[mamaJenof5]

I have been studing meds for something to overcome this complete lack of energy and the fact I have no focus...I have read about some studies where adderall was introduced to bipolar patients and they did great on them only a couple experienced extreme mania from it but it over came the sadation from meds and the deprression. I am going to ask my doctor about this I was just wondering if anyone else was taking this or has thought about it.

[cocos421]

Hi Jenni,
I had given it a thought. I would love to try it. From what I hear, it gives you alot of energy. I also have a problem with concentration and focus. However, I don't have the guts to ask my pdoc for it. I couldn't ask my last pdoc, and I have a new one now, maybe she'd go for it, I don't know.
My husband would freak if I came home with another med, especially that.
I don't think my last one would have given it to me because I have had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
I'd like to know what happens at your appointment, if you get it or not. Good luck.

[mamaJenof5]

Originally Posted by cocos421

Hi Jenni,
I had given it a thought. I would love to try it. From what I hear, it gives you alot of energy. I also have a problem with concentration and focus. However, I don't have the guts to ask my pdoc for it. I couldn't ask my last pdoc, and I have a new one now, maybe she'd go for it, I don't know.
My husband would freak if I came home with another med, especially that.
I don't think my last one would have given it to me because I have had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
I'd like to know what happens at your appointment, if you get it or not. Good luck.

I also am thinking my docs really good in wanting to let me try whatever she and I feel will help...I know problems can develop but I really know something like this would just help me over all. I just want to be better and get off my butt...ya know I'm tired of be tired

[Moreta]

I've taken adderall on and off over the past 5 years. I just build up a tolerance for it in about 6 months, when I max out around 60-75 mg. It's a very productive 6 months, but then we have to try something different, and sometimes it's been ADD meds that are not stimulants (which I might add, I hate). Currently I'm on Dexedrine SP 45 mg, and it started out good, but now I'm starting to feel tired all the time again, then there's the whole lack of concentration.....

I was actually going to ask my Psych next week if maybe I could try something that's prescribed for narcolepsy....or maybe some adderall xr.....or Vyvanese.

[Anneinside]

I take Concerta, which is basically long-acting Ritalin. Once I started it I found that I had more energy (no manic energy) to get up and do things. It was once up to 72mg but now down to 36mg. I can still make myself do things but I have to put in more effort than when I was at 72mg. My concentration is much better though than before Concerta. I told my doctor about my lack of motivation and that I was doing was sitting and staring and she tried me on Ritalin for 3 days. When I tolerated that well she put me on Concerta.

[mamaJenof5]

Thanks guys! I go today and I'm hoping for something to help! I don't see anyone but my Family doc and she is really trying to help me so we've kind of been going on a trialand error thing.mostly reaserched by me and then she consults w/ other docs and kind of does some research herself...so far in the three years I have been with her, my research has proven well but after so long I need to switch things is it too much to ask for one miracle drug! lol I know I know never gonna happen but one can pray!

[nirmal]

Hello again I have looked on the web and it is an amphetamine. It´s called "speed" on the street. It produces behavior similar to mania, so it´s not used to treat bipolar, as it can trigger mood changes.

Be careful of this one, my friend, because more problems could occur. It can also be addictive.

For me, I take effexor, and have increased energy.

pease and light,
nirmal

I have been studing meds for something to overcome this complete lack of energy and the fact I have no focus...I have read about some studies where adderall was introduced to bipolar patients and they did great on them only a couple experienced extreme mania from it but it over came the sadation from meds and the deprression. I am going to ask my doctor about this I was just wondering if anyone else was taking this or has thought about it.[/quote]

[IndigoRose]

I haven't had good experiences with drugs of this nature, but my youngest brother takes this. He's 15 and does all right on it, but I personally feel it wasn't a good choice for him. Everyone is different. Just err on the side of caution.

[Moreta]

Hello again I have looked on the web and it is an amphetamine. It´s called "speed" on the street. It produces behavior similar to mania, so it´s not used to treat bipolar, as it can trigger mood changes.

Be careful of this one, my friend, because more problems could occur. It can also be addictive.

For me, I take effexor, and have increased energy.

Effexor makes me crap out....

Need amphetamines to stay awake.

