Posted by KaraS on August 14, 2005, at 18:59:40
In reply to Re: Dexedrine update » KaraS, posted by ed_uk on August 14, 2005, at 16:39:25
> Hi K,
>
> If you've taken propranolol without wheezing, you ought to be able to take atenolol no problem. Propranolol is one of the worst beta blockers RE bronchospasm. Atenolol is usually better tolerated than propranolol.
>
> Ed xx
Hi Ed,Yes, but I took the propanolol only a few times many years ago and it was before I had any allergy problems. Still, I think you're right that I'll be fine with it. In my last appointment I told Dr. E. that my resting pulse rate has been in the 80's and 90's so told me he wants me to start on the atenolol (as I knew he would).
He thinks that the atenolol will solve almost all of my anxiety and depression problems. He said that he has never had any success treating people until he has calmed them down. He has a little poem about treating "the high before the low and the fast before the slow". I think the high here might also refer to the overly high voltage areas of the brain. Anyway, I remain skeptical. He told me Friday that "you're not that ill". I think he was trying to reassure me that he will get me feeling better soon but it was hard not to take it as an invalidation of how bad I've been feeling. It's difficult for me to believe that a beta blocker alone will give me back my motivation.
He is also thinking that once the beta blocker is in place that the 5 mgs. of dexedrine will work for me and that 5 mgs. twice a day will be sufficient for my ADD. (He didn't mention it in terms of motivation. My gut is telling me that I'll need to at least double that amount to get any kind of motivation response.) I have to add that I think he's an extreme optimist. He believes that if one is on the right medication (and I'm assuming that he includes that one is also not taking anything else that is wrong for that person that can throw their system off), that poop-out does not occur. He thinks it would be foolish of me not to take the dexedrine every day. I don't buy this, do you?
I think he's an excellent diagnostician but I do question some of his beliefs about medication. I wonder if his optimism isn't misleading him at times - i.e. perhaps he doesn't want to believe in poop-out. OTOH, he has a reputation for having success with TRDs. His whole practice is devoted to us. This is probably because he thinks outside of the box. Therefore it makes sense that his treatment would be less conventional, right? So I think I will follow most of his advice (still not sure about the daily dexedrine) and see what happens. What do you think?
K
xx
poster:KaraS
thread:536916
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050811/msgs/541691.html