[mccarrolmike]

Originally Posted by Bridgeto

I was just prescribed Adderall because none of the antidepressants work for me but I'm afraid to take it. It's sitting here but I heard to many horror stories. I've read about to many lives that were ruined taking it. Even if you only take the recommended dose I heard it effects your brain and changes you. Also your relationships everything. Please tell me more about this. I hate feeling lower than a snakes belly but there has to be something for me. Help

So you believe your doctor is going to prescribe to you something that when taken as prescribed, is going to ruin yours.
You could simply do me the favor and just ship me your useless Adderral because where I live it's banned and it can help me in so many ways.
I am sorry but stories like yours upset me.
I need Adderall for my adhd and to treat my treatment resistant depression, we only have ritalin but it doesn't work much for and yet...

[mccarrolmike]

Originally Posted by almostold76

Try looking up Suboxone it also is used off label for treatment resistant depression

Your kidding right, Suboxone?
Now let's create an addiction to a long life battle of getting off opiates! SMH!

[gammaxgoblin]

I have come off Adderall several times to curb the tolerance effect. It has not been a horrible ordeal. Maybe a nuisance, but nothing more intense for me. It does alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms in me, along with the focus which is the reason I take it.

Now let's get real about something. For reference I have an earth science degree and nearly a psych degree. With that said, there are at least 50 new chemical compounds Introduced into the environment every year for the last, at least, 5 decades. All of these cannot be filtered by the environment as they are not naturally occurring and do make there way into the food chain, the air and the water. We are all consuming these and they are having any number of known and unknown effects. I say this because the old publicly comforting of genetics or environment is no longer viable as the knowledge know exists about epigenetics. This means that genes can and are being switched on and off through out our lives. They are switched as a result of what is happening around us, by exposure to chemicals, exposure to toxins, diet, etc... So, in short, there is essentially no way to know what effect any chemical is having on your body until you take it and try to observe in an unbiased ( and best of luck on this essentially impossible to obtain state) manner.

Tldr: take it and see.

[mlbaier]

That is amazing. I was on all kinds of medication and last summer my psych tried adderall. It was the most amazing day I had. My other doctors don't want me on the mediction so I feel bad being on it. It seems to give me the lift that the other drugs don't. My nutritionist said it is because of the dopamine. Adderall is also a helps with cortisol which is your stress hormone.

[Wild Coyote]

I take Adderall for treatment-resistant depression.
I do not take it every day. I take a day off 3 times a week in order to try to minimize any habit-forming properties. yet, even if I took it on a habit-forming schedule, I'd recommend a trial of it for treatment-resistant depression.

Some insurers will pre-authorize use/prescriptions, which will cover the med under their plan. See you pharmacist/drug coverage plan on how to seek pre-authorization.


WC

[boomerango]

Another stimulant-type medication used "off-label" but studied for treatment-resistant depression is modafinil. My physician is a good listener, open-minded, and willing to check out the evidence. She prescribed me the modafinil, and it is subtle, but helps. i also take Cymbalta.

[Rose76]

I appreciate being referred to this thread. Very informative. I've long had treatment resistant depression and an increasingly severe sleep disorder. I have an appointment in April with a pdoc. I'm going to ask for a stimulant. Someone has to let me try something. My quality of life is going down the drain. Everyday from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. I am horribly lethargic, fatigued and depressed. It lifts in the evening. But mornings are just awful.

Another problem is I can't stay asleep at night, but keep waking up. Sometimes - most nights, lately - I wake up at 3 a.m. and can't get back to sleep. I'm desperate. This is causing my whole life to become disorganised. I don't know how to convey the mess this is making of my life. I can't hardly plan anything.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Rose76

I appreciate being referred to this thread. Very informative. I've long had treatment resistant depression and an increasingly severe sleep disorder. I have an appointment in April with a pdoc. I'm going to ask for a stimulant. Someone has to let me try something. My quality of life is going down the drain. Everyday from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. I am horribly lethargic, fatigued and depressed. It lifts in the evening. But mornings are just awful.

Another problem is I can't stay asleep at night, but keep waking up. Sometimes - most nights, lately - I wake up at 3 a.m. and can't get back to sleep. I'm desperate. This is causing my whole life to become disorganised. I don't know how to convey the mess this is making of my life. I can't hardly plan anything.

I hope your pdoc will let you try a stimulant.

WC

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I take Adderall for treatment-resistant depression.
I do not take it every day. I take a day off 3 times a week in order to try to minimize any habit-forming properties. yet, even if I took it on a habit-forming schedule, I'd recommend a trial of it for treatment-resistant depression.

Some insurers will pre-authorize use/prescriptions, which will cover the med under their plan. See you pharmacist/drug coverage plan on how to seek pre-authorization.


WC

I want to note a change.
I am now taking higher dose generic Adderall every 4-6 hours. This has been helpful so far. I am on day #3 and it seems promising. If we need it, I think it's wise to take it on a regular basis and also take "enough" of it.


WC

[Rose76]

Thanks for the update. I'ld be interested to know down the line how well this works out for you. It would help me have some hope.