And yes, they are very addictive. DO NOT TELL ANYONE that you are taking any kind of stimulant, b/c people that are addicted to them, don't really care how they get the drug, which is why I always carry mine in my pocket book, since most likely if they're at your house, you might not have any medicine left in the medicine cabinet. I don't care if they want to take my other ones, that's fine by me. They would most likely end up having a stroke if they took all the medicine I take. ha. *Genius Thought* Take all the adderall out of the bottle. Replace with something like Seroquel. Let the fun commence. *Do not do this, I'm pretty sure there could be legal repercussions* Even though it would be totally their fault.

well that was off topic.

[mamaJenof5]

The effexor was helping for awhile but we discovered the extreme pain I was having might have alot to do with the amounts of serotonin it was putting in my body. So I went off that and I have just been so down and tired and not really able to do anything.I have also looked up the pros and cons of adderall and bipolar to me being manic is better than being depressed. at least then I'm out of bed and my house is clean. And I have read from other forums were people who take adderall have done great and didn't have manic conditions due to it...but also I have read where they have had some..I am willing to find out if it is gonna work for me...my whole lifes been trial and error anyway!

[Slothrop]

Yep, I take it (and Vyvanse) to fight off fatigue from bipolar II meds and general depression. It helps me A LOT. It's not necessarily a problem with bipolar--I think it depends on having appropriate mood stabilizers in place. Do proceed with caution if you have any history of addiction; amphetamines aren't addictive for everyone, but it can happen.

[nirmal]

Hello again!

You are so right, I too would much rather be in hypo/manic state than depression. I have had only 2 big time full blown mania episodes, but I stay in hypomanic most of the time, thank God.

My problem is fat fat fat! All of the meds I take has caused my appetite to
explode. I was wondering if anybody had a med for BP that helped weight loss. The concerta looks promising, but any type of amphetamine my pdoc
would never give me. I have read that wellbutron causes weight loss. Anybody heard that? I, too, have to be careful about meds that may trigger mood from up or down.

Any response would make me very happy!

thanks,
nirmal



The effexor was helping for awhile but we discovered the extreme pain I was having might have alot to do with the amounts of serotonin it was putting in my body. So I went off that and I have just been so down and tired and not really able to do anything.I have also looked up the pros and cons of adderall and bipolar to me being manic is better than being depressed. at least then I'm out of bed and my house is clean. And I have read from other forums were people who take adderall have done great and didn't have manic conditions due to it...but also I have read where they have had some..I am willing to find out if it is gonna work for me...my whole lifes been trial and error anyway![/quote]

[mamaJenof5]

Yeah my doc wasn't too thrilled about the idea but she started me on prozac(didn't work when I took it 8 years ago) and the lamictal...and said come back in 2 weeks and we will c if you are any better then I'll let you try it! what ever she knows in two weeks the prozac prob won't be kicked in and/or I could be in a hypo/manic state but whatever I say Just as long as I end up w/ what I think will help me in the end. Yeah I know adderall can be addictive but if it gets me out of bed and has me taking care of my family then I'm all for it. I'm just at my end here...20 years of no hope and 10 years of trying just to fail ..well it has me looking for other options like going and checking myself into a long term clininc where I will make it so I never get out I'm just so tired all the time and angry...and angry at what? I don't know...myself? I'm sick of hurting everyone around me. anyway thats me rambling again

[Anneinside]

Nirmal, Topomax is known to be weight neutral or cause weight loss.

[looking4polaris]

I've taken Provigil with success. Also, Strattera (but I've got ADHD and bipolar). I also have a history of addiction problems and my pdoc didn't have any issues with prescribing those two meds. He won't give me Adderall or any other amphetamines, but has felt ok giving me those two. I have not had any trouble with them pushing me into mania. I do tend to stay on the edge of hypomania most of the time, but take both Topamax and Geodon, too. If I feel myself getting too "high", I just take an extra Geodon an it keeps me level enough. The Strattera keeps me focused and I don't have trouble anymore with the lack of motivation or tiredness.

Good luck.

[thinker22]

Originally Posted by looking4polaris

I've taken Provigil with success. Also, Strattera (but I've got ADHD and bipolar). I also have a history of addiction problems and my pdoc didn't have any issues with prescribing those two meds. He won't give me Adderall or any other amphetamines, but has felt ok giving me those two. I have not had any trouble with them pushing me into mania. I do tend to stay on the edge of hypomania most of the time, but take both Topamax and Geodon, too. If I feel myself getting too "high", I just take an extra Geodon an it keeps me level enough. The Strattera keeps me focused and I don't have trouble anymore with the lack of motivation or tiredness.

Good luck.

