[Hopefullywellsoon1]

Hi everyone, I have been thru about a dozen antidepressants (last being the MAOI parnate) plus antipsychotics and 12 sessions of ECT. None have really had much relief besides seriqual which did a great job of knocking me out when I was sick of being awake. Now my DR has suggested stimulants (Ritalin or dexamphetamines) to treat my treatment resistant depression. Being able to find a phychiatrist who will prescribe them is another battle. I'm all for trying anything as I'm running low on my chances of surviving this depression. I'm also seeing a phycholigist every fortnight.

Any info or advise is greatly appreciated
Cheers

[AdiCA]

I was successfully treated with a stimulant called desoxyn for 10 years. The quality of life I was able to achieve was amazing. The side effects were few and I suffered no break through symptoms. Shortly after I moved and switched doctors I received a letter from my new doctor stating (with no medical justification) that he would no longer prescribe it for me. I will spare you the details of my decline.
Try and find a pharmecutical psychiatrist. Their knowledge and expertise is invaluable and a good one won't shy away from prescribing any medication deemed necessary.
Good luck!

[Altered Moment]

I have heard of it being done for very treatment resistant depression. Not to often though. Like you said it would be hard to find a pdoc that will do it. I don't think mine would. I have a history years ago of Meth Amphetamine abuse so may not be a good idea for me. I also have very treatment resistant depression. One last shot on the antidepressants was Fetzima and I can't believe how good it is working. Better than any other in 20 years of them.

I would also look up and inquire about Ketamine.

[Maskon]

I was treated with both Concerta and Ritalin. It helped for a while, but then tolerance came into play, as well as severe mood changes when the short acting ritalin would wear off, that's when we tried the Concerta. Very pricy but worth it if it provides relief. I'm on parnate now and feel good for the first time in years except for weight gain and acne side effects. The diet isn't as restrictive as I was initially lead to believe. Hope u find some relief!

[Silent Void]

Shrink put me on Ritalin and I promptly went into psychosis, which is a side-effect. That was a no-no.

[Hopefullywellsoon1]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

I have heard of it being done for very treatment resistant depression. Not to often though. Like you said it would be hard to find a pdoc that will do it. I don't think mine would. I have a history years ago of Meth Amphetamine abuse so may not be a good idea for me. I also have very treatment resistant depression. One last shot on the antidepressants was Fetzima and I can't believe how good it is working. Better than any other in 20 years of them.

I would also look up and inquire about Ketamine.

Yeah I have asked about Special K but their only doing trials and their books are full unfortunately.

[AllyIsHopeful]

From my experience it is not working. I take Wellbutrin XL, Lamictal, klonopin, ambien, and a very low dose stimulant- amphetamine salts IR

I tend to feel way depressed in the "comedown" from the stimulant. It makes me feel intense despair and kind teary and irritable.

It does work to offset the brain fog from other meds but it is short-lived and the side effects are strong and icky (for me). Sometimes I am unable to tolerate them.

There's also potential for abuse. There are days I have nothing to do and have skipped the doses and days when I needed more doses than doc recommended to be at a decent cognitive level. Makes me too speedy, though.

I have also read a lot about long term stimulant use and how miserable withdrawal is. It's not only debilitating fatigue ad sleepiness, there is the irritability and major depression that comes with withdrawing.

There are pros and cons, just weigh them out to see what you feel will help and be worth whatever cons you'll have to live with.

Good luck, I hope it works well for you if you decide to go that route and have a pDoc who is on board.

[TheOriginalMe]

Although this is not a stimulant, have you tried Valdoxan (Agomelatine)? I have tried most of the SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs but the either pooped or caused unmanageable side effects. My doc had a choice of MAOIs or Valdoxan. It began to work after about a week and everyday I notice that I'm a little better. It works on melatonin and resets the circadian rythmn, that's the first thing I noticed with it, my sleep becoming more regulated and refreshing. The best thing for me, is that it seems a really "gentle" drug with virtually no side effects, I don't feel like I'm taking anything.

Anyhow, if you haven't tried Valdoxan and it is licensed in Aus (not available everywhere), it might be worth a punt. Apparently, it is best suited for atypical or treatment resistant depressions.