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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Adderall, Effexor, a little marijuana
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Adderall, Effexor, a little marijuana
by losin' it, Oct 31, 2002 12:00AM
I am a 20 year old college student. I took time off, during the fall of my sophomore year, and went to Europe. Returning to school in Jan 2002, I felt worthlessly depressed. I began taking effexor at my physicians advice, as well as adderoll. I did well mentally (if not in my actual life) during the period after I had taken the drug for about two months. After maybe three weeks of "happyness" I stopped the effexor promptly, of my own accord. I did well for a few weeks after, until my life was turned upside down by poor cirsumstance: I stayed out East to run a house painting franchise and got kicked out of my house and bankrupted by a malicious individual who had been posing as a friend. The rest of the summer was a downward spiral. I decided to come back to college, only not until 2 weeks late. The entire time I was taking Adderoll @ 20mg, 3x ea day, then up to 4x ea day in july(doctor's recommend), then abusing the hell out of the stuff at 140mg to 180mg(definite max) ea day...didn't eat well,sleep well, etc..... Now I am taking only 45mg @ 15mg, 3x ea day - with psuedo regularity - and no effexor. I should add that I took effexor again for about a month this fall, but have been stopped for two weeks now. The first two days were great (out of the last two weeks), but after that I couldn't resist smoking pot daily (I've never been a big fan) and the marijuana aside, I have had no clarity, paranoia, and a small but notable pressure(quite scary really) in the left side of my chest - extending down my arm,back, neck, and face; not to mention bad sleeping habits(terrible), bad eating habits, worry, worry, worry. I don't know what's the problem. I have become a different person in my head, the person I want to be, but it doesn't mean a thing unless it is manifested in my actual living. Effexor withdrawal? ADHD? Possible heart damage from Adderoll abuse? Crazy?(just a joke) Please help me understand. Oh, and I am a smoker....Hate that zapping from Effex.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Nov 01, 2002 12:00AM
, Nov 01, 2002 12:00AM
Well, there is only one thing to do and that is to start seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist, possibly through your school.
Prescribing your own medication, especially these two, can lead you into very serious trouble, including fatal heart disease and convulsions.
Now is the time to start over, and as you said, make it work in reality. Your at the age where a little help can make a big difference. Try to see someone today.
Prescribing your own medication, especially these two, can lead you into very serious trouble, including fatal heart disease and convulsions.
Now is the time to start over, and as you said, make it work in reality. Your at the age where a little help can make a big difference. Try to see someone today.
Member Comments (1)
by Keegan, Nov 03, 2002 12:00AM
it sounds like your trying to kill yourself with all that medicine and marijuana on top of it. just chill for a moment and don't do anything. dude, see a therapist #1 then decide about school if you want to go or not. don't take so much in. self talk, keep a journal. your life sounds like it is going too fast right now. slow down. i'm on paxil for anxiety. do you feel anxious? you said, worry, worry, worry. write down the pro's and con's of these drugs you are taking and get rid of the marijuana. our bodies aren't robots so, you know chill out. take care.
by beloi, Nov 10, 2002 12:00AM
i have been taking adderall at only 20mg a day it gave me a scare like the one you were talking about .I went ot the docotr adn my heart was ponding out of my chest. I lost so much weight and felt like i was weasting away. lower yuor dose , see a doc. HAng in there man.
