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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 Deb R on March 13, 2000, at 9:19:05
Can anyone please help with information on what the effects would be for someone taking an ADD drug, when it is not prescribed for them? I think the drug is called dexeamphetamine - the kids over here call them 'dexies'.
I am searching the web tonight for as much info as I can find for a friend who is concerned for her child. Hopefully someone can help with this. Thanks...
Best wishes
Deb.
Posted by Erin on March 13, 2000, at 19:36:48
In reply to abuse of dexedrine (dexeamphetamine?) need help.., posted by Deb R on March 13, 2000, at 9:19:05
Dexedrine, adderol and ritalin are frequently used by kids my age (college) for staying up late and studying. I'm not a medical student, but I believe all of these medicines are amphetamines- or speed. Occasionally I've heard of them being taken recreationally, but mostly for studying. They can keep you up all night. You need to check this with someone more qualified than me, but I don't believe they have any extreme danger when taken every once in a while. Obviously this kind of drug can be easily abused and addictive if not used in moderation. The other danger is one that always comes when taking medicine prescribed to others- no doctor has cleared you or cross checked it with other medications you are taking. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will reply.
Posted by Janice on March 13, 2000, at 23:34:15
In reply to abuse of dexedrine (dexeamphetamine?) need help.., posted by Deb R on March 13, 2000, at 9:19:05
Hello Deb R (from Australia if I remember correctly)
Dexedrine is a stimulant used for ADHD. Calms me down, and like Erin said, helpls normal people stay up all night.
This child is part of the reason why some doctor's are hesitant to prescribe stimulants--the medication has a street value.
I believe (for the most part) people who feel okay in their skin generally don't go looking for recreational drugs. The child could be self-medicating.
Good luck Deb.
You're a good friend.
I hope it's not too hot down there.
I'm saying the last sentence wistfully because sometimes I think my ancestors immagrated to the wrong country (Canada--great country, but way too cold). Janice
Posted by Deb R on March 14, 2000, at 8:42:49
In reply to Re: abuse of dexedrine (dexeamphetamine?) need help.., posted by Janice on March 13, 2000, at 23:34:15
Hi Erin and Janice,
Thanks for your replies...I love this babble web site and feel as though there is always a helping hand within reach (even from as far away as Australia!)
My friends son may be into more than she thinks, (or have other problems) as his behaviour is quite bizarre at times, he hits himself in the head, is causing trouble in his school classes and his school work is going downhill at a rapid pace. There is a bit more happening, but too much to fit into this post.
Perhaps he is combining the dexies with something else and this is causing these dramatic changes in him? Anyway, I will pass on what you guys have posted. I didn't find out too much on the web, so went to see our local Pharmacist and he was very helpful with information. Also, the Health Dept over here has a drug info service and I will pass all this onto my friend - she is not thinking too clearly at the moment and is totally immersed with worry for her child, otherwise she would be looking for answers for herself.
Janice, you mentioned 'self-medicating' - does that mean he may realise something is wrong with him and he is trying to help himself? Guess that might be a silly question, but I am not sure what it means?
The weather has finally cooled down a bit, which is a relief. I think wistfully of places like Canada and all that wonderful snow!
Thanks again!
Best wishes,
Deb.
Posted by Janice on March 15, 2000, at 13:08:33
In reply to Re: abuse of...thanks erin and janice, posted by Deb R on March 14, 2000, at 8:42:49
hi Deb,
your welcome. I believe that people who feel fine, don't go looking for drugs.
This little guy could very well have something wrong with him...and his self-medicating can make things much worse.
the right drug, at the right amount for the right disorder is essential for him to feel better. It's probably time for him to see a doctor.
it's snowed yesterday, Janice
Posted by Mark H. on March 15, 2000, at 17:17:09
In reply to Deb R, posted by Janice on March 15, 2000, at 13:08:33
Deb R, Janice's gentle and compassionate point of view is refreshing and wonderful. In the United States, 30% of the prisoners in federal prison have been convicted of non-violent drug crimes, such as growing pot and manufacturing LSD, and most have NO OTHER CRIMINAL RECORD. This is a blight on our nation's record on human rights.
The "war on drugs," a war we have utterly lost, took on paramilitary overtones as more and more federal funds were made available to state, county and local law enforcement agencies for the eradication of marijuana and other drugs.
As these funds became a significant source of local county and municipal funding, those involved took the "war" more and more seriously. It is now assumed that those who self-medicate -- often the young, poor, mentally ill, or culturally disadvantaged -- are major felons and deserved to be locked up with murderers, rapists, and armed robbers. This, of course, is ludicrous.
The most important reason for early intervention is NOT punishment, for heaven's sake, but to KEEP THE CHILD FROM ENTERING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AT ALL. For all the potential perils of illegal drug use, ranging from the tragedies of injury and death caused by drunken driving to lost potential by being too stoned to learn anything in school, by far the worst possible outcome is that a child who needs accommodation and tutoring for learning disabilities (whatever their cause) is instead branded a criminal and warehoused without hope of diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation or compassionate support.
Please encourage the parent to take the child to a physician for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible. The parent must insist that the system work FOR the child before he is lost to cruel and useless punishment because the symptoms of his illness have been deemed "criminal."
This is one of the great tragedies of our time.
