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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katalina on March 21, 2002, at 13:15:03
This is my first time posting here. I'm hoping to contribute (my personal experiences with meds; no neuroscientist here) and continue learning from all of you. It is so cool to be able to come here and search for commonalities among people's conditions and the meds that have worked for them.
ANYWAY, I'm a 31 year old Stay at Home mother to two spirited toddlers (read: pain in the ass - haha. I am diagnosed with ADD (inattentive) and dysthymia. I should say "self" diagnosed as I've never been tested, yet was lucky enough to find a neuro who will basically give me what I want on my word.
I've always felt "different" from other people, even as a child. Pondered the universe and the concepts of infinity and space and time, more than any 7 year old should. To this day I still think bizarrely (more so when not medicated) although now I'm not as hard on myself about my thoughts.
Getting to the point of my post, I don't want to bore everyone with the details of my life so I will post some main personality traits below:
IMPATIENT (I've been known to abandon a full cart of groceries if the the lines are too long at the check out and just say "f*** it")
DRIVE FAST / RECKLESSLY (even if I have an hour to get somewhere that will take 10 minutes I have to get there as quickly as possible)
EASILY IRRITATED BY NOISES (kids yelling, people chewing, music too loud or too soft)
LOVE STIRRING THINGS UP (used to gossip constantly at work, creating chaos for the hell of it)
IMMATURE (hard to explain, very responsible and mature appearing, can bullshit my way into any job yet find humor in things the average person would consider juvenile and almost cruel)
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT (what I consider a healthy disdain for authority.)
CONSTANTLY BORED YET FEEL BORING (always seeking stimulation yet feel I have none to offer anyone else, because everyone around me sucks)Did I mention cynical and pessimistic?
Anyway I'm now taking Effexor XR (75 mgs) Adderall (20 in the am, 10 in the afternoon) and 1 mg. Klonopin at night.
I'm feeling great. Before the Klonopin (which I just started 2 weeks ago) I felt this sensation like I couldn't get a deep breath. I wasn't out of breath, just couldn't get a satisfying breath. Almost like I had to force myself to take this deep yawn so I could fill my lungs with oxygen. Since the Klonopin, that feeling has subsided and I've been feeling very well rested in the a.m. (sleeping like a log, I usually take it at 7:00 p.m. or so) and take my Effexor and Adderall in the a.m.
Anyway, from previous posts that I've read, this is sounding to me like a short term solution. I don't know if I really have anxiety or low lying dysthymia. I previously tried Ritalin without an SSRI and felt like I wanted to jab my own eyes out with a shrimp fork I was so hostile. Then I tried Ritalin with the Effexor and felt great until I got tired of the crashes and switched to Adderall. So I feel like I do need some low dose of an SSRI as well as the stimulant. Adderall has been the greatest thing for me. I feel so "normal" and full of motivation to do the dreaded day to day tasks that I've always found so depressing I could barely do them.
Cutting the the chase . . . Is this combination going to give out on me? Does anyone think the Adderall and Klonopin work synergystically or are they sort of working against each other (one being a CNS stimulant and the other a depressant).
If anyone made it this far and has any insights, I thank you!
Katalina
Posted by JohnX2 on March 21, 2002, at 14:19:07
In reply to Uppers in the Morning, Downers in the Evening , posted by Katalina on March 21, 2002, at 13:15:03
Hi Katalina,Welcome to the club.
I have all the same symptoms, and practically the same examples. Except on the car driving part, I only drive 15 mph over the speed limit to avoid tickets. I compensate by driving a lot. It seems to calm me down a lot for some reason.
I used to abuse caffeine (drink like 15 diet cokes a day) and chase this with 4+ beers a night. When I developed depression and hit a brick wall on treatment my doctor eventually had me on a regimen on Adderall and Klonopin. I thought this was the best thing since sliced bread. It worked great until the Klonopin crapped out. Then the Adderall really sent me into a tail spin. The Adderall just exacerbated all the below symtoms and actually gave me horrendous ADD symptoms (non ADDers actually get ADD symptoms from stimulant abuse). I joked with my friend that my treatment escalated from caffeine and beer to speed and tranquilizers. But don't let my story scare you, alot of people take low dose Adderall and Klonopin and do fine.
May I ask why you feel you have ADD?
John
> This is my first time posting here. I'm hoping to contribute (my personal experiences with meds; no neuroscientist here) and continue learning from all of you. It is so cool to be able to come here and search for commonalities among people's conditions and the meds that have worked for them.
