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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Maximus on July 26, 2005, at 18:09:44
In reply to Doh! Forgot: whaddaya think about a stim? (nm) » ed_uk, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 17:37:48
I just want to add that a stimulant is an appetite suppressant (in general). In your case, i'm not sure if it would be reasonable?
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2005, at 18:57:50
In reply to Re: Doh! Forgot: whaddaya think about a stim? » Racer, posted by Maximus on July 26, 2005, at 18:09:44
Racer, I believe self esteem has an awful lot to do with how a person feels. Now if I looked like the models in the magazines I don't think I'd be depressed. Fondly , Phillipa
Posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 20:33:26
In reply to Re: Doh! Forgot: whaddaya think about a stim? » Racer, posted by Maximus on July 26, 2005, at 18:09:44
> I just want to add that a stimulant is an appetite suppressant (in general). In your case, i'm not sure if it would be reasonable?
>
>
>
>Heheheh... Therein lies the rub...
Dr CattleProd does get reports from my nutritional counselor, so he'd know if I started dropping weight or stopped eating what I'm supposed to. (Which, I have to admit, is more common than my treatment team would like...)
I have thought about the appetite suppression from stimulants, and hate to admit that that's a big plus from my point of view. On the other hand, being able to do more than sit like a lump might help with keeping me on track with food... At least, that's a theory I'm willing to explore...
Thanks for the comments. Tomorrow I'll be talking with my therapist about whether or not to try to make a sooner appointment with Dr CattleProd. I hate to do it -- I feel so needy when I have to make an extra appointment, but my next scheduled appointment is in September...
Posted by jerrympls on July 26, 2005, at 20:34:55
In reply to Might a stimulant help?, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 13:50:24
> Right now, what I'm fighting isn't so much depression, as total and complete amotivation. I can hardly manage to walk across the room, it feels like! I find myself just sitting here in front of the computer, idling away the day, just because I can't quite manage to do anything else... Even reading is often more energy than I really want to put into anything...
>
> I'm taking 60mg Cymbalta -- which is my suspect in causing this -- 300mg Wellbutrin XL, and 100mg Provigil. My dx is major depression, anxiety, anorexia.
>
> Any thoughts on stimulants to increase motivation? If so, any recommendations?
>
> I just know SOMETHING has to change -- and soon. Right now, I'm "racing" so slowly I may as well go back to bed!
>
> Thanks.Cymbalta made me so apathetic it was beyond belief.
Posted by alohashirt on July 26, 2005, at 20:36:20
In reply to Might a stimulant help?, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 13:50:24
How old are you?
Are you male?
Have you had your testosterone count measured?
Have you had thyroid measured?I'd recommend doing the eval at
""http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/assets/adhdscreener.pdf""
I found Concerta made a huge difference> Right now, what I'm fighting isn't so much depression, as total and complete amotivation. I can hardly manage to walk across the room, it feels like! I find myself just sitting here in front of the computer, idling away the day, just because I can't quite manage to do anything else... Even reading is often more energy than I really want to put into anything...
>
> I'm taking 60mg Cymbalta -- which is my suspect in causing this -- 300mg Wellbutrin XL, and 100mg Provigil. My dx is major depression, anxiety, anorexia.
>
> Any thoughts on stimulants to increase motivation? If so, any recommendations?
>
> I just know SOMETHING has to change -- and soon. Right now, I'm "racing" so slowly I may as well go back to bed!
>
> Thanks.
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2005, at 21:09:28
In reply to Personal QNs( Re: Might a stimulant help?, posted by alohashirt on July 26, 2005, at 20:36:20
OH MAN! Racer, I'm sorry forgot about your eating disorder. I meant muscular, well defined bodies not like the shrunken faced fashion models. Sorry, i definitely wasn't thinking. Not good. Fondly,Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 26, 2005, at 22:01:50
In reply to Re: Might a stimulant help? » Racer, posted by jerrympls on July 26, 2005, at 20:34:55
I have had problems with amotivation and sluggishness too. I am fairly certain that it is related to my depression though and not a side effect. I have added dexedrine to my mix and it helped some. Then bad stuff started happening in my professional life and I bottomed out again. I did find it useful for a while. I just added Lithium. I'll post if I find it to be helpful. I sure hope that it is...
