IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 (edited) I think some of you know that I suffer from depression but unfortunately do not respond well to the many antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) I've tried. They lift the depression wonderfully, amazingly but, sadly, also give me horrible insomnia that even taking Ambien as well doesn't get me a decent night's rest. My new and first psychiatrist is trying a different approach and believes I also suffer from ADD, so today she prescribed Adderall (dopamine.) She told me, strange as it sounds, Adderall can be an effective treatment for resistant depression as well. I had never heart that before! She starting me of with a super low dose at my request, and we'll go up from there if needed. I'm a little hopeful again of stepping out of this nightmare of depression, but we'll see. I'd love, love to hear experiences. Side effects? Like I know some drugs have horrible side effects like liver damage, and so milk thistle can be taken to protect the liver as well. Also, I'm also a bit freaked out because my psyc mentioned that Adderall is one of the drugs (the top drug?) in demand in the black market. It's basically meth without the side effects or something? I didn't totally get what she was saying. She cautioned me not to tell anyone I know about my RX because it's a drug that is in demand and can be targeted for theft. So, yeah, that's freaky. Edited March 1, 2018 by IfIOnly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Given that sleep disturbances is a common side effect of stimulant ADHD medications, I'm really surprised that your doctor would prescribe that to you with a known insomnia issue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Given that sleep disturbances is a common side effect of stimulant ADHD medications, I'm really surprised that your doctor would prescribe that to you with a known insomnia issue. I know. Seriously. I asked her directly about that. She said that with the ADHD med. it only stay in the system 4-6 hours of so vs. antidepressants that stay in the system continuously. It's laughable that I"m even trying to explain what she said, but it was something like that. She said that she hopes I'll be on of the people that sleeps better with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Actually, I was prescribed Ritalin for depression. I was given short acting in concert with an antidepressant and trazodone at night for insomnia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Actually, I was prescribed Ritalin for depression. I was given short acting in concert with an antidepressant and trazodone at night for insomnia. Interesting. Good to know. Trazadone keeps me awake, grr, but I'm so glad that works for you. She's prescribing me the short acting vs. time release. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 I don't know about Adderall for your type situation but I do know that Lamictal is used for depression and can help with sleep 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Given that sleep disturbances is a common side effect of stimulant ADHD medications, I'm really surprised that your doctor would prescribe that to you with a known insomnia issue. I'm not ADHD, just ADD, I think? No hyperactivity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 I don't have any ADD of any sort, but stimulants are a third line treatment for treatment resistant depression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 I don't have any ADD of any sort, but stimulants are a third line treatment for treatment resistant depression. Oh, interesting. It's hard I think because some of the symptoms of each overlap. I've been depressed for a really long time, and my ability to think and communicate is severely impaired, but what I was getting from the doctor is that she does think I have ADD too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Honestly, my psychiatrist's argument was, "It's in and out of your system in six hours. It's certainly worth trying." That was logic that made sense to me. It's an easy thing to try. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Honestly, my psychiatrist's argument was, "It's in and out of your system in six hours. It's certainly worth trying." That was logic that made sense to me. It's an easy thing to try. Oh, I totally agree. I would try anything, ANYTHING if it would help, even just a bit. I'd drink just veggie juices the rest of my life if it would help although no natural or RX treatment has worked for me in the past. Do you take a morning and afternoon dose? I'm wondering if I'll have to play with that afternoon dose to avoid any severe sleep issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 I don't do it anymore; I did it for a few months. I took it in the morning. It seemed wise to have it as far from bedtime as possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 I don't do it anymore; I did it for a few months. I took it in the morning. It seemed wise to have it as far from bedtime as possible. Oh, thank you. I will keep this in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 I don't know about Adderall for your type situation but I do know that Lamictal is used for depression and can help with sleep I will def. look into this. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 For me, Adderall worked well for the symptoms it was treating, but the side effects were too much for me at the "right" dosage. -sleep disturbances -appetite suppression -major dry mouth The sleep disturbances weren't terrible with the proper dosage timing, but that meant I'd slump after dinner time. I thought the appetite suppression was an awesome thing, since I did have weight to lose, but then people started to ask me if I was sick. It wasn't a healthy weight loss! The dry mouth actually bothered me the most, because it lasted most of the day. But it really does impact everyone differently. I know plenty of people who do well with it, just not me! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 If it targets dopamine that makes sense, my ex-husband's depression only responded to drugs that also targeted dopamine - effexor was what he took/takes. But that one does serotonin too. My son has mild depression and ADHD and did take Vyvanse which is similar to Adderal and it did maybe help his mood. BUT...if he ran out and didn't refill immediately the depression got WAY WAY worse. So be cautious of that. He's stopped taking it now because he found other ways to manage the depression and ADHD and doesn't want to risk aggravating it by going on and off the ADHD meds - and he KNOWS he'll end up forgetting to refill again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Oh, and even if you think it's not seasonal at all, might be worth trying a therapy light. It can't hurt, and as long as you do it in the morning it shouldn't effect sleep. Mine has been life changing. It was $40 on Amazon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Well, it kept me awake even with just 5 mg once a day taken at 5 am. I felt normalish and human and good for the time I took it though. It was really nice to have a few days of not suffering and hope anyway. I'm just really sad to be back in this horrible place again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 (edited) The main side effect for my husband had was picking. He plucked his beard out in large spots from the urge to pick. He adjusted meds and dosages as well as replacing picking with other fidgets. Edited March 13, 2018 by LucyStoner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Well, it kept me awake even with just 5 mg once a day taken at 5 am. I felt normalish and human and good for the time I took it though. It was really nice to have a few days of not suffering and hope anyway. I'm just really sad to be back in this horrible place again. I think I'd be wondering if you have a metabolic issue that could be fixed since this happens with different classes of meds. I am so sorry it's not going to be a fix for you! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 I think I'd be wondering if you have a metabolic issue that could be fixed since this happens with different classes of meds. I am so sorry it's not going to be a fix for you! Thanks! I'll look into that. It happens with minute amounts: of b vitamins, vitamin d, iron, zinc, adrenal support supplements, and the list goes on. Basically anything that helps also affects my sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 there are ADHD rx that aren't stimulants. ds is responding wonderfully to guanfacine...we pushed his dose up to the max to see how he would respond. it knocks him out. a lower does was very helpful with his adhd symptoms. (- a *side effect* is to reduce anxiety.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Thanks! I'll look into that. It happens with minute amounts: of b vitamins, vitamin d, iron, zinc, adrenal support supplements, and the list goes on. Basically anything that helps also affects my sleep. Wow, that's a frustrating list! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Is there anything that helps you sleep? I mean, not to advocate drug stacking, but at some point it might be worth taking something to help and something else to knock you out at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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