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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by banga on December 11, 2004, at 18:20:07
How different are these two in terms of effectiveness? With which do more people have luck? Any difference in anxiety-provocation?
And--are docs more willing to prescribe one over the other (I.e., one is supposed to have less of an addictiv/withdrawal quality?)
Posted by anxiety_free on December 11, 2004, at 18:49:57
In reply to Dexedrine vs Adderall?, posted by banga on December 11, 2004, at 18:20:07
I've taken both and for me at least adderall was better, but only a little. I think docs lean towards adderall more than dex; its newer, the company pushes it like crazy, so your local doc is probably more apt to use it than dex. Both drugs had a calming effect for me, and both helped a lot with focus. Adderall, BTW, is "new" for ADD but its an old drug; back in the 60s, it was a hugely successful weight loss drug. It got renamed, tweaked, and BAM! we have adderall.
Posted by banga on December 11, 2004, at 20:15:01
In reply to Dexedrine, posted by anxiety_free on December 11, 2004, at 18:49:57
> Adderall, BTW, is "new" for ADD but its an old drug; back in the 60s, it was a hugely successful weight loss drug. It got renamed, tweaked, and BAM! we have adderall.
Interesting! Thanks for your response. My pdoc is having me investigate ADD, mentioned Adderall specifically as a future option. on the remedyfind.com site, the Dexedrine gets rated higher, but on this forum it seems Adderall gets more thumbs up. NOt the first time their polling and info here are slightly different!
I am in the midst of sorting through all the possible diagnoses--depression (vs Bipolar II?), anxiety, ADD (+ Alcohol Dependence). Currently only on Lamictal only (after a very bad trial of Cymbalta)...suprisingly, it seems to be doing quite a bit of good so far; but I definitely lack a varity of ingredients to feel better.
Anyways, take care.
Posted by Festus on December 13, 2004, at 0:13:25
In reply to Re: Dexedrine, posted by banga on December 11, 2004, at 20:15:01
I have tried them ALL,and after trial(and much research),Dexedrine stands out as #1 in my book.It is much better than Ritalin and easier on the system(cardio-pulmonary and digestive)than Adderrall.It also seems to have less of a crash when it wears off.Festus
Posted by jerrympls on December 13, 2004, at 17:43:10
In reply to Re: Dexedrine, posted by Festus on December 13, 2004, at 0:13:25
> I have tried them ALL,and after trial(and much research),Dexedrine stands out as #1 in my book.It is much better than Ritalin and easier on the system(cardio-pulmonary and digestive)than Adderrall.It also seems to have less of a crash when it wears off.Festus
My experiences agree with Festus.
Posted by banga on December 13, 2004, at 19:27:08
In reply to Re: Dexedrine, posted by jerrympls on December 13, 2004, at 17:43:10
Thank you all for your responses, so help[ful to hear other people's experiences. I guess the message is --you have to try to find out which is better--depends on your physiology.
And do I get the right sense, that strattera is not as helpful...and from what I have read, actually may with time trigger depression in some people?
Posted by jerrympls on December 13, 2004, at 19:46:29
In reply to Re: Dexedrine---vs strattera?, posted by banga on December 13, 2004, at 19:27:08
> Thank you all for your responses, so help[ful to hear other people's experiences. I guess the message is --you have to try to find out which is better--depends on your physiology.
>
> And do I get the right sense, that strattera is not as helpful...and from what I have read, actually may with time trigger depression in some people?I have not heard one good thing about Strattera involving ADD or depression. I've just heard of a lot of side effects. My doctor has not brought it up since it first came out. However, I have *not* been on it.
Posted by banga on December 13, 2004, at 21:03:45
In reply to Re: Dexedrine---vs strattera? » banga, posted by jerrympls on December 13, 2004, at 19:46:29
> > Thank you all for your responses, so help[ful to hear other people's experiences. I guess the message is --you have to try to find out which is better--depends on your physiology.
> >
> > And do I get the right sense, that strattera is not as helpful...and from what I have read, actually may with time trigger depression in some people?
>
> I have not heard one good thing about Strattera involving ADD or depression. I've just heard of a lot of side effects. My doctor has not brought it up since it first came out. However, I have *not* been on it.
>
>
>
That's what I thought..my new pdoc brought Strattera up, but also mentioned Adderall, so I hopefully won't be pressured into trying Strattera first....
Posted by jerrympls on December 13, 2004, at 21:50:17
In reply to Re: Dexedrine---vs strattera?, posted by banga on December 13, 2004, at 21:03:45
> > > Thank you all for your responses, so help[ful to hear other people's experiences. I guess the message is --you have to try to find out which is better--depends on your physiology.
> > >
> > > And do I get the right sense, that strattera is not as helpful...and from what I have read, actually may with time trigger depression in some people?
> >
> > I have not heard one good thing about Strattera involving ADD or depression. I've just heard of a lot of side effects. My doctor has not brought it up since it first came out. However, I have *not* been on it.
> >
> >
> >
> That's what I thought..my new pdoc brought Strattera up, but also mentioned Adderall, so I hopefully won't be pressured into trying Strattera first....
>Remember your doc works for you. I know that's easier said than done...but good to keep in mind.
Posted by banga on December 14, 2004, at 9:05:29
In reply to Re: Dexedrine---vs strattera? » banga, posted by jerrympls on December 13, 2004, at 21:50:17
Actually this new pdoc is amazing...my previous one was ok, though a little conservative, always gave the feeling that though he is willing to give other meds a try, he felt I *should* in time be fine on just an SSRI alone. Only if I am on my death bed will I take a large dose of an SSRI again. I think it is a good short-term drug (perhaps 1-2 years) but eventually it wreaks havoc.
But this new pdoc--she sounds more like a therapist, yet knows her stuff. She had me sign forms that I understood side effects, so she takes those seriously. She is very open to polypharmacy, she is being extremely detailed in taking down my history. And she certainly seems like someone who will be very willing to work with my wishes and ideas as long as they are reasonable. And she is the one who noted, as I had, some possible signs of ADHD (inattentive type) and despite my alcohol abuse history mentioned Adderall (so she understands it can comonly actually lessen a alcohol abuse drive if the diagnosis is correct) if an ADHD assessment battery proves this to be true.
Posted by HappinessPie on December 14, 2004, at 15:40:53
In reply to Re: Dexedrine---vs strattera-jerrympls?, posted by banga on December 14, 2004, at 9:05:29
>And she is the one who noted, as I had, some possible signs of ADHD (inattentive type) and despite my alcohol abuse history mentioned Adderall (so she understands it can comonly actually lessen a alcohol abuse drive if the diagnosis is correct) if an ADHD assessment battery proves this to be true.
My p-doc is an ADD/ADHD specialist and keeps up with the latest in the field; he is also my husband's doctor. My husband has a history of alcohol abuse and also has been diagnosed with ADD (I believe inattentive type) that I know he has suffered from all his life (he is 36, and his diagnosis only came about 1.5 yrs ago). He is currently taking 30 mg / day and doing wonderfully with both alleviation of ADD and of his dependence on alcohol.
According to this doctor, your p-doc is right in that Adderall can definitely help with alcohol abuse, especially if said alcohol was used (as it often is) as a self-medication for anxiety that can be (and was in my husband's case) comorbid with ADD. I also think I saw somewhere that they used to use cocaine as a treatment for alcohol dependency, but I am not certain. It could be that the dopamine increase that stimulants produce substitutes for the dopaminergic effects of alcohol...(?)
This is the end of the thread.
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