AND I think you should call for an extra pdoc appt. Sept is too long to wait. This is your health and it is important!
Best,
EE
Posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 23:43:01
In reply to Re: Might a stimulant help?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 26, 2005, at 22:01:50
>
> AND I think you should call for an extra pdoc appt. Sept is too long to wait. This is your health and it is important!
>
> Best,
> EELOL! You know, I don't even think of that anymore, you know? I've been so bloody useless in my life for the past two years that I forget that there really is hope and I don't have to sit back and wait and play around with drugs forever and ever.
Thank you for the reminder, I will [try] to internalize the idea that, maybe, I might deserve something other than waiting around for my life to start again...
Posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 23:44:40
In reply to Re: Personal QNs( Re: Might a stimulant help?, posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2005, at 21:09:28
> OH MAN! Racer, I'm sorry forgot about your eating disorder. I meant muscular, well defined bodies not like the shrunken faced fashion models. Sorry, i definitely wasn't thinking. Not good. Fondly,Phillipa
Machts nichts, Phillipa. I know that you aren't trying to take a dig, and I know that you're usually very thoughtful and courteous. Don't worry your head about it, 'K?
Posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 23:48:50
In reply to Personal QNs( Re: Might a stimulant help?, posted by alohashirt on July 26, 2005, at 20:36:20
>
> How old are you?Middle aged -- early 40s, which I find very hard to believe...
> Are you male?
Not when I checked last, but I'm not prejudiced. Some of my best friends are male, and I'm even married to one... ;-D
> Have you had your testosterone count measured?
No, that's something I might want to think about, though -- testosterone does affect women, too.
> Have you had thyroid measured?
Yes, this is something my doctor is pretty interested in, and says that he will sometimes bump patients up to slightly hyperthyroid to get full response to ADs. Any experience with that yourself?
Thanks for your response.
Posted by Sarah T. on July 26, 2005, at 23:59:02
In reply to Might a stimulant help?, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 13:50:24
Hi Racer,
I think that a stimulant might help, but the first thing that came to mind was whether there is something in your current regimen that might be causing the amotivation and lethargy? Could it be the Cymbalta? Have you tried lowering the dose?
Posted by partlycloudy on July 27, 2005, at 5:40:36
In reply to Might a stimulant help?, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 13:50:24
Is the Provigil not a stimulant? Do you drink coffee or tea? I'm like you in that I'd hate to have to add another med if there was something myself I could do to feel better.
I know that it's not easy for you to get out of the house for regular exercise, but it is making a difference for my energy level, once I actually throw myself out there.
Is there any way you can structure another pilates class or yoga into your week to get out and moving? It's the chicken and the egg dilema for me - not having enough energy to get off the sofa to exercise; but having exercised, I do feel better for it. And are you taking in enough nourishment to fuel yourself? I have found that Cymbalta works much better for me when I've got the other elements going, you know?
partlycloudy
Posted by Nickengland on July 27, 2005, at 8:29:45
In reply to Might a stimulant help?, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 13:50:24
Hi Racer,
Like I said before, its hard for me to say if a stimulant would help as I have no experience of them...(I guess the only way you would find out is to try one)
That said, I forget to mention something that may well help you now in the short-term, perhaps also in the long-term if the answer is a stimulant will help..
L-Tyrosine ~ I've been using it recently as from what i've been reading its like the closest thing I can get to using a 'natural' stimulant. It helps a little, albeit mild - and the best thing no-side effects.
If a stimulant will help - maybe L-tyrosine will help in the short-term before you can get one prescribed. Its an amino acid.
