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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sigismund on November 15, 2010, at 20:18:18
In reply to Dex - Second Chance, posted by Brainbeard on November 15, 2010, at 5:33:21
> Is this a foretaste of a future withdrawal hell?
I'd be very surprised.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 16, 2010, at 2:50:28
In reply to Re: Dex - Second Chance » Brainbeard, posted by sigismund on November 15, 2010, at 20:18:18
> I'd be very surprised.
Sigi, is your comment dripping with irony or what?
Posted by sigismund on November 16, 2010, at 13:23:10
In reply to Re: Dex - Second Chance, posted by Brainbeard on November 16, 2010, at 2:50:28
>Hence I took 2.5mg of dex yesterday for a painting chore in our newly bought house. It worked rather well! Cooperation with my wife went smoothly, which is, believe me, exceptional.
>Then again, after my dex break, I felt anxious and weary for days. Is this a foretaste of a future withdrawal hell?
Well,anything is possible. I was just hopeful that on this low dose of Dex that there would be no withdrawal reaction. I always used to tell myself that amphetamines had no withdrawal syndrome (like opiates, shall we say). You know but.....who knows?
No irony.
You said 'after my dex break'. Perhaps you meant 'during my Dex break'?
Posted by Brainbeard on November 17, 2010, at 6:14:44
In reply to Re: Dex - Second Chance » Brainbeard, posted by sigismund on November 16, 2010, at 13:23:10
> No irony.
Ah! So you were serious after all! I like that. :)
> You said 'after my dex break'. Perhaps you meant 'during my Dex break'?Indeed. I meant 'after I temporarily quit [before trying the 2.5mg PRN]'.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 19, 2010, at 16:43:41
In reply to Re: Dex - Second Chance, posted by Brainbeard on November 17, 2010, at 6:14:44
I feel so torn. I had to play the oracle slash walking dictionary again at work. People can come to me with their questions based on the questions their clients pose. They've asked me for the job because there are too little experts, so people like me can function as a kind of 'emergency experts'. They've asked me - I assume - because they think I'm intelligent, which is, in part, true. But I can also be dramatically obtuse. Today, there were moments where people were explaining a situation and my mind just went blank - like a total dissociation from what I was doing there. Sometimes I had to ask to repeat the situation.
You can see that this really gets to me since I haven't talked about meds yet. Well, my being obtuse in some respects is not something new, but I'm afraid it is exaggerated cruelly by the clomipramine. That's the disadvantage of a TCA - dry mouth, foggy brain.
I took 5mg of dex yesterday evening while on the bus home. I did it out of sheer boredom combined with a nagging sense of discontent. The dex high was not euphoric - perhaps due to clomipramine's anti-dopaminergic capabilities - but clean and quiet. On dex, for the first time in years, I don't bite my nails while biding my time.
I wanted to know if my cognitive functioning would be any better on methylphenidate (rita) instead of dex. So today I left my dexies on the shelf and took 18mg of Concerta shortly before work. It did make me feel kind of relaxed, but the brain fog was there alright. I have this neurotic sense of urgency about choosing between dex and rita. Maybe rita could save my career. Today's experience seems to suggest otherwise.
Perhaps my problem is that I have to play smart while I simpy am not smart enough or at least lack (some of) the skills for this specific task. Say something to ease my mind please!
Dex is weird, though. It makes me feel detached from reality, like watching it all from a distance. My p-doc says that dex can be a depressant, flattening out emotional life. How odd. Perhaps it's because of the paradoxical anti-dopaminergic effects that the Wikipedia article talks about. Dex as an alternative for an antipsychotic... What is the world coming to?
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Posted by Conundrum on November 20, 2010, at 10:42:14
In reply to Dexy Daisy, posted by Brainbeard on November 19, 2010, at 16:43:41
Have you considered asking for a muscarinic agonist? Some pdocs prescibe them to help with the very symptoms you mentioned, dry mouth and brain fog.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 20, 2010, at 13:54:15
In reply to Re: Dexy Daisy » Brainbeard, posted by Conundrum on November 20, 2010, at 10:42:14
Yeah, I'm already taking one, namely bethanechol, but it works better for constipation than for dry mouth, and doesn't help brain fog at all since it doesn't pass the blood-brain barrier.
> Have you considered asking for a muscarinic agonist? Some pdocs prescibe them to help with the very symptoms you mentioned, dry mouth and brain fog.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 22, 2010, at 6:20:28
In reply to Re: Dexy Daisy, posted by Brainbeard on November 20, 2010, at 13:54:15
Well, as it is now, I'm actually, who would have thought it, continuing the Dex.
Maybe it was bound to happen. Ever since I introduced the drug into my system ("brain, muscles, teeth: meet Mr. Dex!"), I haven't been the same.
At first the effects seemed detrimental, but now I'm getting to like dex. It supplies motivation and focus. The brain fog seems to lift now.