Posted by JanetR on March 15, 2000, at 17:24:19
In reply to Re: Deb R, posted by Mark H. on March 15, 2000, at 17:17:09
> Deb R, Janice's gentle and compassionate point of view is refreshing and wonderful. In the United States, 30% of the prisoners in federal prison have been convicted of non-violent drug crimes, such as growing pot and manufacturing LSD, and most have NO OTHER CRIMINAL RECORD. This is a blight on our nation's record on human rights.
>
> The "war on drugs," a war we have utterly lost, took on paramilitary overtones as more and more federal funds were made available to state, county and local law enforcement agencies for the eradication of marijuana and other drugs.
>
> As these funds became a significant source of local county and municipal funding, those involved took the "war" more and more seriously. It is now assumed that those who self-medicate -- often the young, poor, mentally ill, or culturally disadvantaged -- are major felons and deserved to be locked up with murderers, rapists, and armed robbers. This, of course, is ludicrous.
>
> The most important reason for early intervention is NOT punishment, for heaven's sake, but to KEEP THE CHILD FROM ENTERING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AT ALL. For all the potential perils of illegal drug use, ranging from the tragedies of injury and death caused by drunken driving to lost potential by being too stoned to learn anything in school, by far the worst possible outcome is that a child who needs accommodation and tutoring for learning disabilities (whatever their cause) is instead branded a criminal and warehoused without hope of diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation or compassionate support.
>
> Please encourage the parent to take the child to a physician for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible. The parent must insist that the system work FOR the child before he is lost to cruel and useless punishment because the symptoms of his illness have been deemed "criminal."
>
> This is one of the great tragedies of our time.
I so do agree! Jan
Posted by Deb R on March 17, 2000, at 5:35:58
In reply to Re: Deb R, posted by JanetR on March 15, 2000, at 17:24:19
Thanks for all your replies Erin, Janice, Mark H and Janet R. Mark, your post was very informative and passionate - this is an issue which obviously touches you incredibly. My friend has taken her son to the Doc's today so we will see what happens now. He is nice kid and I am hopeful everything will turn out ok.
Janice thanks for your 'snow' report - the only thing nearly close to snow that we get here is the occasional hail storm in winter! Bleah! Bring on the snow!
Thanks again all,
Deb.
Posted by saint james on March 17, 2000, at 22:15:23
In reply to abuse of dexedrine (dexeamphetamine?) need help.., posted by Deb R on March 13, 2000, at 9:19:05
He is the str8 dope from st james....
Look for change in sleeping habits, like not sleeping for days then sleeping for 24-48 hrs.
Excessive talking, elevated mood, dilated pupils. twiches or things like tapping of feet. facial ticks, grinding of teeth. Extreams of behavior, when on Dex, very giddy mood and excessive physical energy then when not on dex, low mood, lots of sleeping and no physical energy.james
Posted by Deb R on March 19, 2000, at 2:33:36
In reply to Re: abuse of dexedrine (dexeamphetamine?) need help.., posted by saint james on March 17, 2000, at 22:15:23
> He is the str8 dope from st james....
>
> Look for change in sleeping habits, like not sleeping for days then sleeping for 24-48 hrs.
> Excessive talking, elevated mood, dilated pupils. twiches or things like tapping of feet. facial ticks, grinding of teeth. Extreams of behavior, when on Dex, very giddy mood and excessive physical energy then when not on dex, low mood, lots of sleeping and no physical energy.
>
> jamesJames,
What you described almost mirrors this child - thanks for the 'str8' info - much appreciated!Best wishes to all
Deb.
Posted by rob1892 on January 22, 2001, at 22:30:19
In reply to Re: abuse of dexedrine (dexeamphetamine?) need help.., posted by Erin on March 13, 2000, at 19:36:48
i am a senior in high school who has recently discovered adderol. I am posting this neither in advocation nor condemnation of non-prescription use, just posting my experience. I am a student at a private high school who ha always gotten god grades, and am taking 3 AP courses this year, the rest of my courses are honors level. Outside of school I have a job and a girlfriend, each taking a fair amount of my time. but enough of that. The first time i took adderol, i didnt even know what it would do to me. I took 20 mgs at 10:30 am, and by 11:00 am i was talking a mle a minute and moving about very quickly. My heart was racing, i was beig incredibly productive, and i felt a general sense of goodwill towards all. When i got home from school that day, at about 3:00 pm, i immediately did all of my homework and cleaned my room in the 2 hours i had before work. When i got home from work around 10:00 pm, i still had tons of energy and continued studying. On an average day, i would have devoted much less time to schoolwork and been much less productive at work. I also found that the meds made me much more talkative, and i talked with my parents for a good while, whom i normally would have avoided. When i finally fell asleep around 2 am, i didnt realize that I hadnt eaten since taking the meds, i wasnt hungry. That was a month ago. In the month since, i have taken adderol every once in a while, but mainly found it useful in studying for exams, the level of concentration i was able to attain and the amount of stuff i was able to study was amazing, an i did extremely well on my exams. I have found adderol, in my personal experience, to give me energy and motivation, these two work together to make me more effective in everything that I do when I am on the pills. Well, thats my piece, i'll be glad to answer any questions.
This is the end of the thread.
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