[Wild Coyote]

Stimulants are often mentioned on this forum.

Which stimulants have you tried?
Which have been most helpful? At what dose?
Anything else you'd like to share about your experience with stimulants?

Thanks!

WC

[Wild Coyote]

I have taken:

Ritalin - not helpful to me
Provigil - headaches and not helpful
Adderall - Somewhat helpful. I had been taking 10 mg 2-3 times a day. I am now trying 15-20 mg twice a day.

I take the stimulant 2 hours before I get up for the day, as it seems to take that long to kick in, even as an immediate release formula.


WC

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I've used provigil and nuvigil. Both worked. I don't remember the doses. They don't work nearly as well now that I"m not working because without a reason to get up I just go back to sleep anyway so I no longer take them but when I was working they were invaluable.

[Moreta]

I've been on all of them. I found dexedrine to work the best but would end up with headaches from clenching my jaw all the time. lol. Adderall is pretty decent at high doses. I'm on provigil now. I eat them like candy though. I did order this stuff called smart coffee though that worked better than all the stimulants I've been on, so will let you know how that goes. The sample I had went well.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Moreta

I've been on all of them. I found dexedrine to work the best but would end up with headaches from clenching my jaw all the time. lol. Adderall is pretty decent at high doses. I'm on provigil now. I eat them like candy though. I did order this stuff called smart coffee though that worked better than all the stimulants I've been on, so will let you know how that goes. The sample I had went well.

I did read about your experience with the trial/sample of the smart coffee. I am looking forward to learning more!
I wonder what makes it different from other caffeinated coffees? Is It expensive?

I find I break into heavy sweats if/when I mix fully caffeinated coffees and Adderall. However, coffee, alone, is not enough for me. (For caffeinated coffee: Starbucks Sumatra or New England Coffee's Dark Magic.)

I am looking forward to your review of "Smart Coffee."

WC

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I've used provigil and nuvigil. Both worked. I don't remember the doses. They don't work nearly as well now that I"m not working because without a reason to get up I just go back to sleep anyway so I no longer take them but when I was working they were invaluable.

This is good to know!
I have headaches with Provigil. I've had troubles getting Nuvigil prescribed/covered.
I am sure this info will help someone!

WC

My pdoc started me on 20mg of Adderall XR. Made me manic. Apparently I made some weird thread here where I explained

Possible trigger:

the voices that told me to kill myself

but I went to work anyway. I felt that they were bring mean for no reason. I had to work... and I didn't trust the voices.

Other than Adderall, I've tried Ritalin and it helps to a degree

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

My pdoc started me on 20mg of Adderall XR. Made me manic. Apparently I made some weird thread here where I explained

Possible trigger:

the voices that told me to kill myself

but I went to work anyway. I felt that they were bring mean for no reason. I had to work... and I didn't trust the voices.

Other than Adderall, I've tried Ritalin and it helps to a degree

I am sorry that happened to you. I was so very concerned about you when that happened!

I have never tried the "XR" formulation of Adderall. I can see why pdocs might prescribe it. I like to be able to tailor my dosages throughout the day. One day, I might need a higher dose twice a day, when another day, I might vary the dose, depending upon demands/illness, etc.

I am glad Ritalin helps you.

Thanks for sharing!

WC

Provigil was prescribed to me by two different psychiatrists during periods when I was depressed and having hypersomnia and daytime fatigue. I became manic both times. The second time I wanted to abuse it to maintain the manic high. I learned a lesson, and no stimulant was ever prescribed again. Luckily nowadays there is no need.

[Moreta]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I did read about your experience with the trial/sample of the smart coffee. I am looking forward to learning more!
I wonder what makes it different from other caffeinated coffees? Is It expensive?

I find I break into heavy sweats if/when I mix fully caffeinated coffees and Adderall. However, coffee, alone, is not enough for me. (For caffeinated coffee: Starbucks Sumatra or New England Coffee's Dark Magic.)

I am looking forward to your review of "Smart Coffee."

