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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 18, 2011, at 22:01:40
Well, it looks like I might have been wrong when I said that combining benzos and amphetamine would be a really bad idea. I acquired some Klonopin, and I have started taking it with Dexedrine. The Klon actually seems to help with blocking extraneous thoughts, just like Dex is supposed to. Plus, the side-effects cancel: Dex cancels out some of the drowsiness, and Klon takes the edge off.
I'll keep you posted in case something bad happens with the combo.
Posted by Christ_empowered on April 19, 2011, at 0:52:59
In reply to Benzos + Amphetamines, posted by mtdewcmu on April 18, 2011, at 22:01:40
used to be a pretty common practice. Dexamyl (dexedrine plus a barbiturate), Eskatrol (dexedrine plus a low dose antipsychotic), even Biphetamine-T (dexedrine plus Quaaludes...that one didn't stay on the market long), were all prescribed for weight loss, mood problems, anxiety and low mood, so on and so forth.
Just be careful. I used to take uppers and downers (60mgs Adderall; 4mgs Klonopin), and the combo eventually drove me mad. Call it the "Judy Garland" effect-- it just didn't work out over the long haul.
But I've seen people who are prescribed both uppers and downers. For some reason, docs use Valium a lot when someone is on an amphetamine--maybe b/c its more sedating? I don't know.
Anyway, good luck to you.
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 19, 2011, at 3:30:11
In reply to mixing upper and downers..., posted by Christ_empowered on April 19, 2011, at 0:52:59
>
> Just be careful. I used to take uppers and downers (60mgs Adderall; 4mgs Klonopin), and the combo eventually drove me mad. Call it the "Judy Garland" effect-- it just didn't work out over the long haul.Thanks. I don't intend to take that much Klonpin, though. Probably more like 0.5 - 1.0 per day.
>
> But I've seen people who are prescribed both uppers and downers. For some reason, docs use Valium a lot when someone is on an amphetamine--maybe b/c its more sedating? I don't know.
>I've heard a lot of people say that mixing uppers and downers is something terrible. But I've never come across a credible explanation.
They may use Valium because of its pharmacokinetic profile. It lasts a very long time, and when it comes on, it comes on strong, which could help you get to sleep.
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 19, 2011, at 3:38:27
In reply to mixing upper and downers..., posted by Christ_empowered on April 19, 2011, at 0:52:59
> Just be careful. I used to take uppers and downers (60mgs Adderall; 4mgs Klonopin), and the combo eventually drove me mad. Call it the "Judy Garland" effect-- it just didn't work out over the long haul.
>That sounds like a pretty good amount of both meds. I'm taking between 30-40 of Dex per day, and only around a milligram of Klonopin. I will try to a avoid letting it get any worse.
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2011, at 10:57:31
In reply to Re: mixing upper and downers... » Christ_empowered, posted by mtdewcmu on April 19, 2011, at 3:38:27
I always figured in my mind that they would kind of cancel each other out. Seems quite a few do take both here on babble. Phillipa
Posted by leslieg on April 26, 2011, at 8:52:47
In reply to Re: mixing upper and downers... » mtdewcmu, posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2011, at 10:57:31
I do both Vyvanse (am) / Dexi (afternoon) and valium as-needed (usually night, abt once a week). I find that the amphetamines can give me very tight muscles and I like (sometimes need) the muscle-relaxant component of the valium.
And I, too, have experienced the Judy Garland effect. I called it that at the time, too. That seemed more linked to the post-amphetamine drop and it reduced greatly when I switched from Dexi in the am to Vyvanse. Before then I carried around an alarm to remind me to take another Dexi dose before the 1st one wore off. It was that constant up-down-up-down-up-down in one day that really did me in.
But I have narcolepsy (and bipolar II) and need some sort of stimulant or I simply cannot function.
Posted by mtdewcmu on April 26, 2011, at 11:24:07
In reply to Re: mixing upper and downers..., posted by leslieg on April 26, 2011, at 8:52:47
I think the anxiety that was causing me to think I needed Klonopin when I wrote that had more to do with agitated depression and accidentally overdosing on meds. I think I can get by with just Dexedrine and Celexa. The propensity for benzos to cause blackouts and intoxication still worries me. A moderate dose of Valium qHS (at bedtime) could make sense if you absolutely cannot do without it.
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2011, at 18:57:01
In reply to Re: mixing upper and downers..., posted by mtdewcmu on April 26, 2011, at 11:24:07
Back in the 70's before the SSRI's and newer benzos it was valium, or librium. And to top it off miltown which I took at the time. Stopped taking it just stopped no side effects. I was young didn't know you were supposed to get them I just didn't. 41 years of benzos think brain is so used to them hence they don't work like did in beginning. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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