I was just going to mention that I am on a non-amphetamine that works to combat daytime tiredness: Nuvigil. It is usually prescribed for narcolepsy. I have had so little energy for weeks that she's upping its dose tomorrow. I'm also taking Geodon to counter it and the Wellbutrin's effects to keep me from being too high...and hearing a voice...if I ever were high.

Maybe if the doc doesn't want to give you a stimulant, one of the anti-narcolepsy meds will help.

Take care.

[nirmal]

Hi Anneinside,

I´ll look into it. Tnanks for tip!

]Nirmal, Topomax is known to be weight neutral or cause weight loss.[/quote]

[mamaJenof5]

Originally Posted by thinker22

I was just going to mention that I am on a non-amphetamine that works to combat daytime tiredness: Nuvigil. It is usually prescribed for narcolepsy. I have had so little energy for weeks that she's upping its dose tomorrow. I'm also taking Geodon to counter it and the Wellbutrin's effects to keep me from being too high...and hearing a voice...if I ever were high.

Maybe if the doc doesn't want to give you a stimulant, one of the anti-narcolepsy meds will help.

Take care.

Thats the problem I am fighting...I'm just so tired ALL the time. I take my kids to and from school and (its about 15 min eachway) I sometimes (more than not) have to pull over and take a cat nap. This happens too much during the day I am falling asleep all the time! I can't keep this up it is killing my life!

[nirmal]

Hi Jenni,

I read your post twice, and felt that I have been exactly where you are
for the past 20yrs too.

I don´t like preachers, but please go to aypsite.org (they say you can
lead a horse to the water, but you can´t make him drink)!!! This particular spiritual path offers free lessons that can transform your life. I hear you, in your pain, and I extend my hand to you in friendship.

Things will get better. Don´t give up hope that all of your questions will be answered.

Hang in there
nirmal



Yeah my doc wasn't too thrilled about the idea but she started me on prozac(didn't work when I took it 8 years ago) and the lamictal...and said come back in 2 weeks and we will c if you are any better then I'll let you try it! what ever she knows in two weeks the prozac prob won't be kicked in and/or I could be in a hypo/manic state but whatever I say Just as long as I end up w/ what I think will help me in the end. Yeah I know adderall can be addictive but if it gets me out of bed and has me taking care of my family then I'm all for it. I'm just at my end here...20 years of no hope and 10 years of trying just to fail ..well it has me looking for other options like going and checking myself into a long term clininc where I will make it so I never get out I'm just so tired all the time and angry...and angry at what? I don't know...myself? I'm sick of hurting everyone around me. anyway thats me rambling again[/quote]

[mamaJenof5]

So this is how bad things are getting, I was taking my kids to school on friday and almost wrecked b/c I was falling asleep behind the wheel! I pulled over and called my docs office crying and there is just nothing they can do till I go in this friday) IDK whatelse to do ...this is not the first time this has happened and I don't see it being the last....I just want some hope there is an end to it all..........

[Slothrop]

So sorry...yes, there are meds out there that will really help with this problem...the challenge is often just getting the doc to understand and prescribe the right thing!

Would hate to see you get in an accident because of this, especially with kids in the car. Is there any way you can work around that until you see your doc? I know how hard the logistics can be...but falling asleep at the wheel is such a huge risk....

[mamaJenof5]

Thank God my doctor is as great as she is! Today she started me on adderall xr 10mg. But at the same time she also tells me she is moving in June and I will have to start to see one of her partners I have see one of them and I like him enough but just when I get someone to see the problems and try to fix them....I have been seeing her for years ...I feel like my hope for help is vanishing....I will keep you posted as to how well this med is working

Is this just a family doc? I would strongly suggest you get to a psychiatrist who has more experience dealing with these meds.

[mamaJenof5]

I have had more help w/ my fam doc than anyother pdoc I have seen. It seems the only two options I have in my town are so old and have no clue as to what to do to help me. I have been dealing w/ this for 10 years and believe me I have tried all of that.

[scared1960]

i have refractory depression and my dr put mr on 45 mg adderall on april 7...im not feeling the energy......does it take awhile to energise a person..i feel abit better now that my heartrate sint so high but still no energy..my dr put me on xanax and prozac in march and then added the adderall..he said it would give me a boost.....ithought i woud be jumping up and down by now.......some pahrmists have told me it has to build up and others say it works fast so i just dont know...i definetly need both mental and physical energy..anyone know how long it takes or maybe the xanax keeps me from having energy