>
> ANYWAY, I'm a 31 year old Stay at Home mother to two spirited toddlers (read: pain in the ass - haha. I am diagnosed with ADD (inattentive) and dysthymia. I should say "self" diagnosed as I've never been tested, yet was lucky enough to find a neuro who will basically give me what I want on my word.
>
> I've always felt "different" from other people, even as a child. Pondered the universe and the concepts of infinity and space and time, more than any 7 year old should. To this day I still think bizarrely (more so when not medicated) although now I'm not as hard on myself about my thoughts.
>
> Getting to the point of my post, I don't want to bore everyone with the details of my life so I will post some main personality traits below:
>
> IMPATIENT (I've been known to abandon a full cart of groceries if the the lines are too long at the check out and just say "f*** it")
>
> DRIVE FAST / RECKLESSLY (even if I have an hour to get somewhere that will take 10 minutes I have to get there as quickly as possible)
>
> EASILY IRRITATED BY NOISES (kids yelling, people chewing, music too loud or too soft)
>
> LOVE STIRRING THINGS UP (used to gossip constantly at work, creating chaos for the hell of it)
>
> IMMATURE (hard to explain, very responsible and mature appearing, can bullshit my way into any job yet find humor in things the average person would consider juvenile and almost cruel)
>
> OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT (what I consider a healthy disdain for authority.)
>
>
> CONSTANTLY BORED YET FEEL BORING (always seeking stimulation yet feel I have none to offer anyone else, because everyone around me sucks)
>
> Did I mention cynical and pessimistic?
>
> Anyway I'm now taking Effexor XR (75 mgs) Adderall (20 in the am, 10 in the afternoon) and 1 mg. Klonopin at night.
>
> I'm feeling great. Before the Klonopin (which I just started 2 weeks ago) I felt this sensation like I couldn't get a deep breath. I wasn't out of breath, just couldn't get a satisfying breath. Almost like I had to force myself to take this deep yawn so I could fill my lungs with oxygen. Since the Klonopin, that feeling has subsided and I've been feeling very well rested in the a.m. (sleeping like a log, I usually take it at 7:00 p.m. or so) and take my Effexor and Adderall in the a.m.
>
> Anyway, from previous posts that I've read, this is sounding to me like a short term solution. I don't know if I really have anxiety or low lying dysthymia. I previously tried Ritalin without an SSRI and felt like I wanted to jab my own eyes out with a shrimp fork I was so hostile. Then I tried Ritalin with the Effexor and felt great until I got tired of the crashes and switched to Adderall. So I feel like I do need some low dose of an SSRI as well as the stimulant. Adderall has been the greatest thing for me. I feel so "normal" and full of motivation to do the dreaded day to day tasks that I've always found so depressing I could barely do them.
>
> Cutting the the chase . . . Is this combination going to give out on me? Does anyone think the Adderall and Klonopin work synergystically or are they sort of working against each other (one being a CNS stimulant and the other a depressant).
>
> If anyone made it this far and has any insights, I thank you!
>
> Katalina
Posted by JohnX2 on March 21, 2002, at 14:23:30
In reply to Uppers in the Morning, Downers in the Evening , posted by Katalina on March 21, 2002, at 13:15:03
Hi Katalina,Welcome to the club.
I have all the same symptoms, and practically the same examples. Except on the car driving part, I only drive 15 mph over the speed limit to avoid tickets. I compensate by driving a lot. It seems to calm me down a lot for some reason.
I used to abuse caffeine (drink like 15 diet cokes a day) and chase this with 4+ beers a night. When I developed depression and hit a brick wall on treatment my doctor eventually had me on a regimen on Adderall and Klonopin. I thought this was the best thing since sliced bread. It worked great until the Klonopin crapped out. Then the Adderall really sent me into a tail spin. The Adderall just exacerbated all the below symtoms and actually gave me horrendous ADD symptoms (non ADDers actually get ADD symptoms from stimulant abuse). I joked with my friend that my treatment escalated from caffeine and beer to speed and tranquilizers. But don't let my story scare you, alot of people take low dose Adderall and Klonopin and do fine.
May I ask why you feel you have ADD?
John
> This is my first time posting here. I'm hoping to contribute (my personal experiences with meds; no neuroscientist here) and continue learning from all of you. It is so cool to be able to come here and search for commonalities among people's conditions and the meds that have worked for them.