I would like to crank up the dose a little, since, come on - 2 x 5mg is a dose suitable for a newborn baby!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 22, 2010, at 15:59:53
In reply to Dexified, posted by Brainbeard on November 22, 2010, at 6:20:28
>2 x 5mg is a dose suitable for a newborn baby
Babies on stimulants - it could only happen in America.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 26, 2010, at 10:21:08
In reply to Dexified, posted by Brainbeard on November 22, 2010, at 6:20:28
I impulsively stopped taking Dex for a few days. Was wondering wether I could do without it. Well, I've become sick, throat virus, not dex related I'm sure. Day two without dex, melancholia began to strike. Also, chaos seemed to be back with a vengeance. Libido flew away.
Today I took a mini-dose of 1.25mg in the morning and another 1.25mg in the afternoon. I feel better. Chaos lifts. Feel enthusiasm coming back. Libido returns.
Maybe I could get by on supersmall maintenance doses, and then take more for the better type of chore busting.
My wife has noticed me grinding my teeth in my sleep a couple of times. That may be due to the dex.
I talked to my p-doc a few days ago, and told him how dex was at first a disappointment, with the anti-social effects and the extra anxiety. P-doc said that dex can have a flattening effect indeed. It was good to hear it's not that exotic. But luckily those effects faded after a few weeks.
[The post title was only coined to attract more readers, really.]
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2010, at 19:02:52
In reply to Sexy Dexie, posted by Brainbeard on November 26, 2010, at 10:21:08
Try the lower dose for now and see how it goes? Phillipa
Posted by Brainbeard on November 27, 2010, at 14:53:56
In reply to Re: Sexy Dexie » Brainbeard, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2010, at 19:02:52
Exactly.
> Try the lower dose for now and see how it goes? Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 28, 2010, at 7:35:36
In reply to Sexy Dexie, posted by Brainbeard on November 26, 2010, at 10:21:08
>Today I took a mini-dose of 1.25mg in the morning and another 1.25mg in the afternoon. I feel better.
Has to be better than being on a huge dose. It will certainly be easier to obtain further prescriptions. No doctor likes patients who get through their sexy Dexy too quickly.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 28, 2010, at 14:49:07
In reply to Re: Sexy Dexie, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 28, 2010, at 7:35:36
Indeed, Ed, my p-doc has already said he thought it would be important to keep the dose low... I hope to convince him otherwise. 'With stimulants, it's important, doc, to keep raising the dose. I'm serious!'
Posted by Brainbeard on November 28, 2010, at 15:02:19
In reply to Re: Sexy Dexie, posted by Brainbeard on November 28, 2010, at 14:49:07
I impulsively stopped taking Dex for a few days. Was wondering wether I could do without it. My wife has noticed me grinding my teeth in my sleep a couple of times. That may be due to the dex.
Well, I've become sick. Throat virus. Not dex related I'm sure!
Day two without dex, melancholia began to strike. Also, chaos seemed to be back with a vengeance. Libido flew out of the window.
Yesterday I took a mini-dose of 1.25mg in the morning and another 1.25mg in the afternoon. I felt better. Chaos lifted. Felt enthusiasm coming back. Libido returned.
Maybe I could get by on supersmall maintenance doses, and then take more for the better type of chore busting.
I talked to my p-doc last week, telephonic consultation, and told him how dex was at first a disappointment, with the anti-social effects (and the extra anxiety). P-doc said that dex can have a flattening effect indeed. It was good to hear it's not that exotic. Luckily, those effects faded after a few weeks.
Today, I had to survive my wife's birthday party, so I took 7.5mg of dex in total, with 10mg of oxazepam. Right after popping the first dex, my wife asked me to deconstruct a computer desk, which involved pulling and moving lots of cables. I then realized that dex only helps me with situations that are somehow familiar and ordered. Cables represent primeval chaos snakes to me. That's why I popped the ox. And then more dex to counter the sedation. Right. Uhuh. Take downers with your uppers and uppers with your downers.. I think increased anxiety and irritability in unfamiliar, stressful situations are just the price for increased drive and focus in 'cool' situations.
I hope to be at work again tomorrow. On dex, I think. Maybe just a little. S, instead of XL.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 28, 2010, at 16:34:56
In reply to Dexamized, Undersized, posted by Brainbeard on November 28, 2010, at 15:02:19
>Today, I had to survive my wife's birthday party
Ha ha ha! Shouldn't that be enjoyable?
>Take downers with your uppers and uppers with your downers..
How very 1950s.
Posted by sigismund on November 28, 2010, at 16:37:02
In reply to Dexamized, Undersized, posted by Brainbeard on November 28, 2010, at 15:02:19
>Today, I had to survive my wife's birthday party, so I took 7.5mg of dex in total, with 10mg of oxazepam. Right after popping the first dex, my wife asked me to deconstruct a computer desk, which involved pulling and moving lots of cables. I then realized that dex only helps me with situations that are somehow familiar and ordered. Cables represent primeval chaos snakes to me. That's why I popped the ox. And then more dex to counter the sedation. Right. Uhuh. Take downers with your uppers and uppers with your downers.. I think increased anxiety and irritability in unfamiliar, stressful situations are just the price for increased drive and focus in 'cool' situations.
