Lots of meds

[snaggs77]

Wow, I'm really not sure this thread is the right place to go for help, especially Adder's post, makes no sense. @ Adder, no I DON'T take DXM, and am not sure why you thought that, but I do take Magnesium, which is an NMDA receptor antagonist that fights tolerance, keeps bones strong and keeps me...regular. I guess I might as well make a whole list of what/why after addressing the above poster. @Hydrochron- Vyvanse is the single best thing I've taken for lowering my anxiety outside of alcohol(which I haven't consumed in 10 months). Dopamine helps with confidence and self worth, while Norepinephrine helps with feeling good and less depressed, as well as lowering anxiety. I know, I've been on countless SSRI's and none have had the anxiety impact that Cymbalta has.

THE LIST!-Cymbalta 120mg- Major depressive disorder,anxiolytic,ADD aid
Gabapentin 600mg- Anxiolytic and somewhat of a sleep aid
Vyvanse 70mg- ADD symptom reducer,confidence booster,reduces anxiety, energy booster, better focus, gets rid of the 'insatiable' thirst for activity and enjoyment, as everything is rewarding. Also serves to bring me and my Mother closer as she works at my college, and I see her once a day for my dosage(abuse history).
Abilify 10mg- Mood stabilizer? I don't know on this one, don't think it's needed
Buspirone-60mg/day - fights anxiety supposedly, I never really noticed much. Going off it next week with Doc's authorization
Suntheanine T.A.N 200mg for anxiety and focus
Calcium 600mg once in awhile for bone health
Magnesium Citrate or Glycinate-400-500mg daily for preventative maintenance on Vyvanse tolerance.
High energy two-staged, time released super vitamin-once daily-for obvious reasons
Super B-complex, once daily for energy
L-glutamine 500mg daily for energy
1280mg highly concentrated EDP/DHA omega fish oil-Cognition and depression
Choline/Inositol 500mg once daily for cognition
Huperzine A- 100-200mcg daily as a nootropic
Korean Ginseng-10-20 Ginsenosides daily (1070-2140mg). For focus and energy, vitality, blah blah blah
L-Tyrosine 500-1500mg daily as a precursor to L-dopa>dopamine>Noradren.
Vitamin D3 2000 I.U daily to fight depression, especially in the fall/winter/spring as I have S.A.D
Acai capsules-500mg once in awhile as an anti-oxidant
CoQ10- general health pill, ran out, need more


For the future-Piracetam
Levodopa(mucuna pruriens)
Pharma Kava
Passionflower
Phenibut
Gotu Kola
Acetyl L-carnitine w/ Alpha lipoic acid and CDP choline

Also, regular use of nicotine, lol. Wish I could go on Wellbutrin again to help with cessation. Also use low amounts of caffeine and have a pretty healthy diet, with marginal exercise.

 

[Kipo]

Already have bought illegally(Adderall), and lots of it. It breaks the bank, is detrimental to your health, is risky law enforcement-wise, as well as being the worst withdrawals you can imagine,(I was taking damn near 300mg a day). I'm not about to go down that route again, I've been away from alcohol for 10 months about, and fyi- stopping everything for awhile is the really bad advice. I don't know if you have major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder with social phobia, on top of severe ADD like I do, but getting off everything would land me in the psych ward in no time at all, not to mention the brain shivers from coming off anti-depressants have one writhing in pain. It really is agony going off medications one your brain chemistry is similar to that of mine, and I wouldn't dream of discontinuing my vitamins, D3 vita, chelated magnesium glycinate, and mostly my Omega 3. Everything I a taking plays it's part, and my liver tests, heart rate, blood glucose level and respiratory functions are all normal, or above average. All I am having trouble with, is increasing tolerance in the face of having to catch up in school since I missed awhile in light of my Grandfather's demise. Once I am caught back up, and stable in school and life in general, I plan on taking a week at least of time off of Vyvanse. Quitting everything now, would be tragic.

