New Medication

[Zopyridine]

Hi all,

I am seeing a doc tomorrow about some problems I have been having with sleep and with concentration. I haven't been able to focus on anything, study, or pay attention in class. I also am finding myself extremely tired throughout the day, even with a full night's sleep. So much that I am coming home from class and going straight back to sleep almost everyday. I am in college so being focused is really important in order to pass my classes and obviously I'm not doing my homework if I'm coming home and taking a nap everyday. Even after a nap, I may feel alert for a bit but I go straight back to being tired within an hour or two.

The first symptom I am describing is a symptom of ADD/ADHD and the second symptom I am describing is a symptom of Narcolepsy, both which can be treated with stimulants. I am already taking Wellbutrin for depression, but it hasn't really done anything to make me more alert. I have tried Adderall and Ritalin recreationally, but I do not like either at all. They worsen my depression after the medicine starts to wear off. I have also tried Vyvanse recreationally, which I like a lot more as it doesn't make me more depressed when it wears off and it doesn't come with as much of a "high" as Adderall or Ritalin. I'm certain that a stimulant medicine like Vyvanse is what's best for me because it helps me concentrate and to stay awake, but obviously I can't go in a doctor's office and ask for medicine by name.

My question is, since I am experiencing symptoms of two different disorders, is it best to only report one of the two so I don't sound like a drug-seeker? Or would reporting both heighten my chances of having a stimulant prescribed? What is the best way to go about this?

 

[neurotic]

i assume that would depend on the doctor a lot too. what i would do is just be honest about your problems, but don't mention your ritalin and adderall abuse.

also, the worsening your depression after rec use is just the comedown from stimulants, you'll get it with any stimulant abuse, may be you could even give those a go again

good luck

 

[Kittycat5]

I think honesty would be best as well. A doctor cannot treat you if he doesn't know what is wrong. Also, I do not know how you used stims in the past but perhaps with a better dosing schedule ( long acting drug in the morning with short acting drug for wear off effect) or a different drug altogether ( modafinal perhaps?) could prevent some of your issues.

 

[T. Calderone]

How long have you been on wellbutrin? Your doctor could decide for you to try some other type of antidepressant. Just be open to what he suggests, meds are sometimes a crapshoot. Or like Kittycat said, modafinil could be useful to help you stay awake. My doctor put me on that for a while.

 

[Zopyridine]

I think honesty would be best as well. A doctor cannot treat you if he doesn't know what is wrong. Also, I do not know how you used stims in the past but perhaps with a better dosing schedule ( long acting drug in the morning with short acting drug for wear off effect) or a different drug altogether ( modafinal perhaps?) could prevent some of your issues.

Got it. I will just be honest with her when I go in. I just really am opposed to Adderall and Ritalin both because it's difficult for me to tolerate the comedown. Yes, it get's me super focused and helps me to keep a friendly attitude with customers at my job, but coming down from it is hell for me. It makes me angry and depressed at the same time for the rest of the day and it's not worth it for the short high.

How long have you been on wellbutrin? Your doctor could decide for you to try some other type of antidepressant. Just be open to what he suggests, meds are sometimes a crapshoot. Or like Kittycat said, modafinil could be useful to help you stay awake. My doctor put me on that for a while.

I have only been on Wellbutrin (150mg twice a day) for a week so I haven't really started to notice the antidepressant effects yet. Also, the doctor I am seeing today is only a random general practitioner at the school, while the doctor that prescribed me Wellbutrin was my psychiatrist. I'm not seeing my psych for another month and this problem is urgent for me because finals are coming up, and I can see a GP the same day I make an appointment. I am also really opposed to trying a different antidepressant because I don't want the sexual side effects that accompany other antidepressants, and Wellbutrin is known to produce stimulant-like effects which is what I need. If it doesn't work in a month's time, I will consider changing. I have never heard of Modafinil before, how well did it work for you? If it doesn't work for me and I tell my doctor this, is she likely to start trying stims? Thanks.

 

[T. Calderone]

It does take some time for these meds to be fully effective so be patient. Modafinil (Provigil) is used to enhance wakefulness but it's not for attention disorders. I've never been to a school gp, so I wouldn't know what to expect. Good luck either way.