Posted by cmcdougall on March 1, 2002, at 9:56:19
In reply to Question re: long term use of pstims/anxiety » cmcdougall, posted by jay on February 28, 2002, at 18:33:05
Well, Jay.....
First off, what is your diagnosis? I have treatment resistant despression which I have battled for over 20 years. I'm wondering now if I might be bi-polar because about once or twice a year I get very enthusiastic and motivated. This mood lasts for a week or two and then its back to the sluggish unmotivated mood for the rest of the year.
The combination of Celexa w/ the desipramine has really made a difference in my depression. The desipramine adds a little energizing effect as well. Now I feel good, but still unmotivated. The Adderal keeps me from being a total sloth and wanting to nap all day. I was on Ritalin for 7 years before I tried the Adderal - I like it much better. I never really had trouble w/ developing a tolerance to the Ritalin, although over the years I went from 10mg/3xday up to 20mg/3xday. I was on the 20mg dose for about 4 years.
I don't think I have trouble w/ anxiety, although if I look closely at some of my behaviors (picking cuticles till bleeding, racing thoughts) maybe I do...? Hmmmm. I'll have to remember to discuss it w/ my pdoc. Come to think of it, I NEVER had a problem w/ picking until recently. Hope its not a side effect of one of my drugs. This combo makes me feel better than I have in years. Oh well...
Have you ever tried to augment an SSRI? Maybe the addition of one of the old tricyclics would be worth a try. There are also some stimulating MAOIs that might be worth considering. You have to make sure your system is COMPLETELY clean of the SSRI before you can take an MAOI - fatal complication could happen. Also there are some serious dietary restrictions, but I think they are manageable if you get help w/ the depression. When I have a bad depressive episode, I can tolerate almost any drug side effect if it pulls me out of the pit.
Love and luck,
Carly
poster:cmcdougall
thread:95866
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020301/msgs/95941.html