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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by vikala on July 24, 2004, at 13:41:56
Recently I have been diagnosed as Bipolar III. Pdoc says it's not on the books yet, but explained it as: Being Bipolar, depressed, and having a medication induced period of mania/hypomania.
Which for me was 3 years ago, and very slight hypomania (from Effexor and Wellbutrin)
That was the last time I felt good. I didn't do anything 'destructive or wreckless' during that time, I just talked fast, slept little, felt energetic, and was social (very unlike me)
Since that time I have been majorly depressed. (hopeless feelings, lethargy, weeks/months off work due to inability to get out of bed, extremely withdrawn, lack of hygiene, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety)
So I am functional for the most part. Always late, and always procrastinating. (this isn't how I was before this most recent 3 year episode)
I used to be organized. I used to care about me.New pdoc suggests a stimulant. Maybe to help lift the cloud, get me motivated, and in turn help free up some of my depression.
I need Seroquel at night (25mg) to sleep. I take it with .75 mg of Xanax. I was having sleep paralysis/anxiety attacks before adding these meds to my mix. Now I knock out, and I am very happy with that.
In the morning I take Wellbutrin XL 150mg. It does NOTHING for energy. So I started taking Provigil (400-600mg) to help wake me. That helped a little.
So I dropped Provigil, and just started Ritalin.
Rx'ed 10mg twice a day - I felt nothing. I was napping after my 2nd dose in the afternoon. So I upped it to 15mg 2x a day. No change. I upped it to 20mg 2x a day. Felt sleepy 2 hours after 2nd dose at dinner yesterday.
Here are my questions for those with knowledge/experience with any of this
1. Is the Seroquel too much? Is it canceling out the Ritalin? (I thought 25mg was a tiny dose)
2. Is there some stimulant that may work better than Ritalin?
3. What mg have you seen rx'ed to adults who take Ritalin? Anyone do 3 doses a day?
4. Would the Seroquel effects flow over to the next day/afternoon?
5. Does anyone feel it helps to keep an internet journal (web log, blog)? care to share?I've tried Trazadone to sleep (too strong for me)
I've tried Risperdal to sleep (didn't work)*weight gain is something I NEED to avoid. I started this 'journey' 3 years ago at 115 pounds (I'm 5'1) now I weigh 170 pounds.
Vikala
Posted by TJO on July 25, 2004, at 6:34:50
In reply to Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix?, posted by vikala on July 24, 2004, at 13:41:56
> Recently I have been diagnosed as Bipolar III. Pdoc says it's not on the books yet, but explained it as: Being Bipolar, depressed, and having a medication induced period of mania/hypomania.
> Which for me was 3 years ago, and very slight hypomania (from Effexor and Wellbutrin)
> That was the last time I felt good. I didn't do anything 'destructive or wreckless' during that time, I just talked fast, slept little, felt energetic, and was social (very unlike me)
> Since that time I have been majorly depressed. (hopeless feelings, lethargy, weeks/months off work due to inability to get out of bed, extremely withdrawn, lack of hygiene, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety)
> So I am functional for the most part. Always late, and always procrastinating. (this isn't how I was before this most recent 3 year episode)
> I used to be organized. I used to care about me.
>
> New pdoc suggests a stimulant. Maybe to help lift the cloud, get me motivated, and in turn help free up some of my depression.
> I need Seroquel at night (25mg) to sleep. I take it with .75 mg of Xanax. I was having sleep paralysis/anxiety attacks before adding these meds to my mix. Now I knock out, and I am very happy with that.
> In the morning I take Wellbutrin XL 150mg. It does NOTHING for energy. So I started taking Provigil (400-600mg) to help wake me. That helped a little.
> So I dropped Provigil, and just started Ritalin.
> Rx'ed 10mg twice a day - I felt nothing. I was napping after my 2nd dose in the afternoon. So I upped it to 15mg 2x a day. No change. I upped it to 20mg 2x a day. Felt sleepy 2 hours after 2nd dose at dinner yesterday.
> Here are my questions for those with knowledge/experience with any of this
> 1. Is the Seroquel too much? Is it canceling out the Ritalin? (I thought 25mg was a tiny dose)
> 2. Is there some stimulant that may work better than Ritalin?
> 3. What mg have you seen rx'ed to adults who take Ritalin? Anyone do 3 doses a day?