But you are only giving yourself a reason to keep taking these meds. Yes, perhaps you need them. But I think a break to 'cleanse' the mind would really benefit you. I am at a stage where I am just begining to treat my anxiety. I understand how hard it is without the proper meds as I have not yet found my proper meds. Maybe you could cut down your daily pill diet by one pill at a time? That is way too many to be taking at your age (or any age) and honestly, I dont know how you can stomach all those XD

 

[Legerity]

As long as you believe that you need each of those supplements/medications then it'll be a nightmare to stop. How can you possibly feel good if you are convinced that your body and mind are so deficient that you need a supplement for every single thing?

Maybe there are some that are beneficial. But I would think it is very likely that there is a psychological component here where you feel so strongly that you will crumble without them that it ends up happening.

 

[snaggs77]

I don't feel I NEED to be on anything other than what I am prescribed to. My anxiety, depression and ADD(for the most part), are under control. The supplements are taken mostly to enhance cognition, fight tolerance, promote energy, fight negative keep my liver intact, fight illness, fight free radicals, promote well-being, as well as augment the effects of what I am prescribed. D3, multi-vitamin, as well as omega 3 are things I wouldn't want to cut out, because I know they work, and the positive effects make them worth taking. I will probably nix the L-tyrosine, L-glutamine, as well as cute down on Ginseng, Huperzine A, and maybe see about eliminating my abilify. I still have a detached from life feeling. It's kind of a fog, and am sometimes out of it, and slow to notice things. I can contribute much of this to the grieving process of my Grandfather's death, as well as the uncertainty of life in general. I may try a cleanse, but the prescriptions of Cymbalta, Gabapentin, and Vyvanse will remain, as well as my vitamins, and omega 3. I don't want to get depressed again, or become more anxious, so these will remain in my med. cocktail. The Magnesium I know is not needed, but I like the tolerance reduction factors, as well as the ability to make me take regular trips to the toilet. I have not been sick in a long time, and I think the vitamin helps there. My bone strength is solid, as well as my liver and glucose levels being normal. On top of that, my lung function is fine, as I used to have asthma, but it has since left me. I do like taking things to aid me, and if they do nothing other than cost me money, I will not continue to use them as part of my attempt to have a healthy lifestyle and body. I am trying to drink more water, eat out less, eat more(wasn't eating enough, and everything that I did eat was being stored as fat since I think I was under 1400 cals per day). I turn to things without caffeine more now, and try to get more/better sleep. I am trying to develop a routine, and get caught up in school, as well as cut out things that have negative impacts on my life, like tobacco usage, aspartame, World of Warcraft, sitting too much, consuming too much sugar, being messy, missing appointments from lack of a schedule, and my touchy relationship with my pessimistic father, who I believe, tries to control me and employs mental terrorism, as well as promotes feelings of low self esteem/worth. On top of that, he is not very helpful, and has blamed me for our family falling apart, leading to my parents' divorce when I was 18. Many of my problems stem from him and his ability to make me feel guilt and shame, but I am my own worst enemy in bringing on these negative feelings. My Mother has said she will pay for me to go do hypnosis-therapy, and I see a counselor once a week, as well as having regular visits to my Psychiatrist or his nurse to discuss medications and lifestyle choices. I plan on joining a gym in town this week, and getting there at least 2-3 times per week to work on my physical health and well-being, on top of releasing feel-good chemicals in the brain, and losing weight/toning up to give myself satisfaction with my body and to be healthier in general. I know exercise is important to a healthy, happy life, so that is on my list of things to do. I also need to FOLLOW my list my liberally, and utilize it more for planning things out, and not having randomness day after day. After I am caught up in school, though, I will continue to take magnesium, but stop,(for awhile) taking my Vyvanse, and maybe discuss with my Psychiatrist other options for stimulant amphetamines, and other things like Strattera to augment my treatment of attention deficit disorder, in order to do better in school, and life in general. Right now my main concerns are my detached feelings, my lack of focus and motivation, lack of exercise, weight( 200lbs, 6' 1"), tobacco use, caffeine use, food intake, financial security,(or lack-thereof) and catching up in school so I can seize my future, and become a psychologist like I want to be. I am very interested in bettering myself in all aspects, especially emotionally and in cognitive ability,( I.E-focus, motivation). Insecurity and low self esteem from years of living under the rule of a tyrant Father, and low motivation from having everything given to me from a warm, giving and caring mother who made things easier for me, but also made me dependent on her for dealing with life and my problems, lead me to be in a tough transitional phase from teen, to adult. The best things I have done this year, though, are having lost 40lbs, discontinued any and all usage of alcohol, and going back to school. So far I have managed straight A's, and that is without much effort put in. My history teacher said I was her top student out of over 20 people, and my other history teacher praised me for my work in his class. My Mother and Sister both admit I have gone through too much, and that I am in an outstanding place in life considering my history, and the things that held me back for so many years. It is time, now for me to address the rest of my issues, and continue with therapy and medicinal treatment, so that I can be in control of my life, rather than let it control me. Writing about all this helps me see what I need to do, and gosh darn-it, I am going to do the things I need to do to be happy, healthy and successful, as well as have my Maslow's hierarchy of needs met, and be content with where I am at. I just hope I don't sabotage myself again, like I have so many times in the past when things were going well. In the end, I really am my own worst enemy, on top of being my biggest critic. It is up to ME though to take the initiative, and be pro-active to achieve success and be content with my life. Time to move on, and let go of my past, so that I have a brighter, healthy future. The time is now, and I am ready...