When I went to my daughter's speechnight and had to sit with other parents for hours and then partner my (reluctant) daughter for the first dance I had no Dex at all and dearly wished I had.
I took 2 or 3 tianeptines and some Valium and a few drinks. Dreadful experience. I wished I'd had some Dex then.
Posted by Brainbeard on November 29, 2010, at 16:03:43
In reply to Re: Dexamized, Undersized, posted by sigismund on November 28, 2010, at 16:37:02
I love the 50s.
I find Dex hardly ideal for social interactions - unless they are professional.
Posted by europerep on December 4, 2010, at 9:54:38
In reply to Re: Dexamized, Undersized, posted by Brainbeard on November 29, 2010, at 16:03:43
hello BB...
I was actually surprised to read that dexamphetamine is available on prescription in the netherlands.. could you give me a little details on what it is used for? like, is there a chance to get it for treatment-resistant depression? I can't find any info on how and when it is used..
I guess I would have a hard time getting someone to prescribe it to me, especially when it would be the first time I'd see the doc, but maybe I should try...thanks!
Posted by Brainbeard on December 5, 2010, at 16:06:32
In reply to To Brainbeard, posted by europerep on December 4, 2010, at 9:54:38
It's prescribed for
1) AD(H)D
2) narcolepsy
Other uses are off-label, but theoretically possible. I know of a girl who gets 15mg of dex three times a day for treatment resistant depression.
Posted by Brainbeard on December 9, 2010, at 16:12:37
In reply to Re: To Brainbeard, posted by Brainbeard on December 5, 2010, at 16:06:32
I'm slowly giving in to taking my prescribed dosis of dextroamphetamine instant release, which is 5mg twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon. Actually sticking to what's prescribed almost feels like a crime this time, since Dex is notoriously addictive - or dependence forming, if you like that better. I don't care. It's all the same to me. And no, I won't go stealing old ladies' purses to get my dex. Not as long as I have a prescription. ;)
At work, a little bit of selegiline makes all the difference between functional focus and counterproductive hyperfocus. Research has shown that dex actually helps one to shut off brain regions not needed for the task at hand, while highlighting those area's that are needed. That's increased focus. But perhaps my brain fog is caused by a difficulty switching between different sorts of tasks, or a difficulty in differentiating important from irrelevant details, or both. However, as soon as I add 2.5mg of selegiline (the life lengthening selective MAO-B inhibitor and dopamine and noradrenaline signalling booster), everything falls into place.
But - such things come at a price, naturally. My body temperature is greatly increased on this combination. I worked in my t-shirt today, while it was freezing and snowing outside. I also notice tachycardia, a rapid heartbeat. These are things I worry about.
Cool about dex is that it does help me to start and finish tasks that I would normally postpone into eternity.
Yeah! I feel empowered.
Posted by Brainbeard on December 12, 2010, at 14:27:36
In reply to Dex is COOOOOOOOOOOL perhaps, posted by Brainbeard on December 9, 2010, at 16:12:37
Well, it turns out that the 'empowerment' spoken of in the above post only happens when I add both selegiline (2.5mg is enough) and at least one cup of coffee to my Dex. Remarkable. Because of inhibited caffeine breakdown through 1A2 inhibition by fluvoxamine (aka Luvox), I take no more than two cups of coffee a day. The equivalent amount of cups for a liver functioning normally is roughly twelve cups. Well, six, at least.
I'm thinking of adding flupentixol, the atypical classical antipsychotic that is anxiolytic, analgetic and mood brightening in low doses (0.5mg is the standard dose for such use). Dex and Flupe would make a neat combo.
Posted by Brainbeard on December 16, 2010, at 15:57:35
In reply to Dextro Energy, posted by Brainbeard on December 12, 2010, at 14:27:36
I've started listening to Elliott Smith. I've been reading about his tragic life. Elliott Smith took to pharmacotherapy in the last part of his life. He appears to have been on Klonopin (clonazepam), Remeron (mirtazapine) and Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) at least before he died. He would also have used AP's, but I can't find which one(s) anywhere.
Well, I'm probably not one tenth as depressed as Elliott was. My drug abuse pales in comparison too. What a loser I am.
Oh, I tried not taking Dex for a couple of days. I seemed to survive rather well, but got ill with the flu. Coincidence? Or Dex's way of saying 'I miss you'? I took 2.5mg again today and did feel better. I also popped 5mg of Valium two days ago, knowing full well that it will stay in my system for five days at least because of a major drug interaction.
Damn, our dishwashing machine is running mad. It won't stop, damn f*ck*r. Maybe I oughta write a song about it.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on December 18, 2010, at 9:09:56
In reply to Dexorcism, posted by Brainbeard on December 16, 2010, at 15:57:35
Perhaps prn use is best? At least that way your body doesn't get dependent.
Posted by Brainbeard on December 18, 2010, at 13:26:16
In reply to Re: Dexorcism, posted by ed_uk2010 on December 18, 2010, at 9:09:56
> Perhaps prn use is best? At least that way your body doesn't get dependent.
>I thought so too. Unfortunately, I already seem to have become dependent.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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