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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

most beneficial antidepressant for someone who abused amphetamines for 4 years.

C

Cloroxtastebad

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Messages
244
Too make this very short. I quit using amphetamines of any kind last month after four years of daily use. I'm trying to put my life back together. I'm currently on wellbutrin and viibryd (which I'm sceptical about)

I'm very depressed, I lack motivation and cant find enjoyment in anything.

Are there any antidepressants that would help me recover?
 
Well the wellbutrin should help with your dopamine levels, seeing as your amphetamine abuse probably caused lower dopamine levels. As to what anti-depressant to take, everyone reacts differently to every anti-depressant. I personally had success with 20mg citalopram (celexa). It was short lived and no other anti-depressant worked. I believe most of them are worthless and cause long-term if not permanent changes in the way serotonin works in your brain.
 
For good measure, magnesium supplementation daily might not be a bad idea after such a long period of amphetamine abuse. It can help in exerting calming effect and hypnotic effect, too. This might just allow you to "regulate" your mood a bit better. Melatonin at nighttime is also a pretty good idea, with some findings which have led me to speculate that it is neuroprotective. It also leads to better sleep, sleep being crucial for health, and I imagine after four years of amphetamine abuse, sleep patterns will be changing. These two supplements could somewhat indirectly help your symptoms, but it might take time. Still, it would be worth a shot in my mind. As for orthodox anti-depressants, I am not sure what to say after such a period of amphetamine abuse. I don't know if some are better than none for you right now and will help you in the long run, too? I am not really a fan of such anti-depressants, as they do screw with neurochemistry in some pretty "drastic" ways. They can help, of course, but after the amphetamine-induced changes in neurochemistry I wouldn't feel right suggesting going off of them or changing them or staying on them - so I don't have much advice there. I wonder if your current state will improve with time on the med regimen you are on now, or if it would be better with others (or maybe to switch down the line), or maybe none. Like I said, I really can't advise this or that in a black and white sort of way. Just keep in mind, amphetamines are neurotoxic - so allow your brain to get healthier just from the effects the amphetamines have caused (does not mean go off current psych meds). I do still suggest magnesium and melatonin, both being of more benefit than what you might think. I will think on this topic more, and may write another response if I come up with an idea as for a more orthodox anti-depressant option.
 
My advice would be: cardio. If you don't do it or not regularly, start slowly and then do a little more bit by bit.
When you're at 45 minutes or even 60, that'll be perfect.
It'll have at least the same antidepressant effect as antidepressant drugs, but no negative side effects (that's a fact!).

Antidepressants can have long term side effects, even after not taking them anymore, sometimes for months or even years (I even heard it's possible for them to never go away). These things, they mess with your brain. I've had bad experiences with venlafaxine myself.
 
Venlafaxine (Effexor) tends to act as a stimulant, but without euphoric effects of stimulants. It's a pretty strong stimulation, too.
 
Both of the above post regarding Wellbutrin and Effexor are accurate, either one is a frontline treatment for your case as posted. I would consider adding a L-tyrosine supplement. Its a precursor to L-dopa which then converts to Dopamine. Add a good mulitvitamin as well. Energy is going to be the culprit for depression, after having motivation and energy, then having none can have quite a mental effect.

FDA staff called these claims into question in a September 2011 article that concluded "it is unknown whether [vilazodone] has any advantages compared to other drugs in the antidepressant class." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilazodone

Its is a new drug, if it is not working there are many to choose from that work on seratontin. Finding the right antidepressant is like going shoe shopping, one size does not fit all. Experimenting with different SSRI’s, Wellbutrin, and other anti-depressants is very common among psychiatrists. It is not uncommon for a doctor to prescribe three or four or more different drugs in an attempt to find one that works.

Amino acids do work also. Best wishes!!
 
Cornishman said:
Ketamine (combined with sobriety) is the best antidepressant I ever tried.

Scientists recently discovered its abilities. Google it if you're interested.

Related reading:

http://neurocritic.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/chronic-ketamine-for-depression.html

http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/threads/...al-Ketamine-Regimen!-(V-1-5-UPDATED-11-22-10)
Click to expand...



Ketamine has a wide range of effects in humans, including analgesia, anesthesia, hallucinations, elevated blood pressure, and bronchodilation.
unwanted psychological side-effects of Ketamine can usually be avoided by concomitant application of a sedative such as a benzodiazepine.

Im not for it or against it. Just wanted OP to know that it is not a drug to be taken without precaution and talking to to doctor.
 
I too went through a period of obsessive stimulant use, starting with focalin and then moving to adderall. I ended up in a similarly depressed condition.