WC

Yeah I probably should've skipped the provigil the day I tried it. hahaha. tbh i didn't have high hopes for it. I'm hoping it can replace the provigil cause it's less than half the cost since APPARENTLY insurance won't cover provigil this year. The smart coffee is $40 a month. Now I know what's causing the fatigue though (fatty liver disease) so hopefully I can do something about it. I contacted a nutritionist today so hopefully I can come up with a game plan. I understand the fatigue though. It sucks. Maybe we should call it "wet noodle syndrome." hahaha. I remember not being tired at one point in my life. I'd like to get back to that point.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Provigil was prescribed to me by two different psychiatrists during periods when I was depressed and having hypersomnia and daytime fatigue. I became manic both times. The second time I wanted to abuse it to maintain the manic high. I learned a lesson, and no stimulant was ever prescribed again. Luckily nowadays there is no need.

I am sorry that had happened to you. I am glad you are okay.

Both you and "bluebicycle" have mentioned mania/psychosis from stimulants and this is a VERY IMPORTANT point! Some of us need stimulants and can tolerate them, while stimulants can be very dangerous to others of us.

Thank you so much for sharing!

WC

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Moreta

Yeah I probably should've skipped the provigil the day I tried it. hahaha. tbh i didn't have high hopes for it. I'm hoping it can replace the provigil cause it's less than half the cost since APPARENTLY insurance won't cover provigil this year. The smart coffee is $40 a month. Now I know what's causing the fatigue though (fatty liver disease) so hopefully I can do something about it. I contacted a nutritionist today so hopefully I can come up with a game plan. I understand the fatigue though. It sucks. Maybe we should call it "wet noodle syndrome." hahaha. I remember not being tired at one point in my life. I'd like to get back to that point.

I remember not being tired, too, and it was FUN! So enjoyable!
I've had so many years of severe fatigue now, I cannot possibly "catch up," yet I am hoping to find a way to "keep up" with the Present Moments.

We buy a lot of coffee here, including a lot of decaf. I wish I could get my coffee for $40.00 per month! I price it out by the pound. How much is the coffee per pound?

"Wet noodle syndrome" is right!


WC

I take vyvanse. Zoloft knocks me out and vyvanse keeps me upright. I'm on a low dose and have no side effects. I have to limit myself to one cup of coffee though or I get seriously aggitated.

[Moreta]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I remember not being tired, too, and it was FUN! So enjoyable!
I've had so many years of severe fatigue now, I cannot possibly "catch up," yet I am hoping to find a way to "keep up" with the Present Moments.

We buy a lot of coffee here, including a lot of decaf. I wish I could get my coffee for $40.00 per month! I price it out by the pound. How much is the coffee per pound?

"Wet noodle syndrome" is right!


WC

It comes in a little tub. It's instant coffee. You probably use like a teaspoon or so a day. https://elevacity.com/bestdietrichlife/smartcoffee You can find out more about it on that page.

I really know how frustrating it is to feel so tired/dragged down that you can hardly do anything, and at least in my past cases concentration is also therefore affected. That reminds us that bipolar disorder is an illness where "energy levels" are significantly affected.

I must confess, too, to occasionally doing naughty things to help with this. My pdoc got very angry at me when I confessed (years after the Provigil experience) to using pseudoephedrine for some relief. My pharmacist wouldn't even sell this to me. I felt almost like an illegal drug buyer going to other pharmacies for it. Sometimes they would ask who it was for and I'd say "My husband" and even lie that he took no medications.

I do NOT want anyone to take the above as a suggestion. I just wanted to emphasize how I really can relate to the desperation of having low energy levels. So you know, I no longer take the pseudoephedrine. I really have vowed to stop improper self-medication after doing it, with ultimately bad results, for much of my life.

As said, my energy levels are much improved with stability.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

I take vyvanse. Zoloft knocks me out and vyvanse keeps me upright. I'm on a low dose and have no side effects. I have to limit myself to one cup of coffee though or I get seriously aggitated.

It's great it helps and there are no side-effects for you!
I hear a lot of good things about Vyvanse.
Yes, I think any of us using stimulants likely need to watch caffeine intake.
Thank you for sharing!


WC

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

I really know how frustrating it is to feel so tired/dragged down that you can hardly do anything, and at least in my past cases concentration is also therefore affected. That reminds us that bipolar disorder is an illness where "energy levels" are significantly affected.

I must confess, too, to occasionally doing naughty things to help with this. My pdoc got very angry at me when I confessed (years after the Provigil experience) to using pseudoephedrine for some relief. My pharmacist wouldn't even sell this to me. I felt almost like an illegal drug buyer going to other pharmacies for it. Sometimes they would ask who it was for and I'd say "My husband" and even lie that he took no medications.

