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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by noelle on May 23, 2002, at 6:02:19
I've been taking Adderal for about 6 months for Adult ADD, mostly mild, I had have periodic eposides of depression therefore I have also been on Wellbutrin in the past. Recently, I started experiencing this feeling of inner restlessness, my legs and arms felt like they were crawling and I begin to feel very depressed. At the same time it seemed that the Adderal wasn't working. I've gone back on Wellbutrin but whenever I take any thing that effects dopimine (alcohol or pot) I get the feeling again. Just an FYI I was smoking pot 4-5 times a week? Any ideas what this is about?
Posted by katekite on May 23, 2002, at 9:50:24
In reply to Adderal and restless legs or akathesia?, posted by noelle on May 23, 2002, at 6:02:19
Have heard that restless legs is a dopamine issue. Wonder if maybe you have a certain threshold for it, are naturally close to that threshold... then you take Adderall, ok during the day but when it wears off and rebound occurs maybe that put you over the threshold? Perhaps Wellbutrin has a rebound for you as well.... could you divide the dose so that its at a more constant level?
I would guess the things that reduce dopamine like pot put you right over the threshold. Of course they didn't use to, right? So either you have lost a couple neurons (hopefully not) or its something else.... maybe since your brain is used to the extra dopamine the sudden rebound during a pot experience is just too much. (cognitively you probably don't notice rebound during pot or alcohol because you are nice and relaxed about it). You would have to make sure you are at the peak of medication when drinking or smoking (being very careful of course, there is some worry about interaction of pot and stimulants).
Have you tried (if that's ok for your mood) going off of all dopaminergics for a week or so to see if it goes away? Probably would be worse for a day or two at least but then might get back to normal. The reason to do it would be to see if its the meds that are causing it. If it continues a week or so after all the meds are out of your system you might want to see a neurologist to make sure its not anything else.
If it is only the meds then twiddling with the doses and times might help. Most people are warned against using stimulant too close to bedtime, but insomnia is not always a problem, especially if restless legs keeping you up. For example some people can drink coffee late into the night and be fine. For me I take ritalin an hour or so before bed sometimes if I'm wound up -- it calms me right down.
Does this sound helpful or am I missing the mark completely?
kate
Posted by noelle on May 23, 2002, at 22:58:07
In reply to Re: Adderal and restless legs or akathesia?, posted by katekite on May 23, 2002, at 9:50:24
Actually that's one of most satisfying explanations I've heard, and no I've never had this issue before I started taking Adheral. What confuses me is that they give dopomine to people that have this chronically. When I went off Adderal, and stopped smoking pot and just took Wellbutrin,it and started to go away. I always go through this with ADD and depression, once I treat one the other comes back, and it feels like an endless cycle. Eventually they all stop working.
Thanks so much for your reply
This is the end of the thread.
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