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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:26
I was taking this combo, and seemed pretty good. I saw just a GP and said that I must quit one. That he could never go before any medical board and justify that combo.
Reactions?
Brian
Posted by delna on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
In reply to Is Provigil + Ritalin far too much stimulation?, posted by qbsbrown on January 25, 2008, at 14:52:59
Actually I am asking my doctor to add a stimulant to the provigil. His only worry is that it might make me high (I have bipolar 1 and have reacted badly to stimulants).
Other than that he seemed to have no reservations with a combo. I have heard of them being used together for extreme tiredness and if it has worked for you I don't see why it would be bad. Thats just from my personal understanding.
It may be worth doing a medline search if you are keen to have some information for your doctor. But in all honestly a GP cannot be familiar with or confident about combining such drugs (especially since one is a restricted drug.) Only a psychiatrist with experience could make such a call. Thats just my own view though- your GP may be very knowledgeable indeed.
Can I ask why you need a stimulant as well as Provigil? Are you at a high enough dose of provigil?
I'm pushing 250mg. What about you?
Take care
D
Posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
In reply to Re: Is Provigil + Ritalin far too much stimulation » qbsbrown, posted by delna on January 25, 2008, at 15:11:01
I was using the combo and was working til i moved and went to a gp. Yes, it has made me manic thought, some in a beneficial way, others not. I don't know how to prevent the maina. Lyrica is not working, and i don't like anti-convulsants, and the zyprexa defeats the purpose of the dopamine and NE i think.
Let me know your thoughts.
Brian
Posted by delna on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
In reply to Re: Is Provigil + Ritalin far too much stimulation, posted by qbsbrown on January 25, 2008, at 17:00:22
What do you suffer from? Is it bipolar?
Zyprexia is awful IMHO- it just made me a zombie but I'm now taking Geodon which actually stimulates me and helps somewhat with the tiredness. That might help the mania situation for you- it helps mine. But despite the mood-stabilizers and Geodon, if I add Ritalin I become high and destabilize. But thats just me- I'm really intolerant to it even at 0.25mg's.
Right now I am sticking to provigil at high doses- how much are you on?
What about the other stimulants like dexedrine or adderall (sp?)....my doctor was considering them for me because I can't tolerate ritalin. I wonder if they may act differently even though they are all the same family. Maybe one of those will suit you better.
D
Posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
In reply to Re: Is Provigil + Ritalin far too much stimulation, posted by delna on January 25, 2008, at 17:18:48
Once again even when i took the Geodon, it wiped out the good effects of the ritalin, a counter balance. I take ritalin 60 mgs, and provigil 400 mgs. It's given me great focus and concentration, finally becoming an asset at a job. It does seem to lead me to drink quite a bit, but i don't know what else to take.
I'll be in haitious now, moving in 2 weeks and have to find a doc, which will of course take 2 months.
Brian
Posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
In reply to Re: Is Provigil + Ritalin far too much stimulation, posted by delna on January 25, 2008, at 17:18:48
morning, evening, or night?
Brian
Posted by delna on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
In reply to When Do You Take Geodon???, posted by qbsbrown on January 25, 2008, at 18:25:59
Geodon- at night
Posted by yxibow on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
In reply to When Do You Take Geodon???, posted by qbsbrown on January 25, 2008, at 18:25:59
> morning, evening, or night?
>
> BrianIf you're one prone to akathisia, morning. Otherwise if it makes you sleepy, night I would assume.
Posted by CareBear04 on January 26, 2008, at 18:16:50
In reply to Is Provigil Ritalin far too much stimulation?, posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:26
i have combined provigil with adderall and occasionally adderall and concerta (ritalin). i was on provigil 200mg when my pdoc switched me over to adderall. she allowed me to keep taking the provigil as needed, but i think that may be because she didn't think too highly of it in the first place or find it very stimulating. i thought the two worked pretty well together-- the provigil corrected my attention problem to an extreme, making me so focused that i would do something for hours, forgetting about everything else. adderall gave me a little more energy and motivation. concerta and adderall, too, worked a little differently for me.
as for justifying combinations, i don't really know. my thought would be that the only authority your dr would need to answer to would be your insurance or whoever is subsidizing your meds. the concern then wouldn't be much the wisdom of the treatment choice as the resonsibility of paying for two drugs that are supposed to do about the same thing. drs are given a lot of discretion, particularly in treating mental illness, and their treatment choices are not usually questioned unless they deviate significantly from accepted standards. prescribing provigil + ritalin isn't unheard of, so my impression is that your dr may be proceeding a litle defensively instead of going with what seems to be working. but you would need more scientific information to back up your position...
cb
Posted by chocoholic on February 26, 2008, at 21:53:32
In reply to Is Provigil Ritalin far too much stimulation?, posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:26
I have been taking Concerta (long-acting Ritalin) for a year and Provigil for 1 1/2 years and they have been life-savers. I had been so tired, I had been driving with one eye open before the Provigil. I added the Concerta, because although I was more awake, my quality of life was impacted by the extreme fatigue. I was just barely going to work and doing little else--it was even impacting my marriage. My husband felt like he had lost me. The Concerta has given me back my life (I know this might sound like an advertisement!). I now have the energy to do the dishes and go out and have fun on the weekends. I'm still not feeling "normal", but things are so much better, I am grateful.I don't get hypomanic at all or wired; they simply make me feel more like myself.
I strongly recommend the combination!
Chocoholic
Posted by Molybdenum on March 3, 2008, at 14:16:13
In reply to Is Provigil Ritalin far too much stimulation?, posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:26
> I was taking this combo, and seemed pretty good. I saw just a GP and said that I must quit one. That he could never go before any medical board and justify that combo.
>
> Reactions?
>
> BrianI have taken both for daytime somnolence. I say......"KEEP THE PROVIGIL"....!
Chuck the Ritalin...!
Posted by 4WD on March 6, 2008, at 20:50:23
In reply to When Do You Take Geodon???, posted by qbsbrown on January 26, 2008, at 9:19:27
> morning, evening, or night?
>
> BrianHi Brian,
Geodon has been weird that way for me. Apparently I metabolize it really quickly so I take 20 mg as soon as I get up, 20mg about 5 hours later and 40 mg at bedtime. That seems to be the only dosage schedule that works for me. If I miss my midday dose I get a real bad feeling by about 4 or 5 pm.
Marsha
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