> 4. Would the Seroquel effects flow over to the next day/afternoon?
> 5. Does anyone feel it helps to keep an internet journal (web log, blog)? care to share?
>
> I've tried Trazadone to sleep (too strong for me)
> I've tried Risperdal to sleep (didn't work)
>
> *weight gain is something I NEED to avoid. I started this 'journey' 3 years ago at 115 pounds (I'm 5'1) now I weigh 170 pounds.
>
>
> Vikala
>Hi Vikala,
I'm diagnosed as bipolar I or II. I think 25 mg is a tiny dose of Seroquel-I take 700mg, 300 in the am and 400 in the pm. I also take Wellbutrin XL 150 mg at night. I forget why my pdoc has me taking it at night. My other meds are Neurontin 1200mg-600 am and 600 pm, and Abilify 30 mg in the am. Which reminds me-its 7 am and time to take my meds.
Anyway, the Seroquel made me very sleepy at doses between 50 mg and 600mg. The sleepiness went away at the higher dose of 700 mg. I think maybe you aren't on enough Seroquel and maybe taking the Wellbutrin at night would help things. I don't know anything about how the Ritalin might be affecting you. I have had no weight gain from the Seroquel. The Abilify seems to give me some energy and a slight antidepressant effect. Maybe it is the Seroquel making you sleepy and not the Ritalin (?). Sorry I couldn't answer more of your questions.Tammy
Posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 6:43:52
In reply to Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix?, posted by vikala on July 24, 2004, at 13:41:56
> Recently I have been diagnosed as Bipolar III. Pdoc says it's not on the books yet, but explained it as: Being Bipolar, depressed, and having a medication induced period of mania/hypomania.
Three cheers for bipolar III !
- Scott
Posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 7:03:25
In reply to Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix?, posted by vikala on July 24, 2004, at 13:41:56
> 1. Is the Seroquel too much? Is it canceling out the Ritalin? (I thought 25mg was a tiny dose)
If it were me, I would skip the Seroquel for a few days to see what happens. That's the easiest way to find out for sure.
In what ways is your sleep disturbed when you are not taking medication? Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you wake up frequently during the night but sleep intermittently until morning? Can you sleep at all after 3:00-4:00am? Do you sleep during the day?
Why aren't you taking Effexor + Wellbutrin?
- Scott
Posted by watergirl on July 25, 2004, at 17:32:59
In reply to Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix?, posted by vikala on July 24, 2004, at 13:41:56
Hi Vikala,
Ive Been taking Concerta 27mgs (long acting ritalin) for a couple of months. In the first few weeks, It put me right to sleep. I could'nt stay awake no matter how hard I tried.
Now, it helps with energy & focus very well.
I also take Lexapro 20mgs; Gabatril 12mgs; & Klonopin .5mgs; & sometimes Xanex .5 mgs rarley needed.
Best Wishes,
Cindy
Posted by Terry on July 26, 2004, at 12:13:39
In reply to Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix?, posted by vikala on July 24, 2004, at 13:41:56
Ritalin and Seroguel huh? That's interesting. My pdoc was trying to talk me into giving Seroquel and Ritalin a try at my last visit. He says he has a patient on it doing very well. This patient hasn't responded to any other treatment up until now. My pdoc conciders him his most difficult patient. I didn't want to try it because I've tryed Ritalin with prozac before and didn't respond to the Ritalin at that time. My pdoc though seems to think that Ritalin and Seroquel may be synergistic.
I think thta I would cut the dose of Seroquel in half for a while. lower the dose of Ritalin. Some people and I'm one of them can get tired on stimulants. And then when you get used to the lower doses, if you need to, then increase the doses again.
Terry
Posted by vikala on July 31, 2004, at 15:08:07
In reply to Re: Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix?, posted by SLS on July 25, 2004, at 7:03:25
I didn't take the Seroquel last night. I had enough Xanax in me from an airplane flight, so I was able to sleep with that alone.
I did experience what originally lead me to the Seroquel. I have night terrors or sleep paralysis or nightmare type panic attacks. I don't know the name for it. I'm awake - yet asleep - and I can't move or really wake up or scream... This recent episode went like this...