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by partlycloudy on July 27, 2005, at 13:15:47
In reply to Re: Might a stimulant help? » Racer, posted by partlycloudy on July 27, 2005, at 5:40:36
> Is the Provigil not a stimulant? Do you drink coffee or tea? I'm like you in that I'd hate to have to add another med if there was something myself I could do to feel better.
>
> I know that it's not easy for you to get out of the house for regular exercise, but it is making a difference for my energy level, once I actually throw myself out there.
> Is there any way you can structure another pilates class or yoga into your week to get out and moving? It's the chicken and the egg dilema for me - not having enough energy to get off the sofa to exercise; but having exercised, I do feel better for it. And are you taking in enough nourishment to fuel yourself? I have found that Cymbalta works much better for me when I've got the other elements going, you know?
> partlycloudy
>
>I think my post sounded harsh - "You Must Exercise" - I didn't mean to preach, sweetie.
pc
Posted by Ilene on July 27, 2005, at 14:27:24
In reply to Guess I forgot to mention... » ed_uk, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 17:37:13
Gave me unexpected, close up views of my carpetting. NOT a good thing -- way past time for new flooring... Hypotension is a big problem for me, and all the TCAs I've tried have created problems for me because of it. (My BP runs very low to begin with, and I have a problem at the best of times with orthostasis. For that matter, if I stand up for too long, I'll sometimes drop...) I asked Dr EyeCandy about Florinef last year, which he said was utterly impossible, ever. I also asked Dr CattleProd about it, and he said that if it came down to it, he'd have to do some research on it, but he was fine trying it if we needed to. He just didn't think that we'd have to go to anything that would cause problems, because we had so many other options left.
Did Dr EyeCandy tell you what was wrong w/ Florinef? I've taken it for a couple of years. It's the only med that I take that I know is doing something, because I don't get light-headed or see stars like I used to. I've never actually passed out, fortunately.
Take care, I.
Posted by ed_uk on July 27, 2005, at 17:23:53
In reply to Guess I forgot to mention... » ed_uk, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 17:37:13
Hi Racie,
Are you concerned that a stim might reduce your appetite?
~ed x
Posted by ed_uk on July 27, 2005, at 17:26:35
In reply to Re: Guess I forgot to mention... » Racer, posted by ed_uk on July 27, 2005, at 17:23:53
>Are you concerned that a stim might reduce your appetite?
Sorry, you already replied to that!
~Ed x
Posted by Bill LL on July 28, 2005, at 12:05:39
In reply to Might a stimulant help?, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 13:50:24
I think the addition of a stimulant could increase your motivation. On the other hand, I think they usually decrease one's appetite. Would that be a problem since your are anorexic?
> Right now, what I'm fighting isn't so much depression, as total and complete amotivation. I can hardly manage to walk across the room, it feels like! I find myself just sitting here in front of the computer, idling away the day, just because I can't quite manage to do anything else... Even reading is often more energy than I really want to put into anything...
>
> I'm taking 60mg Cymbalta -- which is my suspect in causing this -- 300mg Wellbutrin XL, and 100mg Provigil. My dx is major depression, anxiety, anorexia.
>
> Any thoughts on stimulants to increase motivation? If so, any recommendations?
>
> I just know SOMETHING has to change -- and soon. Right now, I'm "racing" so slowly I may as well go back to bed!
>
> Thanks.
Posted by Racer on July 28, 2005, at 12:57:45
In reply to Florinef » Racer, posted by Ilene on July 27, 2005, at 14:27:24
> >
> Did Dr EyeCandy tell you what was wrong w/ Florinef? I've taken it for a couple of years. It's the only med that I take that I know is doing something, because I don't get light-headed or see stars like I used to. I've never actually passed out, fortunately.
>
> Take care, I.Dr EyeCandy -- a/k/a Dr Let'sNotEvenUseThatLanguage -- started in with explaining (lecturing) about how it affected mineracorticoids as well as glucocorticoids... When I asked for that to be translated into something the rest of us might understand, he said, "It has a lot of effects."
