Depressed/Bipolar2 with Stimulant questions?

[cloudmonger]

Newly diagnosed with Bipolar2 (predominantly depressed) My previous diagnosis was major depression. I'm now on a mood stabilizer (Lamictal) which is effective, but I want to get back on a stimulant (was on Ritalin) to help with ADD symptoms as needed for work. I have 20-years of chronic depression/increasing apathy that will not go away. I've been on the gamut of SSRI's and SNRI's, even Abilify and high-dose Wellbutrin for long periods, and none of these effectively targeted the depression, just gave me annoying side effects. I think I need something that directly targets Dopamine (not Serotonin or Norepinephrine).

Problem is, i was never officially diagnosed as ADD as a child because this diagnosis was not common in the 70's (I have had the problematic symptoms my ENTIRE LIFE but untreated) No pdoc wants to prescribe me a stimulant, no one around does testing/diagnosis for Adult ADD. My question is: How many people here have been prescribed Stimulants since childhood? If not, and you have other co-morbid mood issues - How was it that you were prescribed a stimulant?

Ritalin is the only med that noticeably helped me with no major side effects (was on 20mg for 9 months), but since I've run out (and newly diagnosed Bipolar2), no one will prescribe it. I've never had Mania, just some intense mood-cycling dips (never euphoria/enthusiasm, but the opposite: intense depression/dysphoria) which seems to be corrected by my mood stabilizer.

Please give me your impression/thoughts.....I am very saddened to have finally found something that helps my major symptoms with no immediate side effects. I don't understand why doctors think stimulants are so detrimental/ineffective, yet they readily pass out dangerous/powerful antipsychotics & addictive benzos (to people that aren't even psychotic, schizophrenic or have panic disorder)?

[harperevan]

I'm also Bipolar 2 and on Lamictal.  I just started on Adderall 2 days ago... my pdoc referred me to do neuropsych testing for an ADHD diagnosis.  I'm 33.  The person doing the testing told me I likely always had ADHD and learned to cope - I'm back in school again and not doing so well with paying attention, etc.  I tried Wellbutrin first and it made me manic and unable to sleep. My PDOC believes I have ADHD and seems willing to try different things with me.  Adderall doesn't make me manic - it actually calms me (common with ADHD I guess).  I just have to time my dosing well so I get enough sleep.  I don't know where you live but with a previous a history of taking prescribed Ritalin you should be able to find someone that will prescribe.  Let them know you took it before and that it's never made you manic.  Emphasize how much better your quality of life was when you went on it.

Sometimes people who specialize in a diagnosis will be more willing to prescribe for it, I'm not sure if there's a university hospital system in your area but if there is you could try and find a pdoc that does ADHD research??  It's a weird thing because some primary care physicians hand Ritalin out like candy while some psychiatrists keep it on lockdown like nobody's business.  

Good luck!

[notloki]

I'm too old for there to have been ADD as a diagnosis when I was in primary and secondary school. Yet as an adult I was identified as having adult ADD (pretty obvious) without a lot of testing. Just an interview. The proof is in how well the stimulants work and they work very well for me and have for decades.