[boogiesmash]

I have bipolar and have been having a problem where all I do when I come home is go to my bed, play around on iPad or sleep. I don't do anything in the house except cook. I have been having this issue for quite sometime. Today I met with my therapist and discussed this ongoing issue. One of the topics she mentioned was to ask my pdoc for a few months, small dosage of Ritalin or adderall to be used as a stimulant instead of ADHD.

I have never been on them. And have my pdoc appointment in two weeks. So my question for anyone that is on it as a stimulant what can I expect?

[boogiesmash]

Bump ✊ bump

[Bird Feeder]

I am on a lot of meds and ECT but I too need something to get me going again. I return home from work take a nap and then I am in bed by 7:30 for the night. I could stay up later I guess but what's the point. I am meeting with my pdoc and was going to ask him for something to get me moving again (already on welbutrin). I'll let you know how it goes. Good luck to you.
Effexor 600 mg
Welbutrin 450 mg
Abilify 15 mg
seroquel 100 mg
klonopin 1 mg

[still_crazy]

stimulants can help lift mood a bit. they can (obviously) help with focus. some people lose a bit of weight, especially with amphetamines (adderall, vyvanse, dexedrine, desoxyn, etc.).

can cause mood instability. sometimes cause euphoria, psychosis, agitation. some people get a "crash" when the upper wears off. taken with tranquilizers/"antipsychotics", can increase tardive dyskinesia risk and sometimes EPS can pop up.

addictive...kind of. Fairly easy to stop, compared to many other psych drugs. try to keep the dose low(ish).

[TicTacGo]

Something a therapist may have asked to to look out for is an abnormal mood lift, as stimulants may induce manic or even psychotic symptoms.

I had a manic episode last year and could only take a stimulant (Ritalin) many months thereafter with very careful monitoring.

Adderall makes me go f_cking nuts, but Ritalin is okay for me. I think Ritalin is more mild than Adderall, but YMMV.

Definitely DON'T do the Adderall XR if you're planning on trying Adderall for the first time. That XR sh_t stays in your system for at least 3 days. I didn't sleep for almost 4 because it induced mania. Definitely try the instant release *first* because that leaves your system much faster.

I take Ritalin for ADHD, though, not for BP. I'm not sure if that's something you want to talk about.

[boogiesmash]

Originally Posted by Bird Feeder

I am on a lot of meds and ECT but I too need something to get me going again. I return home from work take a nap and then I am in bed by 7:30 for the night. I could stay up later I guess but what's the point. I am meeting with my pdoc and was going to ask him for something to get me moving again (already on welbutrin). I'll let you know how it goes. Good luck to you.
Effexor 600 mg
Welbutrin 450 mg
Abilify 15 mg
seroquel 100 mg
klonopin 1 mg

Yes please do. I too am on Wellbutrin. I have my pdoc appointment tomorrow, hopefully I can get them.

[boogiesmash]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Adderall makes me go f_cking nuts, but Ritalin is okay for me. I think Ritalin is more mild than Adderall, but YMMV.

Definitely DON'T do the Adderall XR if you're planning on trying Adderall for the first time. That XR sh_t stays in your system for at least 3 days. I didn't sleep for almost 4 because it induced mania. Definitely try the instant release *first* because that leaves your system much faster.

I take Ritalin for ADHD, though, not for BP. I'm not sure if that's something you want to talk about.

I don't believe I have ADHD, never been evaluated for it. I see pdoc tomorrow. Hopefully I can get them. What does YMMV stand for?

[Guiness187055]

YMMV equals your mileage may vary.

[Sunflower123]

I take Ritalin for bipolar depression. It gives me energy and a slight boost in my moods.

[boogiesmash]

Well pdoc said no. But said if genetic testing says I'll respond well to it she would prescribe it.