39
Similar to Phil, I take Adderall (30 mgs per day), 20 mgs of Celexa and 1 mg. of klonopin at night. This combination seems to work for me. I used to take Adderall with Effexor XR (75). I started to feel like maybe I didn't need something as strong as the Effexor when I added the Adderall and weaned to Celexa with no problems at all. I think the Effexor was a more effective AD. I didn't really think the Celexa was doing much until I stopped for 5 days and felt like my old irritable self and wanted to rip my own skin off. Not good. Went back on the Celexa and feel fine. The klonopin definitely helps with sleep and the ability for me to fall back to sleep if I wake up in the middle of the night. I'm not really sure if I'm deriving any mood stabilizing effects from it as I don't usually take it during the day. Once in a while I'll take it with my adderall and I feel really good and relaxed, but I don't want to make a habit of it, especially since I only get 60 tabs a month.
The Adderall is definitely the key element of my combo. I would be lost without it. It's been almost a year now and its definitely changed my life for the better. I hope it always works as well as it does now. I can't imagine not having that "functional" feeling that I do now.
Good luck and I wouldn't worry about being able to obtain an AD scrip if you're currently taking a stimulant. Some docs balk at prescribing benzos with stims, but AD's are considered pretty harmless I think.
Posted by ADD'er in SC on September 13, 2002, at 14:08:38
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by Katalina on September 13, 2002, at 12:01:50
Thank you so much for the helpful input!
Posted by dave40252 on September 14, 2002, at 10:21:54
In reply to Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by ADD'er in SC on September 9, 2002, at 19:26:39
Hi, I am currently taking ritalin, 20mg twice a day, as an adjunct to wellbutrin and prozac. It is the best combination for me that i have hit on yet. the ritalin was my p-docs idea, and i was a bit resistent to it at first but so far i have to say she was right.
On a side note, ssri's and effexor have always had adverse sexual side effects for me. At the time i started the ritalin i asked the p-doc to switch me to generic prozac from celexa for cost considerations as i had pretty much resigned myself to the idea that i would have to live with the side effects. I don't know if it is the addition of the ritalin or the switch to the prozac but the side effects have pretty much vanished :)
Posted by SMB on September 14, 2002, at 19:30:58
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey (nm), posted by SMB on September 14, 2002, at 19:11:54
Dear Fellow Stimulant Users,
Sorry, I'm new and must have made a mistake in posting above. Anyway, what I wanted to say was that after an 8-month depression last year, in which I took Zoloft (no effect, even at 450 mg.), Celexa (nothing but stomach problems) Geodon (suicidal thoughts), Zyprexa (a ten pound weight gain in a week and it had a very harsh feeling about it), Seroquel (felt like Zyprexa), Parnate (terrible headaches), my new doctor prescribed Adderrall. Literally, I felt better in one day. It tooks months to regain total normalcy but it was still like a miracle. Eight months later, the Adderrall is not as effective so we started Wellbutrin. It has had a few unpleasant side effects but it's still working. I'm now on Depakote (750 mg.), Adderrall (60 mg.), Wellbutrin (150 mg.) and Ativan (2 mg. for sleep at night). I'm not feeling quite as well as I did last year but I'm hopeful.SMB
Posted by wsj on September 16, 2002, at 23:44:29
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey » SMB, posted by SMB on September 14, 2002, at 19:30:58
i have taken stims off and on for close to 4 years along w/ effexor and remeron. i originally started taking dexadrine when i first became depressed and needed the energy just to function. i have always felt that dexadrine helps - it's just extremely difficult to get the optimum amount in your blood stream. it always seems like you feel good for about 2 hours a day - and the rest of the time you either have too much or too little. it also takes increasing amounts for the same effects - which always leads to a time when you need to stop and crash. because of this i don't think stims are anything but short term bandaids
Posted by ADD'er in SC on September 17, 2002, at 9:24:54
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by wsj on September 16, 2002, at 23:44:29
Thank you for the input. By the way, did the remeron make you sleepy during the day even with taking the stimulants?
Posted by SMB on September 17, 2002, at 10:34:30
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by wsj on September 16, 2002, at 23:44:29
Dear WSJ,
Thanks for responding. Getting the right dosage with the Adderrall was difficult at first and it only seemed to last 4 hours a day so we split the dosage. But after a month, I could take the entire dose in the morning. I would agree that stimulants aren't a long-term fix and as we increase the Welbutrin, we're going to decrease the Adderrall. Still, I was amazed that during all the years I had such severe depressions, no other doctor thought to lessen the effect with a stimulant--even for short-term relief. Have you ever tried Welbutrin in conjunction with a stimulant?
Posted by SMB on September 17, 2002, at 10:54:06
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey » wsj, posted by SMB on September 17, 2002, at 10:34:30
Sorry,after I posted I reread all the other posts from a few days ago that answered my question about the Wellbutrin. The major downside to what I'm taking is that my mind is like a sieve. Do others experience memory loss? It's a huge problem. About the Lexapro, I've started it too, also as a way of reducing dependence on the Adderrall and of keeping the Wellbutrin to a minimum. With 300 mg of Wellbutrin, I was so impatient and almost "nasty," that I didn't recognize myself.
Posted by wsj on September 17, 2002, at 11:26:50
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by ADD'er in SC on September 17, 2002, at 9:24:54
i was on 90mg remeron a day. at this amount the sedation is reduced. i could not function on say 30 mg a day.
Posted by ADD'er in SC on September 20, 2002, at 10:52:43
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by wsj on September 17, 2002, at 11:26:50
Regarding stimulant combinations, what about tricyclics with stimulants? From what I have read, it may be a practice. But certainly done carefully. It does sound a little risky to me.
Posted by Pink Papillon on September 20, 2002, at 15:54:17
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by ADD'er in SC on September 20, 2002, at 10:52:43
A little over four years ago, when I turned 50, I was diagnosed with ADD. I also have a large component of depression with the ADD which has been challenging, to say the least. I don't know if I am forgetful because I have ADD or I am depressed. Anyway, the magic combo seems to 40 mg. of Celexa, 300 mgs of Wellbutrin (and I am not certain that it does any good), 30 mgs of Dexedrine, and 600 mgs of Neurontin at night. I think I am more my real self now than I have ever been. The problem with the ADD is that by the time you are my age, you are so sick and tired of messing up that it can be depressing. The frustration is almost intolerable.
About doctors not wanting to prescribe, I moved to Ohio two years ago from Maryland. When I went to see two doctors here in Ohio they asked me if I wanted to be an addict the rest of my life - that was going to happen for certain, and they refused to prescribe. And not wanting to go back to the beginning of time with my medication, I decided to continue with my doctor in Maryland.
He's fine with it and so am I.
Posted by SMB on September 22, 2002, at 11:38:43
In reply to Re: Stimulant Combo Survey, posted by Pink Papillon on September 20, 2002, at 15:54:17
Thanks for your posting. I found it very interesting. It's always amazing to me when doctors show they have no empathy for the pain and confusion these illnesses cause. While I'm bipolar and don't have ADD, memory is a huge problem for me. I worry that all this medication is destroying brain cells. I have more clarity when I'm hypomanic (this part of my illness has been difficult to control and we've tried everything) but it's still not great. I'm 52 and can't imagine what my memory will be like when I'm 60 or 70. On a different note, my latest theory (for me) is that the Wellbutrin is helping energize the Adderrall which is losing its potency. I've just begun Lexapro. I'd tried Celexa once before--without stimulants--and it didn't do anything to end a bad depression. Are you taking the Neurontin so that you can sleep?
This is the end of the thread.
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