>
> ANYWAY, I'm a 31 year old Stay at Home mother to two spirited toddlers (read: pain in the ass - haha. I am diagnosed with ADD (inattentive) and dysthymia. I should say "self" diagnosed as I've never been tested, yet was lucky enough to find a neuro who will basically give me what I want on my word.
>
> I've always felt "different" from other people, even as a child. Pondered the universe and the concepts of infinity and space and time, more than any 7 year old should. To this day I still think bizarrely (more so when not medicated) although now I'm not as hard on myself about my thoughts.
>
> Getting to the point of my post, I don't want to bore everyone with the details of my life so I will post some main personality traits below:
>
> IMPATIENT (I've been known to abandon a full cart of groceries if the the lines are too long at the check out and just say "f*** it")
>
> DRIVE FAST / RECKLESSLY (even if I have an hour to get somewhere that will take 10 minutes I have to get there as quickly as possible)
>
> EASILY IRRITATED BY NOISES (kids yelling, people chewing, music too loud or too soft)
>
> LOVE STIRRING THINGS UP (used to gossip constantly at work, creating chaos for the hell of it)
>
> IMMATURE (hard to explain, very responsible and mature appearing, can bullshit my way into any job yet find humor in things the average person would consider juvenile and almost cruel)
>
> OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT (what I consider a healthy disdain for authority.)
>
>
> CONSTANTLY BORED YET FEEL BORING (always seeking stimulation yet feel I have none to offer anyone else, because everyone around me sucks)
>
> Did I mention cynical and pessimistic?
>
> Anyway I'm now taking Effexor XR (75 mgs) Adderall (20 in the am, 10 in the afternoon) and 1 mg. Klonopin at night.
>
> I'm feeling great. Before the Klonopin (which I just started 2 weeks ago) I felt this sensation like I couldn't get a deep breath. I wasn't out of breath, just couldn't get a satisfying breath. Almost like I had to force myself to take this deep yawn so I could fill my lungs with oxygen. Since the Klonopin, that feeling has subsided and I've been feeling very well rested in the a.m. (sleeping like a log, I usually take it at 7:00 p.m. or so) and take my Effexor and Adderall in the a.m.
>
> Anyway, from previous posts that I've read, this is sounding to me like a short term solution. I don't know if I really have anxiety or low lying dysthymia. I previously tried Ritalin without an SSRI and felt like I wanted to jab my own eyes out with a shrimp fork I was so hostile. Then I tried Ritalin with the Effexor and felt great until I got tired of the crashes and switched to Adderall. So I feel like I do need some low dose of an SSRI as well as the stimulant. Adderall has been the greatest thing for me. I feel so "normal" and full of motivation to do the dreaded day to day tasks that I've always found so depressing I could barely do them.
>
> Cutting the the chase . . . Is this combination going to give out on me? Does anyone think the Adderall and Klonopin work synergystically or are they sort of working against each other (one being a CNS stimulant and the other a depressant).
>
> If anyone made it this far and has any insights, I thank you!
>
> Katalina
Posted by jay on March 21, 2002, at 15:47:03
In reply to Uppers in the Morning, Downers in the Evening , posted by Katalina on March 21, 2002, at 13:15:03
> This is my first time posting here. I'm hoping to contribute (my personal experiences with meds; no neuroscientist here) and continue learning from all of you. It is so cool to be able to come here and search for commonalities among people's conditions and the meds that have worked for them.
>
> ANYWAY, I'm a 31 year old Stay at Home mother to two spirited toddlers (read: pain in the ass - haha. I am diagnosed with ADD (inattentive) and dysthymia. I should say "self" diagnosed as I've never been tested, yet was lucky enough to find a neuro who will basically give me what I want on my word.
>
> I've always felt "different" from other people, even as a child. Pondered the universe and the concepts of infinity and space and time, more than any 7 year old should. To this day I still think bizarrely (more so when not medicated) although now I'm not as hard on myself about my thoughts.