Bottom Line: Don't worry about what Dr EyeCandy had to say about it. It's a perfectly good drug, and if your doctor prescribes it, it's not likely to be a problem. Dr EyeCandy is not a doctor whose opinions I have much respect for -- else I would not have reported him to the Medical Board.
Posted by xanablu on July 29, 2005, at 22:51:29
In reply to Re: Might a stimulant help? » Racer, posted by ed_uk on July 26, 2005, at 15:03:40
Ed
i was on desipramine several yrs. ago, prescribed 100mgs daily for fibro pain. I knew i was depressed st the time, hoever the desip was neither stimulating, nor any relief for pain & did nada for depression.I now know that I am ADD with long-term recalcitrant depression and anxiety, I believe, primarily due to not being treated for (or dx'd with) ADD until i was 45.
Do u know what the therapeutic dosage of desip is for atypical depression? Thanks so much!
Xanablu
Posted by xanablu on July 29, 2005, at 23:05:09
In reply to Florinef » Racer, posted by Ilene on July 27, 2005, at 14:27:24
Ilene~
I am in the U.S. Might I inquire, what is Florinef-the chemical name? I've not heard of this med. Thannx!
xanabblu
Posted by Ilene on July 29, 2005, at 23:16:57
In reply to Re: Florinef » Ilene, posted by xanablu on July 29, 2005, at 23:05:09
The chemical name of Florinef is fludrocortisone. I use it for a type of low blood pressure called neurally mediated hypotension.
I.
Posted by xanablu on July 29, 2005, at 23:27:48
In reply to Might a stimulant help?, posted by Racer on July 26, 2005, at 13:50:24
hi Racer-
I do have a dx of ADD along w/dep & GAD.
All r long-term~say35-40 yrs (I'm 49) and I tried a doz. different AD's and combos thereof, but my depression which is mostexemplified by mental dullness, amotivation and anergia was nevwr alleviated until a stimulant was added. My ADD b/c much more evident after I had my 1st (& only) child at 40 and is even worse now that I am in perimenopause.
I have not really had much appetite since taking care of my mom during her illness w/alzheimer's. She passed in 2001, 14 mos. after my dad died of heart attack in 2000.I have a child, so I have a built-in reminder that food is necessary for my health and survival. I have found dexedrine spansules 15mgs, 2x's daily , w/Dextrostat immediate release 5 mgs as a fill-in if necessary, during early evening to carry me over to beddy-bye time to be my best stim choice. I have also been rx'd ritalin (horrifying), Adderall (o.k., but dev'd tolerance very quickl;y-fell asleep on 120 mgs!), and Desoxyn IR (methamphetamine-a bit harsh). I find dexedrine the perfect fit for me and I have used it for nearly 2 1/2 yrs. I have decreased from a high dsage of up to 80 mgs. daily down to about 35-45.
I also use 2-3 mgs. klonopin (gen), 40 mgs. Inderal (gen), and 10-20 mgs. Lexapro, which I have just dropped due to needing to find a new p. doc, as mine has cut his clientele by 30%.I also used phentermine at one time (a non-amphetamine CNS stim) about a yr. after my child was born and, it was the only drug I was on at the time. It made me a bit too 'nervy' but helped my (then unknown) ADD and depression tremendously.
Hope this helps~xanablu
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 3:09:37
In reply to Re: Might a stimulant help? » Racer, posted by xanablu on July 29, 2005, at 23:27:48
Hi!
How did Desoxyn compare with Dexedrine? I'm just curious about how it affected you because not many people get prescribed Desoxyn these days.
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 30, 2005, at 3:15:35
In reply to Re: Might a stimulant help?, posted by xanablu on July 29, 2005, at 22:51:29
Hi X,
>i was on desipramine several yrs. ago, prescribed 100mgs daily for fibro pain. I knew i was depressed st the time, hoever the desip was neither stimulating, nor any relief for pain & did nada for depression.
You could try increasing the dose to ~200mg if you can tolerate it. I doubt it will help though if 100mg did nothing. I'm sorry it didn't help :-(
~Ed
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