Talk to me about Dexedrine -- I'm hesitant
 

A couple of months ago the GP doc (actually a PA) Rxd Amantadine for fatigue. I don't have severe can't-get-outta-bed fatigue, but I asked for something that would give me some energy. Seems that I am chronically lazy. :(

The Amanatadine worked great for about 2 weeks. Then it kinda quit, although the body aches were much improved. So I cut the dose in half and telephoned a request for something else.

The call finally came from the nurse that the PA had Rx'd Dexedrine (a methamphetamine which is also Rxd for ADHD and used to be widely Rxd for weight-loss). (Now THAT would be nice!) :rolleyes:

I picked it up last week and I'm a bit nervous about starting it. I asked if it would be okay to just take one capsule a day, instead of two. Pharmacist said Yes. But now I'm reading that after your "high", you have a period of let-down, until you take another pill.

I really do NOT want to get addicted to something that is going to take control of my life!

Give me some words of wisdom, please! I paid $106 for 60 capsules -- insurance wouldn't help because I'm "too old!" So if it isn't commonly used to address fatigue, should the doc have prescribed something else?

Please advise!

Dexedrine gave me heart palpatations and caused me to have an anxiety attack, so I don't like them. It's an upper, so there is always going to be a let down. I would still only take one per day, though, or else you may have trouble sleeping.

Some peeps with MS do ok on Dexedrine, though, so you should try it. :hug:

Thanks, Sal. I've never heard anyone on NT mention it for MS.

I'm not positive of this, but I think Clinical/Cherie, the Nurse was on it and liked it?

Doctors use stimulants for people with central fatigue. Ritalin is another that is sometimes given. Another is ProVigil.

Over time and depending on dose, there is a rebound depression with amphetamines. This is because of dopamine depletion.

You can avoid some tolerance issues and the rebound depression by not taking the Dexedrine every day. Take it only when you expect to be active and need that extra push.

There are supplement ways to increase "energy" too. The most potent is SAMe. This supplement enhances the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Some believe that taking B12 helps. And if you think your fatigue is depression you should have your Vit D measured. Low D has been shown to present in depressed people. Some people take the amino acid tyrosine to give a boost to dopamine synthesis.

If you decide to do SAMe, start at 200mg a day (one tablet) and take it in the morning on an empty stomach. Sometimes that is all you will need. Most people feel an energetic boost, at this starting dose, but it may wear off in time.

You can PM me anytime Twink, if you decide to do some supplements. I took SAMe for 10 yrs, so have alot of experience with it.

The Vit D is also very important. I used to get seasonally depressed at this time of year, but since taking 4000IU of D daily during non-summer months, I haven't had it.

I have had vit d issues all my life. Even though my blood levels came back normal (well duh, I was on supplements but explain that to the doc) I always seem low. Winter IS worst.

I can get some crushing fatigue, but it is much better with the supps. BTW, I don't take that much, just the regular dose.

Provigil worked for a while then stopped. Amantadine did nothing. Those are the only meds I've tried. I don't use energy drinks as they are not okay with my headaches.

I would not be as concerned about actual addiction as with side effects with the dex. But it depends - do you tend to do okay with meds? Unless you are really sensitive or have some other reason to worry, I'd try it. I doubt a couple of days could do much harm.

Dex gave me the jitters. I felt like I was on the edge of an anxiety attack. Since I am already an anxiety girl, I didnt need the extra push.

My sis took them for weight loss, and never noticed any change.

correct me if I am wrong
 

The street name for Dexedrine was called Speed when I was young. College kids used it primarily as a way to pull and all-nighter. I also think it is/was used commonly by truck drivers when having to drive all night.

It had also been used as a pill to help with obesity.

As far as how you feel physically, taking a pill will not do you any harm with one. It is more whether you like feeling as if you had consumed a WHOLE bunch of coffee!!

As far as addiction, I highly doubt you will become susceptible. You are old enough to be in control. THAT is my assessment of you, Twink.:)

Thanks, everyone, for your very helpful replies.

I had a phone chat with a good NT friend this morning who encouraged me to give it a try. Still waiting for that burst/boost in energy and its been maybe an hour.

MrsD, I hadn't thought of only taking it on certain days (duh!). All other medsI take have to be taken daily.

I've been waiting for a quiet day at home to see how it affects me. So today is a trial day. Didn't want to have to drive anywhere (there's that "don't operate heavy equipment" warning that concerned me).

Thanks, Aarcyn, for the vote of confidence. I think I DO actually have a very addictive personality, which makes me vewwy, vewwy cautious! I am addicted to choccy! Baaaad Twink, I know! Wish I'd get addicted to housework and yardwork!!!

Again, thanks everyone!

I have ADD and was on Ritalin for a while. One way to avoid getting hooked is to take "vacations" from it. I used to use it 5 days a week for work and then not take it on weekends. I eventually stopped because I felt like my emotional responses to things were getting very dull. My wife's comment was that I was treating her like a roommate.

On the other hand, I was very focused and able to keep track of myself much better, and she has questioned me about getting back on it for that reason. So not realy sure which side of me she would rather have.

My advice would be to talk to somebody you trust and see alot, and ask them to watch you carefully and dispassionately and see how you react to it. They can then tell you objectively what changes they are noticing over time, since they may or may not be apparent to you. If you are getting crushing fatigue, then some emotional changes may be worth getting your energy back.

Twink sorry amantadine didn't work for you. I hope this new med works!!

Well, Twink, did it kick in? I do hope you find something that will work for you.:hug:

I'm on Ritalin and it helps most days. I do not take it every day. I had tried both Provigil and Amantadine before and was out of options. Provigil stopped working after awhile and Amantadine never worked.

My neuro said that they don't rx as high a dose for MS fatigue as children are on for ADD. I thought that was funny. I'm not at all concerned about addiction because of the low dose and not taking it every day.

I hope you find relief. If Dexedrine doesn't work, there are other stimulants in the same class that may work differently with you. My son's ADHD didn't really respond to Ritalin, but Adderal worked.

Do you happen to know which is cheaper: Adderal or Dexedrine? I paid $106 for the Dex.

Glad you found something that works for your dear son!

i'd ask your pharmacist about the costs twink.
the only thing that concerns me is the possible effect on your heart.

ask your pharmacist their advice. they may be able to give you some tips.

Dexedrine? Twink, you lucky dog.

I've been screaming for dexedrine from day one. The ultimate caffeine pill. Extremely effective. Extremely addictive. I can't get a doc to prescribe it. Not even a cuban doc in miami (this is the epiphany of refusal...).

I was introduced to the drug in the military. 48 hour guard duty on a nuclear warhead site - no problem. I am not kidding. This stuff is great!

22 years screaming I want it. Not a single doctor will script it for me. It's probably a good thing. It's an extremely potent amphetamine. This re-defines the phrase "speed". This stuff is not a joke. Once you start, I don't think you can stop. Just be careful.

Tom

Tom, I already Did stop! :)

The afternoon let-down (withdrawl?) was incredible, even though I was only taking a "baby" dose. The Amantadine that I began several weeks ago stopped addressing the fatigue, but was really good at suppressing my body aches...until I started the Dexedrine. Then the body aches were back as soon as the high wore off.

Its not hard to figure out why the stuff is so addictive -- cuz you feel so lousy when you Don't take it! And I wasn't getting a good night's sleep, which really made me kwanky! Grrrr!

Thanks for sharing your experience and advice, TXBatman.

Yeah, everything is a trade-off, isn't it? *sigh*