I had nightmares that I was getting up and feeling scared, and trying to call people on the phone but my hands were shaking too hard - then I would realize I was still sleeping and try to wake up again and be "stuck" and then I thought I heard someone at my bedroom door and I opened it and it was a stranger and I shut it, and then I realized I was 'dreaming' again and then I thought dogs were trying to chase me and eat me, then I realized I was 'dreaming' again - and I couldn't wake up - but I kept thinking I was waking up.. and I could hear myself (really) trying to scream or make noise... and I could sometimes see the room around me.. but couldn't get up or out of this dream state.
I had 2 of these experiences prior to taking the Seroquel. I wanted to take something that would KNOCK ME OUT so I wouldn't have to get "stuck" in between sleep and waking. It's scary. I woke up hysterical and horrified. It took me an hour to calm down and stop crying.It could be the meds (common meds now and before are Wellbutrin and Xanax) I didn't think those meds had side effects like that.
It could be me. I have a history of Anxiety and Panic Attacks - but fortunately haven't had significant problems with that in years.I get anxious at night, then can't sleep until wee hours in the morning.. and must be up at 6am for work.
Effexor and Wellbutrin made me hypomanic supposedly.
<<1. Is the Seroquel too much? Is it canceling out the Ritalin? (I thought 25mg was a tiny dose)> In what ways is your sleep disturbed when you are not taking medication? Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you wake up frequently during the night but sleep intermittently until morning? Can you sleep at all after 3:00-4:00am? Do you sleep during the day?
> Why aren't you taking Effexor + Wellbutrin?
> - Scott
Posted by mtlmec on January 27, 2011, at 20:08:46
In reply to Re: Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix? » vikala, posted by Terry on July 26, 2004, at 12:13:39
As strange as it may seem, you're taking too small a dose. Seroquel as well as another medication, the antidepressant Remeron, make you very, very sleepy and basically a groggy zombie the following day AT SMALL STARTING DOSES. At the larger doses (like 200mg and above), it still helps you sleep and stay asleep, but the disabling grogginess goes away. You either stay at 25mg, or up the dose until you don't feel like a zombie anymore. (Anyway, after a month of taking 25mg of Seroquel, it will pretty much not have any effect on you at all). I seems like weird reasoning, but there's a whole scientific explanation for this. I have lots of friends who take 200mg of Seroquel as basically a sleeping pill, and they've pretty much stayed at this dose for many years now.
I take Seroquel SR (extended release) 400mg twice a day and Ritalin 20mg twice a day. I've had Bipolar Disorder Type II for over twenty years now, and I now feel the most stable ever. The Ritalin gives me that little extra energy I need and helps me concentrate. You can go up to 60mg max per day on the Ritalin, but you have to consider the possible side effects: jitteriness, major loss of appetite (you'll shed those extra pounds in no time), difficulty sleeping (if you take a dose too late, I find that taking my final dose at 3pm works best), and of course, it's very addictive (there's a reason college kids call it kiddy coke). If you have to go off Ritalin, do it gradually.
Well, I hope you find this somewhat helpful. Good luck!
Posted by mtlmec on January 27, 2011, at 20:16:38
In reply to Re: Ritalin Seroquel - bad mix? » vikala, posted by Terry on July 26, 2004, at 12:13:39
As strange as it may seem, you're taking too small a dose. Seroquel as well as another medication, the antidepressant Remeron, make you very, very sleepy and basically a groggy zombie the following day AT SMALL STARTING DOSES. At the larger doses (like 200mg and above), it still helps you sleep and stay asleep, but the disabling grogginess goes away. You either stay at 25mg, or up the dose until you don't feel like a zombie anymore. (Anyway, after a month of taking 25mg of Seroquel, it will pretty much not have any effect on you at all). I seems like weird reasoning, but there's a whole scientific explanation for this. I have lots of friends who take 200mg of Seroquel as basically a sleeping pill, and they've pretty much stayed at this dose for many years now.
I take Seroquel SR (extended release) 400mg twice a day and Ritalin 20mg twice a day. I've had Bipolar Disorder Type II for over twenty years now, and I now feel the most stable ever. The Ritalin gives me that little extra energy I need and helps me concentrate. You can go up to 60mg max per day on the Ritalin, but you have to consider the possible side effects: jitteriness, major loss of appetite (you'll shed those extra pounds in no time), difficulty sleeping (if you take a dose too late, I find that taking my final dose at 3pm works best), and of course, it's very addictive (there's a reason college kids call it kiddy coke). If you have to go off Ritalin, do it gradually.
Well, I hope you find this somewhat helpful. Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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