Dexedrine and BP I

Hi
I have BPI, OCD, anxiety disorder etc etc.
I rapid cycle.
I am on: Seroquel, Lamotragine, Clonazepam, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Remeron
Also: Synthyroid, Lasix, inhalers, Metformin, Ibuprofen, Emtec, etc

I was put on Dexedrine and three days in it was fabulous.  The night day switch reversed.  I woke completely in the am and got tired at night.  And I felt calm.  Now with taking two half tabs I feel nothing.  I cannot decide if this is a good thing or not.  2008 was the year from hell.  Now I have a family member seriously ill and coping with that which is difficult.  I am even calm with the nurses while on an ordinary day I would like to ***** slap them.  Is this what happens with Dexedrine?  I wondered if I am having a reaction like kids put on Ritalin.  My shrink said I had had such a horrible year he almost hoped I would go a little high and have some fun.  He is away for a week = ideas, hints, experiences??
I will listen with respect to whatever anyone writes.
With thanks.  Mielo

[ILADVOCATE]

Dexedrine is technically a stimulant and an amphetamine so its entirely possible. You might want to speak to your psychiatrist about changing this specific medication. It is related to Ritalin which despite being in this category helps people with adhd. Both can set off mood changes in people with bipolar however.

[LeftCoastChick]

I was on that med, before I was diagnosed BP2, now exact same dagnosis as you. It was great for a bit, then it sort of wore off. My pdoc said to take dex holidays. It didn't make me anxious at all, it helped me get back my sleep patterns back and have some "oomph* during the day. I don't suggest this as a first drug to try, I'd been through "the mill* with meds and they all caused sluggishness with me. I'm also slightly ADD, so it helped calm the brain down a bit, I loved it, but I had to stop taking it when I stopped seeing my first pdoc, my GP wouldn't prescribe it, I was "bummed out" by that.
When I mentioned it to my pdoc, he was pretty resistant to it, because I now rapid cycle pretty quickly, so he doesn't want to trigger anything further. I'm now pretty sensitive to having even more then 1 cup of coffee.  

[aadel]

Apart from my regular BP2 cocktail (Effexor, Lithium, Risperdal, Clonazepam),  I take Dexedrine on an as-needed basis.  I have to say that it is the only med that immediately improves my depression.  However, I can't take it for too many days in a row.  If I do, I end up exhausted and rattled.

  I have a supply of 5 mg tablets and 10 mg spansules (extended release).  This allows me to choose whichever one I feel may be right at the time.  It's the spansules I have to watch.  I try not to take them for more than 2 or 3 days in a row.

All the best!