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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wishingstar on April 28, 2008, at 19:39:27
Maybe a strange combination? That's what I'm prescribed right now. But I admit, I feel like I'm not using these drugs correctly. I'm taking them exactly as prescribed, no problem there, but I feel like I'm using them as more of a crutch than I should be. I'd like thoughts on this, if anyone has any.
I've suffered from severe depression in the past and taken a dozen or more anti-depressants/etc without any real effect. Luckily, my depression has improved greatly on its own and is barely noticable right now. Very thankful for this! However, I started a new job in November which is VERY high stress. I manage the stress some, but high stress is really just an expected part of working this job. I've never had trouble with anxiety in the past. I experience a lot of anxiety and as a result of the anxiety, dread and avoidance of certain aspects of my job because of the anxiety about what I might encounter.
I first tried klonopin but found that it was lowering my inhibitions and making me have strong urges to be self destructive. I stopped it rather quickly.
On a whim, I tried adderall. I know it seems like an odd choice, but I had it from when it was perscribed for my depression apx 6 months ago. It helps a great deal. I take a tiny dose, only 5mg in the morning. I dont take an afternoon dose because its really the first half of the workday that is the hardest. It motivates me enough that I'm able to approach the things I need to do that cause me anxiety, and cuts out some of the feelings of dread (and avoidance) I was having. It's also preventing my mid-day crash where I so unbelievably tired by 11am I could barely work. I'm a very petite person and the 5mg seems to do it.
The problem is, in the last several weeks, I've been having trouble sleeping. This is not something I've ever experienced before either. I had trouble falling asleep, and often trouble staying asleep as well. In the evenings and once I'm in bed, my anxiety and adrenaline isnt turning off and I cant relax enough to sleep. My doctor perscribed 2mg valium in the evenings. I have taken xanax a few times at night and it does help me sleep, but I'm concerned about continuing to do that because these drugs can be so addictive.
Can any of you tell me anything about valium and how it compares to xanax? I'm concerned that with the long half-life of valium it'll still be in my system the next day, and the 5mg adderall may not be enough. I really dont want to feel sedated at all the next day. Does adderall to get me through work, then valium to bring me back to "normal", seem odd to anyone else? Thoughts on this combination? Or thoughts on anything else that might be worth a try? I am very much in support of psychiatric drugs, but this just feels weird to me.
Thanks everyone!
Posted by undopaminergic on April 29, 2008, at 0:53:57
In reply to adderall and valium... is this weird?, posted by wishingstar on April 28, 2008, at 19:39:27
There are many other benzodiazepines that don't last as long as Valium, and that may be more appropriate for insomnia. The "Z" drugs may also be suitable options - e.g. zolpidem and zopiclone.
To avoid tolerance (and addiction), you can try alternating between benzodiazepines and sedating anti-histamines, of which cyproheptadine (Periactin) seems particularly appropriate.
Posted by wishingstar on April 29, 2008, at 6:21:47
In reply to Re: adderall and valium... is this weird?, posted by undopaminergic on April 29, 2008, at 0:53:57
Thank you. I cant take klonopin as it had a bad effect on me and my depression. I do take xanax from time to time (before I was rxed the valum anyway) and like how it works, but my understanding is that xanax is much harder to stop. I have also used benadryl in the past. What kind of alternating schedule would keep me from becoming hooked on the med? Every other day? Thanks for your help!
Posted by undopaminergic on April 30, 2008, at 14:34:35
In reply to Re: adderall and valium... is this weird? » undopaminergic, posted by wishingstar on April 29, 2008, at 6:21:47
> Thank you. I cant take klonopin as it had a bad effect on me and my depression. I do take xanax from time to time (before I was rxed the valum anyway) and like how it works, but my understanding is that xanax is much harder to stop. I have also used benadryl in the past. What kind of alternating schedule would keep me from becoming hooked on the med? Every other day? Thanks for your help!
>Possibly. There is a great deal of variation between individuals in how fast they devlop tolerance to a drug, so you may have to experiment to find what works best for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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