![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nickengland on May 21, 2005, at 16:17:13
Hello there :-)
Just wondering what people think of the use of ADD Stimulant meds for improving concentration and giving added energy for someone with Bipolar?... people on here say there good for depression (from some posts i've read)
What i'm interested to know is because Stimulants can be good for depression, like an anti-depressant can be.....Is this generally a bad thing to have in the case of Bipolar. Seeing as anti-depressants risk making bipolar worse and basically what goes "up" must come "down" - its the downs I can't stand the most, (depressions lasting for 6months)
I stay well away from anti-depressants. I also I only take one mood stabilser at a low dose, thats my only medication. I like this as I dont want to end up taking combos of meds as I feel for *myself* this would create more problems rather than help, what with side effects and things.
I'm still interested though as to what people think about the use Of ADD stimulants for people with Bipolar..not people with ADD & Bipolar..lol.although im happy to hear your thoughts too :- )
Posted by Paulbwell on May 21, 2005, at 16:55:18
In reply to Stimulants in the use of Bipolar..., posted by Nickengland on May 21, 2005, at 16:17:13
> Hello there :-)
>
> Just wondering what people think of the use of ADD Stimulant meds for improving concentration and giving added energy for someone with Bipolar?... people on here say there good for depression (from some posts i've read)
>
> What i'm interested to know is because Stimulants can be good for depression, like an anti-depressant can be.....Is this generally a bad thing to have in the case of Bipolar. Seeing as anti-depressants risk making bipolar worse and basically what goes "up" must come "down" - its the downs I can't stand the most, (depressions lasting for 6months)
>
> I stay well away from anti-depressants. I also I only take one mood stabilser at a low dose, thats my only medication. I like this as I dont want to end up taking combos of meds as I feel for *myself* this would create more problems rather than help, what with side effects and things.
>
> I'm still interested though as to what people think about the use Of ADD stimulants for people with Bipolar..not people with ADD & Bipolar..lol.although im happy to hear your thoughts too :- )
>
>Hi YA!
Amazingly i have read of several studies, where one mentioned Dextroamphetamine was given to 7 acutely manic folk, 5 responded well,. kinda an opposite reaction i guess, like thoes with ADHD where a stimulant stimulants overactive brain regions, calming other regions, odd i know
Posted by Nixon on May 21, 2005, at 21:52:01
In reply to Stimulants in the use of Bipolar..., posted by Nickengland on May 21, 2005, at 16:17:13
> Hello there :-)
>
> Just wondering what people think of the use of ADD Stimulant meds for improving concentration and giving added energy for someone with Bipolar?... people on here say there good for depression (from some posts i've read)
>
> What i'm interested to know is because Stimulants can be good for depression, like an anti-depressant can be.....Is this generally a bad thing to have in the case of Bipolar. Seeing as anti-depressants risk making bipolar worse and basically what goes "up" must come "down" - its the downs I can't stand the most, (depressions lasting for 6months)
>
> I stay well away from anti-depressants. I also I only take one mood stabilser at a low dose, thats my only medication. I like this as I dont want to end up taking combos of meds as I feel for *myself* this would create more problems rather than help, what with side effects and things.
>
> I'm still interested though as to what people think about the use Of ADD stimulants for people with Bipolar..not people with ADD & Bipolar..lol.although im happy to hear your thoughts too :- )
>
>There are many schools of thought on this. Personally I prefer augmenting an SSRI with an AED. As you tend to "stay away from antidepressants" I find the risk reward for me is better if I stay away from stimulants. The previous poster is right, it is all subjective.
Posted by Nickengland on May 22, 2005, at 4:30:48
In reply to Stimulants in the use of Bipolar..., posted by Nickengland on May 21, 2005, at 16:17:13
Thanks for those replys guys :-)
Guess I'd only find out if I tried them....could be that they help?..or not help lol...50/50!
Oh well its pretty hard getting them prescribed overhere here in the UK anyway...but i'm moving to Australia soon, so maybe i'll try them over there if its possible! lol
Thanks again,
Take care
Nick
Posted by Paulbwell on May 23, 2005, at 19:56:49
In reply to Thanks for the replys, posted by Nickengland on May 22, 2005, at 4:30:48
> Thanks for those replys guys :-)
>
> Guess I'd only find out if I tried them....could be that they help?..or not help lol...50/50!
>
> Oh well its pretty hard getting them prescribed overhere here in the UK anyway...but i'm moving to Australia soon, so maybe i'll try them over there if its possible! lol
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Take care
>
> NickHi Nick go for Dexamphetamine, it seems to be the most effective all round, and in reasonable doses, shouldn't cause bipolar to flar, hell it could help, I have been thrown a BP diagnosis, but even 100mgs Ritalin doesn't worsen it, hell it even helps often.
I'm hoping to get switched to Dex so we'll see, fingers crossed.
Peace dude.
Posted by theo on May 23, 2005, at 22:53:40
In reply to Stimulants in the use of Bipolar..., posted by Nickengland on May 21, 2005, at 16:17:13
I would stay away from stims for long term antidepressive use.
Posted by Nickengland on May 24, 2005, at 10:01:26
In reply to Re: Thanks for the replys » Nickengland, posted by Paulbwell on May 23, 2005, at 19:56:49
Hi Paul : )
Yes after reading up on some stims I quite like the sound of Dexamphetamine, I got so little chance of getting it prescribed over here though, although i'll mention to my psychiatrist at the next appointment.
Oh, is Dexamphetamine addictive?
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by Nickengland on May 24, 2005, at 10:03:47
In reply to Re: Stimulants in the use of Bipolar... » Nickengland, posted by theo on May 23, 2005, at 22:53:40
>I would stay away from stims for long term antidepressive use.
Hello Theo,
How come you would stay away...are you bipolar and have tried them before?
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by theo on May 24, 2005, at 15:27:08
In reply to Re: Stimulants in the use of Bipolar... theo, posted by Nickengland on May 24, 2005, at 10:03:47
> >I would stay away from stims for long term antidepressive use.
>
> Hello Theo,
>
> How come you would stay away...are you bipolar and have tried them before?
>
> Kind regards
>
> NickStimulants work great initially, but they cover up versus treating the underlying symptoms of depression, if that makes any sense. You instantly feel great, but that feeling can go away. In my case once I got to this point, I was much more depressed than when starting. Just make sure you are treating the underlying problems and only use stims if absolutely necessary.
Posted by Declan on May 26, 2005, at 17:33:21
In reply to Re: Stimulants in the use of Bipolar... theo » Nickengland, posted by theo on May 24, 2005, at 15:27:08
Dexedrine is the sort of stuff that would be so *useful* for a whole range of difficult activities, including I guess enjoying friday nights with friends. But I wouldn't want to take it too much. Perhaps its just as well I don't have access to it.
Declan
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.