Posted by liliths on January 10, 2007, at 7:02:32
In reply to Re: DAY 2 focalin XR » liliths, posted by mell on January 9, 2007, at 19:24:01
hi Mell,
I am SO sorry to hear you were affected by Katrina. How are you doing?
I had been on Concerta for years and switched to focalin XR when my silly insurance threatened to stop covering Concerta. They've since put it back on the formulary as I suspect most people on it just switched to focalin, which is more expensive LOL
anyway, it's been ok. I've been going through a particularly horrible experience myself in dealing with the outside world and things not being in my control. There are two threads (one was moved to "work" the other to "alternative" which have chronicled by Kafkaesque nightmare - if you're interested, you could probably find them. They're not necessarily relevant to your post though it has certainly made my depression spiral badly out of control and I've wondered if the focalin was still working as well.
I've pretty much decided that it's doing fine - it does hit harder first thing in the morning than the Concerta did and I changed some of my morning supplements to accomodate it and I never noticed a hard crash that initailly concerned me... just the usual spaciness and ADD stuff which make me pretty useless in the evenings
personally I think an ADD med with klonopin works really well.
I've 'heard' of klonopin adding to depression but I don't think I've experienced that. I don't even feel the klonopin - that's why I like it - it seems to work 'under current' to quell anxiety and helps me sleep
I know Stargazer also asked you, but are you taking the focalin for ADD? Do you also take any AD's and if so, what are you using? I've been on wellbutrin & buspar, which I'm fairly sure may no longer be effective - it's hard to tell. I've also been on a low dose of hydrocodone, which is an extremely good AD for me... though it's the reason for my battle with "big brother" and I'm about to be forced off it. I've already tapered my dose down to half and there's another reason for the additional depression.
how much focalin and klonopin are you on? I'm taking 40mg of focalin xr in the morning with 1mg klonopin (also still take 15mg buspar but considering tapering off it) and then I usually take 1-1/2mg klonopin in the evenings with soy supplements and some stress stuff.. My afternoon regimen consists of 100mg wellbutrin & 15mg buspar (both of which I'm hoping to ditch) along with some cognitive and motivation supplements - supposedly helps with memory etc and which I 'hope' helps keep the focalin going
I'm big on supplements! LOL In my morning vitamins, there's also 1000mg magnesium, which I initially took to help with medication constipation but have since learned is supposed to be excellent for ADD, anxiety & depression... though I can't say whether they help those things or not
well, I've more than likely given you more info that you possibly asked for LOL and even asked more questions than answered... but I hope I have been of SOME help
it's always good to find someone taking some of the same meds... btw, have you been on ADD meds before and if so, what have you tried?
please keep me updated on your progress
good luck and welcome back!!
namaste,
lilith
> May I ask how it's going with the Focalin XR?
> I just began it today. I also take Klonopin.
>
> It has been quite some time since I have been active on this board. I was affected by Katrina, and have just now been able to get active on the net again.
>
> I was excited to see someone else takes such a simliar med combo to the one I take.
>
> Hope to hear from you,
> mell
>
>
> > just checking in... besides appearing to have a bit of a headache, yesterday went fine.
> >
> > didn't even notice anything different this morning except that I WAS able to get out... a wonderful thing :)
> > I did wonder today if perhaps the dose was too low but it's way too early to tell and I can play with the clonazepam or diazepam (whichever I end up - am going to try the diazepam tomorrow and take only 5mg) to see if that makes it any better
> >
> > I have also been through some real emotional turmoil the past few days and I'm aware that will influence anything I may be taking. Someone reappeared and dissapeared, bringing back memories, wakening slumbering emotions only to then run off again... his issues, not mine... though that doesn't lessen the confusion nor the sadness.
> >
> > I'm finally admitting my inability to get out in the evening is most likely exacerbated by my adhd drugs wearing off (and that was true for the concerta), so we'll see what tweaking needs to be done so that I may have a social life again LOL
> >
> > But all in all... I'd say the focalin XR is a definite success!!
> >
> > I am very pleased and VERY grateful to you both :)
> >
> > your support has been invaluable and momofdnd: Thank you always for that link to the free trial. It allowed me to try it NOW, instead of in 2 weeks!!!
> >
> > blessings...
> > namaste,
> > lilith
> >
>
>
poster:liliths
thread:680492
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070107/msgs/721002.html