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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 KXo on March 12, 2004, at 20:45:30
I have been taking Ritalin for depression, along with Klonopin, after being on 15 different medications. I take a 10mg pill twice daily. One when I wake up and the next one six hours later. The Klonopin I take as needed (from 0,5mg to 1,5mg a day).
This is helping me with my problem: anxiety and depression. Not as much as other medications did, but at least I don't have the sexual side-effects and I can function. The only side-effect are brief periods of a small headache, and I don't have it everyday.How do you deal with the ups and downs of the stimulants like Ritalin? I think the headache is part of it. Is it?
I am tired of being on different meds. The meds that work on my anxiety/depression give me sexual side-effects, what I can't live with! Should I keep trying to find a medication to help me fully? Or I keep with this Ritalin/Klonopin and try to get fully well working on my behavior? Has anyone made it?I am going to talk to my doctor about this, but I would like to know your opinions. When I talk to him I am sure I will have more to discuss. :)
Thank you!
==KXo
Posted by Mr.Scott on March 14, 2004, at 13:20:43
In reply to Meds not giving full relief. What do do?, posted by KXo on March 12, 2004, at 20:45:30
Having had a lot of experience with both stimulants and benzos, I would worry that such a combo might lose it's effectiveness over time, but that may not universally be the case. I have found myself dependent on benzo's and in the past upping my stimulant dose well beyond the prescribed dose merely because the magic it provided dropped out. On the flipside I have not been able to find a tolerable and effective combo for years and I miss the good and quick response stimulants afforded me. You might consider adding a small amount of an SSRI back in to your mix.
Just some thoughts...
Scott
Posted by KXo on March 17, 2004, at 14:54:21
In reply to Re: Meds not giving full relief. What do do? » KXo, posted by Mr.Scott on March 14, 2004, at 13:20:43
Thank you for answering Scott!
In about the first two weeks using Ritalin I could experience a big differece in my mood for better about 30 minutes after taking it.
Now, more than one month since the beggining I don't feel any difference (no magic anymore), but in general, I am feeling much better than if I were taking no medication, or the wrong medication. I also upped my amount of Klonopin.I don't want to take SSRIs anymore because of the sexual dysfunction... Disconsidering the sexual thing, they make me feel 100% on mood! I say I am feeling 60-70% now. Being on these two medications I think I can work on my behaviour to feel 100%.
I consider myself dependent on Klonopin like you do. I would prefer not to be, but I don't worry, because this is what helps me most!
When I don't feel anything after taking Ritalin, do you think Ritalin have lost its effectiveness? I think it is still working. The difference is that I don't have the high anymore. Is it the magic you were talking about?
I hope my combo don't loose its effectiveness! I am very optmistic! :)
Any more thoughts?
==KXo
> Having had a lot of experience with both stimulants and benzos, I would worry that such a combo might lose it's effectiveness over time, but that may not universally be the case. I have found myself dependent on benzo's and in the past upping my stimulant dose well beyond the prescribed dose merely because the magic it provided dropped out. On the flipside I have not been able to find a tolerable and effective combo for years and I miss the good and quick response stimulants afforded me. You might consider adding a small amount of an SSRI back in to your mix.
>
> Just some thoughts...
> Scott
Posted by KathrynLex on March 17, 2004, at 17:11:16
In reply to Re: Meds not giving full relief. What do do? » Mr.Scott, posted by KXo on March 17, 2004, at 14:54:21
Hi KXo,
I haven't taken Ritalin before, but did experience an inital "high" or kind of "magic" on Prozac. It went away when my body adjusted to the medication. I think the "high" is caused by your body getting a surge of chemicals (such as seritonine) that it needed and didn't have before. After the body adjusts to having the proper chemistry, the high goes away. This is just a theory.
I don't think that your ritalin/klonopin combo isn't working. The "magic" is just gone because your body has adjusted. As long as you aren't experience extreme anxiety or depression anymore, it's still working.
Operating at 60% to 70% isn't too bad, but it can probably get better. There are other meds out there besides SSRIs for depression. Ask your psychiatrist about alternatives. Good luck in finding the right combo!
K.
Posted by KXo on March 18, 2004, at 19:45:09
In reply to Re: Meds not giving full relief. What do do?, posted by KathrynLex on March 17, 2004, at 17:11:16
Hi K!
About the high, I know medications can make it in the beggining.
The difference is that people don't develop tolerance to Prozac, but they can develop tolerance to Ritalin.
I don't pretend to up my dose now. But I think maybe it could be worthy if I don't develop tolerance. Maybe upping the dosage is just what I need to feel 100%! I think I will know this only when I try, but I worry if I can develop tolerance to the upper dosage and then if it doesn't work, not be able to feel how I am feeling now in my current dosage. Do you or anyone have ideas?
If I keep feeling the way I am, I don't want to try any other medication soon. I have tryed so many!!!
Have a nice day!
==KXo> Hi KXo,
>
> I haven't taken Ritalin before, but did experience an inital "high" or kind of "magic" on Prozac. It went away when my body adjusted to the medication. I think the "high" is caused by your body getting a surge of chemicals (such as seritonine) that it needed and didn't have before. After the body adjusts to having the proper chemistry, the high goes away. This is just a theory.
>
> I don't think that your ritalin/klonopin combo isn't working. The "magic" is just gone because your body has adjusted. As long as you aren't experience extreme anxiety or depression anymore, it's still working.
>
> Operating at 60% to 70% isn't too bad, but it can probably get better. There are other meds out there besides SSRIs for depression. Ask your psychiatrist about alternatives. Good luck in finding the right combo!
>
> K.
Posted by Mr.Scott on March 20, 2004, at 0:18:05
In reply to Re: Meds not giving full relief. What do do? » Mr.Scott, posted by KXo on March 17, 2004, at 14:54:21
I'm willing to bet it is still doing something, but yes the high goes away unfortunately and for me at least I chased it to where I felt pretty strung out and then VERY depressed when I stopped it. I only wanted the high though. The rest of the effect was not pleasant for me. It left me agited but thats just me. All that matters is that you are doing better, and everything else will come clear in time as to whether or not you need something else or whether this will work for you.
Be well.
Scott
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