>
> Getting to the point of my post, I don't want to bore everyone with the details of my life so I will post some main personality traits below:
>
> IMPATIENT (I've been known to abandon a full cart of groceries if the the lines are too long at the check out and just say "f*** it")
>
> DRIVE FAST / RECKLESSLY (even if I have an hour to get somewhere that will take 10 minutes I have to get there as quickly as possible)
>
> EASILY IRRITATED BY NOISES (kids yelling, people chewing, music too loud or too soft)
>
> LOVE STIRRING THINGS UP (used to gossip constantly at work, creating chaos for the hell of it)
>
> IMMATURE (hard to explain, very responsible and mature appearing, can bullshit my way into any job yet find humor in things the average person would consider juvenile and almost cruel)
>
> OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT (what I consider a healthy disdain for authority.)
>
>
> CONSTANTLY BORED YET FEEL BORING (always seeking stimulation yet feel I have none to offer anyone else, because everyone around me sucks)
>
> Did I mention cynical and pessimistic?
>
> Anyway I'm now taking Effexor XR (75 mgs) Adderall (20 in the am, 10 in the afternoon) and 1 mg. Klonopin at night.
>
> I'm feeling great. Before the Klonopin (which I just started 2 weeks ago) I felt this sensation like I couldn't get a deep breath. I wasn't out of breath, just couldn't get a satisfying breath. Almost like I had to force myself to take this deep yawn so I could fill my lungs with oxygen. Since the Klonopin, that feeling has subsided and I've been feeling very well rested in the a.m. (sleeping like a log, I usually take it at 7:00 p.m. or so) and take my Effexor and Adderall in the a.m.
>
> Anyway, from previous posts that I've read, this is sounding to me like a short term solution. I don't know if I really have anxiety or low lying dysthymia. I previously tried Ritalin without an SSRI and felt like I wanted to jab my own eyes out with a shrimp fork I was so hostile. Then I tried Ritalin with the Effexor and felt great until I got tired of the crashes and switched to Adderall. So I feel like I do need some low dose of an SSRI as well as the stimulant. Adderall has been the greatest thing for me. I feel so "normal" and full of motivation to do the dreaded day to day tasks that I've always found so depressing I could barely do them.
>
> Cutting the the chase . . . Is this combination going to give out on me? Does anyone think the Adderall and Klonopin work synergystically or are they sort of working against each other (one being a CNS stimulant and the other a depressant).
>
> If anyone made it this far and has any insights, I thank you!
>
> KatalinaHi Katalina:
Welcome! This is a great place for support, so please hang around, as good or as bad as you are feeling.
But, since you are feeling good, let's stick with that. You ask is your med combo a temp sollution? Well, nobody can have an *exact* answer, but you may still have some ups and downs which is normal...BUT the meds you are on may PREVENT everything from falling apart. So, maybe no, it isn't just a temp thing, and is well suited. Even with all the problems you read on here, many do get better...in fact I would say *better* than before, because they have learned (and found the right med combo) to help them withstand stress so much better.
I can't give you an 'exact' answer, and I am sorry, but if you also work on reducing the stress load in your life (I know....HELL to do as it is..), the odds are in your favour! I honestly think as much crap as many of us go through, we end up living a much richer, more meaningful life because of it all.
Keep us posted how you are making out....
Best wishes..
Jay
Posted by Zo on March 21, 2002, at 16:16:37
In reply to Re: Uppers in the Morning, Downers in the Evening » Katalina, posted by JohnX2 on March 21, 2002, at 14:19:07
'Cause she just made a list of classic ADD symptoms?
;o)
Zo
Posted by JohnX2 on March 21, 2002, at 16:57:16
In reply to Re: Uppers in the Morning, Downers in the Evening » JohnX2, posted by Zo on March 21, 2002, at 16:16:37
I guess I wasn't paying attention. LOL ;)John
> 'Cause she just made a list of classic ADD symptoms?
>
> ;o)
>
> Zo
Posted by JohnX2 on March 21, 2002, at 17:12:06
In reply to Re: Uppers in the Morning, Downers in the Evening » Zo, posted by JohnX2 on March 21, 2002, at 16:57:16
Zo,I'm still in denial of having ADD. So are my docs. They propose the symptoms are hypomania.
The stimulant make me feel too good and generally exacerbate my ADD like symptoms. I wonder how I would do on a Parnate trial (since its supposed to be good for these ADD symptoms and my atypical depression symptoms)? Wellbutrin was a nice medicine, but on one of my trials it made me a bit psychotic.Regards
John
>
> I guess I wasn't paying attention. LOL ;)
>
> John
>
>
> > 'Cause she just made a list of classic ADD symptoms?
> >
> > ;o)
> >
> > Zo
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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