 

[snaggs77]

^It was quite the lengthy, yet informative post. I hope at least someone takes the time to read it and analyze it, as well as give the feedback which I so crave. Not knowing is something I am not a fan of.

 

[Crystalline]

Well just to tell you, I read that Sounds like you've got things sorted, just your dad really?

 

[snaggs77]

Yes, thanks for reading btw. My Dad is never going to change. My Mom cut him out, sister distanced herself as well, so it's just me that is close with him besides his psychotic new girlfriend. My Dad is a very intelligent man, but he lies, manipulates, controls, hoards money, talks you down, and overall just brings you down in general. He's not very helpful, and he doesn't seem to care about others. So basically, I am at a crossroads of whether to keep our relationship, or just let him go...
I love him so much, but I can't and don't respect him. We've had our good times, but they are few and far between. I can't let him control me anymore. I won't do it like this anymore. I just hope he doesn't take things hard and make it so our relationship is permanently wrecked.

 

[Snarky91]

Numerous studies are showing that people who take various vitamins are no healthier than people who don't take vitamins; in fact, one recent study concluded the group that took vitamins rigorously had an increased risk of mortality compared to the group that didn't.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/af...docId=CNG.cf08683a34b0eca027163725d7835c6a.a1

"Another recent US study conducted among women and published on October 10 revealed that multivitamins -- commonly taken in the United States -- were useless and actually gradually contributed to a higher risk of mortality."

You should seriously consider whether you're taking too many medications. The best test of self-reliance I can think of is whether or not you could live your life under the conditions that existed 100 years ago. I'm sure you'd get on just fine without the help of medications now, just as you would have survived back then. Another thing, once you reach the point where you're looking to counteract amphetamine tolerance, you ought to take a good long break from amphetamines. All of these measures to reduce amphetamine tolerance will yield diminishing returns until they offer no net benefit. The body is resilient and it adapts to changing conditions remarkably well. After giving your body a steady stream of drugs for a prolonged period, your body will shift to the new normal and the drugs' novel effects will surely become well tolerated to the point that it feels like they're no longer having an effect.

 

[snaggs77]

Numerous studies are showing that people who take various vitamins are no healthier than people who don't take vitamins; in fact, one recent study concluded the group that took vitamins rigorously had an increased risk of mortality compared to the group that didn't.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/af...docId=CNG.cf08683a34b0eca027163725d7835c6a.a1

"Another recent US study conducted among women and published on October 10 revealed that multivitamins -- commonly taken in the United States -- were useless and actually gradually contributed to a higher risk of mortality."