I tried Effexor and couldn't take more than the initial first-day half-dose due to unbearable, disconnected cough syrup feelings it caused. I also tried Wellbutrin and desipramine. I had the best results with desipramine, with an immediate feeling of stimulation and well-being. This side effect faded away after a week or two and left me flat like a zombie. Wellbutrin amounted to about the same.

I never tried an SSRI, but I wanted to add to this thread that I have had great success with an adaptogen called Rhodiola Rosea. It is available as an OTC supplement and I take one 500 mg capsule per day. It has given me sustained energy that is not pronounced enough to induce a crash. I haven't noticed any side effects. L-Tyrosine and, to a lesser extent, Mucuna Pruriens may help as well.
 
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is probably the closest antidepressant to amphetamine. It's a stimulant in its own right. What dosage you are taking?

I echo the posters that have recommended l-tyrosine (as well as multivitamins) and exercise on top of that. Amphetamine withdrawal sucks - I've been there many times. It will get better :)
 
Bupropion may indeed work well for you as it does have stimulant properties and also tends to have fewer side effects than other antidepressants - give it a good go, at least 6-8 weeks. I don't know much about Viibryd I'm afraid, we don't see it here in the UK..

Antidepressants all have roughly the same efficacy in clinical trials, but different ones suit different people. Some of them do tend to be more "stimulating" or "activating" - off the top of my head I remember that venlafaxine and fluoxetine are both fairly stimulating, and all of the SSRIs are better than tricyclics and mirtazepine for boosting energy levels. Have you explained to your doctor what it is you would like to get out of your antidepressant? A psychiatrist should be able to pick out a suitable drug for you. Bear in mind it might take a few goes to get it right, as not every drug suits everyone.

Lack of motivation, anhedonia (inability to enjoy things) and feeling low are all very common symptoms of depression, as well as post-amphetamine abuse, so whatever antidepressant is used, you will hopefully find that things improve for you. Be prepared to work with your psychiatrist to find the right medication; have you considered talking therapy (CBT, psychotherpay, counselling etc) as well as medication? Studies show that combining the two tend to work better than either one on it's own.

Good luck :) <3
 
I would say bupropion (Wellbutrin) because I also used stims (mainly meth and blow) for several years and ended up extremely depressed and always tired. I tried several SSRIs, a SNRI, a TCA and trazodone (and hated all of em) before trying Wellbutrin XL. It gave me back that energy I was missing and has helped me a lot with my depression. And no erectile disfunction. It does make me agitated at time. Also, quitting cold turkey really sucks.
 
Why take more chemicals, I just got off an AD and it had some pretty annoying ass withdrawals. The head dizziness was the most annoying, and i still notice it 1-2 weeks later. Your gonna have to get off the med eventually, why go through more withdrawals and chemical imblanace? Get some L-dopa and fish oil / supplements. Exercise daily, mostly cardio and you should get better soon enough. Don't give up and be a pharmaceutical peon, like 80% of this site : P You mad bluelight, jk
 
F1n1shed said:
The head dizziness was the most annoying, and i still notice it 1-2 weeks later.
Click to expand...

Oh man, I remember trying to get off Zoloft (after being on it for roughly a year) and the worst withdrawal symptom was the dizziness, especially when I would move my eyes in either direction. And it lasted for about a month. It does go away though so don't worry. Never thought that a psychotropic Rx drug which has no recreational value whatsoever - and makes many who start using it feel like shit for the first week or two and then zombifies them and their libido - would have such a severe and long lasting withdrawal syndrome.
 
Bupropion is one of the few antidepressants that usually doesn't erase your sex drive (a la SSRIs)

In some individuals it actually increases it.
 
Zoloft works great for me. I was on a binge of amphetamines for about two years, then I was thrown in jail for half a year for a dui. The county jail did not prescribe ANY type of stimulants to ANYONE even though the amphetamines I had been strung out on where my own prescription. Thus I started taking Zoloft 200mg. It really worked wonders for me and that's saying a lot considering the environment of jail is horrible.

I have since been released and was able to control and continue the Adderall again, although I discontinued the Zoloft due to the sexual side effects that are pretty severe. (ED, libido, ejaculation failure)
 
I agree with Bupropion. It has stimulant effects and also works as a preventative against stimulant abuse. Also, ask about Aripiprazole or Abilify.
 
F1n1shed said:
Why take more chemicals, I just got off an AD and it had some pretty annoying ass withdrawals. The head dizziness was the most annoying, and i still notice it 1-2 weeks later. Your gonna have to get off the med eventually, why go through more withdrawals and chemical imblanace? Get some L-dopa and fish oil / supplements. Exercise daily, mostly cardio and you should get better soon enough. Don't give up and be a pharmaceutical peon, like 80% of this site : P You mad bluelight, jk
Click to expand...

Guess you meant Tyrosine?!
 
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