I do NOT want anyone to take the above as a suggestion. I just wanted to emphasize how I really can relate to the desperation of having low energy levels. So you know, I no longer take the pseudoephedrine. I really have vowed to stop improper self-medication after doing it, with ultimately bad results, for much of my life.

As said, my energy levels are much improved with stability.

Great points!

We can feel desperate for relief from the physical and the mental energy crisis!

A very good point about pseudoephedrine. I have a friend living with debilitating effects from a pseudoephedrine - induced stroke.

It's helpful to know your "energy levels are much improved with stability."
I am happy for you. I also feel that is a hope-filled statement.

Thanks, again, again for your contributions to this thread. Important topic/discussion, imho. It's certainly helpful to me.


WC

[Patagonia]

I was prescribed provigil which worked for awhile. The best & longest stimulant I used by prescription was Concerta. Close to 8 yrs worked great. Then we tried adderall & didn’t do much. I was told I had built up resistance to it. A yr later I tried Concerta again & no luck.
Now I take a stimulant, off market, that is chemically based off of provigil & I’ve had luck with it for 4 yrs. I do take breaks from it & time it differently so I don’t build up a resistance to it. So far so good.

But when my depression is really bad, it’ll bleed thru the dose & I cut back knowing it’ll be wasted, instead of trying to add more.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Patagonia

I was prescribed provigil which worked for awhile. The best & longest stimulant I used by prescription was Concerta. Close to 8 yrs worked great. Then we tried adderall & didn’t do much. I was told I had built up resistance to it. A yr later I tried Concerta again & no luck.
Now I take a stimulant, off market, that is chemically based off of provigil & I’ve had luck with it for 4 yrs. I do take breaks from it & time it differently so I don’t build up a resistance to it. So far so good.

But when my depression is really bad, it’ll bleed thru the dose & I cut back knowing it’ll be wasted, instead of trying to add more.

I wonder a lot about resistance. I think it does happen and then what? I also try to avid resistance by trying to avoid dependence -- varying the dosage amounts and times on certain days. Yet, I feel this works against me, possibly. I think I may get a better effect than I am getting if I beef up the dose a bit and keep a daily schedule with it (which may make me eventually both dependent and addicted).

Oh, the things we do in order to try to function!

Are you able to share the name of the off-label Provigil-based stimulant?
Is it Nuvigil?

Thanks so much for joining in and sharing!


WC

[seoultous]

I take Ritalin prn. It works for me when I feel myself sink into a mild depression.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by seoultous

I take Ritalin prn. It works for me when I feel myself sink into a mild depression.

I am glad you can take it prn.
It's great, too, that it works for you!
Thanks for commenting.

WC

[tecomsin]

I took provigil years ago but it had no noticeable effect. Now my energy state is even lower so I'm thinking of trying a different stimulant. Can anyone comment on what, if any, effect their stimulant med had on anxiety?

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by tecomsin

I took provigil years ago but it had no noticeable effect. Now my energy state is even lower so I'm thinking of trying a different stimulant. Can anyone comment on what, if any, effect their stimulant med had on anxiety?

Ritalin did not make me anxious.

Adderall, at higher doses (20mg. 2-3xday), can make me feel a little irritable; yet, not anxious per se. I, personally, have had better luck with Adderall. Better than Provigil and/or Ritalin.

Thanks for joining the discussion.


WC

[Tucson]

I have taken amphetamine salts, Adderoll. This had helped me through a bad episode of depression. At the time I was taking this stimulant, I also was taking two antidepressants, Fluoxetine and Buproprion. Oh yes, furthermore, I also was taking l-thyroxine for an added boost. IOW I was medicated “to the gills” of different antidepressant medications. This worked. I then went on to another simpler med cocktail.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Tucson

I have taken amphetamine salts, Adderoll. This had helped me through a bad episode of depression. At the time I was taking this stimulant, I also was taking two antidepressants, Fluoxetine and Buproprion. Oh yes, furthermore, I also was taking l-thyroxine for an added boost. IOW I was medicated “to the gills” of different antidepressant medications. This worked. I then went on to another simpler med cocktail.

I am glad this helped you.

I am also adding Adderall to bupropion, citalopram and Abilify. hoping it will boost me. (Oh, I also take thyroid meds -- levothyroxine.)

Thanks for sharing your experience with stimulants.


WC