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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michael Bell on May 9, 2009, at 8:19:40
Hi, so far my p-doc, who is great, has me on the most effective combo for social phobia I've ever been on long term - low dose Risperdal plus Lexapro. However, he now wants to add Concerta to the mix for focusing/motivation/apathy reasons. I have seen a lot of posts that claim Ritalin/Concerta can be pro-social, which I guess is good for SP, but also posts saying it induces paranoia, which is obviously bad, so it worries me. Please share your experiences with this drug, alone or in combo with others. Thanks
Posted by Zana on May 9, 2009, at 10:33:41
In reply to Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences?, posted by Michael Bell on May 9, 2009, at 8:19:40
Get Concerta if you can. It's more expensive but it is a very slow release form of a methylphendate. Ritalin is the same med but has a shorter half-life. Concerta is much smoother.
either on will be mostly out of your system in a day. If you are really anxious about trying it, it might make sense to try ritalin first since it will be out of your system faster. It is mildly activating, should not cause paranoia. I would think paranoia would most likely occur if you took too much. If you don't abuse it, I think the worst thing it can do is make you anxious.Zana
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2009, at 11:41:45
In reply to Re: Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences?, posted by Zana on May 9, 2009, at 10:33:41
What if you're already anxious what happens more anxiety or nothing. I just don't get taking this class of meds with downing meds? Love Phillipa
Posted by HyperFocus on May 9, 2009, at 22:54:12
In reply to Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences?, posted by Michael Bell on May 9, 2009, at 8:19:40
I'm glad you;re getting better Michael. You're the 2nd person I know who has had success with Lexapro against SP. Are you problems with focus and motivation part of the underlying depression or do you think it's being directly induced by the meds?
Posted by Frustratedmama on May 10, 2009, at 11:06:00
In reply to Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences?, posted by Michael Bell on May 9, 2009, at 8:19:40
Personally - I can take Dexedrine or adderall (including adderall XR and vyvanse)but not ritalin (and this is just my opinion). Ritalin had a horrible roller coaster ride of anxiety therefore, I never tried concerta. I would not recommend even attempting ritalin if you have anxiety since it is so short acting and has such a crashing feeling but concerta might be worth it. Just my personal experience.
Posted by desolationrower on May 13, 2009, at 9:40:19
In reply to Re: Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences? » Zana, posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2009, at 11:41:45
> What if you're already anxious what happens more anxiety or nothing. I just don't get taking this class of meds with downing meds? Love Phillipa
For one thing, these drugs have more properties than just 'upper/downer'. for instance benzos/opioids are both downers, but don't feel the same.
So some people benefit from effects that aren't really about going up or down. And anxiety is not really about up/down, like for me its a lot about not being interested in coversations, so i kind of automatically feel like the other person isn't interested, and that makes me feel anxious.
On a more physical level, the main answer is that stimulants increase prefrontal activity, and the prefrontal cortex sends inhibitory signals to the amygdala, so enhanced pfc activity controls anxiety.
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2009, at 20:15:16
In reply to Re: Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences? » Phillipa, posted by desolationrower on May 13, 2009, at 9:40:19
d/r I still don't understand. If coffee increases anxiety for me wouldn't a stimulant be worse? Love Phillips
Posted by desolationrower on May 14, 2009, at 1:44:43
In reply to Re: Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences? » desolationrower, posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2009, at 20:15:16
> d/r I still don't understand. If coffee increases anxiety for me wouldn't a stimulant be worse? Love Phillips
probably, but i'm not sure what thats got to do with benzos? for me coffee reduces anxiety not increase.
-d/r
Posted by Michael Bell on May 14, 2009, at 8:48:51
In reply to Help - Ritalin/Concerta experiences?, posted by Michael Bell on May 9, 2009, at 8:19:40
This is the end of the thread.
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