Q&A
44 posts
Question: Now that Pristiq has been out for awhile, what has been the clinical response with your patients compared with the Effexor XR formulation? Rumors have said it is more tolerable and less sexual side effects, although I have tried some samples, and it doesn’t seem to be as calming […]
Question: Dear Dr. Jones, I treated with you about 15 years ago for agoraphobia–and was helped very much by your keen insight into this condition. Would you have time for a quick question? I’ve had a problem traveling long distances from home for most of my adult life. I’ve had […]
I have not seen previous reports of permanent growth suppression from long-term use of stimulants during childhood. Expert consensus and my clinical experience is that height may be slightly delayed but is genetically determined (assuming adequate nutrition). The package insert for methylphenidate products (Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Daytrana, Metadate), cautions that […]
What does it mean when stimulants stop working and/or start causing anxiety or moodiness? Stimulants usually have a stronger effect when they are first started and then the dose has to be increased to achieve a good response. Some patients will become tolerant to at least some of the stimulant […]
There are occasional patients who become sluggish or sedated with methylphenidate for reasons that aren’t clear. If you are taking Effexor or Lexapro in the am then these could interfere with the activating effects of the stimulant. Lexapro and Effexor are usually taken in am when first started, but after […]
See the Do’s and Don’ts of sleeping habits on my site: http://askdrjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/sleep_dos_and_donts1.pdf Make sure you are doing all the cognitive and behavioral things you can do to optimize sleep. You are in a high risk group for insomnia. Sleep problems are more common in women than men, increase with age, and […]
It is usually better to start low and increase until no additional benefits or side-effects. Weight can be used to determine maximum dose, 2mg/kg for methylphenidate and 1.5mg/kg for amphetamines. The following chart was published by Biederman and Wilens at the Harvard department of psychiatry. More people prefer amphetamines. Only 16% prefer methyphenidate. […]
Depression runs in my family and I’ve been on the same medicine for a while with no episodes of depression. About two weeks ago I woke up feeling not myself and contributed it to getting my period on top of coming down with a respiratory infection. Still not feeling well […]