Posted by medlib on June 24, 2002, at 21:00:57
In reply to Weird side effect from dexedrine?, posted by BLPBart on June 21, 2002, at 13:06:35
Hi BLPBart---
"Weird" is such a relative term at PB; for example, Dexedrine Spansules consistently put me to sleep (and I don't have ADD)!
The effects you described may be less weird than you imagine. If you are using a decongestant nasal spray such as Afrin at night, what you experience beginning in late morning could be rebound congestion. Both Afrin (and similar compounds) and Claritin are formulated to last 12 hours (Claritin-D is a 24 hour version). Rebound congestion is a fairly common "wearing-off/withdrawal" reaction which occurs when decongestants which are designed for short-term relief (3-4 days) are used on a continuing basis. This habituated response lasts until the next dose or several days, whichever comes first.
I'll hope for you that this process is responsible for your symptoms, since it is so simple to check out; either an extra dose of nasal spray in midafternoon makes things a bit better...or it doesn't. And, however uncomfortable withdrawal from nasal decongestants may be, it beats having to give up a psych med that works--at least, for me.
Note 1: Generally, allergic reactions to ingested substances (food, meds) are progressive (more severe with repeated exposures), while withdrawal reactions are regressive (diminished over time).
Note 2: It's easy to ignore Note 1 when it comes to nasal sprays. When I developed symptoms similar to yours, I presumed that my allergies were "acting up", though I "knew" better. (I live in the allergy capital of the world; daily pollen counts are a regular part of local weather forecasts.)
Good luck---medlib
PS I apologize if this post is inappropriate to your background; I don't check in here as often any more and seldom post to those I don't recognize, lest I unintentionally insult rather than inform. This post is so belated that it's unlikely to be read; thus, I can blather on with little risk of offending. Why I would do so is too weird to contemplate.
poster:medlib
thread:110401
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020617/msgs/110659.html