I know this is a bit long but I will REALLY appreciate some experienced advice! Thanks!
I have been diagnosed with and prescribed meds for depression since 2001. My meds have been switched many many times to find the right “fit” for my body and symptoms. I am currently taking Buproprion (generic for Welbutrin) HCL 100 mg 12hr SA Tablets (2 tablets in the AM and 2 in the evening for a total of 400 mg/day) plus 20 mg of Citalopram (generic for Celexa) once a day. I also have Diazepam (generic for Valium) which I take only when I’m having very bad anxiety episodes. (I do have some other R/X for chronic, extreme back issues and vitamins as well but this is my current regimen for depression.
So here’s my question… I have a friend who was in the Army with me and is suffering from the same type of depression I am. Our symptoms are quite similar (including lack of motivation, feeling fearful, anxiety, unexplainable negativity, somewhat moody, very tired all the time, trouble concentrating, etc.) and we have both been put on a variety of depression meds and for the most part she had the same difficult time finding the right med to help with her symptoms until about 6 months ago when her therapist switched her to Adderall. I have looked into the drug and I realize it can be quite addictive but I have dealt with very addictive prescription drugs in the past (oxycontin, Fentanyl, Percocet, etc, etc etc…) it’s been a very long road. Anyway, since my friend has had such great success with the drug Adderall, I asked my current mental health provider about perhaps trying it on me. She flat out refused and said it was not a drug that doctors should prescribe except in extreme circumstances when nothing else has helped the patient; and, of course, she reiterated that Adderall is mainly prescribed for kids with ADD and ADHD. So why is she so adamant about not giving this drug a try? I am 32 years old and I’ve dealt with many “controlled substance” medications very responsibly over the past 13 years or so (most for my back issues). What else do I need to know about Adderall and how can I convince my doctor to give it a try. If it doesn’t help I would obviously not want to continue taking it, as I am a single mother and all I am interested in is feeling well and being the best person I can be for my young toddler daughter.
NOTE: About 4 months ago my pain management doctor had me on 80 mg of Oxycontin + 8-12 Percocets per day (on top of a few other meds). I was the one who went to my doctor and requested to detox off the narcotic pain meds, or at least decrease the dose quite a bit, and I am currently down to 40 mg Oxycontin and about 8 short-acting Oxys for breakthrough pain. In a few weeks I will be down to 30 mg.
Thanks so much in advance for taking the time to help me. Cheers!