You should seriously consider whether you're taking too many medications. The best test of self-reliance I can think of is whether or not you could live your life under the conditions that existed 100 years ago. I'm sure you'd get on just fine without the help of medications now, just as you would have survived back then. Another thing, once you reach the point where you're looking to counteract amphetamine tolerance, you ought to take a good long break from amphetamines. All of these measures to reduce amphetamine tolerance will yield diminishing returns until they offer no net benefit. The body is resilient and it adapts to changing conditions remarkably well. After giving your body a steady stream of drugs for a prolonged period, your body will shift to the new normal and the drugs' novel effects will surely become well tolerated to the point that it feels like they're no longer having an effect.

Well thanks for telling me stuff I already know. Oh and this isn't 100 years ago, so it would be foolish to attempt to live like that. People have evolved to a new world, and me without medications is a a horror, having me writhing in mental turmoil. My depression/anxiety/ADD affliction is like a pestilent plague to my life. Without medication, I would be in constant mental anguish, and may very well commit suicide. How's that for higher risk of mortality? Depression, combined with anxiety is constant mental torment, sleep or death are the only escapes. My ADD symptoms only revealed themselves once my anxiety and depression were under control. And an amphetamine holiday of 1-2 weeks is planned, once I get caught up in school. Until then, weekends will have me without motivation.

 

[adder]

@snaggs77

Otherwise, I am just super confused as to what to do besides take Dextromethorphan(Delsym), or alka saltzer prior to dosing.

This is confusing (I might have been confused because I was nodding off so I didn't even associate D3 and IU after the number with the vitamin). From the sentence above I understood you take DXM (this is short for dextromethorphan if anything was unclear, sorry) and/or an antacid to boost the effects of the drugs you take and this actually happens in some way but not really in a good manner.

Cymbalta 120mg- Major depressive disorder,anxiolytic,ADD aid
Gabapentin 600mg- Anxiolytic and somewhat of a sleep aid
Vyvanse 70mg- ADD symptom reducer,confidence booster,reduces anxiety, energy booster, better focus, gets rid of the 'insatiable' thirst for activity and enjoyment, as everything is rewarding. Also serves to bring me and my Mother closer as she works at my college, and I see her once a day for my dosage(abuse history).
Abilify 10mg- Mood stabilizer? I don't know on this one, don't think it's needed
Buspirone-60mg/day - fights anxiety supposedly, I never really noticed much. Going off it next week with Doc's authorization

These are all prescription-only and it's a terrible mixture. SNRI antidepressant + epilepsy drug (well, benzodiazepines have also anxiolytic and hypnotic action but acting on GABA, they're also anticonvulsants, that's before you correct me; it doesn't really matter you take something off-label, it has other effects too) + ADD med (sure it speeds you up, it's broken down to amphetamine in body) + neuroleptic (Abilify (tm) is an atypical neuroleptic, it's not a mood stabilizer per se, it's used with antidepressant to boost their anxiolytic and antidepressant action because of its properties) + partial 5-HT 1A agonist (also very weak dopaminergic and adrenergic antagonist, all is supposed to lower down the anxiety level in theory, sure, but it hardly works in practice).

One day you will have a hard time coming off each one of these, that's why it's a terrible mix (well, buspirone will probably the only to be dropped right away but maybe it works for some people, for me it made things worse when added to paroxetine years ago). Never mind the supplements... (although some may think taking supplements is free of side effects, it's not true; and I assure you I know all of these supplements and they are used)

Also, vit D3 is prescription-only in doses exceeding 3000 IU or so, I don't remember at the moment and it surely varies in different countries as tradenames do.

And one more thing, I don't think changing everything to an opioid is a good idea, opioids definitely don't make your cognitive functions better. Not that I say SSRI do, they're all trash drugs IME and although I say low dose of buprenorphine is much better for depression (and still the potency of some yet unknown different drug with similar actions is a winner) than any of the drugs psychiatrists prescribe. If the addiction is the matter, then probably all these guys have never experienced SSRI/SNRI withdrawal symptoms. I did experience both opioid withdrawal and SSRI withdrawal.

 

[snaggs77]

I had a nice post set up, then hit the wrong button...so to summarize it- I am tweaking things, and cutting out the bad things and testing out new things. The core of the cocktail will remain, and any changes will be mostly marginal.