Posted by ConfuzyQ on June 14, 2005, at 11:24:22
In reply to Re: Depression while getting on Strattera?, posted by Jazzed on June 14, 2005, at 8:51:47
... I must be feeling better, until today all the involved mouse clicking would have sent me back to the couch. ;-)
> BTW, how long are your med check appts? Mine are only 10 min. long. Hard to tell him a whole lot in that amount of time!
I've only seen him once so far, for our initial consult last Tuesday. It was 1.5 hours and may have even been longer if we hadn't had a waiting room mixup. And it was very reasonable $$ for that amount of time. I am hoping that until we at least have SOME reason to think something we're trying is helping, the appts. will continue to be at least 30 or 45 mins, but don't know. I think I will call and find out how much time I can expect to have on 7/1!
> I wouldn't even bother with the Strattera again, at least until you've run through all your other options, esp. since it made you feel so miserable.
Yes, and here's to finally having a pdoc whose meds concentration is evidenced by even HAVING samples on hand, so I didn't have to buy it or rack up more pharmacy records. Where I am, most pdocs seem to just write a script for something garden variety and then channel you towards psychoanalysis or psychotherapy with them.
> I don't know anything about tramadol, what's it for and what's it do?It's very controversial for psy purposes. I was taking 25 to 75 mg./day, but if I was taking the so-called "therapeutic" dose of about 400 mg. a day (or any dose, if I posted this more "loudly"), many here might sternly warn and debate me. It's a synthetic opiate approved for pain, that there has been some credible research into for its use in depression, OCD, several things (I also read that it has similar actions to and works on the same neurotransmitters as Effexor). But it works right away when you take it and it has many less of the kinds of side effects associated with typical ADs. At least at the dose I've been able to limit myself to, it's like being able to have help only when I need it.
Currently it's not scheduled because the FDA still has it classified as having a low potential for abuse. Apparently most people can't catch much of a "buzz" from it even if they try (I don't notice anything besides feeling more level, but never tried higher amounts); and it gives many a head or stomach ache. While it's used for pain, it's not the equivalent of popping things like vicodin or codeine to improve things in your head. I also don't think the research has been on its usefulness as a last-ditch, total emergency treatment like buprenorphine (sp?), but as a viable regular option.
Now, in reality it seems many people do get addicted (but I'm guessing, not necessarily because they all kept using it for a "buzz"). It will probably soon become scheduled. But the classic argument comes up over "addiction vs. habituation/dependence; and withdrawals vs. discontinuation syndrome. Is there really a diff." If one uses it for long enough (at least at a considerable dose), they probably WILL have considerable discomfort if not agony coming off it, but that is not a unique predicament and maybe just a matter of what's more important/worth it. (I used to go off it a couple days here and there to make sure I wasn't at that point.) Similar to coming off other meds, at least the discomfort can be lessened with Prozac. Long term effects may not be known, but what else is new.
(In case anyone is reading and objecting, note that I am not asking my doc to consider advising a "therapeutic" -- or any -- dose of tramadol for me. Have just used a trace to keep me minimally glued together, and it's been a lifesaver for that. Never tempted in two-plus years to go up, even though I could see how much it helped even in low dose. OTOH, if I'd been more miserable all this time maybe I would worked harder to find the right help sooner and and and... nevermind! ;)
> With sugar cravings, you might be low on serotonin. Might mention that to your doc -
Yes I agree that makes a LOT of sense!
I'll be sure to come back here to post when something new develops! :-)
poster:ConfuzyQ
thread:510941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050611/msgs/512553.html